View source for IA-94-208, Partially Released Ltr Re Conversations W/Staff & Ltrs Identifying Allegations Related to Operations & TS Practices at Plant.Review Completed & Findings Documented in Encls

{{Adams
| number = ML20129G037
| issue date = 03/09/1993
| title = Partially Released Ltr Re Conversations W/Staff & Ltrs Identifying Allegations Related to Operations & TS Practices at Plant.Review Completed & Findings Documented in Encls
| author name = Jenkins G
| author affiliation = NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION &amp; ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
| addressee name = Mosbaugh A
| addressee affiliation = AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
| docket = 05000424, 05000425
| license number = 
| contact person = 
| case reference number = FOIA-94-208
| document report number = NUDOCS 9610070094
| package number = ML20129F106
| document type = CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS, OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE
| page count = 3
}}

=Text=
{{#Wiki_filter:.
  ,8            t                               UNITED STATES g#" D ,[cg                  NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[f' - g., p q
i REGION 11 101 MARIETTA STRE ET, N.W.
    *'               ,F                     ATLANTA. GEORGI A 30323
     ?,y * ,      , /
           **+*                                MAR     9 1993 O       0 ynsbaug; w                        -t
{ 

==Dear Mr. Mosbygh:==
//       ,

==SUBJECT:==
RII.90-A-0005 This refers to your conversations with our staff and yqur letters in which you identified allegations related to operations and technical specification practices at the Vogtle Nuclear Plant.
Our review regarding this matter has been completed and our findings are documented in the enclosures to this letter. Based on the information provided, we were able to partially substantiate the allegations.
This concludes the staff's activities regarding this matter.                       We appreciate your cooperation and assistance.
Sincerely,
                                                     /       org R. :T . )Cins , Director Enfor emen and Investigation Co rdip' tion Staf f

==Enclosures:==
: 1. Allegation Summary                                                            ;        )
: 2. Letter dated 12/31/91, Notice of Violation and Proposed Imposition of Civil Penalty
: 3. Letter dated 6/12/92, i
Order Imposing Civil Monetary Penalty
: 4. Report Nos: 50-424,425/92-31
: 5. Report Nos: 50-424,425/90-19                                                ~
: 6. Report Nos: 50-424,425/91-20
: 7. Report Nos: 50-424,425/92-13 Certified Mail No: P 335 753 236 Information in thifieToid'Es defefed in at:ctdanc.t viith 15preedom of information s
Act, exe,mjtiens r        ..M                                            /f f F0lA. Y, V~ 2 C' L.
{ g
                                                                       ~
9310070094 960827               ~
PDR     FOIA                                                                                    ,
l.
COLAPIN94-208       PDR                                                                        j

      .                                                                                  r i
ENCLOSURE 1                                     ,
ALLEGATION 

==SUMMARY==

==SUBJECT:==
RII-90-A-0005 This is in reference to an anonymous letter received by the NRC on January 8,1990, and a letter received by the NRC on March 3,1990, in which alleg,ations were made regarding: 1. alleged violations of technical specifications associated with dilution valves,              2.
failure to perform adequate surveillances, 3. installation of i
Microfiltration test unit designed in violation of Reg. Guide 1.140,       4. failure   to    perform adequate    shutdown margin calculations, and 5. failure to report missing fire penetration seals and reporting of events.
: 1. ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITE DILUTION VALVES It was alleged that in October 1988, Operations . management willfully violated Technical Specifications (TS) by opening valves that were requ' ired to be in a locked shut condition; and an incident the NRC resident staff identified where dilution valves were not properly locked in their required TS position.
DISCUSSION:
Based on this allegation, an NRC investigation was conducted and escalated enforcement action (EA-91-141) was taken relative to the chemical addition to the reactor cooling system that occurred on October 12-13, 1988.       On December 31, 1991,    the NRC issued a Notice of Violation and Proposed                 l Imposition of Civil Penalty to Georgia Power Company, and issued an Order Imposing Civil Monetary Penalty       on June 12, 1992.                                                                      l l
: 2. FAILURE TO PERFORM ADEQUATE PORV, STEAM GENERATOR BLONDOWN                 ,
VALVE AND E-BAR SURVEILLANCES
* l l
DISCUSSION:                                                                j NRC's review of this allegation is detailed in NRC Inspection Report 50-424,425/92-31, dated January 26, 1993. This review included a review of all Deficiency Cards associated with these surveillances during the time period selected. Based on the results of this review,      the allegation    co"1'   _at be substantiated.
MQ    ) *%?

        ~-
MAR   9 1993 l
* i INSTALLATION    OF   MICROFILTRATION  TEST    UNIT   DESIGNED      IN 3.
VIOLATION OF REG. GUIDE 1.140 l
DISCUSSION:
NRC's review of this allegation is detailed in NRC Inspection Report 50-424,425/90-19, Supplement 1, dated November 1,1991.
This review indicated that the FAVA system was o,riginally installe,d and operated by the Vogtle staf f without an adequate saf ety evaluation and did not meet the guidance in Reg. Guide    ;
1.143 in that, PVC piping was used in this system. HowevIr,           l this   deficiency was    of  limited duration,     and 4PC apon i
performing subsequenc safety evaluations that were forwarded to and accepted by the NRC, concluded that the system was             ;
l acceptable for use. The facts do not support a conclusion that GPC willfully violated NRC requirements or willfully              i operated the facility in a manner to endanger public health           <
and safety.
l
: 4. FAILURE TO PERFORM ADEQUATE SHUTDOWN MARGIN CALCULATIONS               (
DISCUSSION:                                                           i IRC's review of this allegation is detailed in Inspection             l Report 50-424,425/91-20 dated September 12, 1991. This review         i indicated that the shutdown margin calculation performed at           j 7:13 p.m. on January 19,1989, was performed incorrectly in that, the incorrect procedure data sheet was used by the person performing the calculation. The review also identified         ;
that the Licensee identified this error and took appropriate          l corrective action. The corrected calculations and independent        ;
review by Imc did not support the allegation that the error resulted in a dangerously low boron concentration 1.n the            l Reactor Coolant System or that it endangered the health and safety of the public.
: 5. FAILURE TO REPORT MISSING FIRE PENETRATION SEALS AND REPORTING OF EVENTS i
DISCUSSION:                                              =            l NRC's review of this allegation is documented 16 Inspection          l Report 50-424,425/92-13, dated August 4, 1992. The NRC review        l of   this area included a review of all Deficiency Cards             !
associated with fire penetrations and seals since 1988 to assure that discrepancies and deficiencies identified were and       l had been properly reviewed and appropriate actions taken. NRC       j did not find any evidence to support the allegation that             l missing fire penetration seals were not reported as required.        l 1
1 i
l}}