ML20198P886

Responds to NRC Ltr Re Violations Noted in Insp of License R-102 on 970915-18.Corrective Actions:For Each Calendar Quarter Starting W/Third Quarter 1997,chart Is Maintained on Reactor Console Which Documents Operational Hours

ML20198P886
Person / Time
Site:	University of New Mexico
Issue date:	11/03/1997
From:	Cecchi J NEW MEXICO, UNIV. OF, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NUDOCS 9711120045
Download: ML20198P886 (2)

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The Unhmily of Lw Mesico Chem cal & Nuclear Engineecing 2091:arn Engineering Center Albuquerque. NM 871",1 134i November 3,1997 Telephone (505) 277 5431 I AX (505) 277 5433 U.S. Nue: ear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Docunient Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555 Reply to Netice of Violation The University of New Mexico Docket: 50-252 Albuquerque, New Mexico License: R - 102 During the September 15-18,1997 NRC inspection of our facility, three violations were identified.

The first was: three licensed senior operators performed :: cense duties in a calendar quarter when they had not maintained their active status in the previous quarter. This violation was a result of the fact that the reactor was unavailable for operation as we were awaiting tech spec approval, lack of documentation by the Chief Reactor Supervisor on other routine duties of the operators, and poor understanding of what 10CFR55.53e required in terms of operations versus other routine duties.

These , roblems have been remedied with the following actions: 1) For each calendar quarter starting with the third quarter 1997, a chart is maintained on the reactor console which documents the operational hours, the supervisory hours, and the other duties hours for each licensed operator. This will provide documentation that each licensed operator has maintained their proficiency and performed the required functions for a minimum of four hours in each calendar quarter. 2) A computer based tickler program has been implemented which sends a reminder message on the 15th of the last month of each quarter to each licensed operator remindiag them to check the con; ole chat t and make any arrangements necessary to obtain their required hours. These actions have been 9 implemented and should avoid further violations in this area.

The second was: the technical specifications 3.2.b require that the total scram withdrawal time forMO both safety rods and the coarse control rod be less than one second. This had been verified through rod drop / flux plot measurements in the past. The inspector determined that these previous measurements were insufficient to guarantee that the total time from scram signal initiation to full out rod position was less than c:.t second. To remedy this situation, we are developing a computer based circuit that will trigger on the scram signal and then determine the time increment from initiation to full-out position using the data acquisition features of the computer hardware. Initial tests on the system will be conducted in November and it is expected that the system will be fully operational by l November 30,1997. The system will be used in November to check the scram time and then will be utilized in the annual maintenance performed in July of each year to comply with the technical specifications.

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. Reply to Notice of violation - Novembsr 3,1997 The third war a student who had previously had unescorted cecess to the lab had graduated and left the university. He returned a year later to do graduate work and for a period of six months had unescorted access to the lab. However, he was not qualified as a Radiation Supervisor nor was there

written documentation that he had signed the security access agreement upon his return. This was a '

violation ofour Physical Security Plan, Section 3.2.2.1. The remedies for this situation are twofold.

First, the Radiatica Safety Office defines 5 categories of workers in a radiation area including Radiation Supervisors and Persons Qualified to Work without_ Supervision. Our Security Plan will be modified to correspond to those definitions and include the above as persons who may have unescorted access to the laboratory. 'Ihe second remedy is to initiate a tickler file on the access agreements and codes. The access code is currently changed each semester and then each perr n requiring access has to sign a written security agreement before obtaining the new code. The tickler file has been set up to remind the Chief Reacta Supervisor and the Laboratory Supervisor that the code needs to be changed at the beginning of each semester. Then the tickler file will notify them about one month after the beginning of each semester to check the signatures on file and notify the campus police as to who is authorized to have unescorted access to the laboratory. This will provide a check between those authorized on the police access list and those signing semester long security agreements. These corrective actions will be fully implemented by November 30,1997.

Based on the above actions, it is expected that the University of New Mexico will be in full complitnce with the requirements by November 30,1997.

' cerely, 1

Jo ph Cecchi, airman, Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department cci Tom Burdick, Inspector, US NRC, Region III

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