IR 05000263/2007002: Difference between revisions
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{{#Wiki_filter: | {{#Wiki_filter:ril 27, 2007 | ||
==SUBJECT:== | |||
MONTICELLO NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT NRC INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 05000263/2007002 | |||
==Dear Mr. Conway:== | ==Dear Mr. Conway:== | ||
On March 31, 2007, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an | On March 31, 2007, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at your Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant. The enclosed integrated inspection report documents the inspection findings which were discussed on April 3, 2007, with you and other members of your staff. | ||
The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions 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, there were two NRC-identified and two self-revealed findings of very low safety significance, of which three involved a violation of NRC requirements. However, because these violations were of very low safety significance and because the issues were entered into the licensees corrective action program, the NRC is treating the three violations as non-cited violations in accordance with Section VI.A.1 of the NRCs Enforcement Policy. | |||
If you contest the subject or severity of a non-cited violation, 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, 2443 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 Monticello Nuclear Generating Station. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," 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 (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS), accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). | |||
Sincerely, | Sincerely, | ||
/RA/Bruce L. Burgess, | /RA/ | ||
Bruce L. Burgess, Chief Branch 2 Division of Reactor Projects Docket No. 50-263 License No. DPR-22 Enclosure: Inspection Report 05000263/2007002 w/Attachment: Supplemental Information cc w/encl: M. Sellman, President and Chief Executive Officer D. Cooper, Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Manager, Nuclear Safety Assessment J. Rogoff, Vice President, Counsel, and Secretary Nuclear Asset Manager, Xcel Energy, Inc. | |||
State Liaison Officer, Minnesota Department of Health R. Nelson, President Minnesota Environmental Control Citizens Association (MECCA) | State Liaison Officer, Minnesota Department of Health R. Nelson, President Minnesota Environmental Control Citizens Association (MECCA) | ||
Commissioner, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency D. Gruber, Auditor/Treasurer, Wright County Government Center Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Commerce Manager - Environmental Protection Division Minnesota Attorney | Commissioner, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency D. Gruber, Auditor/Treasurer, Wright County Government Center Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Commerce Manager - Environmental Protection Division Minnesota Attorney Generals Office | ||
=SUMMARY OF FINDINGS= | =SUMMARY OF FINDINGS= | ||
Inspection Report 05000263/2007002; 01/01/2007- 03/31/2007; Monticello Nuclear | Inspection Report 05000263/2007002; 01/01/2007- 03/31/2007; Monticello Nuclear Generating | ||
Plant. Adverse Weather, Operability Evaluation, Identification and Resolution of Problems, and Event Follow-up. | |||
This report covers a three month period of baseline resident inspection and announced baseline radiation protection and inservice inspections. The inspections were conducted by Region III reactor inspectors, health physics inspectors and the resident inspectors. The significance of most findings is indicated by their color (Green, White, Yellow, 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 NRCs program for overseeing the safe operation of commercial nuclear power reactors is described in NUREG-1649, Reactor Oversight Process, Revision 3, dated July 2000. | |||
===NRC-Identified=== | ===NRC-Identified=== | ||
Line 45: | Line 55: | ||
===Cornerstone: Initiating Events=== | ===Cornerstone: Initiating Events=== | ||
: '''Green.''' | : '''Green.''' | ||
A finding of very low safety significance was self-revealed when, due to | A finding of very low safety significance was self-revealed when, due to the licensees inadequate preparation to address the potential loss of the station heating boiler prior to the onset of extreme cold outside ambient temperatures, a temporary heating boiler could not be expeditiously installed subsequent to the loss of the station heating boiler on February 16, 2007. The licensee entered this issue into their corrective action program and performed a condition evaluation to determine specific items required to ensure that the installation of a temporary heating boiler could be performed, if needed, without jeopardizing plant operation. No violation of regulatory requirements occurred. | ||
(1) was not associated with the likelihood of a primary or secondary system loss of coolant accident (LOCA) initiation; (2) did not contribute to both the likelihood of a reactor trip and the likelihood that mitigation systems would be unavailable; and (3) was not associated with a fire or flood. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with having adequate and available facilities and equipment. | |||
The inspectors determined that the finding was more than minor because it affected the procedure adequacy attribute of the Initiating Events cornerstone objective of limiting those events that upset plant stability and challenge critical safety functions during power operations. The finding was of very low safety significance because the finding: | |||
