ML20196A562

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Ack Receipt of Informing NRC of Steps Taken to Correct Violations Noted in Insp Rept 50-293/87-33
ML20196A562
Person / Time
Site: Pilgrim
Issue date: 01/28/1988
From: Johnston W
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To: Bird R
BOSTON EDISON CO.
References
NUDOCS 8802050094
Download: ML20196A562 (3)


See also: IR 05000293/1987033

Text

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JAN 281988

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Docket No.

50-293

. Boston Edison Company

ATTN: Ralph G. Bird

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Senior-Vice President - Nuclear

800 Boylston Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02199

Gentlemen:

Subject: Inspection-No. 50-293/87-33

This refers to your letter dated December 21, 1987, in response 'to our letter

dated August 21, 1987.

Thank you for informing us of the corrective and preventive actions documented

in your letter. These actions will be examined during a future inspection of

your licensed program.

Your cooperation with us is appreciated.

Sincerely,

RCRGT M. T.'.o

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William V. Johnston, Acting Director

Division of Reactor Safety

cc:

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K. P. Roberts, Nuclear Operations Manager

Paul Levy, Chairman, Department of Public Utilities

Chairman, Board of Selectmen

Plymouth Civil Defense Director

J. D. Keyes, Boston Edison Regulatory Affairs and Programs

E. D. Robinson, Nuclear Information Manager

R. N. Swanson, Nuclear Engineering Department Manager

,

The Honorable E. J. Markey

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Senator Edward P, Kirby

The Honorable Peter V. Forman

Sharon Pollard, Secretary of Energy Resources

Peter W. Agnes, Assistant Secretary of Public Safety,

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Rachel Shimshak, MASSPIRG

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Public Document Room (PDR)

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Local Public Document Room (LPDR)

Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)

NRC Resident Inspector

Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2)

0FFICIAL RECORD COPY

RL PILGRIM 87-33 - 0001.0.0

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Management Assistant, DRMA (w/o enc 1)

Section Chief, DRP

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Robert J. Bores, DRSS

S. J. Collins, DRP

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Executive Offices

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Ralph G. Bird

December 21', 1987

senior Vice President - Nucle at

BECo 'Ltr. #87 202

.U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Attention: Document Control Desk

Hashington, DC 20555

License No. DPR-35

Docket No. 50-293

Subject: NRC Inspection Report 50-293/87-33

Dear Sir:

Attached is a revision of Boston Edison Company's response (BECo Ltr. #87-176,

October 5,1987) to the Notice of Violation contained in the subject

inspection report. Our response is revised as a result of clarifications

obtained during a telephone conference between Boston Edison Company and NRC

representatives on November 10, 1987.

Subsequent to the NRC Inspection 87-33, multiple communications with the NRC

inspector occurred at our request.

These communications were necessary

because we did not effectively communicate our position during the

inspection.

The need for effective communication and diligence in

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investigating inspectors' concerns in a timely manner has been reemphasized to

the appropriate members of our staff.

Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions.

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.G. Bird

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BPL/la

Regional Administrator, Region I

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

631 Park Avenue

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Sr. Resident Inspector

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ATTACHMENT

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Boston Edison Company

Docket No. 50-293

Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station

License No. OPR-35

Notice of Violation

10CFR50.54 (a)(1), requires each nuclear power plant licensee subject to the

Quality Assurance Criteria in 10CFR50, Appendix B, to implement pursuant to

10CFR50.34(b)(6)(ii), the quality assurance program described or referenced in

the Safety Analysis Report, including changes to that report.

Boston Edison Company Quality Assurance Manual (BEQAM) Volume II implements

the requirements of 10CFR50, Appendix B.

BEQAM, Section 6, Document Control,

requires that measures be established to assure that documents affecting

quality are reviewed for adequacy and approved for release by authorized

personnel.

Contrary to the above on August 6,1987, it was determined that Plant Design

Change (PDC) 86-70, Standby Gas Treatment System Modification, had been

reviewed, released and implemented but did not completely specify design

verification testing requirements as required by BEQAM, Section,3, Paragraph

3.3.2.8., specifically electrical functional and logic testing requirements.

