ML20216E484

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Insp Repts 50-282/98-03 & 50-306/98-03 on 980114-0224. Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Licensee Operations, Maint,Engineering & Plant Support
ML20216E484
Person / Time
Site: Prairie Island  
Issue date: 03/12/1998
From:
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:
Shared Package
ML20216E445 List:
References
50-282-98-03, 50-282-98-3, 50-306-98-03, 50-306-98-3, NUDOCS 9803180063
Download: ML20216E484 (29)


See also: IR 05000282/1998003

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U.S. NUCLEAR REGUI.ATORY COMMISSION

REGIONlli

Docket Nos:

50-282; 50-306

License Nos:

DPR-42; DPR-60

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Report No:

50-282/98003(DRP); 50-306/98003(DRP)

Licensee:

Northem States Power Company

Facility:

Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant

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Location:

1717 Wakonada Driva East

Welch, MN 55089

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Dates:

January 14,1998, through February 24,1998

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inspectors:

S. Ray, Senior Resident inspector

P. Krohn, Resident inspector

S. Thomas, Resident inspector

Approved by:

J. W. McCormick-Barger, Chief

Reactor Projects Branch 7

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9803180063 900312

PDR

ADOCK 05000282

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Unit 1 and Unit 2

NRC Inspection Report No. 50-282/98003(DRP); 50-306/98003(DRP)

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This inspection included aspects of licensee operations, maintenance, engineering, and plant

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support. The report covers a six-week period of resident inspection.

Operations

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Control room access control, communications, and professionalism were improved

compared to previous inspection observations. Control room operators consistently

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managed access to the areas designated "at the controls" and ensured that no personnel

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with food, drinks, hard hats, or other unauthorized material approached the control

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panels. The inspectors also noted improvements in timely attendance at shift briefing

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meetings by crew members and overall improvements in control room professionalism.

(Section 01.1)

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Operations personnel responded rapidly and property to a failure of a main feedwater

valve and to the loss of the 10 transformer, which resulted in the momentary loss of

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power to a Unit 2 safeguards bus. (Section 01.1)

The winter plant operation procedure was adequate to ensure that equipment in all of the

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buildings inspected was wann, dry, and adequately protected from the cold. The

inspectors identified one minor procedure problem. (Section 01.2)

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A reactor coolant system leak on Unit 2 was rapidly identified and conservative action

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was taken to shut down the plant for repairs. The operators performed a well-controlled,

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deliberately paced shutdown. (Section 01.3)

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Draining of the Unit 2 reactor vessel head to conduct welding was well-controlled. An

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excellent pre-job briefing was held and diverse indications and inventory balance

calculations were used throughout the evolution. (Section 01.3)

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Increased monitoring for potential Unit i reactor coolant system leakage was slow to be

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established even after new information concoming tile flaw size in the Unit 2 reactor

coolant system pressure boundary became known. In addition, the basis for evaluating

operability of Unit 1 was not adequately documented. Once established, the

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compensatory actions were comprehensive and reasonable. (Section 01.3)

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The safeguards ventilation systems inspected were in good material condition with no

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deficiencies noted. The inspectors identified one minor Updated Safety Analysis Report

discrepancy. (Section 02.1)

Operators demonstrated a significant increase in awareness of procedure adherence

requirements. They frequently stopped to revise steps that wore unclear or could not be

accomplished as written, in the lest seven months, only one minor case of an operator

failing to follow procedures was identified. Licensee corrective actions to improve

operator procedure adherence appeared to be effective. (Section 08.2)

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Maintenance

Maintenance and surveillance test activities were performed well with no discrepancies

noted. However, examples of surveillance test procedures needing improvement

continued to be identified as highlighted by the inspectors' identification of inaccurately

indicating source range meters at the hot shutdown panels. (Section M1.1)

Following the identification of a leak on Unit 2 partial length control rod drive

mechanism Gg, removal, nondestructive examinations, and repair activities associated

with all of the Unit 2 partial length control rod drive mechanisms were conducted well.

The methods, tools, and techniques used during the nondestructive examinations were

adequate for the inspections performed. An effective task force wss established to

manage the repairs. Contractors were carefully supervised by system engineers and

performed the component removal and repairs in a deliberate, controlled manner. Quality

services (quality assurance) oversight of the project was good. (Section M1.2)

The backlog of corrective maintenance work orders was relatively small and stable.

Priority work and control room deficiencies received adequate attention. Equipment

failures which led to entry into Technical Specification Limiting Conditions for Operation

were infrequent and rapidly resolved. There were very few temporary modifications in

place. Work was completed in a timely manner and was generally done correctly the first

time. Operability decisions because of degradsd equipment were conservativelv made.

Overall, a review of the maintenance backlog indicated a strong maintenance program

which was receiving suitable management attention. The backlogs were about 1100

non-outage work orders of all kinds, about 70 power block corrective maintenance work

orders, 3g control room deficiencies,12 " operator workarounds," and 5 temporary

modifications. There were 10 Limiting Condition for Operation entries due to equipment

issues in the previous six weeks, no missed surveillance tests or preventative

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msintenance tasks in the previous year, and about i repeat work order per month in the

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previous year. (Section M2.1)

An inadequate review of the 1H3 breaker protection logic led to an inappropriately

sequenced work order for a non-routine maintenance activity. This resulted in an

engineered c;Yy feature system actuation. The event was the fourth documented case

in a little ovo e par in which an inadequate review of logic circuits led to problems during

maintenance c testing activities. All of the events occurred during either first-time

evolutions or infrequent and emergent work activities. A violation was identified for failure

to provide an appropriate work order. (Section M3.1)

Enaineerino

The results of special control room ventilation envelope testing, initiated in response to

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previous NRC concems, indicated that potential in-leakage into the control room was

greater than design assumptions from both steam exclusion and dose control

standpoints. Although design assumptions could have been exceeded, the control r.>om

would probably have remained habitable. Confirmatory calculations were in progress.

(Section E8.5)

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Plant Support

The inspectors observed several instances of good radiation control practices to maintain

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dose as low as reasonably achievable during the Unit 2 partial length control rod drive

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mechanism repairs. (Section R1)

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Report Details

Summary of Plant Status

Unit i operated at or near full power for the entire inspection period. Unit 2 operated at or near

full power until January 24,1998, when it was shut down because of a reactor coolant system

- leak. Unit 2 remained in cold shutdown for the remainder of the inspection period.

I, Operatient

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Conduct of Operations

01.1 General Comments

a.

Inspection Scope (71707. 92901)

The inspectors conducted frequent reviews of plant operations. The reviews included

observations of control room evolutions, shift tumovers, pre-job briefings,

communications, control room access management, logkeeping control board

monitoring, and general control room decorum. Updated Safety Analysis Report (USAR),

Section 13, " Plant Operations," Revision 15, was reviewed as part of the inspection.

b.

Observations and Findinas

On January 14,1998, the Unit ? "B" main feedwatar valve, CV-31136, failed

"as-is" when a fuse blew in a steam generator water level control system circuit

card. This caused a decreasing water level in the 22 steam generator, Control

room operators rapidly diagnosed the problem, took manual control, and opened

the "B" main feedwater bypass valve, CV-31372. This restored steam generator

water level to the programmed band. The "B" main feedwater valve wat placed in

local /marual control while the 22 steam generator level was controlled with the

"B" bypass valve in automatic The "B" main feedwater valve was repaired m.'d

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retumed to service on Januar) da 1998. Control room operators acted prompiv

and appropriately to the steani generator water level control problem.

On January 21,1998, while operators were performing electrical isolation

activities in the substation, a 10 transformer lockout occurred. This resulted in the

loss of the 12 cooling tower transformer and a momentary loss of the

26 safeguards bus on Unit 2. The inspectors monitored the operators' response

to l'iw event. Loads on Bus 26, including the 22 component cooling water pump

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and the 23 charging pump, were automatically shed. The loss of the charging

pump caused an automatic isolation of the charging and letdown lines. Power to

Bus 26 was automatically restored from the attemate 2RY reserve transformer

within seconds. The 21 component cooling water pump automatically started on

low header pressure, and the operators manually started the 22 charging pump

and restored normal charging and letdown flows.

