ML20151B612

Informs That Operator & Senior Operator Licensing Exams Scheduled for Wks of 880711 & 18.Requests Properly Bound & Indexed Ref Matl at Least 60 Days Prior to Exam Date.W/ Stated Encls

ML20151B612
Person / Time
Site:	Prairie Island
Issue date:	04/06/1988
From:	Wright G NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Larson C NORTHERN STATES POWER CO.
References
NUDOCS 8804110054
Download: ML20151B612 (10)

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. APR 6 1988

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. Docket No. 50-282 Docket No. 50-306 Northern States Power Company ATTN: Mr. C. E. Larscn Vice President, Nuclear Generation 414 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55401 Gentlemen:

SUBJECT:

OPERATOR A2 .il0R OPERATOR LICENSIG EXAMINATIONS In a telephone canversation between Mr. Dave Reynolds, and Mr. Paul Sunderland, arrangements were made for the administration of examinations at the Prairie Islanii Nuclear Generating Plant.

The written and oral examinations are scheduled for the weeks of July 11 and 18, 1988.

In order for us to meet this schedule, it will be necessary for the facility to furnish the approved reference material listed in Enclosure 1 "Reference Material Requirements for Reactor / Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Examinations" at least 60 days prior to the examination date. Any delay in receiving properly bcund and indexed reference material will result in a delay in administering the examinations. Our examinations are scheduled far in advance with considerable planning to best utilize our limited examiner manpower and to meet the examination dates requested by the various facilities.

Therefore, missing the deadline, even by a few days, will likely result in a long delay since it may not be possible to reschedule examinations at other facilities. Mr. Reynolds has been advised of our reference material requirements, the number of reference material sets that are required, and the examiners' names and addresses where each set is to be mailed.

The facility management is responsible for providing adequate space and accommodations in order to properly conduct the written examinations.

Enclosure'2, "Administration of Reactor / Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Written Examinations," describes our requirements foi conducting these examinations. Mr. Reynolds has also been informed of these requirements.

In addition. to better document simulator examinations, the chief examiner will have the facility simulator operator record prespecified plant conditions (i.e.,plantpressure, temperature,pressurizerlevel,etc.),

for each simulator scenario. The candidate will be responsible for providing this ir. formation, along with any appeal of his simulatoi operating examination. Therefore, the facility training staff should retain the simulator examination scenario information until all candidates taking the examination Iave either passed the operating examination or all appeals filed by the candidates who failed the operating examination have been completed.

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Nortnern States Power Company 2 APR 6 1988 Enclosure 3 contains the Rules and Guidance that will be in effect during the administration of the written examination. The facility management is responsible for ensuring that all candidates are aware of these Rules.

All reactor operator and senior reactor operator license applications should normally be submitted at least 60 days prior to the first '

examination dates so that we will be able to review the training and experience of the candidates, process the medical certifications, and prepare final examiner assignments after candidate eligibility has been determined. If the applications are not recoived at least 30 days prior to the examination dates, it is likely that a postponement will be necessary.

This request for infonnation was approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Clearance Number 3150-0101, which expires May 31, 1989.

Comnents on burden and duplication may be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Reports Management Room 3208, New Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20503.

The facility staff review of the written examination will be conducted in accordance with requirements specified in Enclosure 4, "Requirements for Facility Review of Written Examination." Mr. Reynolds has been informed '

of these requirements.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter. If you have any questions regarding the examination procedures and requirements, please contact Paul Sunderland at (312) 790-5771. .

Sincerely, ORIGINAL SIGNED BY T. M. BURDICK (FOR)

Geoffrey C. Wright, Chief Operations Branch

Enclosures:

1. Reference Material Requirements for Reactor / Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Examinations

2. Requirements for Administration of Written Examinations

3. NRC Rules and Guidelines For License Examinations

4. Facility Review Requirements See Attached Distribution RIII RI RI I t M

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0 Northern l States Power Company 3

-cc w/ enclosure:

E. L.'Watzl, Plant Manager DCD/DCB(RIDS)

Licensing Fee Management Branch Resident Inspector, RIII Prairie Island Resident Inspector,.RIII Monticello John W. Ferman, Ph'.D. ,

Nuclear Engineer, MPCA State Liaison Officer, State of Minnesota T. Amundson, Plant. Training Manager cc w/o enclosures:

,0. Dilanni, Project Manager, NRR J. N. Hannon, Branch Chief, OLB B.'L. Burgess, Section Chief, RIII i

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ENCLOSURE 1 Reference Material Requirements for Reactor / Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Examinations-

1. Failure to provide complete, properly bound and indexed plant reference material will result in canceling and rescheduling of the examinations.

