ML20247L893
| ML20247L893 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/15/1988 |
| From: | Grimes B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Mcconnell J AUTOMATIC SWITCH CO. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20247L882 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-QA-99900369 NUDOCS 8906020290 | |
| Download: ML20247L893 (3) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES l E38
'. [ 17f j g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION *
] WASMNGTON, D. C. 20S$ 5 SEP 15199 <
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1 Docket No. 99900369/88-01 jl Hr. James McConnell, President and Chief Executive Officer l Automatic Switch' Company l 50-56 Hanover Road .
Florham Park, New Jersey 07932
Dear Mr. ticConnell:
This refers to the inspection conducted by Mr. J. J. Petrosino of this office s 1
on June 27 through July 1,1988, of your facility at Florham Park, New Jersey 1
. and the discussions of the findings with Hessers. H. West, J. Weaver, and l other members of your staff at the conclusion of the inspection.
The inspection was conducted as a result of equipment operation problems that have been identified in several nuclear plants which use Automatic Switch Company (ASCO) three- and four-way electrical solenoid pilot valves. Areas examined during the NRC inspection and our findings are discussed in the enclosed report. This inspection consisted of an examination of procadures and ,
t s
representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations by the inspector.
4 During this _ inspection it was found that the implementation of your QA program failed to meet certain NRC requirements. The most significant problem was your failure to evaluate nonconformances and problems for potential deportability or notification of end users in accordance with 10 CFR Part 21. The specific find-ings and references to-the pertinent requirements are identified in the enclosures to this letter.
In accordance with the " General Statement of Policy and Procedure for NRC !
Enforcement Actions," 10 CFR Part 2 Appendix C (1988), the violations described l in the enclosed Notice has been classified at a Severity Level III problem i because Part 21 reports would have been required if ASCO had adequately performed the required evaluations or had notified the NRC ' licensees of the deviations. These violations are of significant regulatcry concern. However, ,
a civil penalty is not being proposed because pursuant to 10 CFR 21.61, the j failure to perform the evaluations did not appear to be the result of a j knowing and conscious failure to provide the required notice. Also enclosed '
is a Notice of Nonconformance which describes apparent weakness in your program for compliance with 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B.
The responses requested by the accompanying notices are not subject to the clearance procedures of the Office of Management and Budget as required by the {1 Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, PL 95-511. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 l of the Commission's regulations, a copy of this letter and the enclosed inspection report will be placed in the NRC's Public Document Room.
G906020290 890221 PDR QA999 EMVAUSC 99900369 PDC
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Hr. James McConnell-
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.-discuss Should you have any.-questionsconcerning this' inspection, we will be pleased to them with you. .
Sincerely,.
4 Brian X. Grimes, Director . .
' - Division of Reactor Inspection and Safeguards Office of Nuclear Reactor. Regulation.
Enclosuresi 1._ Appendix A-Notice of Violation.
'. . 2. Appendix LB-Notice of; Nonconformance 3.-Appendix C-Inspection Report 99900369/88-01' cc w/ enclosures::
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(7) El 3873, dated July 30, 1986 - Orifice too small causing lower disc to not operate properly - ind on nuclear 206-381 solenoid valve line; i (8) EI 3847, dated July 24, .985 - Ethylene Proylene diaphragm " wicking" problems; (9) El 3902, dated October 30, 1985 - Several solenoic valves were found to be shifting slowly or not at all; (10) EI 3604, dated March 11, 1982 - Valves sticking - Ft. Calhoun - Varnish like residue similar to Dow-Corning #805 (NP 8314C29E);
'(11) El 3906, dated April 24, 1987 - Valve leaks at 250 psi - involves several Colt /Fairbanks- customers (8316 Series); and t~ . . _... ... ,, .
(12) EI 3880, dated' December 29, 1986 - Air leakage occurred at 250 psi afteraboutonehourofenergi2ation(8320A105).
B.
Contrary to the above, ASCO has failed to establish an adequate procedure to implement the provisions of 10 CFR Part 21 in regard to its cuntrol of potentially reportable items, evaluations and a system to ensure end users or. licensees receive hardware-related deviations or failures to comply. for their processing (88-01-02).
ThisisaSeverityLevelIIIproblem(SupplementVII).
Pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 2.201, the Automatic Switch Company is hereby required to submit a written statement or explanation to the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Document Control Desk, Washington, D.C. 20555 within 30 days of the date of this letter transmitting this Notice. The reply should be clearly marked as a " Reply to a Notice of Violation" and should include: (1) the reason for the violation, if t.
the corrgetive steps that have been taken and results adinitted, achieved,(3)(2} the corrective steps' that will be taken to avoid further violations, and (4) the date when full compliance will be achieved.
Where good cause is shown, consideration will be given to extending the response time.. '
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