ML20153D597
| ML20153D597 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/31/1997 |
| From: | Collins S NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | Sheron B, Zimmerman R NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20153D328 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9809250112 | |
| Download: ML20153D597 (2) | |
Text
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I p ro u f 4 UNITED STATES l*.' s j
2 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20666 4001 l \ *****/ October 31,.1997 MEMORANDUM To: Brian W. Sheron, Acting Associate Director For Technical Review Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation -
Roy P. Zimmerman, Assoaste Director For Projects -
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM: reef.or Office of Nuclear Rear:ter Regulation l
SUBJECT:
FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS TO NRR AD HOC REVIEW PANEL ON THE I
DIFFERING PROFESSIONAL VElW ON TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION I . TRIP SETPOINTS AND ALLOWABLE VALUES FOR INSTRUMENTATION l
in a memorandum dated March 17,1997, a differing professional view was expressed regarding Technical Specifications (TS) trip setpoints (TSPs) and allowaole values (AVs) for instrumentation. The Ad-Hoc NRR Review Panel reviewed the concems addressed in the differing professional view and their report is enclosed.
The review identified the following recommendations:
(1) Following appropriate staff review of the Panel's findings, the staff should hold a public meeting with the NSSS Owners Groups to, (1) provide the NRC staff position tnat 10 CFR 50.36 requires the TSP to be the Limiting Safety System Setting (LSSS), (2) discuss the staff position on the use of TS Bases to comply with TSP limits, and (3) discuss the need to revise the NRC's improved Standardized l
Technical Specifications (ISTS) accordingly. (ADP/ADT)
(2) Following the meeting with the industry, the staff should initiate actions necessary to update the ISTS in accordance with agency procedures (i.e., 50.10g) for new staff positions to incorporate TSPs in the Limiting Conditions for Operations (LCO)
Tables, consistent with the requirements for LSSS required by 10 CFR 50.36.
(ADP/ADT)
(3) The staff should meet with the licensees for the nine plants that have converted to the ISTS by relocating TSPs to licensee controlled documents to discuss means to bring their TS into compliance with 10 CFR 50.36 as discussed in Recommendations 1 and 2 above. (ADP/ADT)
(4) The staff should ensure that TS Bases do not inappropriately suggest that protective devices could be adjusted beyond the TSP limits. The staff should provide guidance to licensees on compliance with TSP limits, with emphasis on those situations where the TS Bases state that channels are considered operable when a TSP limit is DR ST C PDR N d M I d//.L - . - . - ..
n exceeded by a tolerance that was treated as an instrument uncertainty in the establishment of 1 the TSP. Because Westinghouse has indicated that this practice was 'ntended for
, Westinghouse plants licensed since 1981, this guidance is not restricted to plants that have converted to the ISTS with the Bases statement noted above. It is recommended that the staff issue a generic communication to address the following: (ADP/ADT)
- a. Guidance on adjusting setpoints to comply with the TS limits.
- b. Guidance on TS changes for a licensee amendment request that could be submitted and that would incorporate a calibration tolerance or allowance for adjusting trip setpoints to satisfy the specified TSP limits.
(5) The staff should develop a plan providing the proper emphasis on TSPs in the ISTS
- Bases versus the current emphasis on the use of AVs for operability determinations.
(ADP)
(6) The staff should assure consistency between the Panel's findings on TSPs and AVs and the next revision of RG 1.105. The staff should review documents for instrumentation setpoints, specifically Branch Technical Position (BTP) PSB-1, and to modify them as necessary to reflect the findings of the Panel. (ADT)
(7) The technical staff in Headquarters and the Regions should be informed of the ,
staff's actions on the Panel's findings as appropriate. (ADP/ADT)
(8) The staff should review procedures and guidance for NRR Project Managers on handling licensing actions to ensure that clear guidance is provided for establishing .
due dates and identifying appropriate technical branches with review responsibility.
(ADP)
Please provide your response to me withing 45 days on (1) the actions proposed to be taken to address the Panel's recommendatons and (2) the schedule for completing those actions.
Enclosure:
As stated DISTRIBUTION AJMendiola OFFICE k D:N NAME [ kCollins DATE i # 1$/Y /97 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
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