In addition, Temporary Procedure 87-128, Preoperational Test of Standby Gas

Treatment System (SBGTS) Modification Per PDC 86-70 was reviewed, approved and

released for performance on July 22, 1987 and contained several errors and did

not verify all design aspects of PDC 86-70.

Specifically, neither the formal

review process of PDC 86-70, nor the formal review of TP 87-128 identified the

missing testing requirements of the PDC or the failure of the TP to fully

verify the SBGTS modified design.

Resoonse

Discussion:

On November 10, 1987, Boston Edison Co. management personnel contacted NRC

Region I management personnel via telecon to provide further explanation

of the position described in our initial response to the Notice of

Violation dated October 5, 1987. This dialogue enhanced our understanding

of the basis for the Notice of Violation.

He concur with the inspector's general concerns regarding the adequacy of

reviews and the need to more completely specify preoperational testing

requirements in Plant Design Change packages. During the telephone

conference, however, it was agreed that the perceived errors in TP87-128,

identifled in Sections 2.2.B", 2.2.0 and 2.2.E'of the Inspection Report,

were not errors. Although it was agreed that the error identified in

Section 2.2.A of the inspection report would have been identified during

the conduct of the test, it was also agreed that errors of this nature

could be eliminated by a more thorough technical review. Agreement was

not achieved regarding the perceived error identified in Section 2.2.C"of

the Inspection Report, as we continue to believe that a cognizant

inclusion of an unnecessary procedural step is not an error.

Page 1 of 3

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ATTACHMENT 1 (Cont.)

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The errors in TP 87-128 were identified by the inspector prior to the

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implementation of the preoperational test. During the conduct of a

preoperational test, the test is halted if a discrepancy is identified.

The discrepancy must be resolved and the procedure reviewed prior to.

continuing the test.

This conservative testing philosophy, in combination

with the multiple levels of review and verification associated with the

plant modification process, provide assurance against the possibility of

errors in the final product.

However, we recognize that the propensity to

rely on the process, as opposed to assuring that the job is done right at

each step in the process, must be guarded against.

Cause:

The errors identified in TP87-128 were a result of a lack of a thorough

technical review by independent reviewers.

These reviews may have

resulted from a substantial increase in individual work load in support of

the plant outage.

In particular, procedure reviewers are normally

selected from the line organization based on their technical expertise.

These line organization reviewers have concurrent managerial and/or

technical responsibilities. Although the need to take the time to do the

job right the first time has been repetitively communicated by senior BECo

management, a cituation of conflicting priorities may have resulted in a

less thorough preoperational test review than desired.

The incomplete specification of electrical functional and logic testing

requirements in PDC 86-70 resulted from a lack of procedural definition or

other guidance regarding the level of detail required to be specified in a

PDC.

Because of this lack of guidance, the level of detail of testing

requirements specified in PDC's has been inconsistent. He believe this

situation developed in part because of the demonstrated ability of the

Modification Management Group's personnel to prepare preoperational tests

with limited direction from the Nuclear Engineering Department.

Corrective Actions Taken:

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The Nuclear Engineering Department issued Technical Quality Memo

(TQM) No. 92 on August 19, 1987 to reemphasize to engineering

personnel the responsibility to clearly specify testing and

acceptance requirements in Plant Design Change packages.

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The Design Review Board (DRB) members have been specifically

reinstructed concerning their responsibility to assure PDC packages

contain complete preoperational testing requirements.

The DRB

members are comprised of the engineering discipline Group Leaders who

are responsible for the performance of engineers performing design

functions for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station.

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Temporary Procedure (TP)87-128 has been revised to correct the

identified discrepancies.

TP87-128 Revision 3 was completed on

August 29, 1987.

Page 2 of 3

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ATTACHMENT 1 (Cont.)