2. Training material should include all substantive written material used for preparing candidates for initial R0 and SR0 licensing.

3. The written material should include learning objectives and the details presented during lectures, rather than outlines.

4. Training material and procedures should be identified by plant and unit along with appropriate indexes or table of contents.

5. The reference material and procedures should be approved, final issues, and should be so marked.

6. If the facility is in the-process of revising some of the material, the material received by the Comissicn will be used for the examination.

Any material under revision, upon receipt of this letter, must be finalized when the required material is submitted.

7. The following training materials shall be provided:

a. System descriptions.

System descriptions should include descriptions of all operationally relevant flow paths, components, controls, and instrumentation.

b. Existing system learning objectives and lesson plans.

System training material should draw parallels to the actual procedures used for operating the applicable system.

c. Complete and operationally useful descriptions of all safety-system interactions.

d. Where available, Balance-of-Plant system interactions under l

emergency and abnormal conditions, including consequences of anticipated operator eriar, maintenance error, and equipment failure,

e. Comprehensive theory material that includes fundamentals in the area of theory of reactor operations, heat transfer and fluid flow, and specific application to actual in-plant components.

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• O Thermodynamics learning objectives and lesson plans.

For example, mechanical theory material on pumps should include pump theory as well as descriptions of how these principles actually apply to major plant pumps and systems in which they are installed i.e., Reactor Coolant pumps, all ECCS pumps, Recirculation pumps, Feedwater pumps, and Emergency Feedwater pumps.

Reactor theory learning objectives and lesson plans.

For example, Reactor Theory material should include descriptions that draw explicit ties between the fundamentals and actual operating limits followed in the plant i.e.,

reactor theory n.aterial should contain explanations of how principles relate to the actual curves used by operators to '

verify shutdown margin or calculate an ECP.

f. Training manuals,

g. Plant orientation manual.

h. Training material and learning objectives used to clarify and strengthen understanding of emergency operating procedures,

i. Procedure index (alphabetical by subject).

j. All applicable reactor operating and safety administrative '

procedures,

k. A table of contents for all facility administrative procedures.

1. All integrated plant operating procedures (normal and general operating procedures).

m. Emergency procedures (emergency instructions, abnormal or special procedures).

n. Standing orders (importanc orders that are safety-related and may supersede the regular procedure).

o. Fuel handling and core loading procedures (initial core loading procedures, when appropriate).

p. Annunciator procedures (alarm procedures, including set points).

q. Radiation protection manual (radiation control manual or procedure).

r. Emergency plan implementing procedures.

s. Technical specifications.

t. System operating procedures.

u. Piping diagrams or flow charts.

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n v.- Instrumentation diagrams or flow charts.

w. - Electrical diagrams or flow charts.

x. Technical data book and/or plant curve information as used by operators.

y. Facility precautions, limitations and set points.

z. Questions and answers prepared by the facility (voluntary by the facility).

aa. ECCS system Surveillance procedures' required by Technical Specifications.

bb. The following information on the plant referenced simulator:

List of all available initialization points.

List of all present malfunctions with a clear identification number. This list should include cause and effect information and a list of which annunciators are to be initially expected.

Specifically, for each malfunction, a concise description of the expected result, or range of results, that will occur upon implementation.

A description of simulator failure capabilities for valves, breakers, indicators and alarms.

Where the capability exists, an explanation of the ability to vary the severity of a particular malfunction should be provided, i. e. , ability to vary the size of a LOCA or steam leak, or the ability to cause a slow failure of a component such as a feed water pump, turbine generator or major valve.

For example , the drifting shut of a main feed water regulating valve.

A list of modeling conditions or simulator problems that may impact the examination.

Identification of any known performance test failures not yet

! completed.

Copies of facility generated scenarios that expose the candidates to situations of degraded pressure control (PWR),

degraded heat removal capacity (PWR and BWR), and containment challenges (BWR).

Simulator instructor's manual. (voluntary by the facility)

Description of the scenarios used for the training class.

8. Additional material required by the examiners to develop examinations that meet the requirements of these standards and the regulations, t

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<. l ENCLOSURE 2 l l

Requirements for Administration of I Written Examinations l

Operator Licensing Branch requirements are:

1. A single room shall be provided for completing the written examination.

The location of this room and supporting restroom facilities shall be such as to prevent contact with all other facility and/or contractor personnel during.the duration of the written examination. If necessary, the facility should make arrangements for the use of a suitable room at a local school, motel, or other building. Obtaining this room is the responsibility of the licensee.

