ML20235U859

Requests Approved Ref Matl Listed in Encl 1 by 871106 to Meet Schedule for Written Exams on 880112 & Operating Exams on 880113-15 & 25-28.Encl 2 Contains Rules & Guidance Which Will Be in Effect During Written Exam

ML20235U859
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	10/09/1987
From:	Pate R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V)
To:	Van Brunt E ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE CO. (FORMERLY ARIZONA NUCLEAR
References
NUDOCS 8710140286
Download: ML20235U859 (10)

Text

.. -_ _.

October 9, 1987 Docket Nos. 50-528, 50-529, 50-530 E. E. Van Brunt Jr.

Executive Vice President Arizona Nuclear Power Project P. O. Box 52034 Phoenix, Arizona 85072-2034

Subject:

Reactor Operator and Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Examinations In a telephone conversation between Mr. Dave Craig, Training Supervisor Examiner, arrangements were made for the administration of the examinations at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station.

The written examinations are scheduled for January 12, 1988. The plant operating examinations are scheduled for January 13-15 and 25-28, 1988.

In order for us to meet the above schedule, it will be necessary for the facility to furnish the approved reference material listed in Enclosure 1,

" Reference Material Requirements for Reactor / Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Examinations," by November 6, 1987. Any delay in receiving properly bound and indexed reference material will result in a delay in administering the examinations. Our examinations are scheduled far in advance with considerable planning to utilize our present limited examiner manpower and to meet the examination dates requested by the various facilities. Therefore, missing the November 6, 1987 deadline, even by a few days, likely will result in a long delay because it may not be possible to reschedule examinations at other facilities. Mr. Craig has been advised of our reference material sets that are required, and the examiner's names and addresses where each set is to be mailed.

lhe facility management is responsible for providing adequate space and accommodations in order to properly conduct the written examinations.

Enclosure 2 " Requirements for Administration of Written Examinations,"

describes our requirements for conducting these examinations.

Mr. Craig is aware of these requirements.

In addition to better document simulator examinations, the chief examiner will have the facility simulator operator record prespecified plant conditions (i.e., plant pressure, temperature, pressurizer level, etc.), for each simulator scenario. The candidate will be responsible for providing this information, along with any appeal of his simulator operating examination.

l Therefore, the facility training staff should retain the simulator examination scenario information until all candidates taking the examination have either passed the operating examination or all appeals filed by the candidates who failed the operating examination have been completed.

EA 2%8882 Su88ka PDR M l V

Mr. E. E. Van Brunt Jr. 2 October 9, 1987 Enclosure 2, also contains the Rules and Guidance that will be in effect during the administration of the written examination. The facility management is responsible for ensuring that all candidates are aware of

.these Rules.

All reactor operator and senior reactor operator license applications should normally be submitted at least 60 days before the first examination dates so that we will be able to review the training and experience of the candidates, process the medical certifications, and prepare final examiner assignments after candidate eligibility has been determined. If the applications are not received at least 30 days before the examination dates, it is likely that a postponement will be necessary.

The facility staff review of the written examination will be conducted in accordance with requirements specified in Enclosure 3, " Requirements for Facility Review of Written Examination." Mr. Craig is aware of these requirements.

This request for information was approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Clearance Number 3150-0101, which expires May 31,.1989. Comments on burden and duplication may be directed to the Office of Management and Budget, Reports Management Room 3208, New Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20503.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter. If you have any questions, regardir,9 the examination procedures and requirements, please contact Mr. John Elin at 415-943-3728, or myself at 415-943-3868.

Sincerely,

/5/

Robert J. Pate, Chief Reactor Safety Branch l

l

Enclosures:

1 1. Reference Material Requirements for Reactor / Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Examinations

2. Requirements for Administration of Written Examinations

3. Requirements for Facility Review of Written Examination

October 9, 1987 Mr. E. E. Van Brunt Jr. 3 1 ccw/ enclosures (1),(2),and(3)

D. Coe, RV R. Cross,RV(2 copies)

' ccw/oenclosures(1),(2)and(3):

J. Ball, Acting Palo Verde SRI j

J. Elin, RV R. Pate, RV S. Richards, RV l

RV/jk DRE{y UEST COPY '

REQUEST Y REQUEST Y]

v YE / N0 YES / N0 YES / NO  :

(/ u . Sfj4D T(PFDR ,

'#Eh / NO C0E ELIN//'i PE 10 /87 10/ f /87 10/ /87 o

Enclosure 1 REFERENCE MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REACTOR / SENIOR REACTOR OPERATOR LICENSING EXAMINATIONS

1. Existing learning objectives and lesson plans (including training manuals, plant orientation manual, system descriptions, reactor theory, thermodynamics, etc.)

