IR 05000305/2011008: Difference between revisions
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| issue date = 11/14/2011 | | issue date = 11/14/2011 | ||
| title = IR 05000305-11-008 (Drs), on 09/07/2011 - 09/09/2011, 09/19/2011 - 09/23/2011, and 10/03/2011 10/07/2011, Kewaunee Power Station, Triennial Fire Protection Baseline Inspection | | title = IR 05000305-11-008 (Drs), on 09/07/2011 - 09/09/2011, 09/19/2011 - 09/23/2011, and 10/03/2011 10/07/2011, Kewaunee Power Station, Triennial Fire Protection Baseline Inspection | ||
| author name = Daley R | | author name = Daley R | ||
| author affiliation = NRC/RGN-III/DRS/EB3 | | author affiliation = NRC/RGN-III/DRS/EB3 | ||
| addressee name = Heacock D | | addressee name = Heacock D | ||
| addressee affiliation = Dominion Energy Kewaunee, Inc | | addressee affiliation = Dominion Energy Kewaunee, Inc | ||
| docket = 05000305 | | docket = 05000305 | ||
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=Text= | =Text= | ||
{{#Wiki_filter | {{#Wiki_filter:November 14, 2011 | ||
==SUBJECT:== | |||
KEWAUNEE POWER STATION - TRIENNIAL FIRE PROTECTION INSPECTION REPORT 05000305/2011008(DRS) | |||
SUBJECT: KEWAUNEE POWER STATION - TRIENNIAL FIRE PROTECTION INSPECTION REPORT 05000305/2011008(DRS) | |||
==Dear Mr. Heacock:== | ==Dear Mr. Heacock:== | ||
On October 7, 2011, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed a triennial fire protection inspection at your Kewaunee Power Station. The enclosed inspection report documents the inspection results, which were discussed on October 7, 2011, with Mr. Stephen Scace, and other 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, one NRC-identified finding of very low safety significance was identified. The finding involved a violation of NRC requirements. However, because of its very low safety significance, and because the issue was entered into your corrective action program, the NRC is treating this issue as a Non-Cited Violation (NCV) in accordance with Section 2.3.2 of the NRC Enforcement Policy. If you contest the subject or severity of the NCV, you should provide a response within 30 days of the date of this inspection report, with the basis for your denial, to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Document Control Desk, Washington, DC 20555-0001, with a copy to the Regional Administrator, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Region III, Warrenville Road, Suite 210, Lisle, IL 60532-4352; the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; and the Resident Inspector Office at the Kewaunee Power Station. In accordance with Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 50, Section 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any), will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records System (PARS) component of NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS), accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). | On October 7, 2011, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed a triennial fire protection inspection at your Kewaunee Power Station. The enclosed inspection report documents the inspection results, which were discussed on October 7, 2011, with Mr. Stephen Scace, and other 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, one NRC-identified finding of very low safety significance was identified. The finding involved a violation of NRC requirements. However, because of its very low safety significance, and because the issue was entered into your corrective action program, the NRC is treating this issue as a Non-Cited Violation (NCV) in accordance with Section 2.3.2 of the NRC Enforcement Policy. If you contest the subject or severity of the NCV, you should provide a response within 30 days of the date of this inspection report, with the basis for your denial, to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Document Control Desk, Washington, DC 20555-0001, with a copy to the Regional Administrator, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Region III, Warrenville Road, Suite 210, Lisle, IL 60532-4352; the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; and the Resident Inspector Office at the Kewaunee Power Station. In accordance with Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 50, Section 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any), will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records System (PARS) component of NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS), accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). | ||
Sincerely,/RA/ | Sincerely, | ||
/RA/ | |||
Robert C. Daley, Chief Engineering Branch 3 Division of Reactor Safety Docket No. 50-305 License No. DPR-43 | Robert C. Daley, Chief Engineering Branch 3 Division of Reactor Safety Docket No. 50-305 License No. DPR-43 | ||
===Enclosures:=== | ===Enclosures:=== | ||
Inspection Report 05000305/2011008(DRS) | Inspection Report 05000305/2011008(DRS) w/Attachment: Supplemental Information | ||
REGION III Docket No: 050000305 License No: DPR-43 Report No: 05000305/2011008(DRS) | |||
