IR 05000326/2015201

IR 050326/2015201, on 06/08/15 - 06/11/15, University of California Irvine, NRC Routine Inspection Report

ML15189A165
Person / Time
Site:	University of California - Irvine
Issue date:	07/08/2015
From:	Kevin Hsueh Research and Test Reactors Branch B
To:	Gillman H University of California - Irvine
Eads J
References
IR 2015201
Download: ML15189A165 (14)

Text

uly 8, 2015

SUBJECT:

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - IRVINE, NRC ROUTINE INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-326/2015-201

Dear Dr. Gillman:

From June 8-11, 2015, the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission)

conducted an inspection at the University of California - Irvine Nuclear Reactor Facility (Inspection Report No. 50-326/2015-201). The inspection included a review of activities authorized for your facility. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection. Areas examined during the inspection are identified in the enclosed report. Within these areas, the inspection consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations of activities in progress.

Based on the results of this inspection, no findings of safety concern or noncompliance of requirements were identified. No response to this letter is required.

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 2.390 Public inspections, exemptions, and requests for withholding a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records component of NRCs document system (Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at (the Public Electronic Reading Room) http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.

Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Mr. Johnny Eads at 301-415-0136 or electronic mail at Johnny.Eads@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Kevin Hsueh, Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-326 License No. R-116 Enclosure:

As stated cc: w/encl: See next page

University of California - Irvine Docket No. 50-326 cc:

Dr. Donald Blake, Chair Department of Chemistry University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-2025 Dr. George E. Miller Department of Chemistry University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-2025 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter 202 Nuclear Sciences Center University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611

ML15189A165; *concurred via e-mail NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DPR/PROB/RI* NRR/DPR/PROB/BC NAME JEads KHsueh DATE 07/08/2015 07/08/2015

U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No: 50-326 License No: R-116 Report No: 50-326/2015-201 Licensee: The Regents of the University of California Facility: University of California - Irvine Nuclear Reactor Facility Location: Department of Chemistry University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA Dates: June 8-11, 2015 Inspector: Johnny Eads Approved by: Kevin Hsueh, Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY University of California - Irvine Nuclear Reactor Facility NRC Inspection Report No. 50-326/2015-201 The primary focus of this routine, announced inspection was the onsite review of selected aspects of the University of California - Irvine (the licensee) Class II research reactor facility safety programs including organization and staffing; operations logs and records; requalification training; surveillance and limiting conditions for operation; emergency planning; maintenance logs and records; and fuel handling logs and records. The licensees programs were acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety, and were in compliance with U. S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements.

Organization and Staffing

• The operations organizational structure and responsibilities were consistent with Technical Specifications requirements.

• Shift staffing met the minimum requirements for current operations.

Operations Logs and Records

• Within the scope of this review, the licensees operations record keeping program conformed to Technical Specifications requirements.

Requalification Training

• Operator requalification was conducted as required by the Requalification Program and Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 55.

Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation (LCO)

• LCO and surveillances required by Technical Specifications were being properly implemented.

Emergency Planning

• The emergency preparedness program was conducted in accordance with the Emergency Plan and implementing procedures.

-2-Maintenance Logs and Records

• Maintenance was performed and logs and records maintained consistent with Technical Specifications and licensee procedure requirements.

Fuel Handling Logs and Records

• Fuel handling and inspection activities were generally being completed and documented in accordance with the requirements specified in the Technical Specifications and facility procedures.

REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The University of California - Irvine (UCI, the licensees) Nuclear Reactor Facility (NRF) 250 kilowatt TRIGA Mark-I research reactor continued to be operated in support of graduate and undergraduate research and laboratory instruction. During the inspection, the reactor was operated in support of ongoing work and research.

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

The inspector reviewed the following regarding the licensees organization and staffing to ensure that the requirements of Section 6.1 of Technical Specifications (TS) were being met:

Staff qualifications Management responsibilities Staffing requirements for the safe operation of the facility Selected portions of the operations log for the past year through the present University of California, Irvine Nuclear Reactor Facility (UCI NRF) organizational structure and staffing b. Observations and Findings The licensees organizational structure and staffing had not functionally changed since the last inspection. Key staff members include the Reactor Director, Dr. Athan (A.J)

Shaka, the Reactor Supervisor, Dr. George Miller, and the Nuclear Science Assistant Engineer, Mr. Jonathan Wallick. The reactor staff consisted of five licensed Senior Reactor Operators (SRO) (one of these individuals was currently inactive); and four licensed Reactor Operators (RO). This overall staff size was sufficient to meet all TS and procedural qualification requirements for current operations.

