ML20126M716
| ML20126M716 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/05/1981 |
| From: | Wenzinger E NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH (RES) |
| To: | Minogue R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH (RES) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19250G967 | List:
|
| References | |
| FOIA-81-201 NUDOCS 8106190369 | |
| Download: ML20126M716 (1) | |
Text
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ItEMORAflDUM FOR: ' R. 8. Minogue, Director Office of Nuclear 4.cgulatory Research ..
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- K. R. Goller, . Director I :
'i Division of Facility-Operations J -
Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research J. 4 i'
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FROM: E. C. Wenzinger, Chief .
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Instrumentation & Control Branch 1 Division of Facility Operations 4 Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research 5 3
SUBJECT:
ATTACHED MEMO - R. FEIT TO E. C. WENZINGER - MAY 5, 1981 ; l 1
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The attached memo is transmitted for your information. Although Mr. Feit is no. longer working in this area, I feel this letter may_ be useful to you in
, evaluating the opinions expressed during the Contnission meeting by Mr. Harrison. .
Original 8dned by c
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_ E. C. Wenzinger '
, j E. C. Uenzinger, Chief' - a Instrumentation & Control Branch .
Division of Facility Operations x,
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Enclosure:
As stated i a
bec: R.Feit I E.C.Wenzinger .*
W.M. Morrison ' d K.R.Goller . .
- DISTRIBUTION
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MEMORAllDUM FOR: Commissioner Bradford Y ,, Q
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FROM: William J. Dircks 0
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Executive Director for Operations . l
SUBJECT:
FIRE PR0fECTI0f1 RESEARCH AT SAtiDIA f During a meeting with you on April 3,1981, you requested that f1RR provide its views on the competency of Sandia to perform fire protection research.
It is our view that Sandia has an excellent research organization and has developed a competent. staff for the conduct of itRC-sponsored confirmatory research. In the-fire protection research area, Sandia has successfully per-formed a large number of tests, the results of which have influenced our safety reviews. Sandia has also subcontracted some of the flRC tests to well-known
.research facilities such as Underwriters 1.aboratories.
In the opinion of.some of the fiRR staff, there have been occasions when Sandia has not fully used the services of fire protection research consultants that
, are knowledgeable of the fire protection programs in nuclear power plants and how the test results will be used in the licensing process. As a result, some tests may not have been representative of real life circumstances or nucicar power plant configurations. Also, liRR believes that.some Sandia tests have duplicated tests carried out at facilities such as flBS. llowever,flRR l
staff is not directly involved in the day-to-day direction of the fire protec-I tion research program and, therefore, is not cognizant of the overall picture that may dictate or make it cost-effective to carry out the research at Sandia instead of another laboratory, such as flBS.
I Also, as you requested, RES management has directly reviewed the Sandia fire protection program with the key Sandia staff involved. The conclusions of RES management are consistent with the foregoiqg !!RR views. Sandia staff began its activities in this area from a base of e'xtensive experience in the conduct of qualification tests under a number of environments. Moving from l that base into a general program of fire research necessitated a considerable learning curve. RES management concludes that Sandia has succeeded in developing adequate competency in this area although greater use could have been beneficially made of input from concerned knowledgeable fire protection experts and organiza-tions, such as ASTM and flBS, in the planning of specifics of the program.
Regarding the question of changing contractors, RES believes it would not be cost-effective to change at this time; Sandia has essentially completed its learning curve and a cost-effective program is in place. However, even more efforts could be made to obtain input from outside fire protection experts, and Sandia will be pressed to do that.
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Y-c..... . . . . c. c m . c. u l In suaT.ary, except for some perceived deficiencies in utili:ation of consultants and organizations knowledgeable in fire protection probicms generally and in those unique to nuclear power plants, we believe that the Scndia fire protection research has been conducted in an acceptable raanner. l!c intend to instruct Sandia to aggressively seek broad peer review both of program planning and results as this program progresses, Etr.:51 ' "'"t-.
t!illiam J. Dircks Executive Director for Operations cc: Chairman Hendrie Co missioner Gilinsky Co.;missioner Ahearne SECY OGC DPE DISTRIBUTION Central Files RES CIRC RES SUBJ RES RF DET SUBJ DET RF bec: WJDircks TARehm RBMinogue EGCase
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