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The Modifications Management Group of the Nuclear Operations

Department has established a three man team to conduct independent

reviews of the preoperational test for the duration of RF0 No. 7.

This review tean has no other concurrent responsibilities and

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provides additional assurance that the large number of modifications

implemented during RF0 No.7 receive thorough reviews.

Corrective Steps To Be Taken:

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As comitted in TQM No. 92, NED procedures will be revised to specify

the level of detail required for preoperational testing requirements

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in PDC packages.

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A process is being developed (proceduralized) to require comments

from the station review of PDC packages to be collected by the

Modification Management Group and sent to the Nuclear Engineering

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Department (NED) for disposition prior to approval by the Operations

Review Committee.

This process will provide feedback to the NED on

PDCs released to the station.

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The results of the three man team's independent review of the

preoperational tests prepared during RF0 No. 7 will be evaluated to

allow incorporation of lessons learned to the preoperational test

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review process if appropriate.

Date of Full Compliance:

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Full compliance was achieved on August 29, 1987 when TP87-128 Revision 3

was completed.

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Page 3 of 3

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BOSTON EDISON

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300 BWsty street

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Ralph G. Bird

October 5, 1987

semor Vice Presioent - Nuoear

BECo Ltr. #87-176

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Attention:

Document Control Desk

Hashington, DC 20555

License No. DPR-35

Docket No. 50-293

Subject: NRC Inspection Report 50-293/87-33

Dear Sir:

Attached is Boston Edison Company's response to the Notice of Violation

contained in the subject inspection report.

Based upon our review and investigation of the matters described in the

subject inspection report, we do not believe a Violation is appropriate. The

basis for this position is described in the Attachment to this letter. A

meeting with the appropriate level of NRC management has been requested to

allow further explanation of our position and the reasons we believe that the

Notice of Violation should be withdrawn.

Please feel free to contact either myself or Mr. Robert Grazio (Telephone

617-747-8189) if you have any questions.

[

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R.G. Bird

BPL/la

Regional Administrator, Region I

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

631 Park Avenue

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Sr. Resident Inspector

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ATTACHHEMI

Boston Edison Company

Docket No. 50-293

Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station

License No. DPR-35

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Notice of Violatiqn

10CFR50.54 (a)(1), requires each nuclear power plant licensee subject to the

Quality Assurance Criteria in 10CFR50, Appendix B, to implement pursuant to

10CFR50.34(b)(6)(ii), the quality assurance program described or referenced in

the Safety Analysis Report, including changes to that report.

Boston Edison Company Quality Assurance Manual (BEQAM) Volume II implements

the requirements of 10CFR50, Appendix B.

BEQAM, Section 6, Document Control,

requires that measures be established to assure that documents affecting

quality are reviewed for adequacy and approved for release by authorized

personnel.

Contrary to the above on August 6, 1987, it was determined that Plant Design

Change (PDC) 86-70, Standby Gas Treatment System Modification, had been

reviewed, released and implemented but did not completely specify design

verification testing requirements as required by BEQAM, Section 3, Paragraph

3.3.2.8., specifically electrical functional and logic testing requirements.

In addition, Temporary Procedure 87-128, Preoperational Test of Standby Gas

Treatment System (SBGTS) Modification Per PDC 86-70 was reviewed, approved and

released for performance on July 22, 1987 and contained several errors and did

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not verify all design aspects of PDC 86-70.

Specifically, neither the formal

review process of PDC 86-70, nor the formal review of TP 87-128 identified the

missing testing requirements of the PDC or the failure of the TP to fully

verify the SBGTS modified design.

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Resoonse

Boston Edison believes that Plant Design Change (PDC) 86-70 and Temporary

Procedure (TP)87-128 were prepared, reviewed, approved, released and

implemented in compliance with the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B

and the Boston Edison Quality Assurance Manual (BEQAM). He have, however,

implemented actions described at the end of this response to further

strengthen the PDC testing process.

Discussion:

The subject Notice of Violation identifies three issues as follows:

1.