Training materials should include all substantive written material used for preparing candidates for initial R0 and SR0 licensing.

The written material should be inclusive of learning objectives and the details presented during lecture, rather than outlines. Training materials should be identified by plant and unit, bound, and indexed.

Failure to provide complete properly bound and indexed plant reference material will result in canceling or rescheduling of the examinations.

Training materials which include the following should be provided:

. System descriptions including descriptions of all ope. Gh '"

relevant flow paths, compon2nts, controls and instrumen c'A +

System training material should draw parallels to the actus -

procedures used for operating the applicable system.

. Complete and operationally useful descriptions of all safety-system interactions and, where available, B0P system interactions under emergency and abnormal conditions, including consequences of anticipated operator error, maintenance error, and equipment failure.

. Training material used to clarify and strengthen understanding of emergency operating procedures.

. Comprehensive theory material that includes fundamentals in the area of theory of reactor operation, thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid flow, as well as specific application to actual in-plant components. For example, mechanical theory material on pumps should include pump tIieory as well as descriptions of how these principles actually apply to major plant pumps and the systems in which they are installed (i.e.,

Reactor Coolant Pumps, all ECCS pumps, Recirculation pumps, Feedwater pumps and Emergency Feedwater pumps). Reactor Theory material should include descriptions that draw explicit ties between the fundamentals and the actual operating limits followed in the plant (i.e., reactor theory material should contain explanations how principles relate to the actual curves used by operators to verify shutdown margin or calculate an ECP).

1

2. Procedure Index (alphabetical by subject)

L_-_--____-_____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . - _ _ _ _

2

3. All administrative procedures (as applicable to reactor operation orsafety)

4. All integrated plant procedures (normal or general operating procedures) .

5. Emergency procedures (emergency instructions, abnormal or special procedures)

Standing orders (important orders that are safety related and may 6.

supersede the regular procedures)

7. Fuel-handling and core-loadin procedure, when appropriate) g procedures, (initial core-loading

8. Annunciatorprocedures(alarmprocedures,includingsetpoints) 9.. Radiation protection manual (radiation control manual or procedures)

10. Emergency plan implementing procedures

11. Technical Specifications

12. System operating procedures 1

13. Piping and instrumentation diagrams, electrical single-line I

diagrams, or flow diagrams

14. Technical Data Book, and/or plant curve information as used by operators and facility precautions, limitations, and set points (PLS) for the facility,

15. Questions and answers that the facility licensee has prepared (voluntary by facility licensee)

16. The following on the plant reference simulation facility

a. List of all readily available initialization points.

b. List of all preset malfunctions with a clear identification number.

The list should include cause and effect information. Specifically, for each malfunction a concise description of the expected result, or range of results, that will occur upon implementation should be provided. Additionally, an indication of which annunciators are to be initially expected should be given,

c. A description of simulator failure capabilities for valves, breakers, indicators and alarms.

h'

d. Where the capability' exists, an explanation.of the ability to vary the severity of a'particular malfunction should be provided, i.e.,- .

ability to vary the size of a given LOCA_or steam leak, or the ability to cause-a slow failure of a component such as a feed pump, turbine generator or major valve.(e.g.,-' drifting shut of:a main-feedwater control valve.

e. A'n identification of modeling conditions / problems that may impact the examination.

f. Identification'of any known Performance' Test Failures not'yet.

completed.

g.. -Identification of differences between the simulator and the reference plant's control. room.-

h. Copies of. facility _ generated' scenarios:that expose the candidates to-situations of degraded pressure control (PWR), degraded heat removal capability-(PWR and BWR) and containment challenges (BWR) may be provided (voluntary by' licensee).

1. Simulator. instructors manual (voluntary by licensee) <

j. Descriptionofthescenariosusedforthetrainingclass(voluntary bylicensee)

'17. Additional material required by the examiners to develop examinations-that meet the requirements of these standards and the regulations.

All above reference material should be approved,-final issues and should.

be so marked. If a plant has not finalized some of the material, the chief examiner shall verify with the facility that the most complete, .

up-to-date material is available and that agreement has been reached with-the licensee for limiting ' changes before the administration of the examination.

All. procedures and reference material should be bound with appropriate indexes or tables of contents so that they can be used efficiently.

Enclosure 2 REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS 1.- A single room shall .be provided for. completing the written examination.