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The inspectors noted that the operators followed the proper response and

recovery procedures, entered the proper Technical Specification (TS) Limiting

Condition for Operation, performed the proper surveillance tests required for a

loss of one offsite power source, and ensured oat a timely report was made to

the NRC in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72. All plant equipment responded as

designed during the event. The maintenance aspects of this event are discussed

in Section M3.1 of this report.

Throughout the inspection period, the inspectors noted improved control room

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access management by operations personne.l. Section Work Instruction

(SWI) 0-47, " Control Room Access," Revision 0, was issued on January 23,1998,

establish'ag standards for control room access. Control room operators

constantly mtnaged access to the areas designated "at the controls" and

ensu,.3d that n" ps,rsonnel with food, drinks, hard hats, or other unauthorized

material approached the control panels. The inspectors air,o noted improvements

in timely attendance at shift briefing meetings by crew menibers and overall

improvements in control room professionalism.

c.

Conclusions

Control room decnrum and professionalism were improved compared to previous

inspection observations. Operations personnel responded rapidly and property to a

failure of a main feedwater valve and the loss of the 10 transformer.

01.2 Cold Weather Preparations

a.

Inspection Scope (71714)

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The inspectors reviewed the licensee's preparations for cold weather operations. The

inspection focused on the free-standing, out-plant buildings to ensure that the prescribed

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cold weather protective features were in the condition required by procedures and

adequately performing their intended functions. The inspectors reviewed the following

procedures as part of this inspection-

Periodic Test Procedure (TP) 1637, " Winter Plant Operation," Revision 21;

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Operating Procedure C28.6, " Condensate Storage Tank Freeze Protection

System," Revision 5; and

Operating Procedure C37.5, "Screenhouse Normal Ventilation," Revision 3.

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b.

Observations and Findinas

The inspectors verified that TP 1637 had been completed before the cold weather

season. To evaluate the adequacy of the licensee's winter plant operation procedure, the

inspectors toured the following remote buildings: intake screenhouse, plant screenhouse,

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cooling tower equipment houses, cooh.'q tower pumphouse, cooling towers, security

emergency diesel building, water treatmei.: building, and the deepwell pumphouses. The

inspectors noted that the buildings were warm and dry, and that the lineups specified by

TP 1637 were stillin effect.

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The inspectors noted a minor procedure problem in that Steps 7.6.4,7.7.2, and 7.12.1 of

TP 1637 required that the unit heaters located in the cooling tower equipment, control

and radiation monitor houses, cooling tower pumphouse, and intake screenhouse have

their thermostats set at 55'F. Out of the 23 thermostats inspected, only 4 were est at

55'F. The remainder were set between 55 and 70*F. The general superintendent plant

operations confirmed that 55'F was considered a minimum setting, with upward

adjustments allowed for comfort. He agreed that the procedure should be clarified on

that point.

c.

Conclusions

For all the buildings inspected, the licensee's winter plant operation procedure was

adequate to ensure that equipment was warm, dry, and adequately protected from the

cold. The inooectors identified one minor procedure problem which will be addressed by

the licensee.

01.3 Unit 2 Forced Shutdown to Repair Reactor Coolant System (RCS) Leak

a.

Inspection Scope (71707)

On January 24,1998, Unit 2 was shut down due to a 0.2 gallon per minute RCS leak from

the G9 partial ler.gth (P/L) control rod drive mechanism (CRDM). The inspectors

monitored the shutdown and subsequent operations activities. The inspectors reviewed

the following documents as part of this inspection:

Surveillance Procedure (SP) 1001AA, " Reactor Coolant System Leakage Test,"

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Revision 27;

SP 2001 AA, " Reactor Coolant System Leakage Test," Revision 26;

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Section Work Instruction (SWI) 0-47, " Control Room Access," Revision 0;

Operating Procedure 2C1.3, " Unit 2 Shutdown," Revision 40;

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Operating Procedure 2C1.4, " Unit 2 Power Operation," Revision 15;

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Operating Procedure 2C4.1, "RCS Inventory Control- Pre-Refueling," Revision 4;

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Temporary instruction 98-07, dated February 10,1998;

Temporary Instruction 98-08, dated February 10,1998.

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b.

Observations and Findinas

Early on January 23,1998, unidentified RCS leakage increased by about a factor of ten

to 0.2 gallon per minute. This increase was first detected by the operators during

performance of test SP 2001 AA and confirme,d by operators noting increased

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containment sump pump run times and increased containment radiation monitor

readings. Operators, engineers, and radiation protection personnel entered the Unit 2

containment and identified that the leak was from P/L CROM G9. Licensee engineers

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surmised that the most likely source of the leak was the intermediate canopy seal weld, a

weld that was not considered part of the RCS pressure boundary. Nevertheless, licensee

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management conservatively decided to shut down Unit 2 to repair the leak, even though

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the leak rate was well below the TS limits for unidentified or identified leakage. (It was

later determined that the leak was actually from an RCS pressure boundary weld for

which the TS would have requimd that, within one hour, actions be initiated to place the

unit in hot shutdown within the next six-hours.) Unit 2 was taken off line on January 24,

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and reached cold shutdown on January 25.

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During the shutdown, the operators property followed procedures and used formal,

three-way communications. The operators were attentive to plant indications and

exhibited positive control of the plant. The inspectors noted that the operatcrs rigorously

applied the access control requirements of the recently issued instruction SWI O-47. The

shutdown was well-controlled and deliberately paced.

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On January 29,1998, the inspectors monitored the draining of the reactor vessel to one

foot below the reactor vessel flange in accordance with Procedure 2C4.1 Reactor vessel

level had to be lowered to create the proper welding conditions for repair of the G9 P/L

CRDM. The inspectors attended the pre-job briefing for the draining in which RCS flow

and drain paths, personnal assignments, communications, precautions, limitations, and

decay heat removal methods were discussed. In addition, RCS vent paths, RCS

inventory controls, calculations to be performed during the draining evolution, RCS drain

rates, abnormal indications that would require the draining to be stopped, and problems

with previous draining evolutions were discussed. The general superintendent of plant

operations attended the briefing and discussed management expectations, diverse

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reactor vessel level indication methods, relevant emergency plan sections, and abnormal

operating procedures associated with draining water from the reactor vo sel.

The inspectors monitored both control room and containment activities during the actual

draining evolution. The operators used good communications, checked diverse level

indications, and performed mass transfer calculations throughout the evolution. The

licensee placed the proper focus and attention on this critical plant evolution that had

caused past problems.

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On February 1,1998, the licensee identified that the leak originated above the

intermediate canopy seal weld in a flaw in the motor tube base. This RCS pressure

boundary leak was reported to the NRC in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72. Beginning on

February 1, the licensee developed defect repair and root cause determination plans for

the flaw. Operability of Unit 1 was evaluated based on the revised determination of the

Unit 2 flaw location. Trends for Unit 1 RCS leak rate, containment radiation, and

containment sump run times were reviewed and found to be stable.

Late on February 8,1998, a licensee contractor performed an unqualified manual

ultrasonic test examination of P/L CRDM G9. The preliminary results showed two inside

diameter indications, one approximately 5 inches long and one approximately 3 inches

long. Licensee management was informed of the findings on the moming of February 9.

On the aftemoon of February 9, NRC management expressed their concem to licensee

management that the licensee staff had not adequately reevaluated operability and

compensatory actions for Unit 1 in light of the apparent size of the defect in Unit 2. Later

that evening, the licensee commenced additional monitoring of the Unit 1 RCS conditions

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via temporary instructions 98-07 and 98-08 from the general superintendent of plant

operations. In addition, the engineering staff expanded the documented operability

evaluation for Unit 1 with more information on the basis for the determination.

