ML20236F093

Requests Listed Reference Matl for Proposed 871006 Written & 871007 Oral Exams for Reactor Operator Licenses.Response Requested by 870907

ML20236F093
Person / Time
Site:	Washington State University
Issue date:	07/24/1987
From:	Pate R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V)
To:	Wilson W WASHINGTON STATE UNIV., PULLMAN, WA
References
NUDOCS 8708030211
Download: ML20236F093 (9)

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July 24, 1987 Mr. William E. Wilson Associate Director Washington State University Nuclear Radiation Center Pullman, Washington 99164

Subject:

Reactor Operator Licensing Examinations In a telephone conversation between yourself and Mr. P. Morrill, Operator Examiner RV, arrangements were made for the administration of the examination at Washington State TRIGA Facility.

The written examination is scheduled for October 6,1987. The facility oral examination is scheduled for October 7, 1987.

t' 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 September 7, 1987. Any delay in receiving properly bound and indexed reference material will result in a delay in administering the examination. Our examinations are scheduled far in advance with considerable planni_ng to utilize our present limited examiner manpower and to meet the examination dates. requested by the various facilities. Therefore, missing the September 7,-1987 deadline, ever. by a few days, likely will result in a long delay because it may not be possible to reschedule examination.s at other facilities. You have been advised of our reference material ~ requirements, the reference material set that is required, and the examiner's name and address where the set is to be mailed.

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

Enclosure 2, " Requirements for Administration of Written Examinations,'

describes our requirements for conducting these examinations. You have also been informed of these requirements.

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.

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'f l 8708030211 870724 PDR V

ADOCK 05000027

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P Mr. William E. Wilson 2 July 24, 1987 This request for information was approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Clearance Number 3150-0101, which expiros 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.

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."

Thank you for your consideration in this matter. If you have any questions regarding the examination Mr. Morrill (415-943-3740)orprocedures and requirements, please contact Mr. Elin (415-943-3728).

Sincerely,

/s/

Robert J. Pate, Chief Reactor Safety Branch

Enclosures:

1. Reference Material Requirements for Reactor / Senior Reactor Operator Liceri. Ing Examinations

2. Requirements for Administration of Written Examinations

3. Requirements for Facility Review of Written Examination ccw/ enclosures (1),(2)and(3):

J. Elin, RV 4 P. Morrill, RV M. Cillis, RV H. Berkow, S&SP Branch, NRR HQ R. Cross, RV (2 copies)

RV/jk RJQUEST COPY SE40EST COPY REQUEST Y

" BEC)/ N0 l NES)/ NO YES / N u u SJND TO PDR 6'E5') / N0 MORRILL ELIN PATE 7/)Lf87 7/ 7 70'//87 6

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 and rescheduling of the examinations.

Training materials which include the following should be provided:

. System descriptions including descriptions of all operationally relevant flow paths, components, controls and instrumentation.

System training material should draw parallels tc the actual procedures used for operating the applicable system.

. Complete and operationally useful descriptions of all safety-system interactions and, where available, BOP 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 theory 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 i anECP).

2. Procedure Index (alphabetical by subject) l L_---_-

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, abnomal or special procedures)'

6.- Standing orders (important orders that are safety related and may supersede the regular procedures).

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

8. Annunciator procedures (alarm procedures, including set points)

9. Radiation protection manual (radiation control manual or procedures)

10. Emergency plan implementing procedures

11. Technical Specifications j 1

12. . System operating procedures

13. Piping and instrumentation diagrams, electrical single-line 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 ifcensee)

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, ar. indication of which annunciators are to be initially expected should be given.

c. A description of simulator failure capabilities for valves, breakers, 1 indicators and alarms.

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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 riow failure of a component such as a feed pump, turbire generator or major valve (e.g., drifting shut of a main feedwater

. control valve.

e. An 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 (Pl!R and BWR) and containment challenges (BWR) may be provided (voluntary by licensee).

1. Simulator instructors manual (voluntary by licensee)

j. Description of the scenarios used for the training class (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.

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ENCLOSURE 2

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REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS I

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 personne1'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 3-ft space between tables. No wall charts, models, and/or other training materials 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 3 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 x 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.

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l ENCLOSURE 2 (CONTINUED) l 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 should 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 ont to facilitate legible reproductions, I

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

5. Fill 'in the date on the 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 sTde 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.

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18 When you complete your examination, you shall:

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a. Assemble your examination as follows:

i (1) Exam questions on top.  !

(2) Exam aids - figures, table, etc.

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

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 in progress, your license may be denied or revoked.

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ENCLOSURE 3-REQUIREMENTS FOR FACILITY REVIEW OF WRITTEN EXAMINATION h

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.

'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-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 l

comments:

a. Listing of NRC Question, answer and reference,

b. Facility comment.

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

2. Comments made without a concise facility recommendation wil1~not be addressed.

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