ML20148H015
| ML20148H015 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/01/1997 |
| From: | Collins F NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | Richards S NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9706090033 | |
| Download: ML20148H015 (9) | |
Text
, t, ceg U C (RU(r}d Q e 4 UNITED STATES y
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001
- * * * * ,o May 1,199/
HEMORANDUM T0: Stuart A. Richards, Chief Operator Licensing Branch Division of Reactor Controls and Human Factors, NRR ,,
FROM: Frank Collins j Operator Licensing Branch DivisionofReactorControl-and Human Factors, NRR "
SUBJECT:
GSE SYSTEMS USER CONFERENCE During the week of April 28, 1997, I attended the GSE Systems User Conference in Baltimore, MD. The conference comprised workshops and vendor exhibits along 4 tracks: Simulation, Digital Control Syster.s (DCS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and Advanced Computing Technologies.
Ms. Janice Griffin of the Technical Training Division in Chattanooga, TN also attended the conference.
I participated in the Regulatory Update session in the Simulation track, providing a presentation titled "NRC Simulator Oversight Program." This presentation was the same as that presented at the Society for Computer Simulation Multiconference in Atlanta, GA earlier this month. Presentation materials are attached.
1 Facility licensees continue to express interest IN certification requirements.
A lengthy discussion was held regarding simulator testing and the need for both software verification and simulated system validation as methods for reducing discrepancies. I expressed an NRC concern regarding simulator ,
I testing and the need for both software verification and simulated system !
validation as methods for reducing discrepancies.
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I expressed continuing NRC' concerns over the fundamental nature and relative I quantity of discrepancies in " certified" simulation facilities and continued l certification to ANSI /ANS 3.5-1985. I also reviewed the bases for the I regulatory positions established in Regulatory Guide 1.149 with emphasis on j industry's leading role in defining appropriate simulator capabilities and program characteristics. In light of this discussion, I noted that NRC's f) 11 l historical regulatory position, as stated in the value/ impact analysis in the initial (1981) issuance of the RG, is based on NRC's desire to take advantage of industry's work to maintain current standards in an environment that is )
r 1 ch nging both in terms of ai nptec ologaydg pi ng l l Lg A- / $ l o igppyRUS 9706090033 970501 PDR ORG NRRA PDR
As a member of the ANSI /ANS 3.5 Writing Group, I discussed the proposed 1998 revision to the Standard, including major differences between the 1993 and proposed 1998 revisions of the Standard. Items discussed included efforts to standardize and coordinate industry nomenclature with definitions used in the Standard and the introduction of an appendix for. application of the Standard to part-task or limited-scope simulators.
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Attachment:
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OPERATOR LICENSING BRANCH NRC SIMULATOR OVERSIGHT PROGRAM 1997 GSE SYSTEMS USER CONFERENCE BALTIMORE, MD April 29,1997
l NRC SIMULATOR ACTIVITIES IN 1996 1
- Program Activities ANSI /ANS 3.5 Writing Group Utility Simulator Users Group (USUGJ Interaction Program Self-Assessment
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- Simulator Activities '
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AuditsMnspections Desk Reviews 3
SIMULATOR OVERSIGHT PROGRAM Objectives (cont.)
e to provide an objective assessment of the effects of identified simulator discrepancies on the operator hcensing program i j!
e to provide subject-matter-expert subjective evaluations of identified simulator discrepancies e i to improve feedback to Headquarters Human Factors Assessment Branch regarding identified negative training potential i
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SIMULATOR OVERSIGHT PROGRAM Methodology (cont.)
Recurrent Certification Evaluation (cont.)
i on-site simulator fidelity evaluations
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independent of regional examiners
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fact-finding visits in response to identified problems j prompted by examination / inspection reports e ,
findings distributed within the Headquarters Operator Licensing Branch copy to faci!ity simulator supervisor and examiners Simulator Review Report
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provides documented feedback to simulator supervisor, chief examiner, and regional management ,
will be placed in public document room 7
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SIMULATOR OVERSIGHT PROGRAM Methodology (cont.) '
- i Reactive Certification Validation '
two-part process e
observation of licensee periodic testing with review of test data
[
e testing to validate certification (NUREG 1258),
if warranted
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S CASE HISTORIES (cont.)
- 5-RevisedTest Plan
- omitted required surveillance tests h
- 6 -Simulator Modifications Ahead of Plant
- simulator modifications being made ahead of changes in referenco unit
- simulator fidelity / software quality assurance concern for reference unit -
- configuration management / post-modification retest concern for simulator
- 7 -Simulator Cited in Power Uprate Application
- application claimed credit for simulator experience
- simulator fidelity / benchmarking concern for reference unit
- configuration management / post-modification retest l concern for simulator 1
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