IR 05000128/2015203

IR 05000128/2015203, November 9-12, 2015, Texas A&M University - Nuclear Regulatory Commission Routine

ML15345A245
Person / Time
Site:	05000128
Issue date:	12/15/2015
From:	Mendiola A J Research and Test Reactors Branch B
To:	Banks K Texas A&M Univ
Morlang G M
References
IR 2015203
Download: ML15345A245 (18)

Text

December 15, 2015 Dr. Katherine Banks, Director Texas A&M University

Texas Engineering Experiment Station

Zachery Building College Station, TX 77843

SUBJECT: TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ROUTINE INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-128/2015-203

Dear Dr. Banks:

From November 9-12, 2015, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted an inspection at the Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center TRIGA Research Reactor Facility. The enclosed report documents the inspection results, which were discussed on November 12, 2015, with Dr. Sean McDeavitt, Director of the Nuclear Science Center, and members of your staff.

The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commission's rules and regulations and with the conditions of your license. The inspectors reviewed selected procedures and records, observed activities, and interviewed personnel. Based on the results of this inspection, no findings of significance were identified.

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 2.390, "Public inspections, exemptions requests for withholding," a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be made available electronica lly for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Avail able Records component of NRC's document system (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)). Adams is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Mr. Gary Morlang at (301) 415-4092 or by electronic mail at Gary.Morlang@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/RA/ Anthony J. Mendiola, Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Docket No. 50-128 License No. R-83

Enclosure:

As stated

cc: w/enclosure: See next page

ML15345A245; *concurrence via e-mail NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DPR/PROB/PM* NRR/DPR/PROB/LA* NRR/DPR/PROB/BC NAME GMorlang NParker AMendiola DATE 12/15/2015 12/11/2015 12/15/2015 Texas A&M University System Docket No. 50-128 cc:

Mayor, City of College Station P.O. Box Drawer 9960 College Station, TX 77840

Governor's Budget and Planning Office P.O. Box 12428 Austin, TX 78711

Dr. Sean McDeavitt, Director Texas A&M University

Nuclear Science Center

Texas Engineering Experiment Station 1095 Nuclear Science Road, MS 3575 College Station, Texas 77843

Jerry Newhouse, Assistant Director Texas A&M University

Nuclear Science Center Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station 1095 Nuclear Science Road, MS 3575 College Station, Texas 77843

Radiation Program Officer Bureau of Radiation Control Dept. Of State Health Services Division for Regulatory Services 1100 West 49 th Street, MC 2828 Austin, TX 78756 Susan M. Jablonski Technical Advisor

Office of Permitting, Remediation &

Registration Texas Commission on Environmental Quality P.O. Box 13087, MS 122 Austin, TX 78711

Dub Taylor State Energy Conservation Office

Comptroller of Public Accounts

111 East 17 th Street, #1118 Austin, TX 78711 Test, Research and Training

Reactor Newsletter 202 Nuclear Sciences Building University of Florida

Gainesville, FL 32611 U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

Docket No: 50-128

License No: R-83

Report No: 50-128/2015-203

Licensee: Texas A&M University

Facility: Nuclear Science Center Reactor

Location: College Station, TX

Dates: November 9-12, 2015

Inspectors: Gary Morlang

Approved by: Anthony Mendiola, Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center Research Reactor Inspection Report No. 50-128/2015-203

The primary focus of this routine, announced inspection included onsite review of selected aspects of the Texas A&M University (the licensee's) Class II research and test reactor safety programs including: (1) organization and staffing, (2) operations logs and records, (3) requalification training, (4) surveillance and limiting conditions for operation, (5) emergency preparedness, (6) maintenance logs and records, and (7) fuel handling logs and records.

The licensee's programs were acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety, and in compliance with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements.

Organization and Staffing

The licensee's organization and staffing and assignment of responsibilities remained in compliance with the requirements specified in Technical Specification (TS) Section 6.

Operations Logs and Records

Operational activities were consistent with applicable TS and procedural requirements.

Requalification Training

The Requalification Program was being completed as required and records were being maintained.

Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation

The program for Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operations was implemented in accordance with TSs Sections 3.0 and 4.0 requirements.

Emergency Preparedness

• Emergency preparedness training for staff personnel was being completed as required.