Appendix G, Phase 1 Screening, and determined that Checklist 8, | (1) was not associated with the likelihood of a primary or secondary system loss of coolant accident (LOCA) initiation; (2) did not contribute to both the likelihood of a reactor trip and the likelihood that mitigation systems would be unavailable; and (3) was not associated with a fire or flood. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with having adequate and available facilities and equipment. (Section 1R01) | ||
: '''Green.''' | |||
A self-revealed finding of very low safety significance was identified for a violation of 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 50, Appendix B, Criterion V, | |||
Instructions, Procedures, and Drawings, when the Division II essential 4160 Vac Bus 16 was lost, resulting in a reactor protection system (RPS) trip, scram, and Group II containment isolation on March 17, 2007. Specifically, while in Mode 5 refueling with Division I equipment protected, the loss of Bus 16 occurred due to the licensees failure to fully evaluate the scheduling and operational impact of removing a potential transformer (POT) drawer associated with isolation activities for the 1AR transformer while Bus 16 was energized. After the loss of Bus 16, the licensee took immediate corrective actions, including: restoring plant equipment alignment, placing all electrical clearance orders/isolations on hold pending independent reviews, and generating corrective action program (CAP) document 01082734 to review the root cause of the event. | |||
The inspectors determined that the finding was more than minor because it affected the procedure quality attribute of the Initiating Events cornerstone objective of limiting the likelihood of events that upset plant stability and challenge critical safety functions during shutdown operations. The inspectors evaluated the finding using IMC 0609, | |||
Appendix G, Phase 1 Screening, and determined that Checklist 8, Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) Cold Shutdown or Refueling Operation Time to Boil > 2 Hours: reactor coolant system (RCS) Level < 23' Above Top of Flange, applied. However, because all qualitative criteria within the Core Heat Removal, Inventory Control, Power Availability, and Containment guidelines were met; because the finding did not meet the Checklist 8 criteria for Phase 2 or Phase 3 quantitative analysis (the finding did not: increase the likelihood of a loss of RCS inventory; degrade the licensees ability to terminate a leak path or add RCS inventory when needed; significantly degrade the licensees ability to recover decay heat removal once it was lost; or involve only one or less safety relief valves available to establish a heat removal path to the suppression pool due to the vessel head being removed); and because no event occurred that could be characterized as a loss of control as listed in Table 1 of IMC 0609, Appendix G, the finding was considered to be of very low safety significance. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having work control components, and involving aspects associated with the failure to appropriately coordinate the work activity by incorporating actions to address the operational impact of the testing. (Section 4OA3.3) | |||
===Cornerstone: Mitigating Systems=== | ===Cornerstone: Mitigating Systems=== | ||
: '''Green.''' | : '''Green.''' | ||
An inspector-identified finding of very low safety significance was identified for | An inspector-identified finding of very low safety significance was identified for a violation of 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V, Instructions, Procedures, and Drawings, when the licensee failed to provide written instructions for the compensatory actions denoted in Operability Recommendation (OPR) 01076631-03 associated with a degraded condition for the 14 emergency service water (ESW) pump and equipment supported by that pump. Upon being notified of these deficiencies by the inspectors, the shift manager implemented procedure change requests for the required procedure revisions, prepared an Operations Memorandum which discussed the limitations imposed by the OPR, and entered the issue into the corrective action program. | ||
The finding was more than minor because the performance deficiency affected the procedure quality attribute of the Mitigating Systems cornerstone objective of ensuring the availability, reliability, and capability of systems that respond to initiating events to prevent undesirable consequences. The inspectors determined that the finding was of very low safety significance because the finding did not represent a loss of system safety function nor an actual loss of safety function of a single train for more than its Technical Specification allowed outage time. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with having complete, accurate and up-to-date procedures. (Section 1R15) | |||
: '''Green.''' | |||
An inspector-identified finding of very low safety significance was identified for a violation of 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V, Instructions, Procedures, and Drawings, when the licensee failed to maintain written instructions which adequately verified that sufficient ESW flow was supplied to the B residual heat removal (RHR)room to maintain the operability of the 12 core spray (CS) pump, 14 RHR pump, and the B RHR room cooler under worst case ESW system operating conditions. Upon being notified of the issue by the inspectors, the licensee performed an apparent cause evaluation to evaluate the issue. As a result of the apparent cause evaluation, several corrective actions were developed to correct procedural and equipment deficiencies associated with the B ESW system. | |||
