ML061100452

Response to RAI Regarding 10 CFR 50.55a Request Number I3R-03 - Request for Relief to Allow Use of Alternate Requirements for Snubber Inspection and Testing

ML061100452
Person / Time
Site:	Wolf Creek
Issue date:	04/13/2006
From:	Garrett T Wolf Creek
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
ET 06-0017
Download: ML061100452 (7)

Text

WELF CREEK'NUCLEAR OPERATING CORPORATION Terry J Garrett Vice Pres dent, Engineering April 13, 2006 ET 06-0017 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555

References:

1) Letter ET 05-0014, dated September 28, 2005, from T. J.Garrett, WCNOC, to USNRC

Subject:

Docket 50-482: Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation's Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding 10 C:FR 50.55a Request Number 13R-03 -Request for Relief to Allow Use of Alternate Requirements for Snubber Inspection and Testing Gentlemen:

The Reference provided Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (WCNOC) 10 CFR 50.55a Request Number 13R-03, which requested an alternative to the requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel (BPV) Code, Section Xl for inservice inspection and testing of snubbers for the third 10-year interval of WCNOC's Inservice Inspection (ISI) Program.On February 1, 2006, the NRC Project Manager for WCNOC provided by electronic mail a request for additional information regarding 10 CFR 50.55a Request Number 13R-03.The At'achment to this letter provides WCNOC's response to the request for additional information.

It lists each NRC question followed by WCNOC's response to each of those questions.

PO. Box 411 / Burlington, KS 66839 / Phone: (620) 364-8831 An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/HCNVET ET 06-0017 Page 2 of 2 There are no commitments associated with this submittal.

If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact me at (620) 364-4084, or Mr. Kevin Moles at (620) 364-4126.Very truly J. Garrett TJG/rIt Attachment cc: J. N. Donohew (NRC), w/a V\'. B. Jones (NRC), w/a B. S. Mallett (NRC), w/a Sanior Resident Inspector (NRC), w/a Attach nent to ET 06-0017 Page i of 5 Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding 10 CFR 50.55a Request Number 13R-03 1. Request for Additional Information For Item 3(a), the licensee states that an alternative is requested for the preservice/inservice examination requirements of ASME/OM Part 4. Identify for which specific section(s) of ASMEIOM Part 4 that relief from is being requested.

1. Resonse It is requested that all presernice/inservice snubber examinations be performed under the Wolf Creek Generating Station (WCGS) Technical Requirements Manual (TRM) Section 3.7.20,"Snubbers," and implementing procedures in lieu of Section 2, "Examination Requirements" of ASME1'OM Part 4.2. Request for Additional Information For Item 3(b), the licensee requests an alternative for the preservice/inservice test requirements of ASMIE/OM Part 4. Identify for which specific section(s) of ASME/OM Part 4 that relief frcm is being requested.

2. Res ponse It is requested that all preservice/inservice snubber testing be performed under the WCGS rRM Section 3.7.20, 'Snubbers," and implementing procedures in lieu of Section 3, "Testing Requirements';

of ASME/OM Part 4.3. Recuest for Additional Information For Item 3(c), the licensee requests an alternative for "Third-party Authorized Inspection Agency inspection activities for snubber examination and testing in accordance with IWA-221 0." Verify whether the referenced IWA-2210 should be IWA-2120.3. Response The Reference should be "IWA-2110"and not "IWA-2210"or"IWA-2120." 4. Re uest for Additional Information Under Item 5, "Proposed Alternative and Basis for Use," paragraph 2, the licensee states that this relief is only for snubbers (pin-to-pin), and the remaining portion of the support, including integral and nonintegral attachments will be examined in accordance with Section Xl, IWF.Under Item 5A, third paragraph the licensee states "Visual inspection shall verify: 2) Attachment to the foundation or support structure are functional".

Clarify which program (Section Xl, IWF or TRM) is being used for the remaining portion of the support, including integral and nonintegral attachments.

Attach nent to ET 06-0017 Page a of 5 Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding 10 CFR 50.55a Request Number 13R-03 4. Response The IWCGS Inservice Inspection (ISI) Program plan visually examines (VT-3) the ASME Section Ill NF portion of the supports in accordance with Subsection IWF, but excludes the snubber and its fasteners to the structural and component attachments.

The WCGS Snubber TRM program visually examines the snubber, including the snubber attachment to the foundation or supporting structure up to and including the fasteners for connecting the snubbers to the pipe attachment or component attachment, whether it is integral or non-integral.

