ML19345A498
| ML19345A498 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Yankee Rowe |
| Issue date: | 05/08/1974 |
| From: | Heider L YANKEE ATOMIC ELECTRIC CO. |
| To: | James O'Reilly NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19345A496 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8011210766 | |
| Download: ML19345A498 (2) | |
Text
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YANKEE ATOMIC ELECTRIC CONIPANY C
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20 Turnpike Rood Westborough, Massochusetts 01581 NNKEE
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May 8, 1974
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United States Atomic Energy Commission Directorate of Regulatory Operations Region I 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406 Attention: James P. O'Reilly, Director
Reference:
License No. DPR-3 (Docket No. 50-29)
Dear Sir:
This letter is written in response to your letter dated April 17, 1974 which indicates two items that appeared to be in violation of AEC requirements. These items were reported as a result of an inspection conducted on March 11 - 15,1974 -at the Yankee Facility in Rowe, Massachusetts.
Information is submitted in answer to the alleged violations contained in the enclosure to your letter as follows:
Technical Specifications, Paragraph D.1 states, in part, 24
"...All plant operatier-
.shall be conducted in accordance with written procedures a.
Yankee Operating Pro, e, Primary System Unter Balance, OP-4220, states, in pa
---Step by step instructions are provided on the forms to determine the primary plant RE accountable and unaccountable leak rate..."
Contrary to the above the calculations performed on March 2 and 3, 1974, were not accomplished in accordance with the procedures.
Response: The plant reviewed the. referenced procedure and determined that certain instructions and calculations could be misinterpreted.
As a result the calculation format has been revised. The revised procedure will be placed in service upon completion of the approval process; until that time the calculations are checked by the TAPS Department.
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- Unitcd States Atomi<
'nsrgy Commission Mny 8,q 74 Attn: Directorate or Regulatory Op: ration: Page Two b.
Yankee Operating Procedure, OP-8100, Establishing and Posting Controlled Areas, states, in part,
---All controlled creas shall be~ adequately surveyed to insure that the boundaries established completely define the controlled area--."
Contrary to the above, on March 12, 1974, the boundary established did not completely define the contaminated area identified in the New Fuel Storage Vault.
Response
The alleged violation occurred when the barrier rope defining the controlled area did not quite reach the New Fuel Storage Vault wall.
The inspector was able to walk around the end of the barrier rope into the controlled area.
Barrier ropes are an accepted method for defining controlled areas; however, they are not barriers that prevent physical breach of the confines.
The rope barrier is intended and used as a visual warning only.
In addition, the rope is located within the New Fuel Storage Vault which is itself locked; the key to which is controlled by the Shift Supervisor and Plant TAPS and only available for specific activities under the direct supervision of H.P. personnel or the authority of a Radiation Work Permit.
Upon notification by the inspector of the alleged violation the rope barrier was extended to the wall.
Yankee management feels dissatisfied about the assignment of Severity Category II to these violaticns.
The Severity Category is defined in a Director of Regulatory Operations letter dated June 5, 1973, as follows:
"Those violations which, if not corrected, may lead to or contribute to an occurrence, incident, or situation involving radiation exposure to capJoyees or the public in excess of pertissible limits, the release of radioactive caterials in effluents in excess of pernissible limits, or a threat to the cennon defense and security or the envirocents."
It is extreccly d1fficult to reconcile the circumstances or consequences of the actual occurrences with this definition.
We trust you find this information satisfactory; however, should you desire additional information, please contact us.
Very truly yours, YANKEE ATOMIC ELECTRIC COMPANY
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U L. H. Heider Manager of Operations REMR/kg
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