The finding was more than minor because the performance deficiency affected the equipment performance attribute of the Mitigating Systems cornerstone objective of ensuring the availability, reliability, and capability of systems that respond to initiating events to prevent undesirable consequences. The inspectors determined that the finding was of very low safety significance because the finding did not represent a loss of system safety function nor an actual loss of safety function of a single train for more than its Technical Specification allowed outage time. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with maintaining long-term plant safety by the maintenance of design margins and the minimization of long-standing equipment issues. (Section 4OA2.4) | |||
=== | ===Licensee-Identified Violations=== | ||
None. | None. | ||
4 | =REPORT DETAILS= | ||
===Summary of Plant Status=== | |||
Monticello operated at full power during the assessment period except for brief down-power maneuvers to accomplish rod pattern adjustments and to conduct planned surveillance testing activities with the following exceptions: | |||
* On January 10, 2007, the reactor scrammed from full power. The licensee determined that the cause of the scram was a turbine control valve system failure, which caused the control valves to open fully; and as a result, reactor pressure dropped, the main steam isolation valves closed, and the reactor scrammed. All safety systems functioned as required subsequent to the scram. Following the implementation of required corrective actions to address the turbine control valve system failure, the reactor was restarted on January 23, 2007. The generator was connected to the grid on January 24, 2007, with full power achieved on January 25, 2007. This event is further discussed in Section 4OA3 of this report. | |||
* On March 4, 2007, fuel cycle coast-down began. On March 14, 2007, the reactor was shut down for a planned refueling outage. The reactor remained shut down for the remainder of the inspection period. | |||
= | ==REACTOR SAFETY== | ||
Cornerstones: Initiating Events, Mitigating Systems, Barrier Integrity, and Emergency Preparedness | |||
{{a| | {{a|1R01}} | ||
== | ==1R01 Adverse Weather== | ||
{{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.01}} | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors performed a review of the | The inspectors performed a review of the licensees preparations to respond to the loss of the station heating boiler during periods of extreme cold outside ambient temperature conditions. The inspectors focused on plant specific design features and the ability to implement procedures for responding to and mitigating the effects of the loss of the station heating boiler under these conditions. Inspection activities included: a review of the licensees abnormal procedure for addressing the loss of the station heating boiler; the procedure for installing a temporary heating boiler; the most current temporary modification package associated with temporary heating boiler installation; and several emergent station heating boiler maintenance issues. The inspectors also observed licensee implementation of the loss of station heating boiler abnormal procedure during a period of time when the boiler was shut down for several hours, coinciding with an outside ambient temperature well below freezing. | ||
The inspectors evaluated overall site preparedness for extreme cold weather for a total of one sample. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
=====Introduction:===== | =====Introduction:===== | ||
A finding of very low safety significance was self-revealed when | A finding of very low safety significance was self-revealed when Monticello licensee staff demonstrated that the site was inadequately prepared to cope with the long-term loss of the station heating boiler prior to the onset of extreme cold outside ambient temperatures. | ||
Revision 3. Because outside air temperatures were well below freezing, plant operators expeditiously isolated secondary containment in accordance with the procedure to maintain reactor building temperatures and protect plant equipment. Additional actions taken included the utilization of several portable space heaters and the use of temporary ventilation to prevent average steam chase temperature from exceeding 165°F (an administrative limit; if temperature could not be maintained below the limit, a rapid plant power reduction would have been required). In parallel with trouble-shooting efforts to restore the station heating boiler, the licensee pursued the acquisition and installation of a temporary heating boiler. Approximately nine hours after the station heating boiler was lost, the licensee restored the station heating boiler to operation, enabling exit from C.4-B.08.03.A, and allowing for restoration to normal winter heating and ventilation to the reactor and turbine buildings.Monticello Abnormal Procedure C.4-B.08.03.A provides directions for plant staff | |||
=====Description:===== | |||
