ML20141A247

Insp Rept 50-382/97-13 on 970602-04.Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Ability of Containment Isolation Valve to Perform Intended Function

ML20141A247
Person / Time
Site:	Waterford
Issue date:	06/13/1997
From:	NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:
Shared Package
ML20141A226	List: ML20141A223 ML20141A247
References
50-382-97-13, NUDOCS 9706200191
Download: ML20141A247 (14)

See also: IR 05000382/1997013

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ENCLOSURE

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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

REGION IV

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Docket No.:

50-382

License No.:

NPF-38

Report No.:

50 382/97-13

Licensee:

Entergy Operations, Inc.

Facility:

Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3

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- Location:

Hwy.18

Killona, Louisiana

Dates:

June 2 6,1997

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Inspector:

G. E. Werner, Project Engineer, Project Branch D

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Approved By:

P. H. Harrell, Chief, Project Branch D

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ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1:

Supplemental Information

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Attachment 2:

Section E2.1 from NRC Inspection Report 50-382/96-24

Attachment 3:

Task Interface Agreement (TIA) "Waterford 3 - Requirements for

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the Capability of Containment isolation Valves' to Close to Maintain

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Containment Integrity" (TAC M97234)

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9706200191 97061

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ADOCK 05000302

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3

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NRC Inspection Report 50-382/97-13

. This special inspection was conducted to review the ability of containment isolation valves

to perform their intended safety function. This issue was identified as Unresolved

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Item 50-382/9624-03 in NRC Inspection Report 50-382/96-24. Section E2.1 of the report

is provided as Attachment 2 to this report. To obtain resolution of this issue, Task

interface Agreement (TIA) 96TIA017, "Waterford 3 - Requirements for the Capability of

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Containment isolation Valves to Close to Maintain Containment Integrity," was issued by-

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the NRC's Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) to provide the requirements that

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specifically apply to Waterford 3. The TIA is provided as Attachment 3 to this report.

Enoineeri_n_g

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The licensee failed to provide a closed capability for the containment spray header

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and component cooling water to containment fan cooler containment isolation

valves. The failure to maintain containment isolation valves in an operable status is

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an apparent violation of Technical Specification 3.6.3 (Section E8.1).

The Updated Final Safety Analysis Report stated that containment isolation valves

have the capability to be closed from the control room to isolate a faulted

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engineered safety feature system. However, the containment spray header and

component cooling water to containment fan cooler containment isolation valves

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could not be closed with a safety injection actuation signal present. The failure to

perform a safety evaluation is an apparent violation of 10 CFR 50.59

ISection E8.1).

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Report Details

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Miscellaneous Engineering issues

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E.8.1 IClosed) Unresolved item 50-382/9624-03: Requirement for a closed safety

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function for containment isolation valves. Previously, the inspectors identified that

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the licensee designated certain engineered safety features containment isolation

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valves as not having a closed safety function and, as a result, the valves were not

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provided with the capability to be closed. During the inspection, the inspectors

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concluded that the valves were required to have a closed safety function and were

required to be capable of being closed under all conditions in case of a line or

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system malfunction. The licensee expressed the position that the plant was

licensed without requiring the closed capability for the valves and, therefore, the

containment isolation valve design was acceptable. Based on the licensee's

contention, this issue was identified as unresolved pending a response to

TIA 96TIA017 by NRR. See Attachment 2 for the details provided in NRC

inspection Report 50-382/96-24.

The response to TIA 96TIA017 stated, in part, that containment isolation is always

considered a safety function and all containment isolation valves are required to

have a closed safety function (refer to Attachment 3 for the complete

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TIA response). The NRR technical staff acknowledged in the TIA that the system

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safety function (e.g., containment spray) takes priority over the containment

isolation function; however, when the system is no longer able to perform its

primary safety function, then containment isolation takes priority.