PDC 86-70 did not completely specify design verification testing

requirements as required by BEQAM, Section 3, Paragraph 3.3.2.8,

specifically, electrical functional and logic testing

requirements.

2.

TP 87-128 contained several errors and did not verify all design

aspects of PDC 86-70.

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ATTACHMENT (Centd

3.

The review requirements of 10CFR50, Appendix B and SE0AM Volume

II, Section 6, Document Control were not fully implemented as

evidenced by issue (1) and (2) above.

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The balance of this discussion is formatted to address each of these

issues.

Issue 1 - Design Verification Requirements:

Qualification testing is one of the BEQAM approved methods for

performing design verification, but was not chosen for PDC 86-70.

Instead, PDC 86-70 was verified using the design review method as

permitted by the BEQAM.

The PDC received multiple levels of review and approval including

independent, interdisciplinary and Quality Assurance Department

reviews and approvals.

In addition, calculations were made and

independently reviewed to support the design.

The multiple reviews

and calculations verified the adequacy of the design and satisfied

the requirements of BEQAM Paragraph 3.3.2.8.

The reviews and

calculations are documented in the PDC package. Qualification

testing was not used as a verification method for this PDC.

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Our plant design change procedures require that preoperational test

requirements and acceptance criteria are specified in the PDC.

The

preoperational test TP 87-128 was prepared to verify the functions of

the SBGTS for the different modes of operation. The requirements of

Section 3.3.2.8 of the BEQAM do not apply to TP 87-128 since it is

not a design verification test.

Section 10.4.2.27 of the work instruction for PDC 86-70 specifies the

testing requirements for the logic portion of the PDC and identifies

the required calibrations.

Sections 10.5.19 and 11.4 of the work

instruction specified the acceptance tests required for electrical

equipment. The level of detail specified in these sections of the

PDC was adequate to assure that the SBGTS functions were verified.

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Issue 2 - Alleged Errors

Our responses to the specific discrepancies identified in Section 2.2

of the Inspection Report follow.

Section 2.2.A states,

"Paragraphs 7.2.5, 7.3.5 and 7.4.5 required 5 damper control

switches to be in the auto position and their associated dampers

in the open position.

The associated dampers would be in the

closed position with the specified switch position and no

initiation signal present."

Response:

Although the procedure was in error as stated the errors would

have been identified during the conduct of the test as follows:

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If the dampers were wired correctly, discrepancies between

the observed damper positions and the damper positions

specified in TP 87-128 would have been apparent.

Page 2 of 5

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ATTACHMENT (Cont.)

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Only two of the five dampers were affected by the

modi fication.

If those two dampers affected by the

modification were wired incorrectly, a discrepancy between

the modified dampers and non-modified dampers would have

been apparent.

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In either case, TP 87-128 specified the correct damper

positions in Attachment E, Steps El thru E20.

Therefore, if

the discrepancies had not been previously identified, they

would have been identified in these steps.

Procedure 1.3.4 "Procedures" defines the process by which

procedures are revised when errors are identified.

Prior to

completion of the test, the discrepancy would have been resolved

and TP 87-128 would have been corrected.

Section 2.2.8 states,

"Section 7.3.8 and 7.3.8.9 did not require verification that

valve AON-112 closed when the 'B' Standby Gas Treatment System

(SBGTS) fan tripped (per procedure).

Inlet valve A0N-106 was

verified as closing."

Response:

A0N-112 was verified to close during previous steps in the

procedure which tested major portions of the circuit.

Steps

7.3.8 and 7.3.8.9 tested discrete portions of the circuit that

feed the previously tested A0N-112 circuit.

Those portions of

the circuit were verified to be functional by these steps.

This

overlapping test method adequately demonstrates functionality of

the subject valve.

Section 2.2.C states,

"Paragraph 7.3.8.6 required the differential pressure across the

calibrated perforated plate (DPI-AA-32) in the 'B' SBGTS train

to be recorded with the 'B' SBGTS in standby (off).

This

reading was being taken to measure 'B' train bypass flow so it

could be combined with 'A' train to determine system flow.