The campus health physics (HP) staff consisted of the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO),

one Health Physicist, and a technician. In addition to having responsibility for the universitys broad scope state byproduct license, they provided support to the reactor staff when requested and performed specific quarterly audits/inspections/surveys of the reactor. The reactor staff performed most HP functions at the reactor. Coordination of radiation protection activities between the HP staff and the reactor staff was acceptable.

The reactor operations staff satisfied the training and experience requirements stipulated in the TS. The operations log and associated records confirmed that shift staffing met the minimum requirements for duty and on-call personnel.

c. Conclusion The organizational structure and functions were consistent with TS requirements.

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

The inspector reviewed selected parts of the following reactor operations records to verify that the requirements of TS Section 6.6, Plant Operating Records, were being met:

• UCI NRF Standard Operating Procedures, Rev. 3, Approved March 2000

• Reactor Logbook #47, September 24, 2014 to April 14, 2015

• Reactor Logbook #48, April 14, 2015 to present

• Daily Startup Checklists

• Shutdown Checklists b. Observations and Findings The UCI NRF procedures specified a records system that was commensurate with the size of the facility staff, and utilization factor. The Reactor Logs were detailed and operations were well documented. Procedures called for most operational data to be recorded in the reactor logbooks, startup checklists, and shutdown checklists. Data recorded indicated that the reactor was operated within the envelope of safety parameters established in the reactor license and TS.

c. Conclusion Within the scope of this review, the licensees operations record keeping program conformed to TS requirements.

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

The inspector reviewed the following to verify that the requirements of 10 CFR Section 50.55, Operators Licenses, were being met:

• UC Irvine Nuclear Reactor Facility Operator Requalification Program, October 2010

• Requalification training records for the previous two years

• A sample of Medical Files

• Reactor Logbook #47, September 24, 2014 to April 14, 2015

• Reactor Logbook #48, April 14, 2015 to present b. Observations and Findings The UCI NRF has five qualified SROs (one of these individuals was currently inactive)

and four qualified ROs. Since the last inspection, the licensee has revised their requalification program to better conform to the requirements of 10 CFR 55.59; specifically, with regards to biennial written exam implementation, developing a more formal, preplanned lecture series on a regular and continuing basis throughout the

-3-license period and the simulation of emergency and abnormal conditions where required actions are to be discussed.

The licensees requalification program included the regulatory requirement for an annual operating test and a biennial written examination. The inspector verified that both examinations were administered at the specified frequency and that the level of difficulty was comparable to that of NRC-administered examinations.

The inspector reviewed the requalification program records and requalification plan and compared those to 10 CFR 55.59. As indicated by the records and discussions with key staff members, the program continued to meet all TS and procedural requirements. The need to rotate the position of requalification training coordinator every two years per the requalification program was discussed.

The inspector reviewed the medical files for the NRC-licensed operators at the facility and determined that they were satisfactorily completed within the required biennial periodicity.

c. Conclusion Operator requalification was conducted as required by the Requalification Program and Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 55.

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

The inspector reviewed the following to verify compliance with TS Section 3.0, Limiting Conditions for Operation (LCO), and to determine if the periodic surveillance tests on safety systems were performed as stipulated in TS Section 4.0, Surveillance Requirements:

• Reactor Logbook #47, September 24, 2014 to April 14, 2015

• Reactor Logbook #48, April 14, 2015 to present

• Daily Startup Checklists

• Shutdown Checklists

• UCI NRF Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Rev. 3, Approved March 2000 b. Observations and Findings Surveillances were completed on schedule and in accordance with licensee procedures.

The protocols and techniques were effective in verifying the performance of the safety equipment. All the recorded results were within the TS and procedurally prescribed parameters. The records and logs were complete and were being maintained as required. Checks and calibrations were completed as required by TS.