Enhanced monitoring of the Unit 1 RCS included performing RCS leak rate calculations

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(SP 1001AA) once per shift instead of daily, placing containment radiation monitors and

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humidity readings on continuous trend displays in the control room, and increasing the

monitoring of containment fan coil unit collection pot levels to twice per shift. In addition,

no elective work was allowed on Unit i emergency core cooling system components

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without management approval. Training department personnel verified that all crews had

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recently practiced small-break Loss-of-coolant-accident scenarios. The compensatory

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actions were comprehensive and reasonable.

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c.

Conclusions

The leak on Unit 2 was rapidly identified and conservative action was taken to shut down

the plant for repairs. The operators performed a well-controlled, deliberately paced

shutdown. Draining of the Unit 2 reactor vessel head to conduct welding was also

well-controlled. An excellent pre-job briefing was held and diverse indications and

inventory balance calculations were used throughout the evolution.

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increased monitoring actions for Unit 1 RCS leakage indications were slow to be

established once new information concoming the flaw size in the Unit 2 RCS pressure

boundary became known. In addition, the basis for evaluating operability of Unit 1 was

not adequately documented. Once established, the compensatary actions were

nmprehensive and reasonable.

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)perational Status of Facilities and Equipment

O2.1

Enaineered Safety Feature (ESF) System Walkdown of Safeauards Ventilation Systems

a.

Inspection Scope (71707)

The inspectors performed a walkdown of the screenhouse safeguards ventilation system,

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Unit 2 containment vessel air handling system, Unit 1 and Unit 2 shield building

ventilation systems, and the spent fuel pool ventilation systems. The inspectors reviewed

design basis information associated with each of the ventilation systems, and v6rified that

design performance requirements were being tested through the periodic performance of

specific surveillance tests,

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The inspectors reviewed the following documents as part of the inspection:

USAR, Section 5, " Containment System," Revision 15;

USAR, Section 10.3.4, " Auxiliary Building Special Ventilation System,"

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Revision 14;

USAR, Section 10.3.7, " Spent Fuel Pool Ventilation Systems," Revision 14;

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Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR), Section 14.2.1, " Fuel Handling Accidents,"

Revision 0;

FSAR, Section 5.4, " Containment Vessel Air Handling System," Revision 0;

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Operating Procedure C37.8, "Screenhouse Safeguard Equipment Cooling,"

Revision 6;

Operating Procedure C18.1, " Engineered Safeguards Equipment Support

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Systems," Revision 6;

Operating Procedure 1C19.1, " Containment System Ventilation Unit 1,"

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Revision 0;

Operating Procedure 2C19.1, " Containment System Ventilation Unit 2,"

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Revision 0;

Nonconformance Report 19970525, " Containment Purge System ESF Logic is

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Pooriy Designed";

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SP 1106A, "12 Diesel Cooling Water Pump Test," Revision 53;

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SP 11068, "22 Diesel Cooling Water Pump Test," Revision 52;

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SP 1106C, "121 Cooling Water Pump Quarterly Test," Revision 9;

SP 1263, " Unit 1 - Containment Purge Effluent Rad Monitor Test," Revision 4;

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Drawing NF-40750-6, " Interlock Logic Diagram Nuclear Steam Supply System

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Radiation Monitoring System Units 1 and 2," Revision G;

Drawing NF-40763-1, " Interlock Logic Diagram Screenhouse Heat and Vent

System, Units 1 and 2," Revision K;

Drawing NF-40762-1, " Interlock Logic Diagram Containment Purge, in-Service

Purge and Spent Fuel Special Units 1 and 2," Revision L;

Drawing NF-40762-2, " Interlock Logic Diagram Containment Purge, In-Service

Purge and Spent Fuel Special Units 1 and 2," Revision L;

Drawing NF-40762-3, " Interlock Logic Diagram Containment Purge, in-Service

Purge and Spent Feel Special Units 1 and 2," Revision M; and

Work Order 9712943, " Electrical Maintenance Procedure PE 0112D 52."

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b.

Observations and Findinas

Both FSAR Section 5.4.2 and USAR Section 5.2.3.3 stated, " Purge flow will be controlled

from a local control station where a remote readout from the Vent Radiation Monitor will

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be provided." Although the purge supply and exhaust flow from both the Unit 1 and Unit 2

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containment could be controlled from a local station located on the 755-foot elevation of

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the auxiliary building, the inspectors determined that no remote vent radiation monitor

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readout existed at or near the station. Criterion lli of Appendix B of 10 CFR Part 50,

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" Design Control," states, " Measures shall be established to assure that apphcable

regulatory requirements and the design basis, as defined in Part 50.2 and as specified in

the license application, for those structures, systems, and components to which this

appendix applies are correctly translated into specifications, drawings, procedures, and

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instructions." Thus, failure to supply the remote radiation monitor readout at the local

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control station was a violation of Criterion Ill.

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The licensee had recently initiated a comprehensive USAR review and update project,

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which was described in a letter to the NRC dated September 26,1997. The inspectors

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brougl t the local purge supply and exhaust radiation monitor discrepancy to the attention

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of an engineer on the project team. The review team had already completed a Phase

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One review (a review of documentstion associated with the design basis) of this portion

of the USAR but had not started the Phase Two review (a walkdown and physical

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comparison between the equipment described in the USAR and actually installed). The

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engineer acknowledged that, for the Phase One portion of the USAR update project, the

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licensee had not identified the lack of a ventilation radiation monitor readout at the purge

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supply and exhaust local control station. The system engineer added the discrepancy to

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the USAR update list and stated that the discrepancy would be corrected during the next

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USAR revision.

The inspectors have previously noted several good findings by the USAR review team

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since it was formed and concluded that Phase Two of the USAR review project would

likely have identified the local radiation monitor discrepancy noted by the inspectors. The

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containment purge and exhaust system was seldom used and would normally be

controlled remotely from the control room where radiation monitoring instrument

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Indications were available. Thus, the failure to install a remote radiation monitoring

readout at the local containment purge and exhaust system control panel as described in

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the FSAR and USAR constitutes a violation of minor significance and is being treated as

a Non-Cited Violation (NCV), consistent with Section IV of the NRC Enforcement Policy

(50-282/98003-01(DRP); 50-306/98003-01(DRP)).

Durir.g the walkdown, all ducting, filter housings, fan motors, and dampers were

examined by the inspectors. Material condition was found to be good and no

discrepancies were noted.

The inspectors also reviewed the engineering calculations and methodology associated

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with changing the thermal overioad trip setpoints of the 121 spent fuel pool inservice

purge fan breaker. The thermal overlosd trip setpoints were changed as part of Work Order 9712943. Control fuse settings, trip test currents, and thermal overioad size

selections were also revit,wed. No discrepancies were noted.

c.

Conclusi901

The safeguards ventilation systems inspected were in good material condition with no

deficiencies noted. The inspectors identified one minor USAR discrepancy which will be

addressed by the licensee.

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Miscellaneous Operations issues (92700, 92901)

08.1

Inspector Briefino at Licensee's Regiongl Power Distribution Control Center

On January 14,1998, the inspectors and the regional branch chief visited the licensee's

povmr distribution control center in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The licensee was

part of the Mid-Continent Area Power Pool and the control center managed power

trar.sfers within the pool as well as local distribution The inspectors gained an

understanding of regional electrical grid stability issues and the reliability of offsite power

sources for both the Prairie Island and Monticello Nuclear Generating Plants. The

inspectors observed control center operations and questioned corporate staff on the

potential effects of deregulation on grid operations.