Technical Requirements Manual Table 3.6.2 lists Valves CS-125A(B), CC-807A(B),

CC-808A(B), CC-822A(B), and CC-823A(B) as containment isolation valves

applicable to Technical Specification 3.6.3. Based on previous inspections and

discussions with licensee personnel, it was established that these valves could not

perform their containment isolation safety function because: (1) procedures were

not provided that allowed the installation of electricaljumpers to permit closure of

the valves with a safety injection actuation signal present, and (2) the air

accumulator assemblies for Valves CC-807A(B), CC 808A(B), CC-822A(B), and CC-

823A(B) were not capable of supplying the air required to shut the valves. The

failure to have operable containment isolation valves capable of providing

containment isolation is an apparent violation of Technical Specification 3.6.3

(50-382/9713-01).

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Updated Final Safety Analysis Report Section 6.2.4.1.2, " Criteria for Isolation of

Fluid Systems Penetrating the Containment," stated that each penetration line shall

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contain one isolation valve outside containment that shall be capable of either

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cutomatic or remote manual operation or locked closed. Further, Section 6.2.4.1.2

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stated that remote manual valves have the capability to be shut to isolate a faulted

engineered safety feature system and that, " Valves isolating penetrating lines

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serving engineered safety feature systems are not closed automatically by the CIAS

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Icontainment isolation actuation signal], but have the ability to be closed by remote

manual operation from the main control room, thereby, isolating any engineered

safety feature system which malfunctions." However, the licensee operated the

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plant, since construct;on, without the capability to shut the above listed

containment isolation valves when required. The failure to perform a written safety

evaluation that provides the basis for the determination that the change does not

involve an unreviewed safety question is an apparent violation of

10 CFR 50.59(b)(1) (50-302/9713-02).

V. Manaaement Meetinos

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Exit Meeting Summary

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The senior resident inspector presented the inspection results to members of

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licensee management on June 5, i997. The licensee acknowledged the findings

presented.

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The inspector asked the licensee whether any materials examined during the

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inspection should be considered proprietary. No proprietary information was

identified.

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ATTACHMENT 1

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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

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PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED

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Licensee

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INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED

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IP 92903

Followup - Engineering

ITEMS OPENED AND CLOSED

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Open

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50-382/9713-01

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An apparent violation of Technical Specification 3.6.3 for

failure to maintain containment isolation valves operable

50-382/9713-02

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An apparent violation of 10 CFR 50.59 for failure to

perform a safety evaluation associated with a lack of

closure capablity for numerous containment isolation

valves.

Closed

50-382/9624-03

URI

Requirement of a closed safety function for containment

isolation valves

LIST OF ACRONYMS USED

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escalated enforcement item

ESF

engineered safety feature

TIA

task interface agreement

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unresolved item

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ATTACHMENT 2

Excerpt from inspection Report 50-382/96 24

E2.1

Containment Sorav Header and CCW to Containment Fan Cooler Containment

isolation Valves

a.

Inspection Scone (37551)

The inspectors reviewed licensee correspondence with the NRC, licensee internal

correspondence, the Safety Evaluation Report, the Standard Review Plan, the

UFSAR, General Design Criteria (GDC) 56 and 57, and numerous regulatory

guidance documents to determine the applicability of a closed safety function for

the containment isolation valves, associated with containment spray and CCW

systems.

b.

Observations and Findinos

b.1

Containment Spray isolation Valves CS-125A(B)

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Containment spray lines penetrate containment through Penetrations 34 and 35.

Technical Requirements Manual Table 3.6-2, "Contenment isolation Valves," lists

containment isolation vahres that are applicable to Technical Specification 3.6.3,

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" Containment isolation Valves." For Penetration 34, Valves CS-125A and CS-128A

were listed as containment isolation valves. For Penetration 35, Valves CS-1258

and CS-1288 were listed as containment isolation valves, in addition, UFSAR Table

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6.2-32, " Containment Penetrations and Isolation Valves," list Valves CS-125A(B) as

one of the two containment penetration isolation valves.

Valves CS-125A(B) are air-operated gate valves that fail open on loss of IA.

