ML20237C602
| ML20237C602 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05000134 |
| Issue date: | 12/15/1987 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20237C589 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8712220020 | |
| Download: ML20237C602 (2) | |
Text
-
e cro 8 [' g g 8
o UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g
- E WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 l
k..v /
SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION SUPPORTING AMENDMENT NO. 9 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. R-61 WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE (UPI)
DOCKET NO. 50-134
\\
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By letter dated August 10, 1987, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) requested changes to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Open Pool j
Reactor Technical Specifications, Specification 4.2, " Restricted Area j
and Exclusion Area." The change to Technical Specification 4.2 i
includes a new requirement that changes areas above the reactor room, which are normally unrestricted, to restricted if radiation levels in these areas exceed levels specified in 10 CFR Part 20.105.
j 2.0 EVALUATION The Washburn Building in which the WPI reactor is located has been renovated. As a result of this renovation, laboratory activities in rooms directly above the Reactor have increased dramatically, necessitating a Technical Specification (TS) change to avoid unnecessary personnel exposure. Surveys have shown that the maximum radiation level when the reactor is at 10 KW to be about 10 mR/hr in Room 248, with the other rooms (245, 249, 336 and 323) significantly lower.
In order to reduce exposure to personnel, shielding would be placed above the reactor to bring the maximum level to below 1 mR/hr.
This change fs in agreement with Regulatory Guide 8.8, "Information Relevant To Ensure That Occupational Radiation Exposures at Nuclear j
Power Stations Will Be As Low As Reasonably Achievable," Section C.2.b. which states: Exposure of personnel "... can be reduced by providing shielding between the individual components that constitute substantial radiation sources and the reactor," and is therefore acceptable.
{
The licensee also proposed that TS, 4.2, " Restricted Area and Exclusion Area," be amended to state:
... become restricted areas whenever the l
reactor is operating at power levels in excess of 1XW and radiation levels in any of the rooms exceed those specified in 10 CFR Part 20.105."
Since this statement is somewhat misleading, because it appears to
{
permit the exceedance of 10 CFR 20.105 limits if the power levels are j
less than 1XW, the licensee has agreed to change the TS requirement to j
state that the rooms previously mentioned would become restricted areas j
if the 10 CFR 20.105 limits were exceeded under any condition (telecon, T. S. Michaels to T. H. Newton, 12/8/87). The modifications and procedures the licensee proposes to use to monitor these requirements j
8712220020 871215 PDR ADOCK 05000134 P
i are satisfactory. Specifically, the shielding to be installed above the reactor is expected to limit the maximum level below 1 mR/hr which satisfies 10 CFR 20.105(b)(1). The licensee is also proposing to keep a record of operations above 1KW on a weekly basis so that if increased operations cause exposure levels to approach 10mR in seven consecutive days, the room will become a restricted area. This level is well below the 10 CFR Part 20.105(b)(2) requirement, which says that the permissible level in unrestricted areas cannot be more than 100 millirems in seven consecutive days. Therefore, the licensee would convert a room to a restricted area well before the 10 CFR Part 20.105 requirements.
Further, the licensee will make initial measurements of radiatien in the rooms at different power levels up to full power and will monitor radiation in the rooms to determine what, if any, deviation may result from the initial measurement. The staff finds the proposed changes I
acceptable.
3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
This amendment involves changes in the installation or use of facility components located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20 and changes in inspection and surveillance requirements. The staff has determined that the amendment involves no significant hazards consideration (as discussed below), there is no significant change in the types or significant increase in the amounts of any effluents that may be released offsite, and there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure.
Accordingly, this amendment meets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of this amendment.
4.0 CONCLUSION
The staff has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above that:
(1) because the amendment does not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated, or create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated, or involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety, the amendment does not involve a significant hazards consideration; (2) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by the proposed activities; and (3) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations and the issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributors: Theodore S. Michaels John L. Minns Dated: December 15, 1987 a