2. Minimum spacing is required to ensure examination integrity as determined by the chief examiner. Minimum spacing should be one candidate per table, with 3 foot spacing between tables. No wall charts, models, and/or other training materials shall be present in the examination room.

3. Suitable arrangements are to be made by the facility if the candidates are to have lunch, coffee, etc. These arrangements shall comply with Item 1 above. These arrangements will be reviewed by the examiner and/or proctor.

4. The facility staff shall be provided a copy of the written examination and answer key after the last candidate has completed and handed in his written examination. The facility staff shall then have five working days to provide formal written comments with supporting documentation on the examination and answer key to the chief examiner or to the regional office section chief.

5. The facility licensee will provide pads of 8-1/2 x 11" lined paper in unopened packages for each candidate's use in completing the examination.

The examiner will distribute these pads to the candidates. All reference material needed to complete the examination will be furnished by the examiner. Candidates can bring pens, pencils, calculators or slide rules into the examination room and no other equipment or reference material will be allowed.

6. Only black ink or dark pencils should be used for writing answers to questions.

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ENCLOSURE 3 NRC Rules and Guidelines for License Examinations During the administration of this examination the following rules apply:

1. Cheating on the examination means an automatic denial of your application and could result in more severe penalties.

2. Restroom trips are to be limited and only one candidate at a time may leave. You must avoid all contacts with anyone outside the examination room to avoid even the appearance or possibility of cheating.

3. Use black ink or dark pencil only to facilitate legible reproductions.

4. Print your name in the blank provided on the cover sheet of the examination.

5. Fill in the date on the cover sheet of the examination (if necessary).

6. Use only the paper provided for answers.

7. Print your name in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of each section of the answer sheet.

8. Consecutively number each answer sheet, write "End of Category " as appropriate, start each category on a new page, write on only one side of the paper, and write "Last Fage" on the last answer sheet.

9. Number each answer as to category and number, for example, 1.4, 6.3.

10. Skip at least three lines between each ansver.

11. Separate answer sheets from pad and place finished answer sheets face down on your desk or tab;e.

12. Use abbreviations only if they are commonly used in facility literature.

13. The point value for each question is indicated in parentheses after the question and can be used as a guide for the depth of answer required.

14. Show all calculations, methods, or assumptions used to obtain an answer to mathematical problems whether indicated in the question or not.

15. Partial credit may be given. Therefore, ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE QUESTION AND DO NOT LEAVE ANY ANSWERS BLANK.

16. If parts of the examination are not clear as to intent, ask questions of the examiner only.

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17. You must sign the statement on the cover. sheet that indicates that the work 1s your own and you have not received or been given assistance in -

-completii'g the examination. This must be done after the examination has becn comfleted.

18. When you complete your examination, you shall:

a. Assemble your examination as followsi (1) Exam questions on top.

(2) Exam aids - figures, tables, etc.

(3) Answer pages including fiaures which are a part of the answer.

b. Turn in your copy of the examination and all pages used to answer the examination questions.

c. Turn in all scrap paper and the balance of the paper that you did not use for answering the questions.

d. Leave the examination area, as defined by the examiner. If after leaving, you are found in this area while the examination is still in progress, your license may be denied or-revoked, i

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ENCLOSURE 4 REQUIREMENTS FOR FACILITY REVIEW 0F WRITTEN EXAMINATION

1. There shall be no review of the written examination by the facility staff before or during the administration of the examination. Following the administration of the written examination, the facility staff shall be provided a marked-up copy of the examination and the answer key.

2. The facility will have five (5) working days from the day of the written examination is given to provide formal comment submittal. The submittal will be made to the responsible Regional Office by the highest level of corporate management for plant operations, e.g., Vice President for Nuclear Operations. A copy of the submittal will be forwarded to the chief examiner, as appropriate. Comments not submitted within five (5) working days will be considered for inclusion in the grading process on a case by case basis by the Regional Office section chief. Should the conment submittal deadline not be met, a long delay for finalization of the examination results may occur. ,

3. The following format should be adhered to for submittal of specific comments:

a. Listing of NRC Question, answer and reference,

b. Facility comment

c. Supporting documentation NOTES: (1) No change to the examination will be made without submittal of complete, current, and approved reference material.

(2) Comments made without a concise facility recommendation will not be addressed.

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