Licensee: Dominion Energy Kewaunee, Inc. Facility: Kewaunee Power Station Location: Kewaunee, WI Dates: September 7 - 9, 19 - 23, 2011, and October 3 - 7, 2011 Inspectors: George M. Hausman, Senior Reactor Inspector, Lead Larry J. Jones, Reactor Inspector Benny Jose, Senior Reactor Inspector Nicholas A. Valos, Senior Reactor Analyst Approved by: Robert C. Daley, Chief Engineering Branch 3 Division of Reactor Safety 1 Enclosure | Licensee: Dominion Energy Kewaunee, Inc. Facility: Kewaunee Power Station Location: Kewaunee, WI Dates: September 7 - 9, 19 - 23, 2011, and October 3 - 7, 2011 Inspectors: George M. Hausman, Senior Reactor Inspector, Lead Larry J. Jones, Reactor Inspector Benny Jose, Senior Reactor Inspector Nicholas A. Valos, Senior Reactor Analyst Approved by: Robert C. Daley, Chief Engineering Branch 3 Division of Reactor Safety 1 Enclosure | ||
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: Inclusion on this list does not imply that the NRC inspectors reviewed the documents in their entirety, but rather, that selected sections of portions of the documents were evaluated as part of the overall inspection effort. | : Inclusion on this list does not imply that the NRC inspectors reviewed the documents in their entirety, but rather, that selected sections of portions of the documents were evaluated as part of the overall inspection effort. | ||
: Inclusion of a document on this list does not imply NRC acceptance of the document or any part of it, unless this is stated in the body of the inspection report. CALCULATIONS | : Inclusion of a document on this list does not imply NRC acceptance of the document or any part of it, unless this is stated in the body of the inspection report. CALCULATIONS | ||
}} | }} |
Revision as of 07:51, 29 June 2019
ML11319A244 | |
Person / Time | |
---|---|
Site: | Kewaunee ![]() |
Issue date: | 11/14/2011 |
From: | Robert Daley Engineering Branch 3 |
To: | Heacock D Dominion Energy Kewaunee |
References | |
IR-11-008 | |
Download: ML11319A244 (26) | |
Text
November 14, 2011
SUBJECT:
KEWAUNEE POWER STATION - TRIENNIAL FIRE PROTECTION INSPECTION REPORT 05000305/2011008(DRS)
Dear Mr. Heacock:
On October 7, 2011, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed a triennial fire protection inspection at your Kewaunee Power Station. The enclosed inspection report documents the inspection results, which were discussed on October 7, 2011, with Mr. Stephen Scace, and other 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, one NRC-identified finding of very low safety significance was identified. The finding involved a violation of NRC requirements. However, because of its very low safety significance, and because the issue was entered into your corrective action program, the NRC is treating this issue as a Non-Cited Violation (NCV) in accordance with Section 2.3.2 of the NRC Enforcement Policy. If you contest the subject or severity of the NCV, you should provide a response within 30 days of the date of this inspection report, with the basis for your denial, to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Document Control Desk, Washington, DC 20555-0001, with a copy to the Regional Administrator, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Region III, Warrenville Road, Suite 210, Lisle, IL 60532-4352; the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; and the Resident Inspector Office at the Kewaunee Power Station. In accordance with Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 50, Section 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any), will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records System (PARS) component of NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS), accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
Sincerely,
/RA/
Robert C. Daley, Chief Engineering Branch 3 Division of Reactor Safety Docket No. 50-305 License No. DPR-43
Enclosures:
Inspection Report 05000305/2011008(DRS) w/Attachment: Supplemental Information
REGION III Docket No: 050000305 License No: DPR-43 Report No: 05000305/2011008(DRS)
Licensee: Dominion Energy Kewaunee, Inc. Facility: Kewaunee Power Station Location: Kewaunee, WI Dates: September 7 - 9, 19 - 23, 2011, and October 3 - 7, 2011 Inspectors: George M. Hausman, Senior Reactor Inspector, Lead Larry J. Jones, Reactor Inspector Benny Jose, Senior Reactor Inspector Nicholas A. Valos, Senior Reactor Analyst Approved by: Robert C. Daley, Chief Engineering Branch 3 Division of Reactor Safety 1 Enclosure
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
IR 05000305/2011008 (DRS); 09/07/2011 - 09/09/2011, 09/19/2011 - 09/23/2011, and 10/03/2011 - 10/07/2011; Kewaunee Power Station; Triennial Fire Protection Baseline Inspection. This report covers an announced triennial fire protection baseline inspection. The inspection was conducted by Region III inspectors. One (Green) finding was identified by the inspectors. The finding was considered a Non-Cited Violation (NCV) of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations. The significance of most findings is indicated by their color (Green, White, Yellow, or Red) using Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 0609, "Significance
Determination Process (SDP)." Findings for which the SDP does not apply may be (Green) or be assigned a severity level after NRC management review. The cross-cutting aspects, if any, were determined using IMC 0310, "Components Within the Cross-Cutting Areas." The NRC's program for overseeing the safe operation of commercial nuclear power reactors is described in NUREG-1649, "Reactor Oversight Process," Revision 4, dated December 2006.
