ML20204D053

Outlines Reasons for Disagreeing W/Nrc Position on Calibr of Sievess at Subj Facil,As Mentioned in Inspec Repts 50-456/78-06 & 50-457/78-06.Believes Sieves Cannot Be Calibr,But Can Be Verified.Requests NRC Reexamination

ML20204D053
Person / Time
Site:	Braidwood
Issue date:	11/14/1978
From:	Reed C COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
To:	Heishman R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
References
NUDOCS 7812060059
Download: ML20204D053 (6)

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C:mm:nw:alth Edison

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One First N2tional Plaza. Chicago, lilinois

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Chicago. lllinois 6%90 I

November 14, 1978

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Mr. R. F. Heishman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region III 799 Roosevelt Road Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137

Subject:

Braidwood Station Units 1 and 2 Additional Response to IE Inspection Report Nos. 50-456/78-06 and 50-457/78-06 NRC Docket Nos. 50-456 and 50-457 Reference (a):

James G. Keppler letter to Byron Lee, Jr.

dated September 25, 1978 NRC Docket Nos. 50-456 and 50-457

Dear Mr. Heishman:

As a result of our discussions on Friday, November 3, 1978 concerning calibration of sieves at Braidwood Station, Commonwealth Edison has outlined below its reasons for disagreeing with the NRC position as stated in Reference (a).

More specifically, with regard to the NRC position that " sieves, like C-109 cube molds, unit weight buckets, thermometers, slump cones, and sand cone density apparatus," are devices requiring calibra-tion, Commonwealth Edison offers the following comments.

1.

ASTM C-109 defines two separate sets of parameters for the physical characteristics of cement mortar molds -- one set for new molds and one for molds in use.

In addition, C-109 is a " Standard Test Methei" outlining the way to perform the npecified test.

ASTM E-ll offers no distinction between new sieves and sieves in use because it is a

" Standard Specification" for the manufacturing of test sieves, not their use, i

2.

The unit weight bucket calibration is an integral requirement of the " Standard Test Method for unit weight of aggregate"

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If{p (ASTM C29) and the " Standard Test Method for 787006 air content of freshly mixed concrete by the 7812060069

C:mm:nw:alth Edisin NRC Dock 3t No2 50-456/457 Mr. R. F. Heishmans November 14, 1978 volumetric method" (ASTM C173).

ASTM E-ll includes methods of calibrating and e

king sieves "as information in the append: -

not in the body of the specification as a << quire-ment.

3. Thermometers are verified, not calibrated.

4. Slump cones are verified, not calibrated.

5. The sand cone density apparacus is calibrated as an integral part of the procedure for

" Determining the density of soil in place by the sand cone method," (ASTM D1556).

(Also see Item 2 above).

The NRC Region III also states in Reference (a) that

" Appendix A.3 of ASTM E-437-71 provides further methods for checking and calibrating sieves."

However, the scope section of E437 indicates that "this specification does not apply to wire cloth with rectangular openings or to any of the following special purpose wire cloth:

Testing Sieve cloth, etc."

Therefore, Commonwealth Edison does not feel that ASTM E437 is an appropriate reference for our scope of work., which supports our position,is a copy of a letter from Walter C. Mahlig of ASTM Committee E-29 to W. S. McKay of PTL regarding sieve opening verification by the user of ASTM E-ll.

Based on this lettar, Commonwealth Edison intends to continue to perform visual inspections on sieves and make repairs per ASTM STP 447A.

However, if the visually observed damage appears to be beyond repairs per this standard, then Commonwealth Edison will either replace the sieve or have it reverified by the National Bureau of Standards or the manufacturer.

In addition, per our request, PTL has provided a letter, Attachment 2, confirming the PTL management position regarding sieve calibrations.

As Attachment 2 indicates, PTL management holds that sieves do not require calibration nor has calibration of sieves been required on numerous plants which PTL has served in the past or on current projects in all sections of the country.

Commonwealth Edissn tmc Docket Nos. 50-456/457 g

Mr. R. F. Heishman: November 14, 1978 Therefore, based on the above considerations and information attached, Commonwealth Edison requests that NRC Headquarters reexamine the NRC position with regard to this item and change the infraction to an observation.

Please address any additional questions that you might have to this office.