Nonsafety-related IA is the normal air supply with backup air supplied by

safety-related air accumulators. Valves CS-125A(B) receive an open signal on a

containment spray actuation signal.

The containment spray system is classified as an open system ';3ide containment.

GDC 56 specifies acceptable means to meet the required containment isolation

provisions for systems open to containment atmosphere. The inspectors

determined that the containment isolation provisions for containment spray headers

were satisfied in accordance with GDC 56 by having one automatic valve (Check

Valves CS-128A(B)) inside containment and one remote manual isolation valve

(Valves CS-125A(B)) located outside containment. Remote manual valves located

outside containment are allowed by American National Standard (ANSI) N271-1976,

" Containment isolation Provision for Fluid Systems," Section 3.6, "Other Defined

Basis," Subsection 3.6.3, " Remote Manual Valves," provided provisions are made

to detect possible failure of the fluid lines inside and outside containment and the

capability is maintained to remote manually isolate these lines.

For Valves CS-125A(B), the control circuitry was designed in such a manner that,

once a containment spray actuation signal exists, the valves cannot be shut until

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the containment spray actuation signal clears; however, the circuitry could be

jumpered to allow closure of the valve in the malfunctioning containment system

train. This is significant since an alternate isolation valve cannot be closed until 6

hours after a LOCA because of high radiation levels in the minus t' foot valve

enclosure bay area of the reactor auxil!ary building.

b.2 CCW to Containment Fan Cooler Containment Isolation Valves

CCW to the containment fan cooler lines penetrate containment through

Penetrations 15 through 22. Technical Requirements Manual Table 3.6-2 lists the

CCW to containment fan cooler valves as containment isolation valves applicable to

Technical Specification 3.6.3 Further, UFSAR Table 6.2.32 listed Valves

CC-807A(B), -808,A(B), -822A(B), and -823A(B) as containment isolation valves.

The CCW air-operated, betterfly CCW to containment fan cooler isolation valves fail

open on loss of IA. Nonsafety-related IA is the normal air supply with backup air

being supplied by safety-related air accumulators.

The CCW to containment fan cooler lines form closed systems inside containment.

GDC 57 specifies that for closed systems that penetrate containment, the lines shall

have at least one containment isolation valve which is either automatic, or locked

closed, or capable of remote manual operation that is located outside containment.

The inspectors determined that the containment isolation provisions were satisfied

for the CCW to containment fan cooler penetration lines by having a closed CCW

system inside containment and remote manual valves located outside containment.

Once a safety injection actuation signal exists, the control circuitry for the

containment fan cooler isolation valves does not allow the CCW to containment fan

cooler isolation valves to be shut until the safety injection actuation signal clears;

however, the circuitry could be jumpered around to allow closure of the valve in the

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malfunctioning CCW system train.

b.3 Common Containment isolation Requirements

Regulatory Guide 1.141, " Containment isolation Provisions for Fluid Systems," April

1978, endorsed the use of ANSI N271-1976, with some exceptions not applicable

to the affected valves. ANSI N-271 approved containment configurations required

to meet GDC 56 and 57. Safety Evaluation Report, Section 6.2.4, " Containment

Isolation System," stated, in part, that the containment isolation provisions met the

requirements of GDC 54,55,56, and 57, and satisfied the guidance of Regulatory

Guide 1.141.

UFSAR Section 6.2.4.1.2, " Criteria for Isolation of Fluid Systems Penetrating the

Containment," required that each penetration line contain one isolation valve outside

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containment that shall be capable of either automatic or remote manual operation or

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locked closed. Further, Section 6.2.4.1.2 required that remote manual valves have

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the capability to be shut to isolate a faulted ESF system and that " Valves isolating

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penetrating lines serving engineered safety feature systems are not closed

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automatically by the CIAS [ containment isolation actuation signal], but have the

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ability to be closed by remote manual operatior, f,om the main control room, thereby

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isolating any engineered safety feature system which malfunctions." The inspectors

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determined that UFSAR Section 6.2.4.1.2 was consistent with regulatory

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requirements.

