ML20004E995
| ML20004E995 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Point Beach  |
| Issue date: | 06/09/1981 |
| From: | Burstein S WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER CO. |
| To: | Clark R, Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| TAC-07711, TAC-08404, TAC-7711, TAC-8404, NUDOCS 8106160318 | |
| Download: ML20004E995 (2) | |
Text
1 MSCORSin Electnc mea coursur 231 W. MICHIGAN, P.O. BOX 2046. MILWAUKEE, WI 53201 June 9, 1981
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Mr. H. R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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pG U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMilSSION C/ Jtn, Q
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Washington, D. C.
20555 Attention: Mr. R. A. Clark, Chief k,G Isl h,
g Operating Reactors Branch #3 Q
g Gentlemen:
DOCKET NOS. 50-266 AND 50-301 REDUCED TIME DURATION OF CONTAINMENT INTEGRATED LEAK RATE TESTS POINT BEACH NUCLEAR PLANT UNITS 1 AND 2 During a routine inspection conducted by Messrs. D. L. Robinson and I. N. Jackiw of tha Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region III Inspec-tion & Enforcement Office, on February 24-25, 1981, Mr. I. N. Jackiw brought to our attention that containment integrated leak rate tast periods of less than 24 hour2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> durations are currently under review by the Comission.
Mr. Jackiw also infomad us that until an NRC position is established and communicated to all licensees, the acceptability of reduced duration tests will be judged on a case-by-case basis. This information was reiterated in the written report of the inspection in Mr. C. E. Norelius' letter dated March 17, 1981.
In view of our upcoming Unit 1 containment integrated leak rate l
l test scheduled for October,1981, we are confirming our position on the reduced duration containment integrated leak rate test period. Please note that our position on this matter was previously transmitted to you in our l
letter to Mr. Denton dated February 25, 1981, which provided a response to your request for additional infermation relating to Technical Specification I
l Change Request No. 28 dated January 27, 1981.
It is our position. that the reduced duration containment inte-l grated leak rate tests perfomed at the Point Beach Nuclear Plant provide a I
l viable means of determining, accurately and reliably, the quality of contain-ment integrity.
In accordance with the Point Beach Technical Specification, Section 15.4.4.1.A.2' "The test duration shall not be less than 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> l
unless test 2xperience of at least two prior tests provide evidence of the adequacy of the shorter test duration". This evidence is apparent in our l
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810616e318
Mr. H. R. Denton June 9, 1981 previous containment integrated leak rate testing.
In addition, procedural constraints have been applied in the previous tests that allow the test duration to be reduced to no less than eight hours only if there is evidence of a 95% certainty that the leakage rate is within allowable limits.
It is our intention to apply these procedural constraints to the future contain-ment integrated leak rate tests that may qualify for a reduced duration test period.
It should be noted also that the reduced duration, as well as the full c'uration, containment integrated leak rate tests performed at the Point Beach Nuclear Plant are conducted in accordance with the duration require-ments of Appendix J to 10 CFR Part 50 and ANSI N45.4 - 1972.
The present uncertain interpretation of federal regulations and referenced standards continues to cause problems. We are planning to conduct our future containment integrated leak rate testing in the same manner as we have in the past. We recommend an early completion of any Commission review and coordination between the Office of Inspection &
Enforcement and the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation in providing guidance to licensees.
Very truly yours,
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M46 Sol Burstein Exec ive Vice President Copy to: NRC Resident Inspector Point Beach Nuclear Plant l
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