ML20134K522

Responds to Requesting Relief from Section XI Testing Requirements in ASME Code for Safety/Relief Valves at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station,Unit 1.NRC Authorized Proposed Alternative as Described in Relief Request B21-3.SE Encl

ML20134K522
Person / Time
Site:	Grand Gulf
Issue date:	11/18/1996
From:	Beckner W NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:	Hagan J ENTERGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Shared Package
ML20134K526	List: ML20134K522 ML20134K532
References
TAC-M95403, NUDOCS 9611190160
Download: ML20134K522 (4)

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 30666 4 001 i November 18, 1996

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i Mr. Joesph J. Hagan Vice President, Operations GGNS Entergy Operations, Inc.

P. O. Box 756 Port Gibson, MS 39150

SUBJECT:

RELIEF FROM THE SECTION XI TESTING REQUIREMENTS IN THE ASME CODE FOR SAFETY / RELIEF VALVES AT GRAND GULF NUCLEAR STATION, UNIT 1 (TAC NO. M95403)

Dear Mr. Hagan:

The staff has reviewed the information provided in your letter of May 9,1996, for Grand Gulf Nuclear Stat!on, Unit 1 (GGNS), related to (1) a proposed change to the surveillance requirements in the plant Technical Specifications (TSs) and (2) an associated request for relief from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Code) inservice testing (IST) requirements for the main steam safety and relief valves (S/RVs). This letter concerns the request for relief from Section XI of the ASME Code for these valves. The proposed change to the TSs will be addressed in a separate letter.

The Code of Federal Regulations,10 CFR 50.55a, requires that IST of certain ASME Code Class 1, 2 and 3 pumps and valves be performed in accordance with Section XI of the ASME Code and applicable addenda, except where relief has been requested and granted, or proposed alternatives have been authorized, by the Commission pursuant to Paragraphs (a)(3)(1), (a)(3)(ii), or (f)(6)(1) of 10 CFR 50.55a. In proposing alternatives or requesting relief, the applicant must demonstrate that: (1) the proposed alternative provides an acceptable level of quality and safety (Paragraph (a)(3)(1)); (2) compliance would result in a hardship or unusual difficulty without a compensating increase in the level of quality and safety (Paragraph (a)(3)(ii)); or (3) conformance is impractical for the facility (Paragraph (f)(6)(i)).

In your letter, you submitted relief request 821-3 for the 20 S/RVs at GGNS and requested relief from performing (1) Category B stroke and stroke time testing to the safety-related position at least once every 3 months in accordance with Paragraph IWV-3411 of the ASME Code and (2) remote position indication verification at least once every two years in accordance with IWV-3300 of the ASME Code. The basis for your request was Paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of 10 CFR 50.55a and your letter provided the basis that compliance with the ASME Code would result in a hardship or unusual difficulty without a compensating increase in the level of quality and safety. g 1

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Mr. C. Randy Hutchinson l Enclosed is the staff's safety evaluation of relief request B21-3 for GGNS.

Based on this evaluation, the staff has determined that you have demonstrated that compliance with the applicable ASME Code testing requirements would result in a hardship or unusual difficulty without a compensating increase in l the level of quality and safety. Therefore, in accordance with Paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of 10 CFR 50.55a, the Commission hereby authorizes the proposed alternative to the ASME Code for GGNS as described in relief request B21-3 and, thus, relief request B21-3 is approved for use at GGNS.

Sincerely, y b. $cA - --

William D. Beckner, Director Project Directorate IV-1 Division of Reactor Projects III/IV Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation l

Docket No. 50-416

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation cc w/ enc 1: See next page 1

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Mr. C. Randy Hutchinson . .

Enclosed is the staff's safety evaluation of relief request B21-3 for GGNS.

Based on'this evaluation, the staff has determined that you have demonstrated that compliance ~with the applicable ASME Code; testing requirements would result in a hardship or unusual difficulty without a compensating increase in the level of quality and safety.- Therefore,. in accordance with Paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of 10 CFR 50.55a, the Commission hereby authorizes the proposed alternative to the ASME Code for GGNS as described in relief request B21-3 and, thus, relief. request B21-3 is approved for use at GGNS.

Sincerely, ORIGINAL SIGNED BY:

William D. Beckner, Director Project Directorate IV-1 Division of Reactor Projects III/IV Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-416

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation cc w/ enc 1:- See next page DISTRIBUTION:

IWf~tle J. Roe 5

PUBLIC PD4-1 r/f J. Donohew E. Adensam (EGAl)

J. Dyer, RIV- .ACRS OGC (15B18)

P. Tressler W. Beckner R. Wessman G. Hammer G. Hill (2) J. Mitchell Document Name: GG95403.REL *See previous concurrence OFC (A)LA/PD4-1 PM/#4h OGC* D/PD4-1 cud 6 NAME CHawesOlhh JDN hvw MYoung WBeckner DATE' h/l6/96 U/N96 11/07/96 ll /l(/96 COPY YES/NO YES/NO YES/NO YES/N0 0FFICIAL RECOR) COPY k

Mr. Joseph J. Hagan ,

Entergy Operations, Inc. Grand Gulf Nuclear Station j l

cc:  :

Executive Vice President General Manager, GGNS ,

& Chief Operating Officer Entergy Operations, Inc. i Entergy Operations, Inc. P. O. Box 756 P. O. Box 31995- Port Gibson, MS 39150 Jackson, MS 39286-1995 Attorney General Wise, Carter, Child & Caraway Department of Justice P. O. Box 651- State of Louisiana Jackson, MS 39205 P. O. Box 94005 Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9005 Winston & Strawn 1400 L Street, N.W. - 12th Floor State Health Officer Washington, DC 20005-3502 State Board of Health

! P. O. Box 1700 l Director Jackson, MS 39205 Division of Solid Waste Management Mississippi Department of Natural Office of the Governor l

Resources State of Mississippi l

P. O. Box 10385 Jackson, MS 39201 Jackson, MS 39209 r

Attorney General

! President, Asst. Attorney General Claiborne County Board of Supervisors State of Mississippi Port Gibson, MS 39150 P. O. Box 22947 Regional Administrator, Region IV U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Vice President, Operations Support 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 1000 Entergy Operations, Inc.

Arlington, TX 76011 P.O. Box 31995 Jackson, MS '39286-1995 Senior Resident Inspector

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Director, Nuclear Safety Route 2, Box 399 and Regulatory Affairs

! Port Gibson, MS 39150 Entergy Operations, Inc.

I P.O. Box 756 Nuclear Operating Plant Services Port Gibson, MS 39150 Bechtel Power Corporation 9801 Washington Boulevard Gaithersburg, MD 20878 l

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