ML20217B569
| ML20217B569 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000824 |
| Issue date: | 02/25/1991 |
| From: | Gooden A, Rankin W, Sartor W NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20217B535 | List: |
| References | |
| 70-0824-91-01, 70-824-91-1, NUDOCS 9103120150 | |
| Download: ML20217B569 (9) | |
Text
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FEE 5 61991 Report No.:
70-824/91-01 Licensee:
Babcock and Wilcox Company Lynchburg Research Center Lynchburg, VA 24505 Docket No.:
70-824 (LRC)
License No.: SNM 778 Facility Name:
Research Laboratory It pection Conducted:
Ja uary 22-25, 15 '
Inspectors:...
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Approved by:
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E kankin, Chief D6te S gnsd Emergency Preparedness Section Radiological Protection and Emergency Preparedness Branch Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards
SUMMARY
Scope:
l This special, announced inspection was conducted to observe and evaluate the l
licensee's remedial drill.
The drill was conducted in response to the l
licensee's failure, during the previous drill held September 20, 1990, to adequately implement the Radiological Contingency Plan (RCP) and Emergency Procedures.
Program changes were reviewed for impact on the emergency preparedness program, and corrective actions for resolution of open items from previous inspections were reviewed, j
Results:
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No violations or deviations were identified.
In response to the postulated emergency, the RCP and Emergency Procedures (EPs) were implemented in a timely and effective manner.
Although the remedial exercise was considered successful, three items were discussed (Paragraphs 2 and 3) with licensee representatives, and the licensee issued commitment tracking system (CTS) numbers to track resolution for each item.
The inspector noted the following strengths:
event classification and staff problen solving (accident mitigation and recovery); interface between on-scene coordinators and their counterparts in the Emergency Operations Center (E0C); and prompt notit ication to offsite authorities (initial and followup).
9103120150 910226 PDR ADOCK 07000824 C
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REPORT DETAILS 1.
Persons Contacted Licensee Employees H. Beazley, Supervisor, Environmental Laboratory
- R. Bennett, Manager, Safety and Licensing
- C. Boyd, Licensing and Compliance Officer
- T. Grochowski, Health Physicist
- S. Schilthelm, Supervisor, Health Physics
- D. Spangler, Health Physicist
- F. Sprague, Emergency Preparedness Of ficer
- L. Trent, Manager, Safety and Safeguards
- D. Ward, Manager, Health and Safety
- C. Yates, Health Physicist Other licensee employees contacted during this inspection included security force members, technicians, and administrative personnel.
- Attended xit interview 2.
Emergency Plans, Procedures, Facilities and Equipment (88050)
The current copy of the RCP was dated January 1991, Revision 3.
The inspector was informed by a licensee representative that the RCP and EPs were distributed to members of the emergency organization; however, a submittal for NRC review' and approval was forthcoming.
Section 4.0 of the L
RCP was reviewed to determine if re.sponsibility for the various aspects of emergency planning during emergency and non-emergency conditions had been properly delineated.
Key positions and the associated responsibility were discussed u - Sections 4.1 and 4.2.
The NNFD emergency orgaaization, comprised of personnel from the Research Laboratory (RL) and NNFD, was shown in Figure 4-2.
According to discussions and Section 4.2 of the RCP, l.
emergency response at the RL is coordinated through the NNFD emergency L
organization. ' The concept of operation involves the activation of the NNFD emergency organization and five individuals from the RL. As a result j
- of the concept of operation, the inspector requested for review a copy of L
the notification r_oster depicting by name and position individuals filling l
various positions within.the emergency organization.
In response, the licensee provided a copy of the EOC staff. roster dated January 23, 1991.
The inspector noted that the referenced roster included the names of NNFD l
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personnel only.
Personnel filling the Research Lab positions were not included on the E0C staff roster nor was a notification roster maintained separately for RL.
Furthermore, when training records of individuals assigned to the notification roster were reviewed, the inspector noted that several individuals identified as alternate Emergency Directors had not completed training on the new emergency organization or the concept of operation.
The licensee acknowledged awareness of the aforementioned items along with other transitional items that required further development and-refinement.
In response to the issues involving training and the notification roster, the licensee issued a concitnent tracking system (CTS) action item No. 91-02 to complete within 30 days all EOC staff training and revise / update the notification roster to include personnel from the RL.
The inspector reviewed the licensee's emergency event classification procedure to verify that the emergency action levels (EALs) were consistent with those identified in the RCP.
