ML20217E481

Forwards Insp Rept 50-454/97-21 on 970919-980228 & Nov.One Violation Was Identified During Observation of Liquid Penetrant Exam on Reactor Coolant Piping

ML20217E481
Person / Time
Site:	Byron
Issue date:	03/26/1998
From:	Grobe J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Kingsley O COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
Shared Package
ML20217E484	List: ML20217E481 ML20217E526 ML20217E550
References
50-454-97-21, NUDOCS 9803310054
Download: ML20217E481 (3)

See also: IR 05000454/1997021

Text

Oco)ocb ,

March 26, 1998

Mr. Oliver D. Kingsley

President, Nuclear Generation Group

Commonwealth Edison Company

ATTN: RegulaWy Services

Executive Towers West 111

1400 Opus Place, Suite 500

Downers Grove, IL' 60515

SUBJECT: NRC STEAM GENERATOR REPLACEMENT INSPECTION REPORT

50-454/97021(DRS) AND NOTICE OF VIOLATION

Dear Mr. Kingsley:

On February 26,1998, the NRC completed an inspection at your Byron Nuclear Power Station.

The purpose of the inspection was to inspect operations, engineering, the preparation and

construction efforts for the Unit 1 steam generator replacement project, and review of the

inservice inspection activities. The enclosed report presents the results of this inspection.

Overall, your steam generator replacement activities demonstrated effective engineering

support for installation activities and good construction practices focused on safety. In

particular, we noted that the mock-up training, the reactor coolant loop piping welding, and

preparation for American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME)Section XI inspection were

performed exceptionally well. We concluded that the steam generator replacement program

complied with the ASME Code Section XI requirements. However, weakness in field welding of

the feedwater and main steam piping was noted. Although the main steam and feedwater

piping welding met the ASME Code requirements, the number of repairs and weld root

geometry indications appeared to be excessive for some of thsse welds. This was evidenced

by the number of root geometry indications recorded during the preservice ultrasonic

examination of the welds. This made the exam more difficult and time consuming to perform,

which could have resulted in additional dose to the examiner.

One violation was identified. During observation of a liquid penetrant examination on the

reactor coolant piping, the examiner performed an improper examination which violated the

applicable procedure and ASME Code requirements. This violation was of particular concern

as the nature of the deviation from procedure and code requirements questions the training and

qualification of the Level ll examiner.

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9803310054 980326

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O. D. Kingsley 2 March 26, 1998

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The violation is cited in the enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice) and the associated

circumstances are described in detailin the enclosed report. Please note that you are required

to respond to this letter and should follow the instructions specified in the enclosed Notice when

preparing your response. The NRC will use your response, in part, to determine whether

further enforcement action is necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. In >

accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its

enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.

4

We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning this inspection.

Sincerely,

John A. Grobe, Director

Division of Reactor Safety '

Docket No. 50-454

License No. NPF-37

Enclosures: 1. Notice of Violation

2. Inspection Report 50-454/97021(DRS)

cc w/encis: M. Wallace, Senior Vice President

D. Helwig, Senior Vice President

G. Stanley, PWR Vice President

J. Perry, BWR Vice President

D. Farrar, Regulatory

Services Manager

I. Johnson, Licensing Director

DCD - Licensing

K. Graesser, Site Vice President

K. Kofron, Station Manager

D. Brindle, Regulatory Assurance

Supervisor

Richard Hubbard

Nathan Schloss, Economist

Office of the Attomey General

State Liaison Officer

State Liaison Officer, Wisconsin

! Chairman, Illinois Commerce

l Commission

See Attached Distribution m

DOCUMENT NAME: G:DRS\BYR97046.DRS

To receive a copy of this document. Indicate in the box *C" = Copy w/o attach /encls "E' = Copy w/ attach /encls "N" = No copy

OFFICE Rill:DRS n Rlli:DFlS _ l/ Rlll:DRP IF Rill:DFSM l

NAME Schapker:sd /AW GavulaNM Jordan Q4S/ GrohZ

DATE 3/ri/98 /P 323/9$ V 3h3/98 I'

3/4/95

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O. Kingsley 3 March 26, 1998

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Distribution:

Docket File w/encls DRP w/encls

PUBLIC IE-01 w/encls TSS w/encls

A. Beach w/encls DRS (2) w/encls

Deputy RA w/encls Rlli PRR w/encls

Rlli Enf. Coord, w/encls RAC1 (E-Mail)

SRI Byron w/encls IEO (E-Mail)

Project Mgr., NRR w/ericls DOCDESK (E-Mail)

GREENS

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