ML20235N408
| ML20235N408 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/10/1987 |
| From: | Rossi C Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Drey L AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| References | |
| REF-PT21-87 NUDOCS 8707200059 | |
| Download: ML20235N408 (3) | |
Text
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JUl 1 C 19F Prs. Leo Drey '. 515 West Point Avenue University City, MO 63130
Dear Mrs. Drey:
I am pleased to respond to your letter dated June 11, 1987, r$gardingthe10 ) CFR Part 21 notification submitted by GA Technologies to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The notification addresses cable manufactured by the Rockbestos Company which is used in the post-Loss-of-Coolant-Accident (LOCA) l I High Range Radiation Monitor (HRRM) manufactured by Sorrento Electronics, a subsidiary o' GA Technologies. During several simulated LOCA and other high I temperature tests conducted on the HRRM including the Rockbestos cable, it was indicated that the insulation resistance of the cable at high temperatures was i _ not high enough for the HRRM to operate properly. Presently, Sandia National Laboratories is performing several tests for the NRC 1 on the HRRM, including the cable, to determine the operability of the HRRM in a post-LOCA or high temperature environment. Sorrento Electronics, the manufac-turer of the HRRM, is also investigating the matter. Based on the evailable information, the NRC believes that Sorrento Electronics did not fully recognize the effects of high temperature on the cable's insula-tion resistance. The behavior is not believed to be the result of a Rockbestos Company design or qualification problem. Rockbestos was found to be meeting its own cable specifications which Sorrento Electronics used for procurement purposes. Sorrento Electronics has not yet made a final determination as to whether the electronics will be redesigned to measure the cable's insulation resistance and correct for its effects, or the cable will be replaced with a different one. The NRC will continue to monitor the Sorrento Electronics' investigation and ensure that corrective actions are implemented. Regarding your inquiry about previous qualification problems with Rockbestos cabies, a series of NRC inspections conducted during 1983-1985 raised questions as to whether Rockbestos was adeouately demonstrating qualification of its products. The NRC inspection teams found that Rockbestos had not maintained sufficient records to provide evidence that certain activities affecting quality were maintained. In addition, a series of nonconformances were identi- l fied including: inadequate testing instrumentation, questionable test stra-tegy, inadequate type test data, and improper reference of test failures. In 1 response to these findings and an NRC Information Notice, Rockbestos imple-mented a quality assurance program to address the nonconformances and performed additional product qualification tests. The implementation and effectiveness of this program was verified by the NRC and determined to be consistent with all applicable regulatory requirements. 4
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Mrs. Leo Drey Concerning the removal of Rockbestos from an NRC list of acceptable vendors, ' the NRC does not maintain a list of acceptable vendors. It does, however, ensure that all vendors supplying components and services to the nuclear industry meet applicable regulatory requirements. Therefore, Rockbestos was never placed on or removed from a list of acceptable vendors. The NRC has accepted Rockbestos cable as qualified in several recent inspections of nuclear power plantr. I hope this letter has been responsive to your concerns. Sincerely, Charles E. Rossi, Director s Division of Operational Events Assessment ! Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation DISTRIBUTION RWStarostecki, NRR CERossi, NRR ' CHBerlinger, NOR JGuillen, NRR EJButcher, NRR , f NRR WDLanning,(#87190) -{ DMossburg ? PDR"r . EDC5"* -i
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l Mrs. Leo Drey Concerning the renoval of Rockbestos from an NRC list of acceptable vendors, l the NRC does not maintain a list of acceptable vendors, it does however, ensure that all vendors supplying com;:onents and services to the nuclear industry meet I all applicable regulatory requirements. Therefore, Rockbestos was never placed I or removed from a list of acceptable vendors. The NRC has accepted Rockbestos cable as qualified in several recent inspections of nuclear power plants. I hope this letter has been responsive to your concerns. I Sincerely, i Charles E. Rossi, Director Division of Operational Events Assessment l Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation DISTRIBUTION RWStarostecki, NRR 1 CERossi, NRR ( CHBerlinger, NRR ' JGuillen, NRR EJButcher, NRR WDLanning, NRR I DMossburg(#87190) l PDR i DCS l DOEA R/F OGCB R/F JGuillen R/F 1 l 1 l OGCE :NRR 1 b\cochr-AC/RMB:DRIS:NRR C/0GCB:00EA:NRR D/D0EA'NRR JGuil In EMerschoff CHBerlinger CERossi 07/}87 07/' /87 07/ f/ /87 07/ /87 i h6 _ ______-__m__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -}}