ML19345G192
| ML19345G192 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 03/02/1981 |
| From: | Seyfrit K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Oprea G HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8103170019 | |
| Download: ML19345G192 (1) | |
Text
,
C
/ eare.'*,,
S UNITED STATES
[4 1
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 4<
C l
REGION IV
,,/, J 611 RYAN PLAZA DRIVE. SUITE 1000 h,,
,8 ARLINGTON. TEXAS 76011 March 2, 331 Docket Nos. 50-498 50-499 Houston L13hting & Power Company ATTN: Mr. G. W. Oprea, Jr.
Executive Vice President Post Office Box 1700 Houston, Texas 77001 Gentler.en:
The enclosed IE Circular is forwarded for your information. No written response to this circular is required.
If you have any cuestions related to this matter, pleau contact this office.
Sincerely,
?
-~
d>f/. C.dd w
/
arl V. Seyfrit L.
Director
Enclosures:
1.
IE Circular No. 81-03 2.
List of Recently Issued IE Circulars I
I
?~
'N vn E
. D:!
k--
i em e
f uMr F,$$
v.a c_a
.,I[5 .I U
t-
& S.
i.
n:.
ri "
E9 L,.
.3-dh
. f.d.. ~
SSlNS No.:
6820 Accession No.:
8005050075 IEB 81-01 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 January 27, 1931 IE Bulletit r!o. 81-01:
SURVEILLANCE OF MECHANICAL SNUBBERS Description of Circumstances:
Several instances of failures of mechanical snabbers supplied by International Nuclear Safeguards Corporation (INC) have been identified that indic:te possible deficiencies in these snubbers. A sumary of the failures that have occurred is provided below:
1.
On August 9, 1974, the Tennessee Valley Authority submitted event reporu BFA0-50-260/741W identifying 11 of 14 INC Model MSVA-1A snubbers that were found inoper6ble nn Browns Ferry Nuclear Pover Station Unit 2 and subsequently identified 5 of 14 inoperable units on Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Unit No 3.
All of these units were found to be frozen, and the cause was attributed to a failure to lubricate the parts during assembly.
The failed snubbers were replaced with new units produced by the same manufacturer.
2.
On April 12, 1976, the St. Lucie Plant Unit I facility of Florida Power a
l and Light Corporation submitted event report No. 50-335-76-9 wherein five l
INC Model MSVA-1 snubbers were identified as inoperable because they were found to be frozen.
The failures were caused by oxidation on the internals l
and by improper.assemMy. A.ll.ING mechan.ical snabbers were replaced with j
units prc h ced by anotter manufacturer.
1 3.
On April 8,1977, Iowa Electric Light and Power Company submitted event report No. 77-23 for the Duane Arnold Energy Center facility t*iat identi-fied 13 INC Model IMSVA-1 Type AS snubbers to be frozen; the cause of faH ura was attributed to large amounts of interior oxidation.
The units were replaced with those produced by another manufacturer.
4.
On December 5, 1979, personnel from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission visited Department of Enercy (DOE) facilities at Richlanc, Washington, to obtain information on DOE experience with INC snubbers at the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF).
The DOE-owned FFTF was equipped with more than 4,000 mechanical pipe restraints (sc.ubbers) supplied 'sy INC.
In 1978 FFTF examined more than 800' from their installation and 1
DUPLICATE DOCUMENT were frozen. The plant was i
l]j seen no service and had bee Entire document previously environments for 1 to 2 yea entered into system under:
8005050075'
]
ANo c>. c-. -
Attachment:
.s i
No. of pages:
7 Recently is'ue'd IE' bull'etins s
C A&&l$;
.