08.2 (Closed) Violation 50-282/96014-02(DRP)* Failure of Operators to Follow Surveillance

Procedure During Diesel Generator Testing;

(Closed) Violation 50-282/97005-01(DfiP): 50-306/97005-01(DRP): Failure of Operators

to Follow Procedures: Filling the Safety injection Accumulators in a Mode not Allowed by

the Procedure and Improper Valve Operation While Performing Reactor Coolant System

Leakage Test;

(Closed) Violation 50-306/97006-02(DRP): Two Examples of Operators Failing to Follow

Procedures: Did not Establish Prescribed Reactor Coolant System Vent Path and Valve

Tagging Error;

(Closed) Violation 50-306/97009-01a(DRP): Failure of Operators to Follow Procedure for

Placing a Mixed Bed lon Exchanger in Service Resulting in a Reactivity Addition;

(Closed) Violation 50-282/97009-01d(DRP): Failure to Follow Procedure for a Change to

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a Work Package During Post-Maintenance Testing; and

(Closed) Violation 50-306/97015-02(DRP): Failure to Follow Procedure for Rod Position

Verification Surveillance Test.

All of the violations listed above involved operators failing to follow procedures during

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maintenance, surveillance testing, or operational activities, and all happened within a

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relatively short period of time. As documented in the associated inspection reports, the

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NRC became increasingly concemed with an adverse trend in procedure adherence

during the first half of 1997. Two management meetings were held to discuss the subject

on May 20,1997, and November 25,1997. In those meetings licensee management

presented their actions to date and future plans for improving performance.

The inspectors verified that the specific corrective actions for each violation, as discussed

in the associated licensee violation response letters, were completed. In addition, the

inspectors periodically monitored the conduct of operations and surveillance testing since

the corrective actions were impbmented.

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Conclusion The inspectors noticed a significant increase in awareness on the part of

operators to procedure adherence requirements. There have been numerous examples

of operators stopping implementation of procedures to revise steps that were unclear or

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could not be accomplished as written. In the last seven months, only one minor case of

an operator failing to follow procedures was identified. Licensee corrective actions to

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improve operator procedure adherence appeared to be effective.

08.3

(Closed) Licensee Event Report (LER) 50-306/97002 (2-97-02): 81[ Safety injection]

Discharge Valves to the RCS Closed When Above Cold Shutdown Because of -

Administrative Error. This event was previously discussed in Inspection Report

No. 50-282/97005(DRP); 50-306/97005(DRP), Section 01.4. This event involved

operators bnefly closing both Si to RCS isolation valves, in order to operate an 81 pump

to All the Si accumulators, while in a condition in which TSs did not allow closing the

valves.

The inspectors verified that the corrective actions discussed in the LER had been

completed. The inspectors have observed increased sensitivity on the part of the

operators to filling the Si accumulators before leaving cold shutdown conditions. The

licensee developed Operating Procedures 1(2)C18, " Engineered Safeguards System

Unit 1(2)," Revision 0, to give directions for filling the Si accumulators in each mode that

could be accomplished within the TS requirements. This included a new instruction for

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gravity filling the accumulators from the refueling water storage tank when in the cold

shutdown mode. The licensee completed Safety Evaluation Screening 205, " Gravity

Filling SI Accumulator At Cold Shutdown," Revision 1, to verify that the evolution was not

a change to the facility described in the USAR.

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in addition, licensee maintenance personnel configured a portable positive displacement

pump and developed Maintenance Standards implementing Procedure 5002, Revision 0,

to allow the accumulators to be filled in any plant condition without the use of the SI

pumps or the need to isolate the Si injection valves. This system would only be used with

a specific work order tailored to the plant conditions. The inspectors also observed an

increased awareness among the operators that the time allowance in shutdown TS 3.0 C

was not intended to be used as an allowed outage time.

This event also was considered one example of a violation for failure to follow procedures

(50-282/97005-01(DRP); 50-306/97005-01(DRP)). The violation is closed in Sec; ion 08.2

of this report.

ll.Jialntenance

M1

Conduct of Maintenance

M1.1 General Comments

a.

inspection Scope (61726. 62707)

The inspectors witnessed all or major portions of the following maintenance and

l

surveillance testing activities. Included in the inspection was a review of the surveillance

procedures (SPs) and work orders (WOs) listed below as well as the appropriate USAR

sections regarding the activities. The inspectors verified that the surveillance procedures

reviewed met the requirements of the TSs.

13

.

.*

SP 1110

Quarterly Testing of Turtaine Coolmg Water Header isolation

Valves, Revision 37;

SP 1047

Control Rod Exercise, Revision 27;

SP 1102

11 Turbine-Driven Auxiliary Feedwater Pump Monthly Test,

Revision 60;

SP 1252

Unit 1 Post Loss of Coolant Accident Hydrogen Control System

Valve Operation Test, Revision 14;

)

<

SP 1307

D2 Diesel Generator Fast Start Test, Revision 16;

f

SP 1332

Safe Shutdown Emergency Light Verification, Revision 3;

.

SP 1544

Containment At Power inspection - Unit 1, Revision 27;

WO 9708325 Control Room Damper Leakage Test;

WO 9713240 D2 Diesel Generator Bearing insulation Check;

WO 9713686 Quarterly Cooling Valve Timing During SP 1307;

WO 9800507 Check Valve 281-9-4, Low Head Safety injection to Reactor Vessel

Nozzle, Body to Bonnet Leak; and

WO 9800602 Resolve Relevant Indications on Safety injection Pipe.

.

b.

Observations and Findinos

For the work observed, procedures were property used and followed Maintenance

personnel were experienced and knowledgeable of their tasks. The inspectors noted

frequent monitoring of the activities by system engineers. Noteworthy comments on

' specific work activities are discussed below.

On January 13,1998, the inspectors identifieMi that the source range nuclear

instrument power level on meters 1N51B and 1N51C at the train A and B hot

d

shutdown panels read approximately 10 counts per second (cps). Since Unit 1

was operating at 100 percent power, the indications should have read greater

than 10* cps. The redundant control room indications from the same detectors

read as expected. The inspectors brought the discrepancy to the attention of the

Unit 1 control room operators and the system engineer. The system engineer

. Issued WO 9800212 to direct the investigation and repair the faulty hot shutdown

,

'

panel source ranga indications. The source range indications were repaired and

retumed to service on January 20,1998.

Abnormal Operating Procedure 1C1.3 AOP1, " Shutdown from Outside the Control

Room - Unit 1," Revision 2, listed the action r.scessary to place Unit 1 in a hot

shutdown condition followino a e%iioom evacuation. Stop 2.4.28 of the

procedure directed tne reactor operators to monitor the source range nuclear

14

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Instrument indications at the hot shutdown panels to verify shutdown conditions,

in the condition identified,1N51 would still have provided a qualitatNe indication

of shutdown conditions but not an accurate indi stion of the actual source range

neutron powerlevel.

The inspectors identified that there were no routine surveillance test procedures

to periodically check the indicators. The indicators were not required by TS to be

in the calibration program. The licensee subsequently revised monthly

"

surveillance procedures, SP 1222 (2222), " Event Monitoring Instrument Channel

Check," Revision 14, to include checks of the hot shutdown panel source range

powerindications.

For SP 1110, the inspectors attended the pre-job briefing and monitored the entire

,

evolution from the control room. The briefing, conducted by the shift supervisor,

)

was thorough and stressed contingency actions should cooling water be lost to

the turbine during the performance of the test. The surveillance test was

efficiently coordinated by an operator in the control room. The operator ensured

three-way communications were used and that all persons involved with the

surveillance test were kept informed of procedure steps as completed.

Surveillance Procedure 1047, the test which was normally conducted while the

reactor was subcritical, was modified to allow it to be done with Unit 1 at

100 percent power. The purpose of the test was tc identify whether the source of

noise heard on the Unit 1 digital metal impact monitoring system was associated

with control rod movement. The noise, first identified in mid-December 1997, was

previously discussed in Inspection Report No. 50-282/97023(DRP);

50-306/97023(DRP), Section M1.1. During the test, control room distractions

were minimized, close attention was paid to reactor power level, concise

three-way communications were used, and all annunciators were announced by

the reactor operator to the lead reactor operator and shift supervisor. The test

results indicated that the noise was most likely associated with control rods but

additional testing was planned.

