ML20199H856

Discusses Insp Repts 50-454/98-25 & 50-455/98-25 on 981124-990104 & Forwards Nov.Violation Identified Involving Unacceptable Preconditioning of Stroke Time Testing of AFW Pump Discharge Valves

ML20199H856
Person / Time
Site:	Byron
Issue date:	01/19/1999
From:	Jordan M NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Kingsley O COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
Shared Package
ML20199H862	List: IR 05000454/1998025 ML20199H856 ML20199H881
References
50-454-98-25, 50-455-98-25, NUDOCS 9901250355
Download: ML20199H856 (4)

See also: IR 05000454/1998025

Text

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UNITED STATES

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ,

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n REGloN lti ,

M j 801 WARRENVILLE RoAo l

U t Lisle. ILLINOls 60532 4351

l January 19, 1999.

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Mr. Oliver D. Kingsley

President, Nuclear Generation Group

Commonwealth Edison Company

ATTN: Regulatory Services

Executive Towers West 111  :

1400 Opus Place, Suite 500

Downers Grove, IL 60515

SUBJECT: BYRON INSPECTION REPORT 50-454/98025(DRP); 50-455/98025(DRP)

AND NOTICE OF VIOLATION

Dear Mr. Kingsley:

On January 4,1999, the NRC completed an inspection at the Byron 1 and 2 reactor facilities.

The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection.

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During this inspection period, we noted that control room operations were generally performed i

in a professional manner. Control room operators were attentive, knowledgeable of plant

conditions, and responded appropriately to alarms. We also noted that maintenance activities l

were almost always conducted well. Specifically, heightened level of awareness briefings for

maintenance activities were thorough, including establishing contingency and compensatory i

actions where appropriate. Supervisory oversight of maintenance activities was evident.

However, we are concerned with the continuing trends in configuration control events and

human performance errors. Of particular concern was the control room operators performance

in response to the reactor coolant system temperature transient during the Unit 2 turbine and

governor valve testing. The operators did not implement self-checking and peer checking

techniques, three-way communications, reactivity management practices, procedural

adherence requirements, and effective supervisory oversight which resulted in the transient  ;

being further complicated and the 28 chemical and volume control pump being inadvertently

tripped. In addition, we are concerned with four other notable configuration control issues, two

of which were identified by the NRC. While we recognize that you are aggressively identifying

configuration control and human performance issues and attempting to address these ,

problems, your actions have not yet been effective at arresting these performance trends. i

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One violation of NRC requirements was identified during this inspection period. This violation '

involves the unacceptable preconditioning of the stroke time testing of the auxiliary feedwater

pump discharge valves. The violation is cited in the enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice), and '

the circumstances surrounding the violation is described in detailin the enclosed report. The

NRC has concluded that information regarding the reason for the violation, the corrective

actions taken and planned to correct the violation and prevent recurrence is already adequately

addressed on the docket in the enclosed report. Therefore, you are not required to respond to

this letter unless the description therein does not accurately reflect your corrective actions or

your position. In that case, or if you choose to provide additionalinformation, you should follow

the instructions specified in the enclosed Notice.

"

9901250355 990119

PDR ADOCK 05000454

0 PDR ,

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in accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its

enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.  !

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We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning this inspection.

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Sincerely,  !

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Michael J. Jordan, Chief )

Reactor Projects Branch 3

Docket Nos.: 50-454;50-455  !

l License Nos.: NPF-37; NPF-66 i

l Enclosures: 1. Notice of Violation

2. Inspection Report 50-454/98025(DRP);

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50-455/98025(DRP)

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'cc w/encis: D. Helwig, Senior Vice President

H. Stanley, PWR Vice President

( ' C. Crane, BWR Vice President

! R. Krich, Vice President, Regulatory Services

l DCD - Licensing

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K. Graesser, Site Vice President

. W. Levis, Station Manager

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B. Adams, Regulatory Assurance Manager

R. Hubbard, MHB Technical Associates

M. Aguilar, Assistant Attorney General

State Liaison Officer

State Liaison Officer, Wisconsin

Chairman, Illinois Commerce Commission

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O. Kingsley -3-

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's * Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its

enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.

We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning this inspection.

Sincerely,

/s/ M. J. Jordan

Michael J. Jordan, Chief

Reactor Projects Branch 3 i

Docket Nos.: 50-454;50-455 >

License Nos.: NPF-37; NPF-66

.

Enclosures: 1. Notice of Violation

2. Inspection Report 50-454/98025(DRP);

50-455/98025(DRP)

cc w/encts: D. Helwig, Senior Vice President

H. Stanley, PWR Vice President ,

C. Crane, BWR Vice President

'

R. Krich, Vice President, Regulatory Services

l

DCD - Licensing

K. Graesser, Site Vice President

W. Levis, Station Manager

B. Adams, Regulatory Assurance Manager i

R. Hubbard, MHB Technical Associates

l

l M. Aguilar, Assistant Attorney General '

State Liaison Officer

State Liaison Officer, Wisconsin i

Chairman, Illinois Commerce Commission I

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, DOCUMENT NAME: R:\lNSPRPTS\BYRO\BYR98025.DRP

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To receive e copy of this document, Indicate le the boa *C' = Copy without ettechment/ enclosure *E" = Copy with ettschment/ enclosure

, *N" = No copy

( OFFICE Rill Rlil A Rill F

i e n E1.1

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DATE I #/99' ) /4/99 I/999

OFFICIAL RECORD CCWY

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O. Kingsley -3-

Distribution:

SAR (E-Mail)

RPC (E-Mail)

Project Mgr., NRR w/encls

J. Dyer, Rlll w/encls

J. Caldwell, Rlli w/encis

B. Clayton, Rill.w/encis

SRI Byron w/encls

DRP w/encls

TSS w/encls

DRS (2) w/encls

Rill PRR w/encls

PUBLIC IE-01 w/encls

Docket File w/encls

GREENS

LEO (E-Mail)

DOCDESK (E-Mail) ,

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250004

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