A. NRC-Identified
and Self-Revealed Findings
Cornerstone: Initiating Events
- Green.
The inspectors identified a finding of very low safety significance and associated NCV of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion III, "Design Control," for the failure to check the adequacy of design for flammable gas bottles installed and/or stored in fire areas and fire zones located within the auxiliary building and their impact on safe shutdown cables, safety-related cables and safety-related equipment. Specifically, the licensee failed to evaluate how a failure of the flammable gas bottles and a resulting fire or explosion at the installed and/or stored locations could impact nearby safety-related structures, systems, or components. The licensee entered this issue into their corrective action program to review the placement of the flammable gas bottles. The inspectors determined that the finding was more than minor because the finding was associated with the Initiating Events cornerstone attribute of Protection against External Factors (Fire) and affected the cornerstone's objective of limiting the likelihood of those events that upset plant stability and challenge critical safety functions during shutdown as well as power operations. The finding was of very low safety significance due to the low fire initiating frequency and the availability of remaining mitigating systems. This finding did not have a cross-cutting aspect because the finding was not representative of current performance. (Section 1R05.11b)
B. Licensee-Identified Violations
No violations of significance were identified.
REPORT DETAILS
REACTOR SAFETY
Cornerstones: Initiating Events and Mitigating Systems
1R05 Fire Protection
The purpose of the fire protection triennial baseline inspection was to conduct a design based, plant specific, risk-informed, onsite inspection of the licensee's fire protection program's defense-in-depth elements used to mitigate the consequences of a fire. The fire protection program shall extend the concept of defense-in-depth to fire protection in plant areas important to safety by:
- preventing fires from starting;
- rapidly detecting, controlling and extinguishing fires that do occur;
- providing protection for structures, systems, and components important to safety so that a fire that is not promptly extinguished by fire suppression activities will not prevent the safe shutdown of the reactor plant; and
- taking reasonable actions to mitigate postulated events that could potentially cause loss of large areas of power reactor facilities due to explosions or fires. The inspectors' evaluation focused on the design, operational status, and material condition of the reactor plant's fire protection program, post-fire safe shutdown systems and B.5.b mitigating strategies. The objectives of the inspection were to assess whether the licensee had implemented a fire protection program that:
- (1) provided adequate controls for combustibles and ignition sources inside the plant;
- (2) provided adequate fire detection and suppression capability;
- (3) maintained passive fire protection features in good material condition;
- (4) established adequate compensatory measures for out-of-service, degraded, or inoperable fire protection equipment, systems or features;
- (5) ensured that procedures, equipment, fire barriers, and systems exist so that the post-fire capability to safely shut down the plant was ensured;
- (6) included feasible and reliable operator manual actions when appropriate to achieve safe shutdown; and
- (7) identified fire protection issues at an appropriate threshold and ensured these issues were entered into the licensee's problem identification and resolution program. In addition, the inspectors' review and assessment focused on the licensee's post-fire safe shutdown systems for selected risk-significant fire areas. Inspector emphasis was placed on determining that the post-fire safe shutdown capability and the fire protection features were maintained free of fire damage to ensure that at least one post-fire safe shutdown success path was available. The inspectors' review and assessment also focused on the licensee's B.5.b related license conditions and the requirements of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 50.54(hh)(2). Inspector emphasis was to ensure that the licensee could maintain or restore core cooling, containment, and spent fuel pool cooling capabilities utilizing the B.5.b mitigating strategies following a loss of large areas of power reactor facilities due to explosions or fires. Documents reviewed are listed in the Attachment to this report.
