ML20196E438

Discusses Insp Rept 50-298/96-24 Re Review of Instrument Impulse Line Configuration for Various Instruments,Including Drywell Pressure Instruments.Assistance Requested Re Licensee Method for Verifying Status of Subject Valves

ML20196E438
Person / Time
Site:	Cooper
Issue date:	04/13/1998
From:	Howell A NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:	Adensam E NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
References
50-298-96-24, TAC-MA1614, NUDOCS 9812040010
Download: ML20196E438 (2)

See also: IR 05000298/1996024

Text

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April 13, 1998

MEMORANDUM TO: Elinor Adensam, Acting Director

Division of Reactor Projects-lll/IV (DRPW)

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

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FROM: Arthur T. Howell Ill, Director

Division of Reactor Safety Q .fg

SUBJECT: TASK INTERFACE AGREEMENT (TIA) - REQUEST FOR EVALUATION

OF LICENSEE'S METHOD FOR VERIFYING STATUS OF EACH VALVE

ON INSTRUMENT LINES PENETRATING CONTAINMENT DURING

PLANT OPERATION (98TIA001)

During NRC Inspection 50-298/96-24, a safety system functionalinspection at Cooper Nuclear

Station, the NRC team reviewed the instrument impulse line configuration for various

instruments, including the drywell pressure instruments. The team compared the installed

configurations with the commitments made in the USAR and the FSAR.

The team identified that Supplement to Safety Guide 11, " Instrument Lines Penetrating Primary

Reactor Containment Backfitting Considerations," was applicable to Cooper Nuclear Station.

The supplement stated that for each instrument line penetrating containment, including those

connected to the containment atmosphere, some method of verifying, during operation, the

status (open or closed) of each isolation valve should be provided.

The inspection team noted that the status of these containment isolation valves was not

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indicated in the control room. The team also found that the licensee had not provided a method  !

for verifying the status of the isolation valves during operation, beyond their general valve

alignment status program. The licensee stated that procedural controls were in place to verify "7

the alignment status of valves of this type before each startup. Subsequently, the licensee

tracks changes to valve alignment and their return to a normal configuration; no other periodic

valve alignment verifications were being performed.

The team was concerned that current administrative controls do not meet the intent of the /)

Supplement to Safety Guide 11. This item is unresolved.

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Request: We request your assistance in determining if the administrative controls

established by the licensee provide a sufficient method for verifying the status of

these valves during normal operation.

Specifically: Does the licensee's commitment to the Supplement to Safety Guide 11 mean that

they are required to periodically verify the status of isolation valves on instrument

lines penetrating containment during normal operation or is reliance on a general

valve alignment status program acceptable?

9812040010 980413

PDR ADOCK 05000298

P PDR

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Elinor Adensam' -2-

If you have any questions please contact Linda Smith of my staff at (817) 860-8137. We request

a response to support an open items inspection, which is scheduled for June 15,1998.

This Task Interface Agreement was discussed with Mr. Randy Hall, NRR Project Manager an d

John Hannon, Director, Directorate IV-1.

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cc:

RIV OEDO Coordinator (MS: 17G21)

Deouty Executive Director, Regulatory Programs, OEDO (MS: 16E15)

' Director, DRP - RI, Ril, Rlli, & RIV

Director, DRS - RI, Ril, & Rill

Director, Office of Enforcement

Director, Division of Inspection and Support Programs (NRR/ DISP)

DRPW Secretary, (NRR/DRPW)

Chief, Events Assessment and Generic Communications Branch (NRR/DRPM/PECB)

Director, Directorate IV-1,- (NRR/DRPWIPDIV-1)

Randy Hall, Project Manager (NRR/DRPW/PDIV-1)

Chief, Containment Systems and Severe Accident Branch (NRR/DSSA/SCSB)

~ John Kudrick,(NRR/DSSA/SCSB)

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