ML20246C976

Discusses Team Insp at Plant to Review Licensee Assessment of Readiness to Achieve Initial Criticality & to Complete Low Power Testing.Licensee Conclusions Re Facility Overall Readiness to Conduct Power Operation Confirmed

ML20246C976
Person / Time
Site:	05000000, Seabrook
Issue date:	11/17/1988
From:	Beall J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Wiggins J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
ML20246C819	List: ML20246C816 ML20246C823 ML20246C840 ML20246C857 ML20246C877 ML20246C894 ML20246C900 ML20246C918 ML20246C936 ML20246C954 ML20246C960 ML20246C967 ML20246C976 ML20246C981 ML20246C986
References
FOIA-89-226 NUDOCS 8908250207
Download: ML20246C976 (3)

Text

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NOV 171988 -

ENCLOSURE 5 MEMORANDUM FOR: James T. Wiggins, Chief Reactor Projects Branch No. 3 Division of Reactor Projects FROM:

James E. Beall, Senior Resident Inspector Beaver Valley Power Station

SUBJECT:

REVIEW OF NEW HAMPSHIRE YANKEE OPERATIONAL READINESS SELF-ASSESSMENT A team inspection was conducted at the Seabrook facility to review the licensee's self assessment (Phase I) of readiness to achieve initial :riti-cality and complete low power testing.

The inspection included discussions with licensee personnel, selected observations of self-assessment activities, and review of licensee self-assessment findings. Additionally, the team con-ducted an independent review of licensee readiness in the following selected key areas: training for low power operations, status of health physics pro-grams, control of mode change criteria, and effectiveness of management sys-tems.

The inspection was performed by James E. Beall (Team Leader), SRI, Beaver Valley; Stephen M. Pindale, RI, Beaver Valley; Anthony A. Weadock, Radi-ation Specialist, Region 1; Edward Yachimiak, Operations Engineer, Region I during the period of November 1 4, 1988.

Subsequent to the inspection, the team leader reviewed the final licensee self-assessment (Phase 1) report.

The overall conclusion of the team was that the licensee's self assessment was a strong effort involvin>; considerable resources (over 2000 man-hours) and utilizing highly qualified individuals. The assessment was formal, well struc-tured and self critical. Findings were found to have been reviewed by manage-mert and assigned appropriate priorities for resolution. For example, the area of root cause analysis had been originally selected by the team for review but was found to have been self-identified by the licensee as an area needing improvement.

The inspectors reviewed the licensee's recommendations for improvement and identified no weaknesses. The team noted that the licensee has considerable experience in self assessment, having a permanent group (since 1984) which has conducted approximately 200 self assessments of various areas.

TN existence of this group and the long-term dedication of resources to self-ass <ssment was considered a strength.

I In the area of operator training, the licensee was found to meet all required criteria of 10 CFR 55.59. Substantial additional classroom training was also provided in the area of initial low power operations and planned startup tests.

The team noted, however, that the site specific simulator was not used to demonstrate either the planned approach to initial criticality or possible transient scenarios originating from within the planned operating region, There was no evidence in the licensee's self assessment that use of the simulator was considered.

The scope of planned low power operations was found to be l

adequately covered in classroom training, but the team noted to the licensee that simulator use has been found by other licensees to be a valuable training enhancement, especially during power ascension testing.

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NOV 171988 Memorandum for James T. Wiggins 2

o In the area of health physics readiness, the licensee's reprt contained more program status presentation than assessment. The team noted that the assessor was ?.lso the individual responsible for the health physics program. The licen-see s analysis in this area could have benefited from a more independent assessor.

The team conducted an independent review and found the licensee's preparations to be adequate with sufficient qualified personnel and equipment to implement the radiation protection program.

The team also reviewed the licensee's measures to control mode change criteria.

Seabrook previously ascended to Mode 3 (Hot Standby) under the fuel load license which provides the licensee with mode change experience not usually possessed by licensees preparing for initial criticality and low power opera-tions.

The licensee makes good use of mode change checklists during mode ascension.

The licensee employs two different computer databases in scheduling testing and calibration of systems and components required to be operable by the Technical Specifications in different modes. One database is used for scheduling sys-tems/ equipment surveillance tests, whereas the other database is used for scheduling testing of permanent plant indicators. No deficiency was identified in the licensee's approach, but the team noted that system surveillance tests did not contain confirmation of the calibration status of permanent plant in-dicators used to measure system performance.

Rather, the surveillance program relies upon perfect performance of the other computer program to assure gauge and meter calibration.

The team identified this potential programmatic weak-ness to the licensee who committed to complete the review of this item by the end of 1988.

The team reviewed the licensee's use of the Station Operations Review Committee (50RC) and the conduct of safety evaluations required by 10 CFR 50.59.

Signif-icant strengths were noted in these aspects of management effectiveness. The 50RC makes good use of subcommittees and there are excellent guidelines on pro-viding preparation time to 50RC members prior to decision making meetings. The safety evaluation program was found to be well defined with thorough screening reviews and training requirements for evaluators. The licensee programs in the sampled areas appeared to be comprehensive and mature.

In summary, the team found the licensee's self assessment to be of good quality.

Independent assessments in selected areas identified no significant weaknesses.

This inspection served to confirm the licensee's conclusions contained in its self-assessment (Phase 1) report regarding the facility's overall readiness te conduct low power operation.

key vsb -

James E. Beall, Senior esident Inspector Beaver Valley Power Station

Mezorandum for James T. Wiggins 3

gy 77 g CC:

W. Kane, DRP S. Collins, DRP T. Martin, DRS S. Ebneter, DRSS D. Haverkamp, DRP L. Tripp, DRP D. Ruscitto, SRI - Seabrook

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