ML20149L551
| ML20149L551 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crystal River  |
| Issue date: | 07/24/1997 |
| From: | NRC |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20149L550 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9708040105 | |
| Download: ML20149L551 (3) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES l
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,j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
~t WASHINGTON, D.C. 20666 0001
.....,o SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION i
RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO. 156 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE N0. DPR-72 FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION CRYSTAL RIVER UNIT 3 DOCKET NO. 50-302
1.0 INTRODUCTION
On September 12. 1995, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved issuance of a revision to 10 CFR Part 50. Appendix J. " Primary Reactor Containment Leakage Testing for Water-Cooled Power Reactors." which was i
l subsequently published in the Federal Reaister on September 26. 1995, and became effective on October 26. 1995.
The NRC added Option B " Performance-Based Requirements" to allow licensees to voluntarily replace the prescriptive requirements of 10 CFR Part 50. Appendix J with testing requirements based on both overall performance and performance of individual components.
i By letter dated February 17, 1997, as revised May 1. 1997. Florida Power Corporation (FPC or the licensee) proposed a change to the Technical Specifications (TS) for Crystal River Nuclear Generating Unit 3 (CR3) to implement 10 CFR Part 50. Appendix J. Option B performance-based requirements.
The licensee proposes to establish a " Containment Leakage Rate Testing Program." and add this program to the TS.
The 3rogram references Regulatory Guide 1.163. " Performance-Based Containment Leat Test Program" dated September 1995, which specifies a method acceptable to the NRC for complying with Option B.
2.0 BACKGROUND
Compliance with Appendix J provides assurance that the primary containment.
including those systems and components which penetrate the primary containment do not exceed the allowable leakage rate values specified in the TS. The allowable leakage rate is determined so that the leakage assumed in the safety analyses is not exceeded.
On February 4. 1992 the NRC published a notice in the Federal Reaister (57 FR 4166) discussing a planned initiative to begin eliminating requirements marginal to safety which impose a significant regulatory burden.
10 CFR l
Part 50. Appendix J. " Primary Containment Leakage Testing for Water-Cooled Power Reactors" was considered for this initiative and the staff undertook a study of possible changes to this regulation. The study examined the previous performance history of domestic containments and examined the effect on risk 4
of a revision to the requirements of Appendix J.
The results of this study l
are reported in NUREG-1493. " Performance-Base (' Leak-Test Program."
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9708040105 970724 ENCLOSURE 2 PDR ADOCK 05000302 P
i j
I Based on the results of this study, the staff developed a performance-based i
approach to containment leakage rate testing.
On September 12. 1995. the NRC j
ap3 roved issuance of this revision to 10 CFR Part 50, Apaendix J. which was suasequently published in the Federal Reaister on Septem)er 26. 1995, and j
became effective on October 26, 1995.
The revision added Option B
" Performance-Based Requirements" to Appendix J to allow licensees to I
voluntarily replace the prescriptive testing requirements of Appendix J with i
testing requirements based on both overall and individual. component leakage rate performance.
l Regulatory Guide 1.163, September 1995. " Performance-Based Containment Leak Test Program," was develo)ed as a method acceptable to the NRC staff for i
implementing Option B.
T1is regulatory guide states that the Nuclear Energy l
Institute (NEI) document NEI 94-01. " Industry Guideline for Implementing Performance-Based Option of 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix J," Revision 0, provides methods acce) table to the NRC staff for complying with Option B with four i
exceptions w1ich are described therein.
i Option B requires that the regulatory guide or other implementation document
(
used by a licensee to develop a performance-based leakage testing 3rogram must be included, by general reference, in the plant TS.
The licensee las proposed referencing RG 1.163 in TS 5.6.2.20.
i Regulatory Guide 1.163 specifies an extension in Type A test frequency to at
{
least one test in 10 years based upon two consecutive successful tests.
Type B tests may be extended up to a maximum of 10 years based upon completion of r
two consecutive successful tests and Type C tests may be extended up to 5 years based on two consecutive successful tests.
By letter dated October 20, 1995. NEI proposed TS imp;ementing 0) tion B.
After some discussion, the staff and NEI agreed an a set of TS w1ich were transmitted to NEI in a letter dated November 2. 1995.
These TS are to serve-as a model for licensees to develop plant-specific TS in preparing amendment requests to implement Option B.
In order for a licensee to determine the performance of each component, factors that are indicative of, or affect, performance, such as an administrative leakage limit, must be established.
The administrative limit is selected to be. indicative of the potential onset of component degradation.
Although these limits are subject to NRC inspection to assure that they are selected in a reasonable manner, they are not TS requirements.
Failure to meet an administrative limit requires the licensee to return to the minimum value of the test interval.
Option B requires that the licensee maintain records to show that the criteria for Type A. B. and C tests have been met.
In addition, the licensee must maintain comparisons of the performance of the overall containment system and the individual components to show that the test intervals are adequate. These records are subject to NRC inspection.
3.0 EVALUATION The licensee's May 1.1997 letter to the NRC proposed TS changes to permit the use of Option B of the revised 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix J. and establish a
" Containment Leakage Rate Testing Program." The proposed arogram references Regulatory Guide 1.163 " Performance-Based Containment Leac Test Program" dated September 1995, which specifies a method acceptable to the NRC for complying with Option B.
This requires a change to existing TS 3.6.1. 3.6.2.
3.6.3. 5.6.2.20. and associated TS Bases.
Option B permits a licensee to choose Type A. Type B and C or Type A. B.
and C testing to be done on a performance basis.
The licensee has elected to perform Type A. B. and C testing on a performance basis.
l The TS changes proposed by the licensee are in compliance with the requirements of Option B and consistent with the guidance of Regulatory Guide 1.163 and the model TS of the November 2, 1995 letter and are. therefore.
acceptable to the staff.
Also TS 3.6.3.B.1 was revised to correct the misspelling of the word i
"de-activated."
4.0 STATE CONSULTATION
l Based upon the written notice of the proposed amendments, the Florida State official had no comments.
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5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
t The amendments change requirements with respect to installation or use of a
[
facility component located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20 and changes the surveillance requirements. The NRC staff has j
determined that the amendments involve no significant increase in the amounts, and no significant change in the types, of any effluents that may be released offsite, and that there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure.
The Commission has previously issued a proposed finding that the amendments involve no significant hazards consideration and there has been no public comment on such finding (62 FR 30632). Accordingly, the amendments meet the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9).
Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b) no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendments.
6.0 CONCLUSION
The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that (1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner (2) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributors:
J. Pulsipher. L. Raghavan Dated:
July 24. 1997 l
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