For WO 9800507, the work included replacing the gasket, nuts, and studs on

Check Valve 2SI-9-4 due to leakage. The work required the formation of a freeze

seal on a six-inch nominal diameter stainless steel pipe to isolate the check valve

i

from the reactor vessel. However, prior to forming the freeze seal,16 relevant

,

dye penetrant surface indications had to be buffed from tho surface of the pipe

where the freeze seal would be formed (WO 9800602).

The inspectors examined the nondestructive examination (NDE) records

associated with the dye penetrant inspection and visually examined the surface of

the stainless steel pipe where the freeze seal would be formed following the

i

buffing operation. The inspectors also reviewed Maintenance Procedure D28,

" Freeze Plug Procedurei' Revision 6, and monitored its implementation. No

discrepancies were noted.

15

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.

0

l

c.

Conclusions

l

Maintenance and surveillance test activities were performed well with no discrepancies

noted. However, examples of surveillance procedures needing improvement continued to

j

be identified as highlighted by the inspectors' identification of inaccurately indicating

source range meters at the hot shutdown panels.

M1.2 Unit 2 Partial Lenath (P/L) CRDM Removal. NDE. and Repair

i

i

s.

Inspection Scope (61726. 62707. 57080)

)

I

Unit 2 was shut down on January 24,1998, due to a 0.2 gallon per minute reactor coolant

j

system (RCS) leak from a P/L CRDM G9 pressure boundary weld between the motor

tube base and control rod center sections. The inspectors observed all or major portions

,

of the subsequent maintenance, NDE, and repair activities concoming

l

P/L CRDMs G9,17, E7, and GS. Included in the inspection was a review of the following

documents:

l

USAR Section 3.5.4.1, "CRDM Housing Mechanical Failure Evaluation,"

.

Revision 8;

'

SP 1001 AA, " Reactor Coolant System Leak Test," Revision 27;

l

SP 1544, " Containment At Power inspection - Unit 1," Revision 27;

.

WO 9800572, " Weld Adapter Plug Replacement for P/L CRDM st G9";

.

WO 9800573, " Weld Adapter Plug Replacement for P/L CRDM at 17";

e

!

,

WO 9800949, " Weld Adapter Plug Replacement for P/L CRDM at E7"; and

.

!

WO 9800950, " Weld Adapter Plug Replacement for P/L CRDM at G5."

.

!

b.

Observations and Findinos

On February 5,1998, tu inspectors attended the pre-job briefing and monitored

'

.

portions of the cutting of the lower canopy seal weld on P/L CRDM G9. The

system engineer presented a thorough briefing of the procedure to be used.

,

Contractor personnel performing the cutting operation also participated in the

briefing and described the specialty tooling and methods to be used. Radiation

protection personnel described radiation level gradients in the vicinity of the

reactor vessel head and P/L CRDM, engineered ventilation systems setup to

minimize airbome radiation levels, temporary shielding, and other practices to

minimin radiation exposure.

During the cutting operation, the inspectors noted good supervision and

involvement by the system engineer over the contractor performing the work. The

inspectors examined the remote cutting tooling and control systems and

-

monitored portions of the actual cutting operation. The cutting was carried out in

a deliberate, controlled manner with no discrepancies noted by the inspectors.

16

i.

l

.

On February 8,1998, P/L CRDM G9 was removed from the Unit 2 reactor vessel

.

head and placed in a ' itwn area for ultrasonic test (UT) examination. A manual

r

UT inspection was performed on the evening of February 8, by a licensee

contractor qualified in Electric Power Research Institute intergranular stress

corrosion cracking detection and sizing techniques. The inspectors interviewed

the UT examiner on the moming of February 9, and loamed that two

circumferentially oriented, inside diameter (ID) indications were noted at

'

approximately the cent 6r of the tapered section between the P/L CRDM motor

tube base and center section. One indication was determined to be about

5 inches long while the second indication was approximately 3 inches long.

]

Radiographic test (RT) examinations on P/L CRDM G9 on February 9,1998,

indicated about a 4.5-inch long circumferential indication corresponding to the

5-inch circumferential indication noted during the manual UT examination. The

3-inch circumferential indication was not visible by RT A visual test (VT)

examination was performed on P/L CRDM G9 on the evening of February 10.

The VT examination was performed without magnification and used hand-held

mirrors and flashlights to view the inside diameter surface of the weld area. The

VT examination revealed a circumferentially oriented linear indication

approximately 250 degrees around the inside circumference of G9. The VT

indication corresponded to the 5-inch and 3-inch indications noted during the

manual UT examination,

j

While removing interference fro,7 the Unit 2 reactor vessel head area on

j

February 10,1998, the licensee dropped an individual rod pon,ition indication

(IRPI) coil stack housing approximately 8 to 10 inches. The IRPI coil stack was

being lifted from the CRDM housing when the drop occurred. The IRPI coil stack

housing dropped back onto its normal seating location. The licensee issued

Nonconformance Report 19980230 and commenced an Error Reduction Task

Force investigation for the everit.

On February 11,1998, the inspectors accompanied operations and engineering

.

personnel on a Unit 1 containment inspection while at power in accordance with

SP 1544. Both the RCS system engineer and the inspectcrs examined the

reactor vessel head area at a distance of 20 to 40 feet with a pair of binoculars.

No indications of RCS boundary leakage were evident from any P/L or full length

CRDM. Radiation protection personnel followed good dose reduction practices

and frequently directed licensee personnel and the inspectors to areas with the

lowest radiation dose.

On the evening of February 11,1998, the inspectors witnessed the manual UT

.

examination of the second P/L CRDM (17) removed from the Unit 2 reactor vessel

head. The inspection was performed by the same licensee contractor who

performed the manual UT examination on P/L CRDM G9. The inspectors

witnessed the entire UT scanning evolution and determined that the methods,

tools, and techniques used during the examination were adequate. No flaws were

identified by the licensee contractor.

17

.

.

The licensee performed VT and surface fluorescent examinations on the ID

surface of P/L CRDM 17 on February 12,1998. No linear surface indications were

identified.

The inspectors witnessed cutting operations during removal of

.

P/L CRDMs G9,17, E7, and G5. In all cases, the licensee maintair.ed good

control of the contractor personnel performing the cutting operations. Licensee

system engineers provided continuous coverage of the work and maintained a

questioning attitude towards the contractor's processes. The inspectors observed

the remove! of P/L CRDM G5 from the reactor vessel head and subsequent lifting

to an adjacent laydown area. Foreign material controls were property

implemented by placing a cover over the open G5 penetration as soon as the ,

P/L CRDM was lifted clear of the reactor vessel head.

The inspectors witnessed the manual UT examinations of P/L CRDMs E7 and G5

.

on February 13 and 14,1998, respectively. The examinations were performed by

a licensee-qualified Levei lll UT examiner. A calibration block matching the

tapered geometry of the P/L CRDM was not available for these examinations.

Instead a standard Rhompas block was used and the oscilloscope screen was set

up for 2.5 inches of sound travel in the metal. The inspectors reviewed 'he

calibration used for the manual UT examinations and found the calibrawn suitable

for qualitative UT results providing an interrogation of the ID surface of the parts.

A calibration block matching the tapered geometry of the P/L CRDM became

available on February 15,1998, and the manual UT examination of P/L CRDM G6

was repeated. No flaws were noted by the examiner for either P/L CRDM E7 or

GS.

j

A second weld existed on each P/L CRDM tube located on the motor tube center

'

.

section, soproximately two feet above the defect area on P/L CRDM G9. Tnis

weld was also examined by manual UT methods to help determine if the defect in

the motor tube base was of a generic nature. No UT indications were notsd in

'

any of the second welds in P/L CRDMs G9,17, E7, or G5.

I

The licensee had an offsite vendor fabncate four threaded head adapter plugs to

.

cap the head tubes where the P/L CRDMs were removed. Since the vendor did

not have a qualified quality assurance program licensee quality services

personnel provided the oversight of the fabrication process.