-4-c. Conclusion Operations were found to be in compliance with the LCO and surveillances requirements as stated in the TS.

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

The inspector reviewed the implementation of selected portions of the emergency preparedness program including:

• Emergency Plan for the UCINRF, Rev. 4.1, submitted to the NRC on March 7, 2014

• Emergency Notification List, revised February 2015

• UCI EH&S Annual Exercise After Action Report, September 9, 2014 b. Observations and Findings At the UCI campus emergency management was the responsibility of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). The NRF staff worked closely with EH&S staff in matters such as emergency preparedness and exercises. The current revision of NRFs emergency plan was submitted to the NRC on March 7, 2014. The recent revision to the Emergency Plan was made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.54(q). The inspector verified that the changes did not decrease the effectiveness of the program and reflected the current emergency response program at the facility.

The emergency plan requires periodic drills and exercises to support training of emergency response personnel. The inspectors reviewed documentation related to annual exercise conducted on September 9, 2014, including the After Action Report which included a critique of the drill and lessons learned. Based on a review of these records, the requirements of the emergency plan continued to be met for training of personnel and conduct of drills and exercises.

The emergency plan requires that emergency supplies be maintained in the Reactor Storeroom and that an inventory list of these supplies be maintained and verified on a routine basis. The inspector verified that the required materials and inventory were being maintained as required.

c. Conclusion The emergency preparedness program was conducted in accordance with the Emergency Plan and implementing procedures.

-5-6. Maintenance Logs and Records a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

The inspectors reviewed the following selected maintenance logs and records to verify compliance with the requirements of TS Section 6.6.2, Principal Maintenance Activities:

• Reactor Logbook #47, September 24, 2014 to April 14, 2015

• Reactor Logbook #48, April 14, 2015 to present b. Observations and Findings The inspector reviewed the maintenance records related to scheduled and unscheduled preventive and corrective maintenance activities that had occurred during the inspection period.

Routine and preventive maintenance was controlled and documented in the appropriate logs. These documents indicated that all maintenance activities were in accordance with the requirements in licensee administrative controls. The inspector verified that all maintenance was conducted in accordance with the requirements of TS, and system operational checks were performed before returning them to service.

c. Conclusion Maintenance was performed and logs and records maintained consistent with Technical Specifications and licensee procedure requirements 7. Fuel Handling Logs and Records a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

To verify that TS Section 4.1 and procedural requirements were being met, the inspector reviewed selected aspects of:

Fuel History Notebook Fuel handling equipment and instrumentation Reactor Logbook #47, September 24, 2014 to April 14, 2015 Reactor Logbook #48, April 14, 2015 to present Fuel movement and inspection records maintained on UCINRF Annual Core Examination and Fuel Element History Record forms UCINRF SOP Chapter 4, Normal Operating Procedures, Section 4.8, Fuel Element and Control Rod Removal and Measurement, Revision 3.1, approved January 21, 2005 UCINRF SOP Chapter 4, Normal Operating Procedures, Section 4.10, Fuel Inventory, Revision 3.1, approved January 21, 2005

-6-b. Observations and Findings Procedures for refueling, fuel movement, and TS required fuel inspections and/or surveillances had been reviewed and approved as required and were available to ensure controlled operations. Fuel movement, log keeping, and data recording were generally being completed as directed by the procedures.

c. Conclusion Fuel handling and inspection activities were generally completed and documented as required by TS and facility procedures.

8. Exit Interview The inspection scope and results were summarized on June 11, 2015, with members of licensee management. The inspector described the areas inspected and discussed in detail the inspection findings. 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 A. Hennessy Reactor Operator G. Miller Reactor Supervisor A.J. Shaka Reactor Director J. Wallick Nuclear Science Assistant Engineer Other Personnel A. Widney Campus Emergency Services Manager, UCI Police Department INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69001 Class II Research and Test Reactors ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened None Closed None

PARTIAL LIST OF ACRONYMS USED 10 CFR Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations EH&S Office of Environmental Health and Safety EP Emergency Plan IP Inspection Procedure LCO Limiting Conditions for Operation NRC U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission NRF Nuclear Reactor Facility SOP Standard Operating Procedure SRO Senior Reactor Operator RO Reactor Operator TS Technical Specifications UCI University of California - Irvine