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b.4 Licensee Position for ESF System Containment isolation Valves

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Throughout the inspection and during the exit meeting, licensee management

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maintained the following positions:

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Based on the original design and licensing of the plant, the subject

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valves were considered containment isolation valves.

All regulatory requirements for containment isolation were satisfied.

The subject valves did not have a closed safety function.

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The NRC's preliminary position that the valves have a closed safety

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function is a backfit.

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No testing was required to demonstrate the ability of the

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accu-ulators to provide backup air to stroke the subject valves in the

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closed direction and to maintain the a closed since the valves did not

have a closed safety function.

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The licensee maintained that Valves CS-125A(B) never had a closed safety function

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as discussed in various letters between the utility and the NRC. The licensee

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contended that Letter W3P84-0577, dated March 16,1984, informed the NRC that

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a water barrier would be maintained in the containment spray system piping.

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Discussions with various licensing personnel indicated that, based upon this letter,

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the licensee determined that Valves CS-125A(B) did not have a closed safety

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function and that containment integrity would be maintained with the water barrier

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in the containment spray system because it formed a closed system outside

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containment.

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The inspectors noted that Letter W3P84-0577 was used to justify relief from

performing Appendix J leak rate testing on various containment isolation valves,

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including Valves CS-125A(B). Enclosure 1, of the letter, indicated that a water

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barrier could be maintained in the containment spray system piping for 30 days

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assuming Valves CS-125A(B) remained closed. However, the valves fail open on

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loss of IA and cannot be closed without using some type of backup air.

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From 1989 to 1994, internal licensee correspondence documented the safety

function (both open and closed) for valves CS-125A(B). In 1994, the licensee

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concluded the valves had no closed safety function and discontinued accumulator

testing in August 1994 (last test completed March 8,1994 under Work

Authorization 01121332). This was documented in a 10 CFR 50.59 screening

titled " Revision 1 to STA-001-005, Leakage Testing of Air and Nitrogen

Accumulators Safety-Related Valve." The licensee justified not testing CS-125A(B)

because, " credit may be taken for containment spray train isolation using CS-

117A(B) [stop check valve located outside containment] and CS-118A(B) (normally

closed manual recirculation valve to tha RWSP]. The CS-125A(B) accumulator tests

are therefore not required."

The licensee also maintained that the CCW to containment fan cooler isolation

valves did not have a closed safety function. Various licensee documents justified

this position by stating that the CCW system is classified as a Seismic Category 1,

Safety Class 3, closed system whose failure does not have to be postulated during

a loss of coolant accident. Therefore, the containment isolation barrier would be

the CCW piping system inside containment.

During the inspection and at the exit, licensee management stated that they

believed the original design was consistent with regulatory requirements. Licensee

management contended that the NRC knew that the containment spray header and

CCW to containment fan cooler containment isolation valves could not be shut once

a containment . spray actuation signal or safety injection actuation signal existed and,

therefore, licensed the plant with an approved containment penetration design.

Further, management indicated that the requirement for these valves to have a

closed safety function was a change in previous NRC position, thereby constituting

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a backfit.

b.5 Licensee and NRC Management Conference Call

On October 25,1996, Region IV and NRR personnel, including NRC management,

held a conference call with the licensee to understand the licensee's position.

During this call, NRC agreed to allow the licensee time to submit a letter detailing

the licensing basis for the subject containment isolation valves. In the interim, the

Vice President, Operations, committed to performing actions to ensure the isolation

capacity of the associated penetrations while NRC evaluated the licensee's position.

The commitment involved testing of each containment isolation valve accumulator

and establishing procedural guidance to enable closure of the valves from the

control room for a line or system fault during accident conditions.

The ten containment isolation valve accumulators and actuating systems were leak

tested satisfactorily by November 8,1996. Valves CS-125A(B) passed without any

rework. All of the CCW to containment fan cooler isolation valves required

extensive rework. Numerous leaks were repaired on fittings, solenoid valves, and

actuating mechanistas. The leakage would have prevented the ability to maintain

the valves closed, if containment isolation was required.