3 Enclosure The fire areas/zones and B.5.b mitigating strategies selected for review during this inspection are listed below and in Section 1R05.13. The fire areas/zones selected constitute three samples and the B.5.b mitigating strategies selected constitute four samples as defined by Inspection Procedure (IP) 71111.05T. Fire Area Fire Zone Description A (Alternate) TU-92 1-B Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG) D (Dedicated) TU-95A Dedicated Shutdown Panel Room A (Alternate) TU-95B Safeguards Alley
.1 Protection of Safe Shutdown Capabilities
a. Inspection Scope
For each of the selected fire areas, the inspectors reviewed the fire hazards analysis, safe shutdown analysis, and supporting drawings and documentation to verify that safe shutdown capabilities were properly protected. The inspectors ensured that applicable separation requirements of Section lll.G of 10 CFR 50, Appendix R and the licensee's design and licensing bases were maintained for the credited safe shutdown equipment and their supporting power, control, and instrumentation cables. This review included an assessment of the adequacy of the selected systems for reactivity control, reactor coolant makeup, reactor heat removal, process monitoring, and associated support system functions.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.2 Passive Fire Protection
a. Inspection Scope
For the selected fire areas, the inspectors evaluated the adequacy of fire area barriers, penetration seals, fire doors, electrical raceway fire barriers, and fire rated electrical cables. The inspectors observed the material condition and configuration of the installed barriers, seals, doors, and cables. The inspectors reviewed approved construction details. In addition, the inspectors reviewed license documentation, such as U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) safety evaluation reports (SERs), and deviations from NRC regulations and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards to verify that fire protection features met license commitments. The inspectors walked down accessible portions of the selected fire areas to observe material condition and the adequacy of design of fire area boundaries (including walls, fire doors, and fire dampers) to ensure they were appropriate for the fire hazards in the area.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
4 Enclosure
.3 Active Fire Protection
a. Inspection Scope
For the selected fire areas, the inspectors evaluated the adequacy of fire suppression and detection systems. The inspectors observed the material condition and configuration of the installed fire detection and suppression systems. The inspectors reviewed design documents and supporting calculations. In addition, the inspectors reviewed license basis documentation, such as, NRC SERs, deviations from NRC regulations, and NFPA standards to verify that fire suppression and detection systems met license commitments.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.4 Protection from Damage from Fire Suppression Activities
a. Inspection Scope
For the selected fire areas, the inspectors verified that redundant trains of systems required for hot shutdown would not be subject to damage from fire suppression activities or from the rupture or inadvertent operation of fire suppression systems including the effects of flooding. The inspectors conducted walkdowns of each of the selected fire areas to assess conditions such as the adequacy and condition of floor drains, equipment elevations, and spray protection.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.5 Alternative Shutdown Capability
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed the licensee's systems required to achieve alternative safe shutdown to determine if the licensee had properly identified the components and systems necessary to achieve and maintain safe shutdown conditions. The inspectors also focused on the adequacy of the systems to perform reactor pressure control, reactivity control, reactor coolant makeup, decay heat removal, process monitoring, and support system functions. The inspectors conducted selected area walkdowns to determine if operators could reasonably be expected to perform the alternate safe shutdown procedure actions and that equipment labeling was consistent with the alternate safe shutdown procedure. The review also looked at operator training, as well as consistency between the operations shutdown procedures and any associated administrative controls.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
5 Enclosure
.6 Circuit Analyses
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors verified that the licensee performed a post-fire safe shutdown analysis for the selected fire areas and the analysis appropriately identified the structures, systems, and components important to achieving and maintaining safe shutdown. Additionally, the inspectors verified that the licensee's analysis ensured that necessary electrical circuits were properly protected and that circuits that could adversely impact safe shutdown due to hot shorts, shorts to ground, or other failures were identified, evaluated, and dispositioned to ensure spurious actuations would not prevent safe shutdown. The inspectors' review considered fire and cable attributes, potential undesirable consequences, and common power supply/bus concerns. Specific items included the credibility of the fire threat, cable insulation attributes, cable failure modes, and actuations resulting in flow diversion or loss of coolant events. The inspectors also reviewed cable raceway drawings for a sample of components required for post-fire safe shutdown to verify that cables were routed as described in the cable routing matrices. The inspectors reviewed circuit breaker coordination studies to ensure equipment needed to conduct post-fire safe shutdown activities would not be impacted due to a lack of coordination. Additionally, the inspectors reviewed a sample of circuit breaker maintenance records to verify that circuit breakers for components required for post-fire safe shutdown were properly maintained in accordance with procedural requirements.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.7 Communications
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed, on a sample basis, the adequacy of the communication system to support plant personnel in the performance of alternative safe shutdown functions and fire brigade duties. The inspectors verified that plant telephones, page systems, sound powered phones, and radios were available for use and maintained in working order.