The structural attachment and weld are examined under the ISI Program and the snubber TRM program.Since 1he snubber TRM visual examinations are generally conducted more frequently then the ISI Program plan examinations, the overlap in examinations provides additional conservatism in the overall program.5. Request for Additional Information Under Item 5A, "Visual Snubber Examinations" first paragraph, the licensee states that the 'olf Creek Technical Requirements Manual (TRM) Snubber Program Visual inspection requirements for snubbers are comparable with Section Xl, VT-3 requirements.

Subsequently the licensee states "The TRM snubbers inspections are performed by personnel that are certifier to perform Visual, VT-3 examination per IWA-2300." Explain the differences between the proposed TRM snubber examination and the Code required VT-3 examination.

5. Res Ponse The TRIM snubber examination and the VT-3 examination of IWA 2300 are similar in practice.The procedure demonstration and access requirements of IWA-2210 are not incorporated into the TF'M Snubber examination program. The snubber visual examination attributes are equivalent to those specified in OM Code Subsection ISTD (hereafter referred to as "ISID').The following table provides a comparison of ISTD examination attributes and the Wolf Creek Snubber Program Visual examination attributes:

ISTD Examination Attributes TRM Snubber Program Attributes

1. Damage 1. Visible indications of damage or impaired operability

2. Conrosion

2. Corrosion or solid deposits that could result in unacceptable snubber performance

3. Degradation

3. Indications of degradation and severe operating environments

4. Loose fasteners, or members that 4. Loose, missing, or incorrectly installed structural are con-oded or deformed connections or fasteners (and attributes 1 &2 above)5. Disconnected components or other 5. Attributes 1 thru 4 above; Spherical bearing not conditions that might interfere with fully engaged in attachment lug, weld arc strikes, proper restraint of movement paint, weld slag, adhesive or other deposits on indicator tube or support cylinder that could result in unacceptable snubber performance

6. Binding, misalignment, or 6. Binding of the snubber in the structural or deformations component attachment (i.e., welded beam attachment (WBA) or pipe clamp), misalignment (in excess; of design off-set or installation tolerances)

Attachment to ET 06-0017 Page -of 5 Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding 10 CFR 50.55a Request Number 13R-03 6. Reqiuest for Additional Information Under Item 5A, last paragraph, the licensee states that, "the WCGS TRM also incorporate<

the reduced visual inspection frequency table as provided in NRC Generic Letter 90-09, which is similar to the provision in OM Code Subsection ISTD". Under Item 5A, fifth paragraph, seventh line, th3 licensee states that, "the TRM snubber inspections are performed by personnel that are certified to perform Visual, VT-3 examination per IWA-2300." Based on these statements, the licensee may meet the requirements of ISTD and VT-3. Provide the reason(s) for not utilizinc OM Code Subsection ISTD for the snubbers.6. Response The WCGS Snubber TRM Program provides comprehensive and conservative requirements that arts effective in providing a reliable snubber inspection program. As discussed in Item 4 above, there are overlaps between the WCGS Snubber TRM Program and ISI Program for visual examinations of supports containing snubbers.

The use of the TRM Program addresses the intent and scope of the requirements in Section Xl, IWF-5000 and the OM Code in a single governing document that has been consistently applied at WCGS since plant startup. WCGS uses the TRM Snubber program that encompasses the ASME Snubber Code requirements.

This alternative provides acceptable levels of quality and safety. Adoption of the OM Code Subsection ISTD is unnecessary and would create additional administrative burden.7. Request for Additional Information Under Item 5B, Snubber Testing, the licensee states that the operational readiness test requirements of snubber of ASME/ANSI OM Part 4 and proposed TRM functional test requirements.

The TRM functional test requirements appear to be substantially less than the OM Part 4 requirements.

Explain how the proposed TRM functional test requirements are comparable to the operational readiness test requirements of Section 3.2.1.1 of the OM Part 4.7. Response Section 3.2.1. 1 of the OM Part 4, states: 3.2.1.1 Operability Test. Operability testing of snubbers shall be performed to verify the following: (a) the force that will initiate motion (breakaway force), the force that will maintain low velocity displacement (drag force), or both, as required by the documents of para.1.5.2, is within specified limits, both in tension and compression;(b) activation is within the specified range of velocity or acceleration in both tension and compression; and (c) release rate, where applicable, is within the specified range in tension and compression.

For units specifically required not to displace under continuous load, the ability of the snubber to withstand load without displacement shall be demonstrated.

WCGS Procedure MPM M218A-01, "Snubber Functional Test," establishes, in part, a functional testing program to ensure that all mechanical snubbers operate within design parameters.