I

The inspectors witnessed portions of the seal welding of the adapter plugs to the

.

head tubes in locations 17 and G5 on February 17 and 19,1998. An automated

tungsten inett gas process was used to place a fillet weld between the lower

surface of the plug and the tube. The inspectors noted good control of the

welding process by the licensee contractor. Weld interpass temperatures, the

number and cucumferential orientation of specifir weld passes, and machine

travel speeds were recorded by the contractor. Wold records, including current,

voltage, and weld wire feed rates, were property maintained. The molten weid

pool was well controlled even though one leg of 'he weld was vertical and the

other leg inverted. System engineering and quality services (quality assurance)

personnel closely monitored the processes.

18

i

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i

,.

The affected section of P/L CRDM G9 was sent, as soon as it was available, to a

.

vendor laboratory for detailed metallurgical examinations and root cause

determination of the leak. Licensee engineering personnel were actively involved

in reviewing and approving the vendor's plans for those examinations. Other P/L

'

CRDM sections were also sent to the vendor after they were removed. At the

conclusion of the inspection period, final laboratory results were not yet available.

l

On February 20,1998, the NRC Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation requested

.

that the Westinghouse Owners Group Regulatory Response Team be activated to

re;iew the generic implications of the significant weld defect in the RCS pressure

j

boundary.

i

c.

Conclusions

Following the identification of a leak on Unit 2 P/L CRDM G9, removal, NDE, and repair

activitics associated with all of the Unit 2 P/L CRDMs were conducted well. The

methods, tools, and techniques used during the NDE examinations were adequate for the

inspections performed. The licensee established an effective task force to manage Unit 2

P/L CRDM repairs. The task force developed removal procedures, examination plans,

j

design changes for replacing the CRDMs with threaded plugs, and root cause

determination plans. The task force also produced operability evaluations, interacted

frequently'with the NRC, and helped plan the maintenance of reactor conditions such as

i

water level, boron concentration, and boundary control throughout the effort. Contractors

were careful ly supervised by system engineers and performed P/L CRDM removal and

repairs in a deliberate, controlled manner. Quality services oversight of the project was

good.

i

M2

Maintenance and Material Condition of Facilities and Equipment

M2.1 Maintenance Backloas

a.

Inspection Scope (92902)

The inspectors periodically monitored the backlog of ma!ntenance work orders with

emphasis on control room problems. The inspectors evaluated whether the backlog

appeared to be under control and whether sufficient attention was given to resolving

operationalissues.

b.

Observations and Findinas

i

The most recent data available to the inspectors indicated the following;

The total non-outage work order backlog remained fairiy steady at about

.

1100 items. Corrective maintenance represented only a small frac * ion of that total

because work orders were written for all corrective, prcdictive, preventive, and

minor maintenance, as well as for surveillance tests and modifications. The

number of non-outage work orders had not varied more than about plus or minus

10 percent in the previous 12 months, indicating that work was not accumulating.

19

.,

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The total non-outage power block equipment corrective maintenance work orJer

.

backlog was about 70 items. That number included 4 Priority 1 (repair within

3 days) and 33 Priority 2 (repair within 3 weeks) items. The correc0ve -

maintenance backlog represented only about 2 to 3 weeks of work at the typical

j

completion rate.

i

There were a total of 39 control room deficiencies, as indicated by a count of

.

" work requested" tags found in the control room. These deficiencies included

annunciator, instrumentation, control, and computer problems sad were a mix of

outage and non-outage work, as well as problems needing modifications to

resolve. The inspectors determined that most of the problems were minor.

Operators typically made significant control room deficiencies into Priority 1 work

orders, which were typically resolved within three days.

There were 12 operator workaround problems that required compensatory

.

operator schons or complicated the response to events. Many of them 'were

long-terin issues that would require design changes to resolve. The inspectors

determined that one problem had already been remedied and was in an

evaluation penod, three were expcoted to be resolved in the first half of 1998, one

was expected to be resolved in the next refueling outage for each unit, and the

other seven were scheduled to have resolution plans developed for them in the

j

first quarter of 1998. Operator input was frequently solicited to identify new

j

operator workarounos and the problems received significant management

i

attention.

)

There were only five installed temporary modifications. Two of those

.

modifications were for temporary instrumentation to measure the efficiency of the

new Unit 1 turbines.

General material condition of the plant was excellent and unexpected entries into

-

TS Limiting Conditions for Operation (LCOs) due to equipment problems were

'

infrequent. During the 6-week inspection period there were 10 LCO entries due to

)

equipment issues on Unit 1 and Unit 2. Three were as a result of the loss of the

10-bank transformer, discussed in Sections 01.1 and M3.1 of this report, rad

three were the result of special testing of the control room ven'ilation dampers

discussed in Section E8.5 of this report. All equipment issues resulting in LCO

entrics were rapidly addressed and the LCOs exited well before the expiration of

)

the associated time limits.

'

In 1997, preventative maintenance and surveillance test activities were performed

.

within the TS-cIlowed time periods. Uncompleted surveillance test activities

neasing the overdue dates were closely tracked by the scheduling office and

reviewed by supervisors daily.

Repeat work orders to re-perform the same work due to inadequate maintenance

were ras On average, only about one repeat work order was generated per

month.

20

!

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l

. ,

!

c.

Q20.glugl na

i9

The backlog of corrective maintenance work orders was relatively small and stable.

j

Priority work and control rc :n deficiencies received adequato attention. Equipmen,

failures which lead to TS Luos were infrequent and rapidly resolved. There were very

j

few temporary modifications in place. Work was completM in a timely manner and was

generally done correctly the first time. Operability decisions because of degraded

equipment were conservatively made. Overall, a revie)v of the maintenance backlog

indicated a strong maintenance program that was receiving suitable management

attention.

1

M3

Maintenance Procedures and Documentation

M3.1 Lockout of 10 Transformer due to inadeauste Mai'denance Procedure

4.

Inspection Scope (92902)

As discussed in Section 01.1 of this report, the licensee experienced a lockout of the

10 transformer during maintenance activities in the substation. The inspectors reviewed

the circumstances of the event and reviewed the following documents as part of this

Npection:

WO 9800310, " Isolate Breaker 1H3";

.

USAR Section 8, " Plant Electrical Systems," Revision 14; and

.

Licensee Event Report (LER) 2-98-01, " Lockout of No.10 Transformer Resulting

.

in Auto Load Rejection / Restoration on Safety-related Bus."

b.

Observations and Findinos

On January 17,1998,13.8-kilovolt (KV) substation breaker 1H3, one of the supplies to

the Prairie Island Training Center, locked out due to a ground fault during construction

work in the Training Center. The system engineer decide (' to leave the breaker open and

not reset the ground fault trip until an investigation of the Ouse could take place. On

January 21,1998, the system engineer issued WO 9800310 to isolate the 1H3 breaker as

part of the investigation. In order to prevent accidental closure of the breaker while

opening the manual disconnect switches on both sides of the breaker, one of the first

steps in the work order was 16 open the direct current (DC) supply knife switch in the

breaker. Securing DC control power was a common prw;tice when isolating substation

breakers.

For all of the other 13.8-KV substation breakers, the steps in the work order procedure

would have worked. However, unknown to the system engineer, the 1H3 breaker

protection scheme was different than the rest of the substadion breakers. In all of the

breakers, a ground fault should immediately trip open the affected breaker. If the breaker

still had a closed indication after the ground fault, the supply source would lockout

,

because it would be an indication that the normal protection scheme had failed to

!

operate. For all the othx substation breakers, the " breaker closed" indication came from

l

mechanical auxiliary switches operated by actuct breaker position. However, for the

21

.,

,

.*

i

!

1H3 breaker, the closed indication came from a DC-powered relay which failed ta the

" breaker closed" position on loss of power. Thus, when DC power was removed from the

1H3 breaker, the protection scheme saw the condition as a closed breaker with a ground

fault and locked out the supply, which was the 10 transformer. That caused a temporary

,

l

loss of one of the 4-KV safeguards buses on Unit 2 as discussed in Section 01.1 of this

report.