• Annual drills were being conducted as required by the Emergency Plan.

• Off-site support was available and acceptable.

• Emergency responders were knowledgeable of proper actions to take in case of an emergency.

- 2 - * Emergency response facilities and equipment were being maintained as required.

• The Emergency Plan and Implementing Procedures were being reviewed annually as required and updated as needed.

Maintenance Logs and Records

Maintenance was being completed and documented as required.

Fuel Handling Logs and Records

The fuel handling activities and documentation were conducted in accordance with the facility TSs and procedures.

REPORT DETAILS Summary of Plant Status The Texas A&M University (the licensee's) TRIGA research reactor, licensed to operate at a maximum steady-state thermal power of one megawatt (1 MW), continues to be operated in support of operator training, surveillance, research, and utilization involving isotope production.

During the inspection the reactor was operated each day at full power to conduct sample irradiations.

1. Organization and Staffing a. Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure [IP] 69001)

To verify that the licensee's organization and staffing were as stated in Section 6.1, of the Technical Specifications (TSs) for the Texas Engineering Experimental Station (TEES), Texas A&M University (TAMU) System Nuclear Science Center Reactor (NSCR) Facility, dated October 1, 2015, the inspector reviewed:

• Organization and staffing for the TAMU Nuclear Science Center (NSC)

• Administrative controls and management responsibilities specified in the NSC TS Section 6

• Annual Report for the TAMU NSC for 2013, dated April, 2014

• Annual Report for the TAMU NSC for 2014, dated April, 2015

• NSC Standard Operating Procedure (SOP),Section I, Procedure C, "Administration," Revision (Rev.) 0, dated March 6, 1990

• Radiation Safety Board Meeting Minutes for October 4, 2013 through September 25, 2015, (9 meetings)

• Reactor Console Log Books Numbers 232-234, dated February 13, 2015 to October 14, 2015 b. Observations and Findings Review of records verified that management responsibilities were administered as required by TSs Section 6.1.2, and applicable procedures. The Radiation

Safety Board held meetings at a frequency required by TSs (minimum one per year). A quorum and a minimum number of voting members were present.

Operations logs and records also documented that shift staffing met the minimum requirements for duty and on-call personnel. The licensee had implemented a new organizational structure during September 2014. This structure was update during November 2015 and included a new position of Manager of Reactor Operations and a new position of Safety Officer.

- 2 - c. Conclusions The licensee's organization and staffing were in compliance with the requirements specified in TSs Section 6.

2. Operations Logs and Records a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

The inspector reviewed selected aspects of the following to verify compliance with TS Sections 2, 3, and 6 and the applicable procedures:

• Scram Log

• Staffing for operations as recorded on the reactor log sheets

• Reactor Console Log Books Numbers 232-234, dated February 13, 2015 to October 14, 2015

• Selected entries on the following facility forms:

NSC Form 531, entitled "Morning Facility Checklist - Daily," latest revision dated June 26, 2003, from January 2015 to present NSC Form 532, entitled "TRIGA Reactor Pre-startup Checklist," latest revision dated September 4, 2014, from January 2015 to present NSC Form 533, entitled "Reactor Operations Facility Checklist - Daily Surveillance," latest revision dated May 13, 2013, from January 2015 to present NSC Form 534, entitled "Facility Security Shutdown Checklist - Daily Surveillance," latest revision dated July 13, 2013, from January 2015 to present NSC Form 573, entitled "Irradiation Cell Entry Log," latest revision dated August 2, 2001 NSC Form 574, entitled "Irradiation Cell Operations Checklist," latest revision dated September 14, 2006 NSC Form 590, entitled "Unscheduled Scram Recovery Checklist," latest revision dated October 5, 2004

• Selected TAMU NSC Daily Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) Checklists for 2014 and 2015

• NSC SOP, Chapter II, "Reactor Operations," Section II-A, "General Organization and Responsibilities," Rev. 1, dated February 9, 2000

• NSC SOP, Chapter II, "Reactor Operations," Section II-B, "Operations Records," Rev. 3, dated February 9, 2000

• NSC SOP, Chapter II, "Reactor Operations," Section II-C, "Reactor Startup," Rev. 5, dated August 19, 2003