Very truly yours, Cordell Reed Assistant Vice-President attachments m,

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Moaoro'r Cheerme a A. f. #f ED, Coasultoat. 2045 to-ry ' Place, to Joll', Col.f. 92037 (714 454 2207) o CAo.emon

f. J CoNNOR5. Geacrol flerer.c Co.. P.o. Sn. 568, Woeshiasson. Ohio d30851614 438 2000) 7.ese Vere Cf.o,, men W. C. M AHLIG, W. 5. Tytre. lac 8200 tyler Blvd., Meator, ohio d8060 (216 255 9131)

Secoad Vete (ene men A H. CR AIG. NL andusueet, Wpoff Snod, Heghestoe, N.J. 08520 (609.dds.3200)

'"Ferreieir G. C. WEST, Poril.c Sciensilet Co., H;oc Dev., d7 89 W. Stoo6s St., Montcloir, Col.f. 91763

$#eff A4enop,er. S. W. 60WMAN (215 299 5514)

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S eptemb er 29, 1978

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4 Mr. W; S. McNay, Manager Quality A ssurance Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory P. Q. Box 164 6 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230

Dear Mr. McKay:

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With reference to your letter of August 17, the writer has discussed 3

with,'s'ome. members of Committec E-29 regarding sieve opening verification by the user of ASTM E-II.

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Attached is a copy of ASTM Specification E-11-70 You will note there is nothing specific in this specification regarding calibration of sieves 9

on a regular basis. The manufacturer of testing sieves furnishes sieves in 1

accordance with ASTM E-Il and it is the writer's opinion that, if the sieves i

a re us ed on 'dctermination of concrete aggregates where the sieving toli rance.=

.are asuite broad, it is not necessary to reverify conformity to specificati..n 4 if the user inspects the sieves visually for damages, tears, dents or warpage.

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Generally speaking, unless the sieve is damaged or dipped in acid solutions, no measurable wear occurs on the sieve opening. If verification is required, the sieves could be sent to the National Bureau of Standards in Washington or returned to the manufacturer for verification. We trust this gives you th information desired.

Very truly yours,

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Walter C. Mahlig I'irst Vice-Chairman ASTM Committee E-29 WCM:vlb i

Atta chment 1

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ATTACHMENT 2 M

PITTsnamit Test 1xo LABORATORY

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TNS COMPletuTIAL Ps0PS ATT Of CLi4NY$. Ae 9 AU7dOSIIATICN FOR PUBLICATIDs Of 51ATEWIRTS. COR-OrtsC8 OF THE VICE PetESIDtNT CLDS30e5 00 EstaACTS Pepe 08 BI8aattne out 8190a78 f 8 alster89 PtWDem6 ega salTTle APP 9094L.

November 7, 1978 1

j Mr. W. Shewski Commonwealth Edison Company P. O. Box 767

-Chicago, Illinois 60690

Reference:

Docket Nos. 50-456 and 50-457 i

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Dear Mr. Shewski:

This letter confirms the PTL management position concerning the require-

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ment that sieves for analysis of concrete aggregates be periodically calibrated.

I, PTL holds that sieves do not require calibration.

No one, throughout these discussions, has been able to produce evidence thatwear occurs I

during use which changes the size of the openings.

i PTL further contends that calibration is not required because 1)

ANSI N45.'2, Section 13 does not require calibration if normal commercial practices provide adequate accuracy.

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2) The. manufacturer certifies on the sieve label that there is compliance with ASTM Ell.

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Periodic visual examination determines if there j

are tears or other cloth damage.

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4) The wide range of minimum-maximum values for j,

Aggregates obviate the necessity for calibration j

to-the requirements for manufacturingtolerances shown in ASTM Ell.

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5) ASTM STP 447, Section 14.6 states that no measur-able wear occurs in the openings afcer continued use.

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ASTM Committee E29 supports the PIL position.

7)' The high cost of calibration produces zero benefit.

PITTSCupset setw v0nt DOSTDes P991LADELPMla CLtVELAND DE T ROIT ST. Lout $ SUPPALO GAftNSSDAO LoutSWILLE M t MPHIS SALT LAEE CITY Sage PRANCIS NEW CMLEases S$ATTLE PO R TLAND sammlNGNAM SATOsa 30U0g LAPATETTE MILW AWE E E INDIANAP%st ATLANTA MOUSTOrJ DALLAS JACK SONVILLE TAMPA MIA6 CMcCAGO SveACUSE TALLAMASSil EUGENE. FT.PetaCE

$6A SHVILLE ROANORE CHATT A'* COG A DA TT C8e4 OSLANb0 ROCHESTER SPOKANE AS40CNtTES AT.

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3 Mr. W. Shewski November 7, 1976 Page No. 2 In addition, calibration of sieves, 'has not been required on several score of plants which PTL has served in. past years.

Sieve calibra-tion is not required on current FTL projects:

Grand Gulf Hope Creek V C Summers South Texas Seabrook Davis Besse Forked River Oswego Skagit Also, we have information that sieve calibration is not required on a half-dozen other plants now under construction.

i At Satsop', glass bead checking was incorporated into the y,rocedure two and one half years ago over our objections.

No information gained in these checks has challenged the,ialidity of the position PTL takes in 1 through 7 above.

PTL has submitted a procedure change for approval, to remove the requirement for sieve calibration on the Satsop project.

Very truly yours s

W. H.

velius Vice President g

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