It was noted that the event classification procedure (RP-11-01) and the revised RCP EAL wording differed slightly.
For example, Attachment I to RP-11-01 identified as a Site Area Emergency (SAE) a criticality accicent. However, Section 3.2.4.1 of the RCP is written such that an explosion with structural damage followed by a criticality accident is required to satisfy the SAE.
The RCP did not require a SAE declaration based solely on a criticality accident.
In response, the licensee issued a CTS action item (No. 91-01) to review implementing procedures for consistency with the RCP and site accident conditions by the end of February 1991.
No violations or deviations were identified.
3.
Test and Drills (88050)
Section 7.3 of the RCP required an annual emergency drill be cnnducted, to
" test the adequacy of timing and content of implementing procedures and methods, to test en,ergency equipment and to ensure that emergency organization personnel are familiar with their duties."
In accordance with the RCP requirements for such drills, the licensee conducted a drill on September 20, 1990.
However, the licensee's response to the postulated accident was considered a weakness, failure to adequately implement the RCP and EPS (see NRC Inspection Report No. 70-824/90-02).
The remedial drill was held on January 24, 1991, commencing at 8:30 a.m.
and terminating at 9:50 a.m.
The scenario required a response to increased radiation levels in and around the fuel pool area resulting from damage-to the fuel pool caused by an earthquake.
In addition, as a result of the earthquake, a dryer in the Liquid Waste Disposal Facility _
(LWDF) short circuited resulting in a fire.
Two employees working in the LWDF were postulated as requiring rescue and/or first aid assistance.
The inspector observed the licensee's actions in the following areas:
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3 E0C activation, staffing, and operation On-scene command and control 4
Notification and communication onsite and offsite 1
Facility evacuation and accountability On-scene response by Emergency Team members
'The licensee's response was timely and effective in event classification and-resulting offsite notifications.
The facility evacuation was invoked in a timely and orderly manner resulting in an effective site accountability.
The E0C were activated and fully staffed in a timely manner.
The E0C staff discussions regarding accident mitigation and.
recovery problem solving was apparent throughout the drill.
Both licensee-and NRC observers noted excessive prompting on the part of the E0C controller.
The licensee issued a CTS action item (No. 91-03) to provide training for exercise. controllers and develop procedures governing the roles _and responsibilities of exercise controllers and observers.
Several minor items were discussed by the-inspector as items for improvement:
Emergency Team briefings by the On-Scene Director and HP Technical Advisor.
NNFD Emergency Team familiarity with the RL facility.
Excessive monitoring by rad monitoring personnel in area of elevated radiation levels.
The inspectors attended the licensee's critique conducted immediately after the exer.ise was terminated.
The critique was detailed and provided critical self-assessment of the licensee's response capability..
Future inspections will review the corrective action implemented in response to the items identified by the licensee and/or NRC.
No violations or deviations were identified.
4.
Action on Previous Inspection Findings (92701) a.
(Closed) IFI 70-824/89-07-03:
Consideration of a designated indoor location for an-E0C.
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The subject finding was addressed in Section 6.1 of_the revised RCP, The indoor location is identified as the NNFD's Emergency Operations Center (E0C) located in NNFD's Central Gatehouse.
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(Closed) IFl 70-824/90-02-01:
Verify that at least annually, neighboring ERT personnel are provided a site familiarization tour.
By memo dated October 16, 1990, Emergency Team personnel'at B&W CNFP were invited to participate in a site familiarization tour or training
- session, c.
(0 pen) IFI 70-824/90-02-03:
Develop procedure governing the periodic maintenance, testing, and use of respiratory protection equipment used by emergency response personnel, procedural development was incaplete at the time of the inspection, d.
(0 pen) IFl 70-824/90-02-05:
Perform real-time notification, activation, and deployment of NNFD ERT.
Members of the licensee's staff informed the inspector that due to the impact of a real-time response on plant operations, this matter had not been resolved and was still under consideration and review, e.
(Closed) Program Weakness 70-824/90-02-06:
Failure to adequately implement the RCP and EPs in response to a postulated accident.
The remedial drill on January 24. 1991 was conducted in response to the subject finding.
The licensee's response to the postulated emergency was considered fully successful.
Consequently, actions to resolve previous weakness was considered effective.
5.
Exit Interview The inspection scope and results were summarized on January 25, 1991, with those persons indicated in Paragraph 1.
The inspector described the areas inspected and discussed in detail the licensee's commitment tracking system action items issued in response to the exercise observations. The licensee did not identify as proprietary any of the information provided to or reviewed by the inspectors.