During January and early February 2007, several minor maintenance issues resulted in brief losses of the station heating boiler. On each of these occasions, the station heating boiler was restored with little or no impact on reactor or turbine building heating or ventilation systems. On February 16, 2007, at 9:18 p.m., the licensee experienced a sustained loss of the station heating boiler (approximately nine hours), requiring entry into Abnormal Procedure C.4-B.08.03.A, Loss of Heating Boiler, Revision 3. Because outside air temperatures were well below freezing, plant operators expeditiously isolated secondary containment in accordance with the procedure to maintain reactor building temperatures and protect plant equipment. Additional actions taken included the utilization of several portable space heaters and the use of temporary ventilation to prevent average steam chase temperature from exceeding 165°F (an administrative limit; if temperature could not be maintained below the limit, a rapid plant power reduction would have been required). In parallel with trouble-shooting efforts to restore the station heating boiler, the licensee pursued the acquisition and installation of a temporary heating boiler. Approximately nine hours after the station heating boiler was lost, the licensee restored the station heating boiler to operation, enabling exit from C.4-B.08.03.A, and allowing for restoration to normal winter heating and ventilation to the reactor and turbine buildings. | |||
Monticello Abnormal Procedure C.4-B.08.03.A provides directions for plant staff to accomplish in the event of a sustained station heating boiler failure. Specifically, this procedure discusses: manual isolation of secondary containment; initiation of strict plant status control; control of steam chase temperature; isolation and drainage of heating coils; the use of portable heaters; and specific temperature limits for the steam chase, 11 and 12 emergency diesel generator (EDG) rooms, recombiner room, intake structure, diesel fire pump house, and the radioactive waste shipping building. Specific guidance associated with the installation of a temporary heating boiler is located in Step 4 of C.4-B.08.03.A. Step 4 states, IF heating boiler cannot be restored, THEN notify the System Engineer, to coordinate temporary boiler hook up. A note preceding Step 4 states that the time required to install a temporary boiler is 12 hours. Further clarification of the note is provided in the procedures bases section, which states a temporary boiler can be in place and running in 12 hours. | |||
The licensee attempted to use existing guidance to acquire and install a temporary heating boiler. This guidance consisted of Temporary Modification (TMOD) 04-016, Installation of a Temporary Auxiliary Heating Boiler, and Procedure 8047, Temporary Heating Boiler Installation. The licensee quickly discovered that insufficient preparation and planning had occurred to facilitate the installation of an operational temporary heating boiler within 12 hours. Specific issues encountered included: | |||
* the temporary heating boiler installation procedure did not provide sufficient detail to facilitate the expedited installation of a temporary heating boiler; | |||
* plant procedures did not document a specific vendor or the specific type of temporary heating boiler to be used; | |||
* the work packages needed to install the temporary heating boiler had not been prepared in advance and required significant engineering, maintenance, and planning resources to prepare; and | |||
* when the temporary heating boiler arrived on-site, the licensee determined that the vendor had not supplied the necessary piping to connect to the plant heating boiler feedwater piping and that a tie-in to existing plant fuel oil systems would be required. TMOD 04-016, developed as a recurring TMOD to be used as the basis document for Procedure 8047 and to support the installation and removal of a temporary heating boiler, could not be used as written. Since the TMOD assumed that the temporary heating boiler vendor supplied the necessary piping to connect to the station heating boiler feedwater system and that the temporary heating boiler would not require a tie-in to existing plant fuel systems, no preparations had been made to support temporary tie-ins to these plant systems. | |||
Subsequent to the inspectors questioning the licensees ability to install a temporary heating boiler within 12 hours of it being requested, the licensee informed the inspectors that 12 hours was unrealistic given that existing instructions in Procedure 8047, which directs the generation of installation work orders, did not list approved temporary heating boiler vendors. | |||
=====Analysis:===== | |||
The inspectors determined that the inadequate preparation to address the potential loss of the station heating boiler prior to the onset of extreme cold outside ambient temperatures was a performance deficiency warranting significance evaluation in accordance with Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 0612, Power Reactor Inspection Reports, Appendix B, Issue Screening, issued on June 22, 2006. The inspectors concluded that the finding was more than minor because it affected the procedure adequacy attribute of the Initiating Events cornerstone objective of limiting those events that upset plant stability and challenge critical safety functions during power operations. | |||
The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with having adequate and available facilities and equipment. | |||
Utilizing the Phase 1 Screening Worksheet, per IMC 0609, Significance Determination Process, the inspectors determined that this performance deficiency impacted the Initiating Event cornerstone because it constituted a transient initiator contributor. The inspectors answered no to the Phase 1 Initiating Event questions because the finding: | |||
: (1) was not associated with the likelihood of primary or secondary system loss of coolant accident (LOCA) initiation; | : (1) was not associated with the likelihood of primary or secondary system loss of coolant accident (LOCA) initiation; | ||
: (2) did not contribute to both the likelihood of a reactor trip and the likelihood that mitigation systems would be unavailable; and | : (2) did not contribute to both the likelihood of a reactor trip and the likelihood that mitigation systems would be unavailable; and | ||
