ML20059H566

Discusses Confirmatory Actions on Startup W/Inoperable Nuclear Instrumentation at Licensee Research Reactor & Confirms That NRC Inspectors Will Visit Facility on 931103 to Further Evaluate Event

ML20059H566
Person / Time
Site:	University of Missouri-Rolla
Issue date:	11/03/1993
From:	Axelson W NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Bolon A MISSOURI, UNIV. OF, ROLLA, MO
References
NUDOCS 9311100125
Download: ML20059H566 (2)

Text

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050 i l

l l

NOV 3O l t

i Docket No. 50-123  !

License No. R-79 i i

University of Missouri-Rolla .;

ATTN: Dr. Albert E. Bolon '!

Director, Research Reactor l Facility .

Rolla, MO 65401-0249 l

Dear Dr. Bolon:

l

SUBJECT:

CONFIRMATORY ACTIONS ON STARTUP WITH IN0PERABLE NUCLEAR j INSTRUMENTATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ROLLA RESEARCH' l

< REACTOR  :

l [

On October 27, 1993, you informed the NRC that on October 26, 1993, at,2:48 l p.m. the Rolla research reactor was shut down upon discovery that the reactor. .

period meter, period strip chart, period rod runback, period: rod interlock j functions, and possibly period scram, were inoperable for. approximately 58 -

minutes. We were also ~ informed that a licensed reactor' operator with two .

engineering students had completed a Pre-Startup Checklist at 1:50 p.m. and j performed several subsequent power level changes prior to identifying that the above reactor period instrumentation was inoperable. In your letter to .

Cynthia Pederson of my staff on October 29, 1993, you expressed concerns, i which we share, on the material condition of your nuclear. instrumentation, the l acceptability of your startup and operating procedures, and the attentiveness  ;

of your reactor operators. ~

Based on your letter, it is our understanding that you have taken or will take 5 the following actions to address the reactor event described above, prior to restart of the reactor:

l 1. Identify and correct the period instrument drawer hardware failure

! leading to the event.

1 l 2. Check other similar hardware (test switches)'on the console. I

3. Revise the Pre-Startup Checklist to have the Pu-Be source " spike" check of the compensated ion chamber detectors occur at'the end rather than the beginning of'the checklist.

4. Perform careful review of the startup and power change operating procedures to determine if they should be revised and complete the  ;

revisions, as deemed necessary, prior to restart of the reactor. j l

5. Perform detailed One-On-One training of the Reactor Operator who was on j the console during the event.

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6. Conduct meetings and training of all licensed operators to clearly l communicate the event and re-emphasize good control room practices with  ;

regard to operator attentiveness. ,

7. Perform an evaluation and make recommended changes as necessary in your  :

current training practices to preclude such operator failures in the  !

, future. '

i .  :

8. Initiate any other corrective actions as deemed necessary as identified a through meetings between you and your staff. j i

9. Notify the NRC Region III staff via a telephone call of resolution of  :

the above actions prior to restart of the reactor. l 1

Please contact Cynthia Pederson at (708) 790-5173 or James McCormick-  ;

4 Barger at (708) 790-5284 for this notification.  !

If for any reason you cannot complete your proposed actions, as specified

~

l 3 above, please advise Ms. Pederson or Mr. McCormick-Barger of your modified i plan.  !

This letter also confirms that NRC inspectors will visit your facility on November 3,1993, to further evaluate the event.  ;

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of l' this letter will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.

i We will gladly discuss any questions you may have concerning this matter. i

-Original Signed by CynWa D. PW500 W. L. Axelson, Director  ;

Division of Radiation Safety i i and Safeguards cc: Dr. William Vernetson, Director I of Nuclear Facilities  :

l L. J. Callan, NRR J B. K. Grimes, NRR R. F. Dudley, NRR 1 M. M. Mendonca, NRR l J. E. Rosenthal, AE0D j bcc:

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