The inspectors reviewed the electrical power supplies for these systems to verify that either the telephones or the radios would remain functional following a fire.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
6 Enclosure
.8 Emergency Lighting
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors performed a plant walkdown of selected areas in which a sample of operator actions would be performed in the performance of alternative safe shutdown functions. As part of the walkdown, the inspectors focused on the existence of sufficient emergency lighting for access and egress to areas and for performing necessary equipment operations. The locations and positioning of the emergency lights were observed during the walkdown and during review of manual actions implemented for the selected fire areas.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.9 Cold Shutdown Repairs
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed the licensee's procedures to determine whether repairs were required to achieve cold shutdown and to verify that dedicated repair procedures, equipment, and material to accomplish those repairs were available onsite. The inspectors also evaluated whether cold shutdown could be achieved within the required time using the licensee's procedures and repair methods. The inspectors also verified that equipment necessary to perform cold shutdown repairs was available onsite and properly staged.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.10 Compensatory Measures
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors conducted a review to verify that compensatory measures were in place for out-of-service, degraded or inoperable fire protection and post-fire safe shutdown equipment, systems, or features (e.g., detection and suppression systems, and equipment, passive fire barriers, pumps, valves or electrical devices providing safe shutdown functions or capabilities). The inspectors also conducted a review on the adequacy of short term compensatory measures to compensate for a degraded function or feature until appropriate corrective actions were taken.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
7 Enclosure
.11 Review and Documentation of Fire Protection Program Changes
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed changes to the approved fire protection program to verify that the changes did not constitute an adverse effect on the ability to safely shutdown. The inspectors also reviewed the licensee's design control procedures to ensure that the process included appropriate reviews and controls to assess plant changes for any potential adverse impact on the fire protection program and/or post-fire safe shutdown analysis and procedures.
b. Findings
Flammable Gas Bottles Installed and/or Stored in the Auxiliary Building
Introduction:
The inspectors identified a finding of very low safety significance (Green) and associated NCV of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion III, "Design Control," for the licensee's failure to check the adequacy of design for flammable gas bottles installed and/or stored in fire areas and fire zones located within the auxiliary building and their impact on safe shutdown cables, safety-related cables and safety-related equipment.
Specifically, the licensee failed to evaluate how a failure of the flammable gas bottles and a resulting fire or explosion at the installed and/or stored locations could impact nearby safety-related structures, systems, or components.
Description:
In response to NUREG-0578, "TMI-2 [Three Mile Island Unit 2] Lessons Learned Task Force Report and Short Term Recommendations," Section 2.1.8.a and Appendix A, "Improved Post-Accident Sampling Capability," dated July 1979, and NUREG-0737, "Clarification of TMI Action Plan Requirements,"Section II.B.3, "Post-Accident Sampling Capability," dated October 31, 1980, the licensee initiated a modification for post accident containment air monitoring. On March 4, 1980, the licensee approved Design Change Request (DCR) 844, "Addition of High Radiation Sample Room" and subsequently installed the DCR per the TMI Action Item II.B.3. As a result, the licensee installed three compressed hydrogen bottles, two compressed oxygen bottles, and associated equipment near the high radiation sampling room (HRSR) on the 586 foot elevation of the auxiliary building. The flammable gas bottles were located in the "Reactor Auxiliaries North Center" area of the Dedicated Fire Area's Fire Zone 23B. A fire hazards evaluation or safety evaluation for the flammable gas bottles was not found in the DCR. The flammable gas bottles' combustible quantities were added to the Kewaunee Power Station's Fire Protection Program Analysis (FPPA), Revision 2 in October 1986. On September 7, 2011, during the inspectors' walkdown to identify the fire areas and fire zones to be inspected, additional flammable gas bottles were observed physically installed and/or stored in the auxiliary building. The licensee had installed three compressed methane bottles, two compressed acetylene bottles (one bottle in-use and one bottle stored), and associated equipment on the fan floor's 657 foot-6 inch elevation of the auxiliary building. The flammable gas bottles were located in the "Refueling Water Storage Tank Area" of the Alternate Fire Area's Fire Zone AX-23A. A fire hazards evaluation or safety evaluation for the flammable gas bottles was not found in the DCR.