Under the system conditions specified this reading would be zero

(0) since one of the SBGTS modifications moved the upstream

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bypass flow connection such that the connection between the A

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and B SBGTS trains is now downstream (bypassing) of the

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calibrated orifice plate. The flow recorded on the

'A'

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calibrated orifice plate would represent full system flow for

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the specified lineup."

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Response:

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Recording flow through the standby train of the SBGTS was

recognized as not being required in the draft review of the

procedure.

It was determined that the reading should be left in

the procedure based on the following:

Analysis of the data can be used to show no flow through the

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standby train when there should be no flow.

This would

reflect the integrity of the standby train inlet damper.

Page 3 of 5

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ATTACHMENT (Cont.)

Reading standby train flow is of no consequence to the test

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performance or results.

Section 2.2.0 states,

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"Train 'B' logic requires AON-106 damper (inlet) to open and

pick up a position limit switch which allows the

'B'

SBGTS fan

to start and outlet damper A0N-112 to open.

This logic sequence

would occur during any start of the 'B' SBGTS train and was not

checked in TP 87-128."

Response:

Although the logic sequence was not verified, the component

functions were verified to occur.

The actuation logic for this

series of functions is as follows. A0N-106 opens which operates

a limit switch starting the fan. A contact on the fan motor

starter relay causes AON-il2 to open. This sequence was

modified by the design. However, numerous independent wiring

errors in several locations would be required for the components

to function in other than the desired sequence.

Design

verification and construction verification, including QC

verification of the as-built versus design configuration,

provided assurance that the system wiring was correct.

Verification of the logic sequence was considered redundant.

Section 2.2.E states,

"The procedure did not verify that per design the 'B'

S8GTS

train would remain running after 20 minutes if the 'A' train had

insufficient flow or was tripped with the 'B' train in standby.

The system is designed to trip the 'B' train after 20 minutes if

sufficient flow exists."

Response:

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The design sequence of operation following auto initiation of

the SBGTS is as follows:

Both 'A'

and 'B' SBGTS trains start.

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After 20 minutes of operation the standby ('B') train

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shutsdown,

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If insufficient flow or no flow (' A' SBGT fan tripped) is

sensed, the standby ('B') train reinitiates after a 10

second time delay and locks in for a continuous run.

Section 7.3 of TP 87-128 properly demonstrated these functions.

This was discussed in detail with the inspector subsequent to

the inspection.

Issue 3 - Review Requirements:

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10CFR50 Appendix B.

Criterion VI and BEQAM Section 6, require that

document control measures be established to control issue and

revision of documents which prescribe activities affecting quality.

These measures assure that documents, including changes, are reviewed

for adequacy and approved for release by authorized personnel.

Page 4 of 5

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ATTACHMENT (Cont.)

Both PDC 86-70 and TP 87-128 were reviewed and approved in accordance

with approved BECO procedures.

These procedures require multiple

reviews and approvals that were fully documented in TP 87-128 and

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PDC 86-70.

Based upon our response contained herein, we.believe that

adequate reviews of both FCC 86-70 and TP B7-128 were performed.

Additional Actions:

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The following additional actions have been taken or are planned to

further strengthen the PDC process:

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As immediate action the Nuclear Engineering Department issued

Technical Quality Memo No. 92 on August 19, 1987, to reemphasize

to engineering personnel the responsibility to clearly specify

testing and acceptance requirements, in Plant Design Change

packages. As committed in memo No. 92 NED procedures applicable

to design verification testing will be revised to-clarify

existing requirements.

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Temporary Procedure (TP)87-128 has been revised to correct the

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identified discrepancies.

TP 87-128 Revision 3 was completed on

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August 29, 1987.

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The Modifications Management Group of the Nuclear Operations

Department has established a three man team to conduct

independent reviews of the preoperational tests for the duration

of RF0-7.

This team provides additional assurance that the

large number of modifications implemented during RF0 No. 7

receive a thorough review for preoperational testing

requirements.

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