ML19347E603

Interim Deficiency & Part 21 Repts Confirming 810217 Telcon Re Dissimilar Metal Weld Joints on Small Pipe.Bechtel Const Spec for Welding Will Be Revised to Include all-inclusive Carbon Stainless Weld Procedure

ML19347E603
Person / Time
Site:	Susquehanna
Issue date:	04/21/1981
From:	Curtis N PENNSYLVANIA POWER & LIGHT CO.
To:	Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
References
10CFR-050.55E, 10CFR-50.55E, PLA-709, NUDOCS 8105130114
Download: ML19347E603 (4)

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• PPat 3sG TWO NORTH NINTH STREET) ALLENTOWN, Pg.18101 PHONE. [213] 770 3131 NoMMM W. CUfm8 @T Tasui

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April 21, 1981 - P S*~ /e6 di 9

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Mr. Boyce H. Grier Cu /

N Director, Region I U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Cosmaission 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, PA 19406 SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION INTERIM REP 0RT OF A DEFICIENCY INVOLVING DISSIMILAR METAL WELD JOINTS ON SMALL PIPE ER's 100450/100508 FILES 840-4/900-10 PLA-709 _

Dear Mr. Grier:

This letter serves to confirm information provided by telephone to NRC Region I Reactor Inspector, Mr. L. Narrow, on February 17, 1981 by Mr. C. I. McVicker of PP&L. Mr. Narrow was advised that dissimilar metals have been joined in socket welds on small pipe. This is in violation of Specification M-204 and is considered potentially reportable under the provisions of 10 CFR 50.55(e) .

The attachment tothis letter contains a description of the deficiency, its cause, safety implications and the corrective action planned. This

, information is submitted pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 50.55(e) .

Since the details of this report provide information relevant to the reporting requirements of 10 CFR 2J, this correspondence is considered to also discharge any formal responsibility PP&L may have for reporting in compliance thereto.

We expect to provide a final report on this condition in Jane,1981. We trust the Commission will find this information to be satisfactory.

Very truly yours, A A --

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• l N. W. Curtis Vice President-Engineering & Construction-Nuclear FLW sab PENN SYLV ANI A POWER & LIG H T CO MP ANY 9

4, 81051 s.0 //f . . .

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Mr. Boyce H. Grier -

2- April 21, 1981 l

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cc Mr. Victor Stallo (15)

Director-Office of Inspection & Enforcement U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 l I

Mr. G. Mcdonald, Director (1) l Office of Management Information & Program Control U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission l Washington, D.C. 20555 l l

Mr. Gazy Rhoads l U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P.O. Box 52 Shickshinny, PA 18655 e

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1 Attachment to PIA-709

1. DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM Bechtel NCR 6479, dared 9/18/80, documented the following conditions:

a) There are 111 Q-listed, small pipe spools containing 187 socket welds which involved the joining of dissimilar metals (carbon to stainless steel). The welds were made using a carbon to stainless weld procedure which was not included in the list of approved welding procedures shown on Drawing M-198. The use of the unapproved welding procedure is in noncompliance with Specification M-204 paragraph 6.2.1.b and with Note 1 on Drawing M-198.

b) Also noted is the fact that 43 of the spools, which had 90 socket welds involving dissimilar metals, were identifieg as being in systems with design temperatures greater than 212 F. This is contrary to the requirements of Drawing M-198, Note 24, which limits the dissimilar metal weld joints to the systems which have design temperatures of 212 F or less.

2. CAUSE OF DEFICIENCY a) All welding procedures not listed on Drawing M-198 require approval e from Bechtel Project Engineering as noted on the drawing. Welding was performed without this approval as noted in 1(a) above.

b) Bechtel Field Engineering failed to consider design temperature criteria for dissimilar metal welds as required by the Bechtel Construction Specification for welding. Field Fngineering failed to comply with restrictions on welding applications as noted in 1(b) above.

3. ANALYSIS OF SAFETY IMPLICATION Bechtel Project Engineering hart determined that the weld procedure used to make the 187 welds in 1(a) 1. "cceptable. Of the 90 welds noted in

, 1(b) for systems with design temperaturas of greater than 212,F, 31 of these welds are acceptable because: 1) the process temperature at tho weld will be less than 212 F, or 2) the fatigue stresses at the weld are within allowable valves.

However, due to the fact that the remaining 59 welds are subject to stresses including those induced by temperatures greater than 2120F, the potential for a failure exists. Sonia of these welds are in safety related systems where failure could lead to an unacceptable leak rate and/or dose rate

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and represents a deficiency in construction which will require extensive repair to establish the adequacy of the system to perform its intended safety fc.tetion. Therefore, PP&L considers this deficiency reportable  ;

under the provision of 10 CFR 50.55(e) .

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Attachment t3 PIA-709

4. CORRECTIVE ACTION PLANNED The Bechtel Construction specification for welding (M-198) will be revised to include an all inclusive carbon-stainless weld procedure.

The resolution for the wegds in locations which exceed the temperature design requirement of 212 F will be to rework the lines so that no dissimilar socket welds ara present.

Further investigation is underway to determine the extent of the subject deficiency. The results will be included in our final report.

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