ML20211F418

Forwards SE Accepting Licensee 980603 & 990517 Requests for Approval of risk-informed Alternative to 1992 Edition of ASME BPV Code Section Xi,Insp Requirements for Class 1, Category B-J Piping Welds

ML20211F418
Person / Time
Site:	Arkansas Nuclear
Issue date:	08/25/1999
From:	Gramm R NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:	Hutchinson C ENTERGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Shared Package
ML20211F425	List: ML20211F418 ML20211F428
References
TAC-MA2023, NUDOCS 9908300332
Download: ML20211F418 (3)

Text

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/ t UPEC STATES .

EY o NUCLEAR REGULA.ORY COMMISSION 4E Eh' WASHINGTON, O C. 2055 MOO 1 August 25, 1999 Mr. C. Randy Hutchinson ~

Vice President, Operations ANO Entergy Operations, Inc.

1448 S. R. 333 Russellville, AR 72801

SUBJECT:

RISK-INFORMED ALTERNATIVE TO CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF ASME CODE SECTION XI, TABLE IWB-2500-1 AT ARKANSAS NUCLEAR ONE, UNIT 1 (TAC MA2023)

Dear Mr. Hutchinson:

By letters dated June 3,1998 (1CAN069804), and May 17,1999 (1CAN059902), you requested that the NRC approve a risk-informed alternative to the 1992 Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Code)Section XI, inspection requirements for Class 1, Category B-J piping welds (excluding socket welds) contained in Table IWB-2500-1. The proposed alternative was generally based on a risk analysis performed consistent with the requirements of ASME Code Case N-560," Alternative Examination l Requirements for Class 1, Category B-J Piping WeldsSection XI, Division 1," dated August 12,1996. Entergy also augmented the implementation of Code Case N-560 at l Arkansas Nuclear One, Unit 1 (ANO-1) by using methodology approved by the Electric Power Recaarch Institute (EPRI). Specifically, Entergy proposed to reduce the number of welds requiring volumetric examination from 51 to 40 welds.

l We have reviewed the proposed request as a site-specific request being applicable only to ANO-1. The results of our review indicated that you have provided an acceptable alternative to l

the requirements of ASME Section XI. You showed that the implementation of the program would result in an insignificant change in risk, even with fewer inspections, since the inspections will take place where degradation mechanisms are more likely to occur, and procedures and personnel will target these specific locations using improved techniques and expanded volumes. We have determined that the alternative method described in your submittal provides equivalent or better examination criteria for Class 1 Category B-J welds than that provided by the current Section XI requirements.

We therefore conclude that authorization of your proposed alternative would provide an acceptable level of quality and safety, is authorized by law and will not endanger life or property

/I ,

or common defense and security, and is otherwise in the public interest. Pursuant to 4 i

- Section 50.55a(a)(3)(i) of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Reaulations, the alternative is authorized. This authorization does not constitute an NRC approval of Code Case N-560 for p/ j  !

generic uso. The suitability of Code Case N-560 for generic use will be determined following the staff's review of the Code Case. We expect to publish the results of the staff's review in Regulatory Guide 1.147," Inservice inspection Code Case Acceptability - ASME Section XI, Division 1."

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C. R. Hutchinson August 25, 1999 Our detailed evaluation and conclusions are documented in the enclosed safety evaluation.

Sincerely,

?M A h-Robert A. Gramm, Chief, Section 1 Project Directorate IV & Decommissioning Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-315

Enclosure:

As stated cc: See next page DISTRIBUTION:

Docket File S. Dinsmore PUBLIC G. Georgiev PD4-1 Reading S. Richards (cover ltr only)

ACRS R. Scholl (e-mail SE only)

OGC G. Hill (2)

K. Brockman, RIV D.Lange l l To receive a copy of this document, indicate "G" in the box N _

OCp CE'" "')' d PDIV-1/l@ (L

'3 OFFICE PDIV-1/PM C EMCB SPSB NAME N.Hilton:dby W.Bateman* R.Barrett* L. Berry /[Y [,911cuco DATE Yi / ( /99 8 /04/99 8 / 04 /99 N/ b /99 7 /l 7/99 PDIV-1/SC C R.GrammM 8 /QI /99

• SE incorporated without substantial changes DOCUMENT NAME: G:\PDIV-1\ANO1\ RELA 2023.wpd OFFICIAL RECORD COPY l

Arkansas Nuclear One cc:

l - Executive Vice President Vice President, Operations Support

& Chief Operating Officer Entergy Operations, Inc.

Entergy Operations, Inc. P. O. Box 31995 P. O. Box 31995 Jackson, MS 39286-1995 Jackson, MS 39286-1995 Wise, Carter, Child & Caraway Director, Division of Radiation P. O. Box 651 Control and Emergency Management Jackson, MS 39205 Arkansas Department of Health 4815 West Markham Street, Slot 30 Little Rock, AR 72205-3867 Winston & Strawn 1400 L Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20005-3502 Manager, Rockville Nuclear Licensing Framatone Technologies j 1700 Rockville Pike, Suite 525 Rockville, MD 20852 {

i Senior Resident inspector l U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P. O. Box 310 London, AR 72847

Regional Administrator, Region IV l U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission l 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 400

! Arlington, TX 76011-8064 I i l County Judge of Pope County l Pope County Courthouse i Russellville, AR 72801 l

l I

l May 1999 t L