• NSC SOP, Chapter II, "Reactor Operations," Section II-D, "Steady State Mode Operation," Rev. 1, dated September 3, 1999

- 3 -* NSC SOP, Chapter II, "Reactor Operations," Section II-E, "Pulsing Operations," Rev. 3, dated September 3, 1999

• NSC SOP, Chapter II, "Reactor Operations," Section II-F, "Reactor Shutdown," Rev. 0, dated December 15, 1993

• NSC SOP, Chapter II, "Reactor Operations," Section II-G, "Movement of Reactor Bridge," Rev. 1, dated March 17, 1997

• NSC SOP, Chapter II, "Reactor Operations," Section II-M, "Response to Alarms," Rev. 1, dated February 9, 2000 b. Observations and Findings Reactor operations were carried out following written procedures and TSs requirements. Information on the operational status of the facility was recorded in log books and on checklists as required by procedure. Use of maintenance and repair logs satisfied procedural requirements. Operational problems and events noted in the appropriate logs were reported, reviewed, and resolved as required. The inspector verified that required items were logged and cross referenced with other logs and forms, as required, and that TSs Sections 2 and 3 operational limits had not been exceeded.

The inspector conducted observations of the reactor staff performing irradiations of samples at a power level of 1 MW. Observation of operational activities on November 9-12, also confirmed that reactor operations were carried out in accordance with written procedures and TSs requirements.

c. Conclusions Operational activities were consistent with applicable TS and procedural

requirements.

3. Requalification Training a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

To verify that operator requalification activities and training were conducted as required in the licensee's "Senior Reactor Operator and Reactor Operator Requalification Program," Rev. 4, dated April 1997, and to verify that medical requirements were met, the inspector reviewed:

• Requalification Training Matrix dated October 2014 to September 2016

• Medical examination records

• Active license status of all current operators

• Selected portions of NSC Reactor Operations Log Books for 2014 through the present

• Logs and records of reactivity manipulations for 2014 through the present

• Training lectures and records for selected individuals for the current and previous training cycles

- 4 - * Radiation Safety Board Reactor Requalification Program Audits for 2014

• NSC SOP, Chapter X, "Reactor Operator Requalification Program," Rev. 2, dated March 2, 2001 b. Observations and Findings The facility had nine licensed SROs and four Reactor Operators. The facility had 3 licenses that needed termination letters sent to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. One licensed senior operator was currently suspended due to lack of console operating time and reactivity manipulations.

A review of the logs and requalification records showed that annual operational examinations were being administered as required. Written examinations were administered within the time frame as required. In order to comply with the requirement for actively performing their operator functions for a minimum of four hours per calendar quarter, the licensee included time spent on the reactor console, supervisory functions, and maintenance, as appropriate. This was consistent with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 55 requirements.

TAMU "Senior Reactor Operator and Reactor Operator Requalification Program," Rev. 4, dated April 1997, requires in Section 2.1 that one or more lectures will be scheduled within a four month interval to cover a topic (i.e., Theory and Principles of Operation, Reactor Regulations, Reactor Design, Reactor Support Systems, Radiation Control and Safety, Emergency Plan, and Security Plan.).

The lecture sequence over all topics will take two years to complete and will then be repeated. Self-study or individual tutoring may substitute for each missed lecture, however, examinations given after each lecture must be taken or an alternate examination taken within a month after the lecture. Lectures on the Emergency Plan and Security Plan will be given annually.

The inspector verified that all current operators were up to date on medical evaluations.

c. Conclusions Required records documenting the Requalification Program were being

maintained.

4. Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

To determine that surveillances and Limiting Conditions for Operations (LCOs) verifications were being completed as required by TS Sections 3.0 and 4.0, the inspector reviewed:

- 5 -* Reactor Console Log Books Numbers 232-234, dated February 13, 2015 to October 14, 2015

• Surveillance and calibration data and records for 2014 and 2015 documented on the following facility forms:

