ML20214V385

Forwards Response to Violations Noted During Insp of License R-115.Nuclear Reactor Committee Misunderstanding of NRC Regulations Resolved & Reactor Control Rod Position Interlock Restored to Full Compliance on 860910

ML20214V385
Person / Time
Site:	University of Illinois
Issue date:	11/24/1986
From:	Bradley Jones ILLINOIS, UNIV. OF, URBANA, IL
To:	Hind J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
References
NUDOCS 8612090663
Download: ML20214V385 (2)

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N Partent M Conege d Enginenrig Universit7 of Illinois, Nuclear Engineering at Urbana-Champaign 214 Nuclear Engineering 217 333-2295 Laboratory 103 South Goodwin Avenue Urbana, IL 61801-2984 November 24, 1986 Jack A. Hind, Director Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards Nuclear Regulatory Commission 799 Roosevelt Road Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 Ref.: Docket No. 50-151, November 3,1986 Centlemen:

Enclosed is our response to the reference document, " Notice of Violation,"

in which we respond to items of violation. We believe that the procedures used in the investigation and in the Enforcement Conference by both the NRC Region III and the University of Illinois resulted in a very productive review of the conditions of the case. Further, we believe that the open discussions have resulted in improved understanding of the interpretation of the regulations applying to the operation of our reactor under License No. R-115. I am, there-fore, confident that we are better prepared to operate the facility in accor-dance with its license.

We will be pleased to clarify our formal reply should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

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. %A&d ' mud Barclay G. Jo Acting 1[ad BGJ:km cc: B. Micklich J. Williams C. Pohlod University Administration enclosure he NOV 2 61986 8612090663 861124 PDR ADOCK 05000151 G PDR b

j Q ,- Deparhaent of CoHege of Engineering

< UniverSit7. Of Illinois

. Nucl:ar Engineering at Urbana-Cha'mpaign 214 Nuclear Engineering 217 333-2295 Laboratory

' 103 South Goodwin Avenue Urbana, IL 61801-2984 Reply to Notice of Violation University of Illinois Docket No. 50-151 This reply to the Notice of Violation issued by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and dated November 3, 1986, is made in accordance with the

. provisions of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 2.201.

The actions of the reactor operating staff and the Nuclear Reactor Committee which resulted in the issuance by the NRC of the Notice of Violation were caused by their misunderstanding of the NRC interpretation of the regula-tions. This misunderstanding was attributable, in part, to previous incon-sistency by the USNRC in this area.

The NRC policy with regard to 10CFR50.59 is now understood by the reactor operations staff, the members of the Nuclear Reactor Committee and all those having responsibility for the operation of the university's reactors within the Department of Nuclear Engineering. This understanding is a result of discussions on October 8 and October 28, 1986, between four members of the University staff and NRC personnel, and subsequent briefings of the reactor operators, carried out by Mr. Pohlod, and of members of the Nuclear Reactor Committee, carried out by Dr. Williams after discussion with Dr. Jones. These actions will avoid future compliance problems resulting from misunderstanding of regulatory requirements in this area.

Corrective action to restore the reactor control rod positions interlock to full compliance was taken on September 10, 1986. Tests carried out on the same day confirmed correct operation of the interlock. These actions and results were fully reported to the NRC, Region III, in a written report dated September 17, 1986.

15 k YW Date AtMot fh Barclay y Jonet/

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