8 Enclosure During the inspectors' walkdowns, the inspectors noticed that the flammable gas bottles, at the different elevations, were within close proximity of safe shutdown cables and safety-related equipment (e.g., Technical Specification specified equipment) at each location. The inspectors raised concerns about the locations of the flammable gas bottles with respect to the safe shutdown cables, safety-related cables and safety-related equipment located within the fire areas and fire zones. The flammable gas bottles present a fire and an explosion hazard. According to Table 2-7.1 of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering (Fourth Edition) acetylene, hydrogen and methane have a lower flammability limit of 2.5, 4, and 5 percent, and an upper flammability limit of 100, 75, and 15 percent, respectively. This means that an acetylene mixture of between 2.5 and 100 percent, a hydrogen mixture of between 4 and 75 percent, and a methane mixture of between 5 and 15 percent will burn. One hydrogen bottle had a mixture of 50 percent hydrogen and 50 percent nitrogen, the second had a mixture of 9 percent hydrogen and 91 percent nitrogen, and the third bottle, although empty at the time of the inspectors' observation, had contained 2 percent hydrogen and 98 percent nitrogen, both of the acetylene bottles were 100 percent, and the three methane bottles had a mixture of 10 percent methane and 90 percent argon. Each of the hydrogen and methane bottles and one of the acetylene bottles had a regulator attached to the discharge. However, if a piece of equipment or some object were to hit the regulator it could fail, cause a spark, and ignite the flammable gas. A fire from one or more of the flammable gas bottles could damage safe shutdown cables and/or safety-related cables and an explosion could additionally damage other nearby safety-related equipment. The approved fire protection program has three primary tiers that constitute defense-in-depth. These include preventing and minimizing the effects of fires, detecting and suppressing fires, and safe shutdown. Each of the three tiers has regulatory requirements needed for compliance with General Design Criterion 3. In addition, the impact to safe shutdown capability is not the only consideration when evaluating a plant change. The change must still satisfy the regulatory requirement of 10 CFR 50.48(a) by having a program satisfying Criterion 3 of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix A. Criterion 3 specifies a program such that structures, systems, and components important to safety shall be designed and located to minimize, consistent with other safety requirements, the probability and effect of fires and explosions. A fire hazards evaluation or safety evaluation for the flammable gas bottles was not found in either of the DCRs. As a result, the inspectors concluded that the licensee failed to check the adequacy of the design for the flammable gas bottles installed and stored locations and their impact on safe shutdown cables, safety-related cables, and safety-related equipment. Specifically, the licensee failed to evaluate how a failure of the flammable gas bottles and a resulting fire or explosion at the installed and/or stored locations could impact the defense-in-depth strategies for the licensee's fire protection program. The licensee entered this issue into their corrective action program as Condition Report (CR) 446453, "NRC Identifies Potential Issue for Flammable Gas Bottles Located in Aux Bldg," dated October 6, 2011, to review the placement of the flammable gas bottles.