NSC Form 557, entitled "Annual Reactor Maintenance and Surveillance," dated May 20, 2008, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 546, entitled "Semiannual Fuel Element Temperature Measuring Channel Maintenance," dated July 15, 2008, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 547, entitled "Semiannual Linear Power Measuring Channel Maintenance and Surveillance," dated February 16, 2000, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 539, entitled "Weekly Ventilation and Scram Surveillance," dated June 30, 2015, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 541, entitled "Quarterly Transient Rod Drive Maintenance," dated October 4, 1999, for 2014 to 2015 NSC Form 549, entitled "Semiannual Reactor Pulse Power Surveillance," dated October 15, 1999, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 550, entitled "Semiannual Transient Rod Drive Maintenance," dated October 4, 1999, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 551, entitled "Semiannual Scram Circuit Surveillance," dated July 9, 2005, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 552, entitled "Semi-Annual Evacuation Horn System Surveillance," dated October 4, 1999, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 565, entitled "Annual Calorimetric," dated July 5, 2010, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 548, entitled "Semi-Annual Log Power Measuring Channel," dated February 25, 2009, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 567, entitled "Annual Safety Channel Maintenance," dated February 22, 2005, for 2014 and 2015

• TAMU NSC 2013 Annual Report, dated April, 2014

• TAMU NSC 2014 Annual Report, dated April, 2015 b. Observations and Findings The inspector determined that selected daily, monthly, semiannual, annual, other periodic checks, tests, verifications, and calibrations for TSs required surveillances and LCOs were completed as stipulated. Surveillances, LCOs, and calibration reviews were completed on schedule and performed in accordance with licensee procedures. The recorded results were within the TS and procedurally prescribed parameters and in close agreement with the previous surveillance results. The records and logs reviewed were accurate, but supervisory reviews were incomplete in many cases.

- 6 - c. Conclusions The program for Surveillance and LCO confirmations was implemented in accordance with TSs Sections 3.0 and 4.0 requirements.

5. Emergency Preparedness a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

To verify compliance with TSs Section 6.2, and the licensee's Emergency Plan for the TEES, TAMU System NSCR Facility, Rev. 2, dated December 14, 1999, the inspector reviewed selected aspects of:

• Annual training records for the College Station Fire Department dated November 10-13, 2015, and the Scott and White Medical Center dated April 2015

• Offsite support and annual reconfirmation of letters of agreement between NSC and the Scott and White Medical Center and the annual agreement letter between NSC and the College Station Fire Department (dated June

2015) * Emergency drills and exercises for 2013 and 2014

• Emergency response facilities, supplies, equipment and instrumentation

• Radiation Safety Board Meeting Minutes for October 4, 2013 through September 25, 2015,(9 meetings)

• TAMUNSC 2013 Annual Report, dated April, 2014

• TAMU NSC 2014 Annual Report, dated April, 2015

• NSC Form 583, entitled "Emergency Director's Checklist," dated August 6, 1992 b. Observations and Findings The licensee staff and the Radiation Safety Board audited and reviewed the Emergency Plan and Implementing procedures at least annually.

Through records review, and interviews with licensee, the inspector determined that emergency responders were trained in the proper actions to take in case of an emergency. The inspector participated in an annual training session for the College Station Fire Department. Agreements with outside response organizations had been updated annually. Fire station personnel from all shifts participated in training during the inspection and personnel from Scott and White Medical Center participated in training on June 25, 2015.

Emergency facilities, instrumentation, and equipment were being maintained and inventoried as required by Emergency Plan Sections 10.4 and 10.5. To ensure appropriate emergency response personnel are notified in the event of an emergency, the emergency notification roster was updated and verified quarterly as required by Emergency Plan Section 8.5.

- 7 -c. Conclusions The emergency preparedness program was conducted in accordance with the

Emergency Plan.

6. Maintenance Logs and Records a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

To determine that maintenance was being completed as required by the Technical Specifications and applicable procedures, the inspector reviewed:

• Reactor Console Log Books Numbers 232-234, dated February 13, 2015 to October 14, 2015

• Surveillance and calibration data and records for 2014 and 2015 documented on the following facility forms:

