ML20212E261

Forwards Response to 870219 Inquiry from E Rose Re Alert & Notification Sys

ML20212E261
Person / Time
Site:	Harris
Issue date:	02/20/1987
From:	Krimm R Federal Emergency Management Agency
To:	Jordan E NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE)
References
NUDOCS 8703040306
Download: ML20212E261 (3)

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Federal Emergency Management Agency Washington, D.C. 20472 E

MD10RANDlN EDR: Edward L. Jordan Director Division of Emergency Preparedness and Engineering Response Office of Inspection arri Enforcement U.S. Nuclear Dgulatory Camtission FRQ1: W Assistant Associate Director Office of Natural and Technologica1 Hazards Programs ~ ,

SUBJECT:

Response to the Inquiry fran Ms. Elizabeth Rose Regarding the Shearon Harris Alert and bbtification System As you requested, attached is a copy of the Federal Ibergency Management Agency's response to the note that Ms. Elizabeth Rose handed Chairman Lardo Zech at the licensing hearing for the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant on January 8,1987.

Ms. Rose's note expressed some concerns over the effectiveness of the alert and notification systen for Shearon Harris.

If I can be of further assistance, please let nu know.

Attachnent As Stated 8703040306 870220 PDR F ADOCK 05000400 ppg Nh I I

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f Federal Emergency Management Agency Washington, D.C. 20472 0f FEB i 91987 fis. Elizabeth Rose Bass Iake Foai Holly Sprinjs, North Carolina 27540

Dear Ms. Rose:

This letter is in further response to the note you delivered to Mr. Lhndo Zech, Chairman, U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), at the January 8, _1987, Shearon Harris licensing hearing. Your note exoressed concerns that you and your neighbors could not hear the sirens during a test of the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant alert and notification systen.

As explained in the letter to you from Mr. James M. Taylor, Director, Office of Inspection and Enforcement, NRC, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FDIA) has the lead Federal responsibility for evaluating the ef fectiveness and adequacy of alert and notification systems installed around commercial nuclear power plants. A full technical review of the Shearon Harris alert and notification system was conducted by FEMA pursuant to criteria established in FDIA-REP-10, " Guide for the Evaluation of Alert and Ibtification Systems for Nuclear Power Plants" and in NUREG-0654/ FEMA-REP-1, Revision 1, " Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Errergency Response Plans and Pre-Daredness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants." These documents contain the staMards against which all nuclear power plant alert aM notification systems have been reviewed.

The FD4A evaluation of the Shearon Harris alert and notification system included computer modeling of the sirens utilizing the Outdoor Sound Prooagation Model (OSPM) . OSPM is a conputer nodel used by FD1A in evaluating siren systems to confirm that the acoustical coverage provided by the siren systems is ariequate and maets all Federal standards. 'Ihe general location of your hcne as described in your note, Bacc Lake Road between Ibily Springs and Fuquay, ? brth Carolina, is in an area that the OSPM has predicted should be exposed to siren sound levels in excess of 70 decibels. 'Ihis level of siren coverage meets the standards established for areas with a population density similar to that of the area in which you live. Research has indicated that siren sound levels of 70 decibels should produce a distinguishable signal inside average residential homes.

FDIA has tentatively scheduled a full activation of the Shearon Harris alert and notification system for July 1987. Imnediately followiry activation of the system, a telephone survey of residents will be conducted by FDiA to determine the percentage of the emergency plannina zone population directly alerted by the alert aM notification system. The exact date and actual tirre of activation of the alert and notification system aM telephone survey will be publicized in the local media shortly before the test, which should allow you to nonitor the effectiveness of the system. It is important to add that in addition to i the July survey and tests during exercises, there are routine tests of the alert l aM notification system conducted periodically to rraintain the operability of the system.

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If you have further questions or concerns regarding any aspects of the Shearon Harris alert and notification system we encourage you to contact either:

Mr. Joseph F. Myers Director North Carolina Division of Emergency Ibnagement 116 West Jones Street-Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 or, ,,

Mr. Roty3rt Black tbnager Dnergency Preparedness Section Carolina Power and Light Ccnpany P.O. 1551 _

Raleigh, North Carolina 27602 If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

Sincerely

^

w;Fhi Y Assistant Associate Director Office of Natural and Technoloqica1 Hazards Programs

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