!

l

The inspectors interviewed the system engineer who wrote the work order. He stated

that he had not known about the difference between the 1H3 breaker and the rest of the

substation breakers. Furthermore, he stated that he wrote the steps in the wd order

based on his experience with the other breakers and had not adequately reviewed the

1H3 logic. The 1H3 breaker was not a safety-related component so the work order was

i

not required to have an independent technical review.

Criterion V of Appendix B of 10 CFR Part 50 requires, in part, that activities affecting

quality be prescribed by documented instructions, procedures, or drawings, of a type

appropriate to the circumstances. Work Order 9800310, " Isolate Brea*Ur 1H3," was not

appropriate for the circumstances because Step 7.2 directed that the DC supply knife

switch in the breaker be opened while a ground fault trip signal was still present.

Performing the work order step resulted in a temporary loss of safeguards Bus 26 and an

unnecessary challenge to an engineered safety feature system. This was a violation

(50-306/98003-02(DRP)).

The licensee assigned its Error Reduction Task Force to conduct an investigation of the

event and recommend corrective actions. That investigation was not complete at the

conclusion of the inspection period but some corrective actions had already been taken.

Work control procedures were revised to require a detailed second-level engineering

review for all plant work oMers for substation equipment under the jurisdiction of the

plant.

Although this event was self-revealing and the cause was licensee-identified with

corrective actions being taken, enforcement discretion was not granted because the

challenge to the engineered safety feature systems was considered if more than minor

safety significance. In addition, there were three other recent events in which an

inadequate review of the logic circuits resulted in problema during the conduct of

infrequent or first-time maintenance activities. Those events were previously discussed

l

in inspection Reports Nos. 50-282/96010(DRP); 50-306/96010(DRP), Section M3.3;

,

l

50-282/97011(DRP); 50-306/97011(DRP), Section M3.1; and 50-282/97023(DRP);

'i

50-306/97023(DRP), Section M1.1. The events resulted in two non-cited violations and

one cited violation of NRC requirements.

The licensee issued LER 2-98-01 for this event. The LER is closed in Section M8.2 of

this report.

c.

Conclusions

An inadequate review of the 1H3 breaker protection logic led to an angineered safety

l-

feature system actuation during a non-routine maintenance activity. The event was the

fourth documented case in a little over a year in which an inadequate review of logic

circuits led to problems during maintenance or testing activities. All of the events were

22

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.

.?

either first time evolutions or infrequent and emergent work activities. A violation was

kentified for failure to provide an appropriate work order.

M8

Miscellaneous Maintenance Activities (92700,92902)

M8.1 (Closed) Violation 50-282/97009-01b(DRP): Inadequate Procedure for Restoring System

to Service Resulting in Reactivity Addition; and

(Closed) Violation 50-282/97009-01c(DRP): Inadequate Procedure for Diesel Generator

Post-Maintenance Testing.

These issues were two examples of a four-part violation for failure to follow procedures

and inadequate procedures. Examples "a" and "d" of the violation were closed in

Section 08.2 of this report. The inspectors verified that the corrective actions discussed

in the licensee's violation response letter were also completed for examples "b" and "c" of

the violation.

M8.2 (Closed) LER 50-306/98001 (2-98-01): Lockout of No.10 Transformer Resulting in Auto

Load Rejection / Restoration of Safety-Related Bus. This event was discussed in

Section 01.1 and M3.1 of this report. A violation (50-306/98003-02) was issued for the

inappropriate procedure that led to the event. The corrective actions discussed in the

LER will be reviewed when the violation is closed so the LER is closed to avoid duplicate

tracking of the issue.

Ill. Enaineerina

E2

Engineering Support of Facilities and Equipment

E2.1

Review of Updated Safety Analysis Report (USAR) Commitments (37551. 92903)

,

l

While performing the inspections discussed in this report, the inspectors reviewed the

'

applicable portions of the USAR that related to the areas inspected and used the USAR

as an engineering / technical support basis document. The inspectors compared plant

practices, procedures, and/or parameters to the USAR descriptions as discussed in each

section. The inspectors verified that the USAR wording was consistent with the observed

plant practices, procedures, and parameters. The inspectors identified one discrepancy

which is discussed in Section O2.1 of this report.

E8

Miscellaneous Engineering issues (92700,92903)

E8.1

(Closed) Inspection Followuo item (IFI) 50-282/96008-03(DRP): Error in USAR

Description of Fire Protection Actuation Switches. This issue was previously discussed in

Inspection Report No. 50-282/96008(DRP); 50-306/96008(DRP), Sections M1.1 and E2.3.

It involved a minor error in a system description in the USAR. The inspectors reviewed

licensee records and verified that the error had been entered in the licensee's tracking

system, as part of its ongoing USAR review project, for correction in the next USAR

,

l

update.

23

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.

..

..

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i

.o

E8.2 (Closed) Unresolved item (URI) 50-282/97002-02(DRP): 50-306/97002-02(DRP)-

i

Question Regarding Whether Surveillance Testing of the Cooling Water Pumps Fulfills a

)

TS Requirement. This issue was previously discussed in Inspection Report

l

No. 50-282/97002(DRP); 50-306/97002(DRP) Section M1.1. The inspectors questioned

I

whether the licensee's practice of conducting the required monthly tests of the

diesel-driven cooling water pumps by simulating a low header pressure met the

TS 4.5.0.1.b requirement for a " manually-initiated start of each diesel engine."

By NRC letter dated January 28,1998, from Cynthia A. Carpenter, Acting Director,

Project Directorate lil-1 to Geoffrey Grant, Director, Division of Reactor Projects,

Region 111, the NRC determined that the requirement was ambiguous in that the TS did

not define the term " manually-initiated." The NRC also agreed with the licensee that

starting the pumps using the low pressure method once a year would be beneficif ia

,

demonstrating that the design basis of the system was met. The NRC recommended that

'

the licensee' revise the TS to clarify or change the testing requirement but determined that

enforcement was not appropriate due to the lack of safety significance and the ambiguity

of the TS requirement.

i

E8.3 (Closed 4tf 50-282/97011: 50-306/97011 (1-97-11): Failure to Test the Low Pressure

Auto-sted Function of 121 Motor Driven Cooling Water Pump and inadequate Separation

Between Trains A and B Low Pressure Auto-start Switches. This licensee-;dentified

finding was previously discussed in Inspection Report 50-282/97018(DRP);

50-306/97018(DRP), Section E1.1. The inspectors verified that the corrective actions

discussed in the LER, to revise the pump's surveillance test procedure to include the low

pressure auto-start feature and to complete a design change to separate the pressure

- switches, were completed.

E8.4 (Closed) LER 50-282/97016: 50-306/97016 (1-97-16): Reactor Coolant Pump Lube Oil

Lift Pump Oil Leak Collection System Design Not in Compliance with 10 CFR Part 50,

Appendix R, Section Ill.O. This licensee-1dentified finding was previously discussed in

inspection Report No. 50-282/97021(DRP); 50-306/97021(DRP), Section E2.1. The

inspectors verified that the corrective actions discussed in the LER, to install seismically

qualified splash shields over each of the reactor coolant pump oil lift pumps in Unit 1 and

Unit 2, wens completed.

E8.5

(Open) URI 50-282/97015-04(DRP): 50-306/97015-04(DRP): Control Room HabMability

Evaluation. This issue was previously discussed in Inspection Report

No. 50-282/97015(DRP); 50-306/97015(DRP), Section E2.2. It involved several con : ems

with control room habitability including the amount of in-leakage into the control room

ventilation envelope during accident conditions. During this inspection period, the

licensee conducted a series of leakage tests on individual control room ventilation

dampers to assess overall envelope tightness. The results of the testing indicated that

the pon ntial in-leakage into the control room envelope was greater than design

assumptlens from both steam exclusion and dose control standpoints. The results were

reported by the licensee in LERs 50-282/98001; 50-306/98001 (1-98-01) and

50-282/98002; 50-306/98002 (1-98-02). The LERs reported that, although design

assumptions cou!d have been exceeded, the coritrol room would probably have remained

habitable. Confirma;ory calculations were in progress. The unresolved item will remain

open pending the inspectors' review of the final habitability analysis. The LERs will also

remain open pending completion of the individual corrective actions.

