ML20206Q457

Forwards Proposed Info Notice, Limiting Condition for Operation for Containment Oxygen Concentration. Recent Licensee Event Repts from Plants Reveal Some Licensee Confusion Re TS Limiting Condition

ML20206Q457
Person / Time
Site:	Dresden, Quad Cities
Issue date:	04/21/1987
From:	Norelius C NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	NRC
Shared Package
ML20206Q315	List: IA-99-174, Discusses Intentional Entry Into TS Limiting Condition for Operation 3.0.3 by Licensee ML20206Q311 ML20206Q381 ML20206Q457 ML20206Q491
References
FOIA-99-174 NUDOCS 9905190133
Download: ML20206Q457 (3)

Text

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MEM0ftANDUM FOR:

E. L. Jordan, Director, Division of Emergency Preparedness and Engir.cering Response Office of Inspection and Enforcoment FROM:

Charles E Norelius, Director, Division of Peactor Projects Pegion Ill LIMITIE CONDITION FOR OPERATION f i

SUBJECT:

PROPOSED INFORMATION NOTICE:

FOR CONTAINHEHT OXYGEN CONCENTRATION 9ecent Licensee Even,t Reports from Dresden and Quad Cities (Dresden LERs 237/86-024-00 and 249/S6-026-00 and Quad Cities LER. 254/86-039-03) reveal some licensee confusion regarding the technical r.pecification Limiting Condition In aach j for Operation associated wtth containment oxygen concentration.

) event, general specification 3.0,A was incorrectly invoked to extend the j

period for corrective action by 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />. }

We believe an Infomation Notice on this subject is warranted. Accordingly, enclosed for your consideration is a draf t of c proposed inforTnation Notice which clarifies the interpretation of technical specifications associated with contairnent oxygen conc'entration.

If we can he of further assistance in this matter, please contact G. A. Van Sickle (FTS 388-5299) of the Division of Reactor Projects, Region Ill.

$Uk- ~h Charles E. Norelius Di ector Division of Reactor Projects

Enclosure:

Proposed Information Notice: Limiting Condition for Operation for Containtaent Oxygen Concentration Mf ORhBER9+-174 3 990518 pop

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t IE INFORMATION NOTICE NO.  : LIMITING CONDITION FOR OPERATION FOR CONTAINMENT OXYGEN CONCENTRATION ADDRESSEES:

All BWR f acilities with nitrogen inerting systems for containment.

BACKGRO,UND:

Recent Licensee Event Reports (LERs) describe events at Dresden and Quad Cities in which the containment oxygen concentration exceeded the technical -

specification Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO) (technical specification 3.7. A.5.b for each plant). In each case, the oxygen concentration exceeded the specified 4% (by volume) longer than the 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> pemitted following or in preparation for a shutdown. The licensee's position in each incident was that general techriical' specification 3.0.d then became effective, allowing an additional 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br /> for corrective measures before shutdown.

, PURPOSE This infomation notice is provided to clarify the interpretation of technical specifications associated with containment oxygen concentration. Technical specification 3.7.A.S.b for Dresden and Quad Cities and similar specifications for other plants establish the containment oxygen concentration requirements during the 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> subsequent or prior to a shutdown. If the oxygen ,

concentration still exceeds the specification limit after 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />, the plant is in violation of the LCO and should be shut down in accordance with 10 CFR 50.36(c)(2). Howe n r, suggestions contained in this information notice do not constitute NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is required.

DISCUSSION:

Technical specification 3.7.A.S.b for Dresden and Quad Cities states'that the containment oxygen concentration must be less than 4% within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> af ter the reactor has been placed in the Run Mode, and that deinerting (i.e.,

allowing the oxygen concentration to exceed 4%) may connence 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> prior to

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a shutdown. Specification 3.0.A. on the other hand, specifies that the plant i shall be shut down within 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br /> after an LCO "cannot be satisfied because l of circumstances in excess of those addressed in the specification." In l

technical specification 3.7.A.S.b, the " circumstances addressed" are either  !

(1) placing the reactor in the Run Mode following a shutdown, or j

(2) commencing deinerting prior to a shutdown. For either condition, an Therefore, when a explicit 24-hour time limit for shutting down is provided.

1 plant is operating in accordance with the conditions of specifications 1 3.7.A.S.b there are no circumstances which are not accounted for, and j i

specification 3.0.A does not apply. .

l As shown in the above discussion, invoking specification 3.0.A effectively extends the time period for complying with the LCO from 24 to 36 hours4.166667e-4 days <br />0.01 hours <br />5.952381e-5 weeks <br />1.3698e-5 months <br />. This practice is not in accordance with the intentions of the technical specifications. ,

j Ho specific action or response is required by this information notice. If you I

have any questions regarding this notice, please contact the Regional ~

Administrator of the appropriate NRC Regional Of fice or the Technical Contact  !

I listed below.

Edward L. Jordan. Director Division of Mergency Preparedness

)

and Engineering Response Office of Inspection and Enforcement Technical

Contact:

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