Analysis:
The inspectors determined that the failure to evaluate the impact of the flammable gas bottles' installed and/or stored locations near safe shutdown cables, safety-related cables and safety-related equipment was contrary to 10 CFR Part 50, 9 Enclosure Appendix B, Criterion III, "Design Control," and was a performance deficiency. The inspectors determined that the finding was more than minor because the finding was associated with the Initiating Events cornerstone attribute of Protection against External Factors (Fire) and affected the cornerstone's objective of limiting the likelihood of those events that upset plant stability and challenge critical safety functions during shutdown as well as power operations. Specifically, the installed and/or stored locations of the flammable gas bottles could have resulted in damage to safe shutdown cables, safety-related cables, and safety-related equipment if the gas bottles were to ignite or explode. As a result, the licensee's fire protection program's defense-in-depth strategies for the affected fire areas and fire zones were degraded. In accordance with Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 0609, "Significance Determination Process," Attachment 0609.04, "Phase I - Initial Screening and Characterization of Findings," Table 3b the inspectors determined the finding degraded the fire protection defense-in-depth strategies. Therefore, screening under IMC 0609, Appendix F, "Fire Protection Significance Determination Process," was required. The inspectors determined that the finding impacted the Fire Prevention and Administrative Controls category. Based on review of IMC 0609, Appendix F, Attachment 2, "Degradation Rating Guidance Specific to Various Fire Protection Program Elements," the inspectors determined the degradation rating to be high because of the flammable gases being more flammable than low flashpoint combustibles and there being a significant fire hazard associated with release of the gas. The Duration Factor was 1.0 based on the duration of the degradation being greater than 30 days per Table 1.4.1, "Duration Factors." An overall fire frequency of 7E-3 per year was calculated for the flammable gas bottles based on information from IMC 0609, Appendix F, Attachment 4, "Fire Ignition Source Mapping Information: Fire Frequency, Counting Instructions, Applicable Fire Severity Characteristics, and Applicable Manual Fire Suppression Curves." The conditional core damage probability (CCDP) from Table 2.1.1, "Total Unavailability Values for SSD [Safe Shutdown] Path Based Screening CCDP," included a screening value of 1E-2, which was conservative. The Region III Senior Reactor Analyst used the Kewaunee Standard Plant Analysis Risk (SPAR) Model, Version 8.16, and Systems Analysis Programs for Hands-on Integrated Reliability Evaluations (SAPHIRE), Version 8.0.7.17 to calculate a CCDP of 1.1E-7. The Senior Reactor Analyst assumed that a fire due to failure of the flammable gas bottles would result in a reactor trip. Based on the above CCDP and frequency values, the risk associated with this finding is very low (Green). The inspectors did not identify a cross-cutting aspect associated with this finding because the finding was not representative of current performance.
Enforcement:
Title 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion III, "Design Control," requires, in part, that design control measures shall provide for verifying or checking the adequacy of design, such as by the performance of design reviews, by the use of alternate or simplified calculational methods, or by the performance of a suitable testing program. Contrary to the above, from March 4, 1980, through October 7, 2011, the licensee failed to check the adequacy of design for flammable gas bottles installed and/or stored in fire areas and fire zones located within the auxiliary building and their impact on safe 10 Enclosure shutdown cables, safety-related cables and safety-related equipment. Specifically, the licensee failed to evaluate how a failure of the flammable gas bottles and a resulting fire or explosion at the installed and/or stored locations could impact nearby safety-related structures, systems, or components. Because this violation was of very low safety significance and it was entered into the licensee's corrective action program as CR 446453, this violation is being treated as an NCV, consistent with Section 2.3.2 of the NRC Enforcement Policy (NCV 05000305/2011008-01(DRS), Flammable Gas Bottles Installed and/or Stored in the Auxiliary Building).
.12 Control of Transient Combustibles and Ignition Sources
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed the licensee's procedures and programs for the control of ignition sources and transient combustibles to assess their effectiveness in preventing fires and in controlling combustible loading within limits established in the fire hazards analysis. A sample of hot work and transient combustible control permits were also reviewed. The inspectors performed plant walkdowns to verify that transient combustibles and ignition sources were being implemented in accordance with the administrative controls.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.13 B.5.b Inspection Activities
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed the licensee's preparedness to handle large fires or explosions by reviewing selected mitigating strategies. This review ensured that the licensee continued to meet the requirements of their B.5.b related license conditions and 10 CFR Part 50.54(hh)(2) by determining that:
- procedures were being maintained and adequate;
- equipment was properly staged, maintained, and tested;
- station personnel were knowledgeable and could implement the procedures; and
- additionally, inspectors reviewed the storage, maintenance, and testing of B.5.b related equipment. The inspectors reviewed the licensee's B.5.b related license conditions and evaluated the selected mitigating strategies to ensure they remain feasible in light of operator training, maintenance/testing of necessary equipment and any plant modifications. In addition, the inspectors reviewed previous inspection reports for commitments made by the licensee to correct deficiencies identified during performance of Temporary Instruction (TI) 2515/171 or subsequent performances of these inspections.