The Attachment to ET 06-0017 Page Z. of 5 Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding 10 CFR 50.55a Request Number 13R-03 following are the operational test requirements, in part, as presented in Procedure i/PM M218A -01: Acceleration Test Acceptance Criteria -The mechanical snubber shall be capable of limiting acceleration to a maximum of 0.04g's when subjected to any load up to the FULL Rated Load.Drag Force Test Criteria -The frictional force (drag force) of the snubber to movement shall not exceed 5 percent of the full rated load or as specifically defined in Attachment D, "Snubbers With Limited Allowable Drag Force." MPM M218A-01 implements the TRM requirement.

Therefore, the TRM functional test requirements are comparable to the OM Part 4, Section 3.2.1.1, "Operability Test," requirements.

It should be noted that Section 3.2.1.1(c) of OM Part 4 is not applicab,'e to WCGS since the snubber population does not contain hydraulic snubbers and therefore"release rate" is not applicable.

8. Recuest for Additional Information Under Item 5D, the licensee states that IWA-6000 is not clear concerning what records and reports are required for snubbers.

It should be noted that IWA-6210(c) clearly states that the Owner shall prepare preservice and inservice inspection summary reports for Class 1 and 2 pressure retaining components and their supports.

Further, IWA-6210(d) states that the Owner shall prepare the Owner's Report for inservice Inspections, Form NIS-1, for preservice and inservice examination of Class I and 2 pressure retaining components and their suppDrts.Because a snubber is a part of a support, all the IWA-6000 requirements are applicable to snubbe rs.The licensee states that "the Wolf Creek Quality Assurance maintains records of snubber inspections and tests performed in accordance with TRM and implementing procedures in lieu of the requirements of Section Xl and OM Part 4." Provide details and explain how the proposed alternative is comparable with the requirements of Section Xl, IWA-6000 and OM Part 4.8. Response IWF-5G00 separates the inservice/preservice snubber examinations from that required for integral and nonintegral attachments for snubbers.

Specifically, IWF-5200(a) and IWF-5300(c) requires that snubber examinations be performed in accordance with OM Part 4, while IWF-5200(cJ and IWF-5300(c) specifies that integral and nonintegral attachments for snubbers, including lugs, bolting, pins, and clamps shall be examined in accordance with the requirements of Subsection IWF. Therefore, the recordkeeping requirements for snubbers are controlled per OM Part 4 while integral and nonintegral attachments for snubbers are controlled per Section Xl, IWA-6000.OM Pait 4, Section 1.7, "Records and Recordkeeping," states: Record copies of acceptance tests, Design Specifications, operating and maintenance instructions, written inspection procedures, test equipment calibration

records, Attach inent to ET 06-0017 Page i of 5 Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding 10 CFR 50.55a Request Number 13R-03 examination results, test results, maintenance records, replacement records, and schedules of inspection shall be maintained and controlled in accordance with the Owners administrative procedures.

WCGS Procedure AP 15A-003, "Records," provides a uniform method for the identification, turnover, change, and control of records. All records associated with the Snubber TRAM Program testing and inspections are documented on work documents that are considered Lifetima Quality Assurance Records. Therefore, these records are accountable, accessible, and retrievable at any time. In addition, WCGS Procedure AP 29A-006, "Snubber Program" requires that a report be prepared presenting results of the previous cycle's snubber tests and inspections results.At WCGS, the records and reports associated with the examinations of integral and nonintegral attachments for snubbers, including lugs, bolting, pins, and clamps will utilize Code Casa N-532-1 for the third ISI interval in lieu of IWA-6000, "Records and Reports." 9. Request for Additional Information Because the TRM does not the provide details as required by OM Part 4, Section 2.3.4'Inservice Examination Failure Evaluation," explain how the TRM meets this requirement.

9. Response WCGS Procedure STS MT-011, "Snubber Visual Examination," provides a program for penodic Visual Examination of Mechanical Snubbers to verify structural integrity and the operational readiness.

The following are the procedural requirements concerning snubber visual examination failures: Snubbers which appear inoperable as a result of visual examination shall be classified as unacceptable and may be reclassified acceptable for the purpose of establishing the next visual examination interval, provided that: 1 The cause of the rejection is clearly established and remedied for that particular snubber and for other snubbers, irrespective of type, that may be generically susceptible; and 2 The affected snubber is functionally tested in the as-found condition and determined OPERABLE per TRM Table TR 3.7.20-4, section 3 of the TRM and the unacceptable condition did not affect operation readiness.

3 A review and evaluation shall be performed and documented to determine system OPERABILITY with an unacceptable snubber. If OPERABILITY can not be justified, the system shall be declared inoperable and the applicable Technical Specification LCO or Technical Requirements Manual TR shall be considered not met.STS MT-011 implements the TRM requirement.

Therefore, the TRM requirements for visual examination failures are comparable to the OM Part 4, Section 2.3.4, "Inservice Examinetion Failure Evaluation,"requirements.