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Independent of the licensee submittal, Region IV submitted Task interface

Agreement 96TIA017, dated November 13,1996, requesting NRR to review the

regulatory requirements for isolation and closure capability for the containment

isolation valves. Pending NRR's review of Task Interface Agreement 96TIA017, the

operability requirements of the containment spray and CCW to containment fan

cooler isolation valves are identified as an unresolved item (382/9624-03).

c.

Conclusions

From review of regulatory requirements and discussions with NRR Containment

System Branch personnel, it appeared that Valves CS-125A(B) and the CCW to

containment fan cooler containment isolation valves have a closed safety function.

Specifically, the valves are required to have the capability to close in case of a line

or system malfunction in order to maintain containment integrity under all

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conditions. However, because of the position expressed by the licensee, Region IV

has requested a formal review of the regulatory requirements from NRR.

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ATTACHMENT 3

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April 22,1997

MEMORANDUM TO: Thomas P. Gwynn, Director

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Division of Reactor Projects, RIV

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FROM:

William D. Beckner, Director /S/ ORlG SIGNED BY: JHall for

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Project Directorate IV-1

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Division of Reactor Projects lil/IV

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SUBJECT:

TASK INTERFACE AGREEMENT (TIA)- WATERFORD 3 - REQUIREMENTS

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FOR THE CAPABILITY OF CONTAINMENT ISOLATION VALVES TO CLOSE

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TO MAINTAIN CONTAINMENT INTEGRITY (TAC NO. M97234)

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in a memorandum dated November 13,1996, from J. E. D ,.. to W. D. Beckner, Region IV

requested the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) to review the licensee's position

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on compliance with the general design criteria for dual function (i.e., open safety function

on a safety injection actuation signal and/or containment function to isolate the

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containment) air-operated containment penetration valves. On March 18,1997, the NRR

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and Region IV staff met with the licensee to discuss containment isolation design and

licensing basis for Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3. While some more discussion

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with the licensee regarding the long term resolution of the detailed design issues is

required, the NRR has determined that the staff position is clear as discussed below.

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Before addressing the specific designs, one needs to understand the roles of a system

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safety function and containment isolation function. In general, a system which penetrates

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containment has an important role to play in the overall operation of the plant. Some

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perform a safety function in a pre / post loss of coolant accident (LOCA) manner while

others are important to the overall operation of the plant. In either case, however, the

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requirement to perform a containment isolation function is the same. Containment

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isolation is always considered to be a safety function. The only remaining question is

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when the isolation function needs to be performed.

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Let us reverse the order and first discuss the role of the containment isolation valves for a

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nonsafety system. For this system class, it is normally assumed that the need for the

system function ceases when the need for containment isolation is identified. Receipt of a

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containment isolation signal will cause the containment isolation valves to automatically

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actuate. This satisfies (na containment function while at the same time ending the normal

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functioning of the system.

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The safety system containment isolation philosophy is quite similar. The difference relates

to the priority of the function. Unlike for a nonsafety system, the safety system function

does not cease when the need for containment isolation is identified. The safety function

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simply takes priority over containment isolation. As long as the system is able to provide

its safety function, containment isolation should not be implemented. However, if the

system is not able to perform its safety function, then containment isolation becomes its

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number one priority.

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By having the safety system function take first priority eliminates the need for automatic

containment isolation. Remote isolation is the accepted mode for this type of system.

With remote isolation capability, however, comes the need to know when isolation is

needed. This generally means leak detection and some means to determine system

operability.

Once it is determined that the safety function is not operable, containment isolation

becomes the number one priority. The operators are trained to properly isolate the system

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which means closing both containment isolation valves.

Now, let us look at the requirements to isolate. The function must be fully safety grade.