11 Enclosure The B.5.b mitigating strategies selected for review are listed below. The offsite and onsite communications, notifications/emergency response organization activation, initial operational response actions, and damage assessment activities identified in Table A.3-1 of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) 06-12, "B.5.b Phase II and III Submittal Guidance," Revision 2 are evaluated each time due to the mitigation strategies' scenario selected. NEI 06-12, Revision 2, Section Licensee Strategy Table 2.2 Spent Fuel Pool (SFP) Makeup - Internal Strategy (Table A.2 1) 2.3.1 SFP Makeup - External Strategy (Table A.2-2)2.3.2 SFP Spray - External Strategy (Table A.2-3)3.4.4 Manually Depressurize SGs [Steam Generators] and Use Portable Pump (Table A.4-4)
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
OTHER ACTIVITIES (OA)
4OA2 Problem Identification and Resolution
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed the licensee's corrective action program procedures and samples of corrective action documents to verify that the licensee was identifying issues related to the fire protection program at an appropriate threshold and entering them in the corrective action program. The inspectors reviewed selected samples of condition reports, design packages, and fire protection system non-conformance documents.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
4OA6 Management Meetings
Exit Meeting Summary
The inspectors presented the inspection results to Mr. Stephen Scace and to other members of the licensee staff on October 7, 2011. The licensee acknowledged the issues presented. The inspectors confirmed that none of the potential report input discussed was considered proprietary. ATTACHMENT:
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
KEY POINTS OF CONTACT
Licensee
- D. Allen, Senior Instructor Operations Training
- E. Alsteen, Fire Marshall
- S. Baldwin, Fire Training
- B. Behrendt, Operations Supervisor
- S. Boeing, Fire Protection (App. R Supplemental Support)
- E. Brand, Fire Protection (App. R Supplemental Support)
- T. Breene, Licensing Manager
- C. Drescher, Design Engineer
- C. Edwards, Maintenance Supervisor
- J. Egdorf, Emergency Preparedness (B.5.b) Supervisor
- M. Failey, Chemistry Supervisor
- J. Gadzala, Licensing
- R. Giese, Operations Senior Reactor Operator
- J. Giesler, Primary Systems Supervisor
- K. Gille, Procedures Supervisor
- E. Gilson, Safety Supervisor
- M. Haese, Licensing
- D. Heling, Administrative Support
- T. Hoy, Information Technology
- B. Koehler, Engineering Program Supervisor
- L. Leanna, Records Supervisor
- J. Langan, Nuclear Oversight Manager
- J. Martin, Liaison Engineer
- B. O'Connell, Ventilation
- T. Olson, Program Manager
- R. Repshas, Regulatory Affairs
- M. Rosseau, Electrical Design Supervisor
- S. Salzsieder, Administrative Support
- S. Scace, Site Vice-President
- B. Schramm, Security Officer
- M. Sievert, Engineer
- C. Sly, Liaison Engineer
- J. Stafford, Safety and Licensing Director
- E. Streich, Electrical /Instrumentation and Control Supervisor
- D. Tolete, Fire Protection Engineer
- D. Vorpahl, Balance of Plant Supervisor
- S. Yuen, Director of Engineering
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- R. Krsek, Senior Resident Inspector
- K. Barclay, Resident Inspector
2
LIST OF ITEMS
OPENED, CLOSED AND DISCUSSED
Opened
- 05000305/2011008-01(DRS) NCV Flammable Gas Bottles Installed and/or Stored in the Auxiliary Building (Section 1R05.11b)
Closed
- 05000305/2011008-01(DRS) NCV Flammable Gas Bottles Installed and/or Stored in the Auxiliary Building (Section 1R05.11b)
Discussed
None.
3
LIST OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
The following is a list of documents reviewed during the inspection.
- Inclusion on this list does not imply that the NRC inspectors reviewed the documents in their entirety, but rather, that selected sections of portions of the documents were evaluated as part of the overall inspection effort.
- Inclusion of a document on this list does not imply NRC acceptance of the document or any part of it, unless this is stated in the body of the inspection report. CALCULATIONS