ML20027B536

Advises of Plans for Major Renovation of Ventilation & Air Handling Sys in Approx 1.5 Yrs.Portions of Renovations Require Amend to Existing Tech Specs.Requests Exemption from Potential Tech Spec Amend

ML20027B536
Person / Time
Site:	Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute
Issue date:	09/17/1982
From:	Adcock B DEFENSE, DEPT. OF, DEFENSE NUCLEAR AGENCY
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 8209210220
Download: ML20027B536 (2)

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m DEFENSE NUCLEAR AGENCY ARMED FORCES R ADIOBIOLOGY REsE ARCH INSTITUTE BETHEsD A, M ARYL AND 20014 0000 G DIR SEP 17 gg Chief, Standardization and Special Projects Branch Division of Licensing United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 '

Dear Sir:

'he Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI), which operates a 1.0 MW YRIGA Mark-F Research Reactor under USNRC License R-84, is planning a major renovation of its ventilation and air handling systems in approximately 1.5 years. At present, per the existing AFRRI Reactor Technical Specifications, the AFRRI Reactor building has its own ventilation system which exhausts air through absolute filters and out the AFRRI stack at an elevation of at least 18 feet above the highest building in the AFRRI complex. However, under the planned renovation, a central air supply system would serve the entire AFRRI complex to include the Reactor building. This, under a literal interpretation of Paragraph I.A.1 of the existing AFRRI Reactor Technical Specifications, as well as under Paragraph IV. 5.0.a. of the proposed AFRRI Reactor Technical Specification submitted 3 Oct 1980 as part of the AFRRI Reactor Relicensing Application, such a central supply ventilation system would require an amendment to these Technical Specifications. However, it is AFRRI's position that the intent of these paragraphs within its existing and proposed Technical Specifications is to insure that potentially contaminated areas associated with the AFRRI Reactor (i.e. Reactor areas in which an airborne radiological source term might exist) are provided air ventilation and filtration, via the use of HEPA filters, prior to ultimate discharge of the effluent through the AFRRI stack to the unrestricted environment.

Please be assured that all areas within AFRRI in which an airborne radiological source term might exist are now and shall continue to be provided air ventilation which passes the effluent through HEPA filters prior to discharge out the AFRRI stack. In addition, the planned AFRRI ventilation system renovation calls for the capability to isolate Reactor related air volumes / areas which might contain an airborne radiological source term, via the use of positive sealing dampers in conjunction with the establishment and maintenance of slightly negative pressures within these areas.

It is, therefore, requested that your staf f review AFRRI's existing and proposed Technical Specifications and provide an interpretation relating to the proposed AFRRI ventilation system renovation to determine whether a Technical Specification Amendment is required or whether such a renovation could be performed under 10 CFR 50.59.

h&O 8209210110p

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Chief, Standardization and Special Projects Branch Should you have any questions, comments, or require additional information, please contact Captain Joseph A. Sholtis, Jr., the AFRRI Reactor Physicist-In-Charge at 295-1290/1291. i

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BO R.ADCOCK '

COL, MSC, USA Director CY FURN: 4 Director, Region I Office of Inspection and Enforcement ATTN: Mr. R. Keimig 631 Park Avenue ,

King of Prussia, PA 19406 k

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