There were no dissenting comments.
Licensee management was encouraged to:
- 1) continue to provide critical self-assessments, and effective corrective actions to improve and enhance the state of emergency preparedness; and 2) in view of the reorganization, review the emergency organization for assurance that key positions have been clearly identified and defined regarding the authorities and responsibilities.
The licensee was informed that five open items from previous inspections were reviewed.
Three items were closed and two remained open (Paragraph 4).
Attachmer.t:
Scope, Objectives and Scenario Timeline
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BABCOCK & WILCOX NAVAL NUCLEAR FUEL DIVISION RESEARCH LABORATORY REMEDIAL EXERCISE The Babcock Wilcox Naval Nuclear Fuel Division Research Laboratory (NNFD-RL) will conduct a Remedial Exercise on Thursday, January 24, 1991.
The Exercise will commence at approximately 0900 and run for a scheduled 90 minutes.
The Exercise scenario include events adequate to drive the necessary actions and procedures to allow observation and evaluation of all Exercise objectives.
Safety will remain foremost throughout the Exercise.
The Controller / Evaluators will ensure that all safety procedures are followed at all times.
i In the event of an actual emergency during this time frame, the Lead Controller / Evaluator will cease all Exercise activities to allow the NNFD Emergency Organization to respond to the incident.
1 1
1
T BABCOCK & WILCOX
. NAVAL NUCLEAR FUEL DIVISION RESEARCH LABORATORY R.EMEDIAL EXERCISE GENERAL OBJECTIVES 1.
Effective and timely activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
2.
Proper use of the Emergency Notification System (Red Phones).
3.
Adequate communications with off-site response agencies.
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4.
Effective and timely evacuation of the facility.
5.
Proper setup and use of Controlled Area Boundaries.
6.
Effective establishment of a Command Post in a safe position.
7.
Proper establishment and maintenance of command authority On-Scene.
8.
Effective and timely activation and response of the Emergency Team.
9.
Effective command. and coordination between the EOC and the Scene.
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10.
Effective response by all Emergency Team disciplines.
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E BABCOCK & WILCOX NAVAL NUCLEAR FUEL DIVISION RESEARCH LABORATORY REMEDIAL EXERCISE l
An earthquake occurs in the area with a magnitude of "4"
on the Richter Scale.
The NNFD General
- Manager, J.A.
- Conner, alerts Maintenance Personnel to. inspect all structures and equipment for damage.
It is reported that there is no damage at NNFD.
At NNFD-RL, a low water level alarm on the Fuel Pool is received.
Shortly thereafter, the evacuation alarm at NNFD-RL sounds.
This is due to increased radiation level in and around the Fuel Pool area.
The Fuel Pool has been damaged by the earthquake and is leaking water.
As the leak progresses it uncovers a fuel bundle (from Quad Cities Reactor One, 270 days out).
Also as a result of the earthquake, a dryer in the upper level of the Liquid Waste Disposal Facility (LWDF) short circuits and causes a fire.
A worker in the area tries to extinguish the fire himself and is badly burned when he opens the dryer door and the fire flashes.
The fire generates considerable smoke which is noticed by a person passing the building during evacuation assembly.
Another person working in the lower level of the LWDF is pinned by a barrel that is moved during the earthquake.
This person and the one burned by the fire in the upper level should be reported as missing during the accountability at the Assembly Area.
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BABCOCK & WILCOX NAVAL NUCLEAR FUEL DIVISION k
RESEARCH LABORATORY REMEDIAL EXERCISE h
TIMELINE i
T = -30 An earthquake occurs in the area.
Magnitude of "4" on the Richter Scale.
The General Manager, NNFD alerts Maintenance personnel at NNFD and NNFD-RL to check for damage.
T=
0 A low water level alarm on the Fuel Pool is received.
T=
5 The evacuation alarm sounds at NNFD-RL as a result of a fuel bundle in the Fuel Pool being uncovered and i
causing increased radiation levels.
A fire in the l
Liquid Waste Disposal Facility (LWDF) results in injury to one employee and another is trapped in the lower l
level of the building.
l T=
15 Assembly of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
Personnel and Emergency Team Personnel completed.
Decisions now need to be made concerning the actions of the Emergency Team due to the
- fire, the increased radiation levels, the low water level in the Fuel Pool, and the missing personnel.
T=
75 Recovery and reuse considerations begin.
T=
90 Termination 4
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