The location of this room'and supporting restroom facilities shall be such as to prevent-contact with all other facility and/or contractor personnel during the duration of the written examination. If.necessary, the' facility should make arrangements for the use of a suitable room at a local school, motel, or other building. Obtaining this room is the responsibility of the licensee.

2. . Minimum spacing is required to ensure examination integrity as determined by the chief examiner. Minimum spacing should be one candidate per table, with a 3-ft space between tables. No wall charts, models, and/or other training materiels shall be present in the examination room.

3. Suitable arrangements shall be made by the facility if the candidates are to.have lunch, coffee, or other refreshments. These arrangements shall comply with Item 1 above. These arrangements shall be reviewed by the examiner and/or proctor.

.4. The facility staff shall be provided a copy of the written examination and answer key after the last candidate has completed and handed in his written examination. The facility staff shall then have five working days to provide formal written comments with supporting documentation on the, examination and answer key to the chief examiner or to the regional office section chief.

5. The facility licensee shall provide pads of 8-1/2 by 11-in. lined paper in unopened packages for each candidate's use in completing the examination.

The examiner shall distribute these pads to the candidates. All reference material needed to complete the examination shall be furnished by the examiner. Candidates can bring pens, pencils, calculators or slide rules into the examination room, and no other equipment or reference material shall be allowed.

6. Only black ink or dark pencils should be used for writing answers to questions.

l l

l _ . _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

m I

NRC RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR LICENSE EXAMINATIONS During the administration of this examination the following rules apply:

- 1. Cheating on the examination means an automatic denial of your application and could result in more severe penalties.

2. Restroom trips are to be limited and only one candidate at a time may

. leave. You must avoid all contacts with anyone outside the examination room to avoid even the appearance of possibility of cheating.

3. Use black ink or dark pencil only to facilitate legible reproductions.

4. Print your name in the blank provided on the cover sheet of the examination.

5. Fill in the date on t'.; cover sheet of the examination (if necessary).

6. Use only the paper provided for answers.

7. Print your name in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of each section of the answer sheet.

8. Consecutively number each answer sheet, write "End of Category " as appropriate, start each category on a new page, write only one side of the paper, and write "Last Page" on the last answer sheet. .

9. Number each answer as to category and number, for example, 1.4, 6.3.

10. Skip at least three lines between each answer.

11. Separate answer sheets from pad and place finished answer sheets face down on your desk or table.

12. Use abbreviations only if they are commonly used in facility literature.

13. The point value for each question is indicated in parentheses after the question and can be used as a guide for the depth of answer required.

15. Show all calculations, methods, or assumptions used to obtain an answer to mathematical problems whether indicated in the question or not.

15. Partial credit may be given. Therefore, ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE QUESTION AND DO NOT LEAVE ANY ANSWER BLANK.

16. If parts of the examination are not clear as to intent. ask questions of the examiner only.

17. You must sign the statement on the cover sheet that indicates that the work is your own and you have not received or been given assistance in completing the examination. This must be done after the examination has been completed.

h l

- 18= When you complete your examination, you shall:

a.. Assemble your examination as follows:

'(1) Exam questions on top.

'(2).Examaids-figures, table,etc.

(3) Answer pages including figures which are a part of'the answer. j

b. Turn in your copy of the examination and all pages used to answer the examination questions.

c. Turn in all scrap paper and the balance of the paper that you did not use for answering the questions.

d. Leave the examination area, as defined by the examiner. If after )

leaving, you are found in this area while the examination is still j in progress, your license may be denied or revoked.

l m_.---____m___. . _ - _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _

1 1

Enclosure 3 REQUIREMENTS.FOR FACILITY REVIEW 0F WRITTEN EXAMINATION f

1. There shall be no review of the written examination by the facility staff before or during the administration of the examination. Following the administration of the written examination, the facility staff shall be provided a marked-up copy of the examination and the answer key. I

2. The facility will'have five (5) working days form the day of the written examination is given to provide formal comment submittal. The submittal will be made to the responsible Regional Office by the highest' level of corporate management for plant operations, e.g., Vice President for Nuclear  !

Operations. A copy of the submittal will beforwarded to the chief examiner, as appropriate. Comments not submitted within five (5) working days will be considered for inclusion in the graidng process on a case by case basis by the Regional Office section leader. Should the comment submittal dead- l line not be met, a long delay for finalization of the examination results may occur.

3. The following format should be adhered to for submittal of specific  !

comments:

a. Listing of NRC Question, answer and reference. ,

b. Facility coment.

c. Supporting documentation NOTES: 1. No change to the examination will be made without submittal of complete, current, and approved reference material.

2.' Comments made without a concise facility recommendation will not be addressed.

4 i

l 1

,