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This means that the instrumentation, motive power, actuator, and valve must be all safety

grade, if the valve is motor operated, it should be Class ?E powered. For air power, the

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valve should either close upon loss of air supply or the supply should be considered

essential which generally implies an adequately sized accumulator that will assure valve

closure for 30 days.

Therefore, for systems with a dual requirement, the valves can and probably will have a

two position criteria. To satisfy the safety system function, the valve position should be

open. However, to satisfy the containment isolation function, valve position should be

closed. To simply look at the safety system function to establish valve position meets only

half of the valve requirements. Additionally, to power the valve actuator with a nonsafety

air supply is unacceptable when the failure position is open since the containment isolation

function cannot be satisfied.

With this brief background, one can now discuss the specific questions contained with the

TIA request. _Specifically, Region IV has identified the following questions:

QUESTION 1

Does the licensee comply with the requirements of Criterion 57 (i.e., do the

containment spray and component cooling water containment penetration valves

have a closed safety function?). In particular, are the air-operated valve

accumulators required to maintain the valves closed on a loss of nonsafety related

instrument air?

RESPONSE

The valves in question have dual requirements. For the system safety function, the

valves have an open function to assure the operability of the system when needed.

However, the valves also have a containment isolation function when called upon.

Under this sequence, the valves have a closed function. As discussed above, the

system safety function has first priority. Therefore, the fail open design is

appropriate. But, the containment isolation function is equally important when the

situation calls for isolation. This means that the air supply should be safety grade

to minimize the times when one loses the air supply to the valvs which also loses

the containment isolation function. The design needs safety accumulators to assure

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an air supply in the event of loss of nonsafety instrume it air. For this reason, it is

unacceptable to have nonsafety instrument air without s safety backup system.

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Would similar valves for containment penetrations subjr et to the requirements of

Criteria 55 and 56 also have a closed safety function fc containment isolation,

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even if, the position of greater safety of the valve is to open?

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RESPONSE

All containment isolation valves subject to the requirem nts of

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Criteria 55 and 56 have a closed safety function. Howi ver, it is quite

misleading to state that the position of greater safety ol' the valve is to

open. These valves under discussion have a dual requii iment; performance of

the system safety function and the containment isolatic'i function. Each function is

a separate responsibility. Therefore, for the system safe ty function, the position of

greater safety is open. But for the containment isolation function, the position of

greater safety is closed. Since the system function has tPst priority, the valve

should f ail open upon loss of air. However, since the containment isolation position

of greater safety is closed, the air supply should be as reable as possible to

minimize the probability of the loss of air. This is translatul to mean safety grade.

QUESTION 3

is the licensee required to have the capability of remote manual closure of the

containment penetration valves with a safety injection actustion signal and/or

containment spray actuation signal present?

RESPONSE

The simple response is yes. The licensee is required to be able to remotely close

the valve at any time during the transient. This is om'icularly irr,portant if the safety

system has a burned in signal to stay open to mai.na n the safety system function.

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The solution is to design the logic such that a switch in the control room can be

actuated to override this open signal. An example of such a design can be found on

the containment isolation valves connected to an external recombiner. Normally the

valves are in a closed position. To allow the recombiner to become operational,

these valves must be opened even though there exists a containment isolation

signal. This override logic eliminates the need to jumper the connections within the

control cabinet which would be necessary without this control logic.

Equally important to the ability to change valve position is knowing when to initiate

containment isolation. Sufficient instrumentation should be available to the operator

for this purpose. This would include leak detection as well as sufficient

discrimination to determine which system is leaking.

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QUESTION 4

If the answer to Question 3 is yes, are manual actions an acceptable means of

meeting this requirement?

RESPONSE

,

Manual action is an acceptable means for meeting this requirement. But, it should

be remote manual and normally from the control room.

With respect to the acceptability of the accumulators that exist at Waterford 3, we are

planning to discuss this issue with the licensee. We willinclude Region IV staff in all of

,

our future interactions with licensee on this issue.

i

cc:

C. Hehl, Ri

J. Johnson, Ril

J. Caldwell, Rill

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