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E8.6 (Open) LER 50-282/98001: 50-306/96001 (1-98-01): Leakage Through Redundant

Control Room Steam Exclusion Dampers Found to Exceed Value Assumed in the High

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Energy Line Brr k Analysis. This LER was discussed in Section E8.5 of this report.

E8.7 (Open) LER 50- U/98002: 50-306/98002 (1-98-02): Control Room Unfiltered Air

in-leakage Found to be Excessive. This LER was discussed in Section E8.5 of this

report.

E8.8

(Ocen) LER 50-282/98003: 50-306/98003 (1-98-03): Routing of Containment Dome Fan

Coil Unit Exhaust Dam #rs' Control Circuit Wiring Contrary to Configuration Described in

USAR. This LER was discussed in Section E7.1 of this report.

IV. Plant Support

R1

Radiological Protection and Chemistry Controls (71750)

The inspector; observed sev3ral instances of good radiation control practices to maintain dose

as low as reasonably achievable during the Unit 2 partial length control rod drive mechanism

repairs. Control rod drive mechanism stub tubes were wrapped with 5tted lead sheets,

temporary shielding was hung in four locations around the reactor vessel head minimizing

exposure to contractor personnel witnessing cutting operations, and health physics personnel

made good use of remote dosimetry monitoring devices. The inspectors observed four instances

where health physics personnel effectively utilized remote dosimetry monitoring devices, telling

contractor personnel to move to lower dose aress, while still allowing them to accomplish the

,

assigned work task.

V. Manaoement Meetinas

X1

Exit Meeting Summary

The inspectors presented the inspection results to members of licensee management at the

conclusion of the inspection on February 24,1998. The licensee acknowledged the findings

presented. The inspectors asked the licensee whether any materials examined during the

inspection should be considered proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.

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PARTIAL UST OF PERSONS CONTACTED

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License.1

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J. Sorensen, Plant Manager

. K. Albrecht, Geneml Superintendent Engineering, Electrical / Instrumentation & Controls

T. Amundson, General Superintendent Engineering, Mechanical

J. Goldsmith, General Superintendent Engineering, Generation Services

J. Hill, Manager Quality Services

G. Lenertz, General Superintendent Plant Maintenance

J. Maki, Outage Manager

D. Schuelke, General Superintendent Radiation Protection and Chemistry

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T. Silverberg, General Superintendent Plant Operations

M. Sleigh, Superintendent Security

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INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED

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' IP 37551:

Engineering

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IP 57080:

Nondestructive Examination Procedure Ultrasonic

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lP 61726:

- Surveillance Observations

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IP 62707:

. Maintenance Observations

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IP 71707:

- Plant Operations -

IP 71714:-

Cold Weather Preparations

~ IP 71750:

Plant Support Activities

IP 92700:

Onsite Follow-up of Written Reports of Non-routine Events at Power Reactor.

Facilities

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- IP 92901:

Follow up - Operations -

- lP.92902:

Follow up - Maintenance

IP 92903:

Follow up - Engineering

ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED

Opened

50-282/98003-01(DRP)

NCV

Failure to Install Remote Radiation Monitor Readout as

50-306/98003-01(DRP)

Described in the Updated Safety Analysis Report

50-306/98003-02(DRP)

VIO

Inappropriate Work Order Procedure for Substation Work

Resulted in an Engineered Safety Feature System

Actuation

50 282/98001 (1-98-01)

LER

Leakage Through Redundant Control Room Steam

50-306/98001

Exclusion Dampers Found to Exceed Value Assumed in the

High Energy Line Break Analysis

50-282/98002 (1-98-02)

LER

Control Room Unfiltered Air In-leakage Found to be

50-306/98002

Excessive

50-282/98003 (1-98-03)

LER

Routing of Containment Dome Fan Coil Unit Exhaust

50-306/96005

Dampers' Control Circuit Wiring Contrary to Configuration

Described in Updated Safety Analysis Report

Closed

50-282/96006-03(DRP)

IFl

Error in Updated Safety Analysis Report Description of Fire

Protection Actuation Switches

- 50-282/96014-02(DRP)

VIO

Failure of Operators to Follow Surveillance Procedure

During Diesel Generator Testing

50-282/97002-02(DRP)-

URI

Question Regarding Whether Surveillance Testing of the

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50-306/97002-02(DRP)

Cooling Water Pumps Fulfills a TS Requirement

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50-282/97005-01(DRP)

VIO

Failure of Operators to Follow Procedures: Filling the

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50-306/97005-01(DRP)

Safety injection Accumulators in a Mode Not Allowed by the

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Procedure and improper Valve Operation While Performing

Reactor Coolant System Leakage Test

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50-306/97006-02(DRP)

VIO

Two Examples of Operators Failing to Follow Procedures:

Did Not Establish Prescribed Reactor Coolant System Vent

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Path and Valve Tagging Error

50-306/97009-01a(DRP)

VIO

Failure of Operators to Follow Procedure for Placing a

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Mixed Bed lon Exchanger in Service Resulting in a

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Reactivity Addition

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50-282/97009-01b(DRP)

VIO

Inadequate Procedure for Restoring System to Service

Resulting in Reactivity Addition

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50-282/97009-01c(DRP)

VIO

Inadequate Procedure for Diesel Generator

Post-Maintenance Testing

50-306/97009-01d(DRP)

VIO

Failure to Follow Procedure for a Change to a Work

Package During Post-Maintenance Testing

50-306/97015-02(DRP)

VIO

Failure to Follow Procedure for Rod Position Verification

Surveillance Test

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50-306/97002 (2-97-02)

LER

Safety injection Discharge Valves to the Reactor Coolant

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System Closed When Above Cold Shutdown Because of

Administrative Error

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50-306/97005

LER

Sudden Pressure Lockout of No.10 Transformer Resulting

in Auto Load Rejection / Restoration on Safety-Related Bus

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50-282/97011 (1-97-11)

LER

Failure to Test the Low Pressure Auto-start Function of 121

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50-306/97011

Motor Driven Cooling Water Pump and Inadequate

Separation Between Trains A and B Low Pressure

Auto-start Switches

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50-282/97016 (1-97-16)

LER

Reactor Coolant Lube Oil Lift Pump Oil Leak Collection

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50-306/97016

System Design Not in Compliance with 10 CFR Part 50,

Appendix R, Section 111.0

50-306/98001 (2-98-01)

LER

Lockout of No.10 Transformer Resulting in Auto Load

Rejection / Restoration of Safety-Related Bus

Discussed

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50-282/97015-04(DRP)

URI

Control Room Habitability Evaluation

50-306/97015-04(DRP)

)

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UST OF ACRONYMS USED

CFR

Code of Federal Regulations

cps

Counts Per Second

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CRDM

Control Rod Drive Mechanism

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DC

Direct Current -

DRP

Division of Reactor Projects

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DRS

Division of Reactor Safety .

)

EA

Enforcement Action

ESF

Engineered Safety Feature

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'F

Degrees Fahrenheit

FSAR

Final Safety Analysis Report

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Inside Diameter

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IFl

Inspection Followup item

IP

Inspection Procedure

IRPl

individual Rod Position Indication

KV

Kilovolts

LCO

Limiting Condition for Operation

LER

Licensee Event Report

NCV

Non-cited Violation

NDE

Nondestructive Examination

NRC

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

PDR

Public Document Room

P/L

Partial Length

RCS

Reactor Coolant System

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RT

Radiographic Test

SE

Safety Evaluation

SI

Safety injection

SP

Surveillance Procedure

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SWI

Section Work Instruction

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TP '

Test Procedure

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TS

Technical Specification

URI

Unresolved item

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USAR

Updated Safety Analysis Report

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UT

Ultrasonic Test

VIO

Vmlation

VT

Visual Test

WO

Work Order

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