ML20206F806

Forwards Safety Insp Rept 50-225/88-04 on 880817-18 & Notice of Violation.Violations Indicate Need for Greater Mgt Oversight of & Attention to Licensed Activities

ML20206F806
Person / Time
Site:	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Issue date:	11/09/1988
From:	Kane W NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Block R RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, TROY, NY
Shared Package
ML20206F810	List: IR 05000225/1988004 ML20206F806 ML20206F812
References
NUDOCS 8811210349
Download: ML20206F806 (2)

See also: IR 05000225/1988004

Text

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NOV 091988

Docket No. 50-225

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

ATTN: Dr. R. C. Block, Chairman

Department of Nuclear Engineering

and Science

Troy, New York 12181

Gentlemen:

Subject: NRC Region I Inspection Report No. 50-225/88-04

This refers to the routint saf ety inspection conducted by Messrs. J. Kaucher

and H. Eichenholz of this office on August 17-18, 1988, of activities author-

ized by NRC License No. CX-22, to the discussions of our findings held by

Messrs. Naucher and Eichtnholz with you and members of your staff at the con-

clusion of the inspection, and to a subsequent telephone discussion between

,

Mr. L. Tripp of this of fice and you on August 25, 1988.

Areas examined during this inspection are described in the NRC Region I Inspec-

tion Report which is enclosed with this letter. Within thesa areas, the

inspection consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative

records, interviews with personnel, and observations by the inspectors.

Based on the results of this inspection, it appears that certain of your activ-

ities were not conducted in full compliance with NRC requirements, as sat forth '

in the Notice of Violation, enclosed herewith as Appendix A. The three appar-

ent violations concern: (1) failures to conduct and to retain records of Tech-

nical Specification required surveillance activities; (2) degradation in the

performance of the Nuclear Safety Review Board; and (3) inadequate review and

approval of procedures as required by Technical Specifications. These viola-

tions have been categorized by severity level in accordance with the "General

Statement of Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions," 10 CFR Part 2,

Appendix C (Enforcement Policy). You are required to respond to this letter

and in preparing your response, you should follow the instructions in

Appendix A.

The NRC is concerned that although the safety significance of each violation

individually is minor, collectively these violations indicate a need for

greater management oversight of, and attention to, licensed activities. The

assurance provided by Dr. Sangrey that he will personally oversee the correc-

tion of our concerns is an important first step in providing sound management

attention to safe facility operation.

The responses directed by this letter and the accompanying Notice are not

subject to the clearance procedures of the Office of Management and Budget as

required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of .180, PL 96-511.

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY IR RENSSELAER 88-04 - 0001.0.0 \

11/03/88

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NOV 091988

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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l In accordance with Section 2.790 of the NRC's. "Rules of Practice," Part 2,

l Title 10, Code 'of Federal Regulations, a copy of this letter and your reply

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will be placed'in the Public Document Room.

Thank you for your cooperation.

l

l Sincerely,

OR!N" T!'iO 3Y

l Lye..ab -

illiam F. Ka ire or

Division of Reactor Projects

Enclosures:

1. Appendix A, Notice of Violation

2. NRC Region I Inspection Report No. 50-223/88-04

cc w/encIs:

Dr. D. ,R. Harris Director, RPI Critical Facility

i P. Angelo, Supervisor, RPI Critical Facility

I

Dr. G. Judd, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School

Dr. D. Sangrey, Dean, School of Engineering

l Public Document Room (POR)

l Local Public Document Room (LPOR)

Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)

State of New York

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bec w/encls:

Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)

Hsnagement Assistant, ORMA (w/o encis)

, J. Wiggins, ORP j

0. Haverkamp, DRP

J. Kaucher, ORP

J. Lyash, ORP

R. Bores, DRSS

H. Eichenholz, SRI - Yankee

L. Rubenstein, NRR/POSNP

T. Michaels, NRR/POSNP

1 RI:0RP pi:0RP i . RP/

J aucher/mjd DH amp ,JWiggins Kane I

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0FFICIAL RECORD COPY IR RENS$ELAER 88-04 - 0002.0.0

11/01/88

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