NSC Form 547, entitled "Semiannual Linear Power Measuring Channel Maintenance and Surveillance," dated February 16, 2000, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 539, entitled "Weekly Ventilation and Scram Surveillance," dated June 30, 2009, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 541, entitled "Quarterly Transient Rod Drive Maintenance," dated October 4, 1999, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 549, entitled "Semiannual Reactor Pulse Power Surveillance," dated October 15, 1999, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 550, entitled "Semiannual Transient Rod Drive Maintenance," dated October 4, 1999, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 551, entitled "Semiannual Scram Circuit Surveillance," dated July 9, 2005, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 552, entitled "Semi-Annual Evacuation Horn System Surveillance," dated October 4, 1999, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 565, entitled "Annual Calorimetric," dated July 5, 2010, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 561, entitled "Annual Control Rod Scram Time Surveillance," dated June 24, 2014, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 558, entitled "Annual Transient Rod Drive Maintenance," dated February 22, 2005, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 559, entitled "Annual Control Rod Drive Maintenance," dated October 4, 1999, for 2014 and 2015 NSC Form 562, entitled "Annual Control Rod Calibration and Shutdown Margin Calculation," dated October 4, 1999, for 2014 and 2015

• TAMU NSC 2013 Annual Report, dated April, 2014

• TAMU NSC 2014 Annual Report, dated April, 2015

- 8 - b. Observations and Findings A review of the reactor console and maintenance logs showed that maintenance items were being documented. This review also demonstrated that maintenance was being conducted consistent with the TSs and applicable procedures. Good correlation was noted between console log books and maintenance logs.

c. Conclusions Maintenance was completed and documented as required by procedures and

TSs.

7. Fuel Handling Logs and Records a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

To verify adherence to TSs Sections 3.1.4, 3.3.1.b, 5.1, 5.2, and 5.5, the inspector reviewed:

NSC Core Loading Map in the Control Room

• Fuel handling equipment and instrumentation

• Reactor Console Log Books Numbers 232-234, dated February 13, 2015 to October 14, 2015

• TAMU NSC 2013 Annual Report, dated April, 2014

• TAMU NSC 2014 Annual Report, dated April, 2015

• Fuel bundle movement records for July 2014 and July 2015 NSC Form 576, entitled "LEU Fuel Log Vol. I," dated July 18, 2008 NSC Form 578, entitled "LEU Fuel Log Vol. II-A In Service Element Data," dated July 23, 2006 NSC Form 575, entitled "LEU Fuel Log Vol. II-B Fuel Element Elongation Data Sheets by Bundle," dated July 23, 2006 NSC Form 577, entitled "Fuel Elongation Log," dated August 24, 2006 NSC Form 579, entitled "Instrumented Fuel Elongation Log,"

dated October 4, 1999 NSC Form 580, entitled "Fueled Follower Log," dated October 4, 1999 NSC Form 581, entitled "Fuel Element Transfer Storage Log,"

dated October 4, 1999 b. Observations and Findings The inspector reviewed selected records for the November 2015 core offload and reload for fuel inspection and control rod maintenance and inspection. The inspector also verified that fuel locations were consistent with records. Records showed that TS required surveillances for refueling and fuel movement were

- 9 -completed to ensure controlled operations for the reactor core. All fuel movements were recorded in the reactor log and in the individual fuel element log sheets. Good correlation was noted between the fuel logs and console logs.

The inspector observed that the data recorded for fuel was acceptable and was cross referenced in the operations logs. Log entries verified that fuel movements were completed under the direct supervision of a SRO as required. Through records review and interviews with licensee personnel, the inspector determined that fuel movements were conducted in accordance with TSs to authorized locations.

c. Conclusions The fuel handling activities and documentation were conducted in accordance

with the facility TSs and procedures.

8. Exit Interview The inspector presented the inspection results to licensee management at the conclusion of the inspection on November 12, 2015. The inspector described the areas inspected and discussed in detail the inspection observations. No dissenting comments were received from the licensee. The licensee acknowledged the findings presented

and did not identify as proprietary any of the material provided to or reviewed by the inspector during the inspection.

PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee Personnel S. McDeavitt Director, Nuclear Science Center J. Newhouse Associate Director A. Booth Manager Safety Office S. Miller Manager of Reactor Operations

INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69001: Class II Non-Power Reactors

ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened None Closed None LIST OF ACRONYMS USED IP Inspection Procedure LCO Limiting Condition for Operation NSC Nuclear Science Center NSCR Nuclear Science Center Reactor Rev. Revision SOP Standard Operating Procedure TAMU Texas A&M University TEES Texas Engineering Experiment Station TSs Technical Specifications