ML20045H885
| ML20045H885 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 07/12/1993 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20045H879 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9307220071 | |
| Download: ML20045H885 (3) | |
Text
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r SAFETY EVALVATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGVLATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NOS. 53 AND 42 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NOS. NPF-76 AND NPF-80 HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER COMPANY CITY PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD OF SAN ANTONIO CENTRAL POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY CITY OF AUSTIN. TEXAS DOCKET NOS. 50-498 AND 50-499 SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT. UNITS 1 AND 2
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By application dated August 18, 1992, Houston Lighting & Power Company, et.al., (the licensee) requested changes to the Technical Specifications (Appendix A to Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-76 and NPF-80) for the South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2.
The proposed changes would revise Technical Specification (TS) 3.6.3, " Containment Isolation Valves," by changing the wording in the Action Statement to require at least one isolation barrier to be maintained operable, as opposed to at least one isolation valve.
A footnote would also be added to clarify that an isolation barrier may either be an isolation valve or a closed system as defined by General Design Criteria (GDC) 57 of Appendix A to 10 CFR Part 50.
i 2.0 EVALVATION The license amendment application was a followup action resulting from an event reported in Licensee Event Report 92-004 for South Texas Project Unit 2.
The event involved the discovery that neither of the two containment isolation i
valves located in the steam generator chemistry sample line could be verified as being closed, and therefore both isolation valves were declared inoperable.
A plant shutdown was commenced due to entry into TS 3.0.3 when the Action Statement of TS 3.6.3 could not be met.
1 Since the current Action Statement of TS 3.6.3 has no provisions for cases where at least one isolation valve cannot be maintained operable, the licensee is required, if unable to comply with TS 3.6.3 for any system, to comply with j
TS 3 0.3.
The staff recognizes that for certain (i.e., " closed") systems, the Action Statement is inappropriate and constitutes an unreasonable burden. A
" closed system" is one which provides no path for communication of fluid i
, between either the reactor coolant system or containment atmosphere, and the 9307220071 930712" DR ADOCK 0500 0
. environment outside containment.
For systems which qualify as closed, GDC 57 allows a closed system piping boundary inside containment to be considered as one of the two required isolation devices in a piping penetration. GDC 57 thus requires only one (outside) isolation valve for such systems.
For these systems, if the outside isolation valve is closed or inoperable, four hours is an appropriate period of time to restore double-barrier isolation integrity.
This staff position is reflected in the new " Improved Standard Technical Specifications," NUREG-1431, September 28, 1992. This provides closed systems having an inoperable isolation valve with a level of containment penetration integrity equivalent to that of a non-closed system having an inoperable isolation valve.
The proposed amendment would allow the licensee to implement the provision of the Improved Standard TS, allowing four hours to restore or close an inoperable isolation valve serving a closed system.
The Action Statement in TS 3.6.3 is changed to require at least one isolation barrier be maintained operable, as opposed to at least one isolation valve. A footnote is added to clarify that an isolation barrier may either be an isolation valve or a closed system as defined by GDC 57.
Based on the review of the licensee's submittal, the staff concludes that the proposed amendment is consistent with the Improved Standard TS and is therefore acceptable.
3.0 STATE CONSULTATION
in accordance with the Commission's regulations, the Texas State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendment. The State official had no comments.
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
The amendment changes a requirement with respect to installation or use of a facility component located within the restricted area as de'ined in 10 CFR Part 20.
The NRC staff has determined that the amendment involves no significant increase in the amounts, and no significant change in the types, of any effluents that may be released offsite, and that there is no significant increase in individual er cumulative occupational radiation exposure. The Commission has previously issued a proposed finding that the amendment involves no significant hazards consideration, and there has been no public comment on such finding (58 FR 32384).
Accordingly, the amendment meets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9).
Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b) no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendment.
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systems, ou appropriate perveu m-" WUREG-1431, Septem refleeswe-.
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in te t non-closed system havwould allow the licenshours to staff position is or restore valve an isolationthat of a This The proposed amendmentdard TS, allowing fourclosed system Specifications, having an inoperableintegrity equivalent to A
serving a valve.
of the Improved Stan at valve.
least one isolation valve require isolation lation an may either beBased on the changed to review the provisionan inoperable isoin TS 3.6.3 opposed tolation barrier at is nt t the proposed amendme close 57 as maintained operable, t an isoas defined by GDC The Action Statement acceptable.
clarify tha barrier be added to closed systemstaff concludes thand is therefore submittal, theImproved Standard TS a official was footnote isvalve a
or isolation of the licensee'sconsistent with the regulations, the TexasThe State Stateofficial had no STATf_C0fg[LATIQL1 is amendment.
's with the Commissionosed issuance of the 3.0 of a accordance notified of the prop or use In to installationas defined ininvolves N
no DERA ect comments.
CONS NV RONMENTA requirement with resprestricted area amendmentin the types, the rmined thatsignificant change
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located within the 4.0 no a
there is ion amendment changes The NRC staff has dete occupational radiatding that d that amounts, and no the facility component released offsite, anissued a proposed find there has The no increase in the cumulative 10 CFR Part 20 amendmentin 10 CFR hat may be l or consideration, anAccordingly, t forth statement or significantof any effluents t increase in individua the iously The Commission has prev hazards se of 58 FR 32384).
categorical exclusionenvironmental impactwith the issuance significant significant finding (for no exposure. involves such ia Sl.22(b) no connection amendment comment oneligibility criter CFR d in to 10 Pursuantsment need be prepare public meets the 51.22(c)(9). environmental asses amendment.
the
environment outside containment.
For systems which qualify as closed, GDC 57 allows a closed system piping boundary inside containment to be considered as one of tne two required isolation devices in a piping penetration.
GDC 57 thus requires only one (outside) isolation valve for such systems.
For these systems, if the outside isolation valve is closed or inoperable, four hours is an appropriate period of time to restore double-barrier isolation integrity.
This staff position is reflected in the new " Improved Standard Technical Specifications," NUREG-1431, September 28, 1992. This provides closed systems having an inoperable isolation valve with a level of containment penetration integrity equivalent to that of a non-closed system having an inoperable isolation valve. The proposed amendment would allow the licensee to implement the provision of
- Improved Standard TS, allowing four hours to restore or close an inoperr.i solation valve serving a closed system.
The Action Statement in TS 3.6.3 is changed to require at least one isolation barrier be maintained operable, as opposed to at least one isolation valve.
A footnote is added to clarify that an isolation barrier may either be an isolation valve or a closed system as defined by GDC 57.
Based on the review of the licensee's submittal, the staff concludes that the proposed amendment is consistent with the Improved Standard TS and is therefore acceptable.
3.0 STATE CONSULTATION
In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the Texas State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendment.
The State official had no comments.
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
The amendment changes a requirement with respect to installation or use of a facility component located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. The NRC staff has determined that the amendment invoives no significant increase in the amounts, and no significant change in the types, of any effluents that may be released offsite, and that there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. The Commission has previously issued a proposed finding that the amendment involves no significant hazards consideration, and thore has been no public comment on such finding (58 FR 32384). Accordingly, the amendment meets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9).
Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b) no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendment.
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5.0 CONCLUSION
The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that:
(1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor:
W. Long, NRR/SCSB J. Ganiere, NRR/PDIV-2 Date: July 12, 1993
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