: (3) was not associated with a fire or flood. Therefore, this finding was considered to be of very low safety significance (Green).Enforcement: | : (3) was not associated with a fire or flood. Therefore, this finding was considered to be of very low safety significance (Green). | ||
=====Enforcement:===== | |||
Procedure C.4-B.08.03.A, Loss of Heating Boiler, Revision 3, was not required by 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 50, Appendix B; therefore, no violation of regulatory requirements occurred. This issue was considered to be a finding of very low safety significance (FIN 05000263/2007002-01). The licensee entered the issues into their corrective action program as CAP 01078606, and performed a condition evaluation to determine specific items required to ensure that the installation of a temporary heating boiler could be performed, if needed, without jeopardizing plant operation. | |||
{{a|1R04}} | {{a|1R04}} | ||
==1R04 Equipment Alignment | ==1R04 Equipment Alignment== | ||
{{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.04}} | |||
===.1 Partial Walkdown=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors performed partial walkdowns of accessible portions of trains | The inspectors performed partial walkdowns of accessible portions of trains of risk-significant mitigating system equipment. The inspectors reviewed equipment alignment to identify any discrepancies that could impact the function of the system and potentially increase risk. The inspectors selected redundant or backup systems for inspection during times when equipment was of increased importance due to unavailability of the redundant train or other related equipment. Inspection activities included a review of the licensees procedures, verification of equipment alignment, and an observation of material condition, including operating parameters of equipment in-service. | ||
The inspectors selected the following equipment trains to assess operability and proper equipment line-up for a total of three samples: | |||
* Division I residual heat removal (RHR) system with Division II RHR system out-of-service for planned maintenance; | |||
* high pressure coolant injection (HPCI) system with reactor core isolation cooling (RCIC) out-of-service for planned maintenance; and | |||
* shutdown cooling Division I protected equipment post-shutdown. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.2 Complete System Walkdown=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors performed a complete walkdown of equipment for one risk | The inspectors performed a complete walkdown of equipment for one risk significant mitigating system. The inspectors walked down the system to review electrical equipment line-ups, component labeling, component and equipment cooling, operability of support systems, and to ensure that ancillary equipment or debris did not interfere with equipment operation. A review of past and outstanding work orders (WOs) was performed to determine whether any deficiencies significantly affected the system function. In addition, the inspectors reviewed the CAP database to ensure that any system equipment alignment problems were being identified and appropriately resolved. | ||
The inspectors selected the following system to assess operability and proper equipment line-up for a total of one sample: | |||
* 125 Vdc batteries and distribution system. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. {{a|1R05}} | ||
{{a|1R05}} | ==1R05 Fire Protection== | ||
==1R05 Fire Protection | {{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.05}} | ||
===.1 Quarterly Fire Zone Walkdowns=== | ===.1 Quarterly Fire Zone Walkdowns=== | ||
{{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.05Q}} | {{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.05Q}} | ||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors walked down risk significant fire areas to assess fire | The inspectors walked down risk significant fire areas to assess fire protection requirements. The inspectors reviewed each area to ensure that the licensee had implemented a fire protection program that adequately controlled combustibles and ignition sources within the plant, effectively maintained fire detection and suppression capability, maintained passive fire protection features in good material condition, and had implemented adequate compensatory measures for out-of-service, degraded or inoperable fire protection equipment, systems or features. The inspectors selected fire areas based on their potential to impact equipment which could initiate or mitigate a plant transient. The inspection activities included the control of transient combustibles and ignition sources, fire detection equipment, manual suppression capabilities, passive suppression capabilities, automatic suppression capabilities, compensatory measures, and barriers to fire propagation. | ||
*Fire Zone 2-F, (main steam chase);*Fire Zone 12-A, (lower 4KV bus area, 11, 13 and 15); | |||
*Fire Zone 12-D, (mechanical vacuum pump (MVP) room); | The inspectors selected the following areas for review for a total of 11 samples: | ||
*Fire Zone 12-E, (steam air ejector room); | * Fire Zone 2-F, (main steam chase); | ||
*Fire Zone 13-A, (lube oil storage tank room); | * Fire Zone 12-A, (lower 4KV bus area, 11, 13 and 15); | ||
*Fire Zone 15-E, (diesel oil pump house); | * Fire Zone 12-D, (mechanical vacuum pump (MVP) room); | ||
*Fire Zone 19-C, (feedwater pipe chase); | * Fire Zone 12-E, (steam air ejector room); | ||
*Fire Zone 21-C, (radwaste shipping building); | * Fire Zone 13-A, (lube oil storage tank room); | ||
*Fire Zone 21-B, (radwaste trash compactor area); | * Fire Zone 15-E, (diesel oil pump house); | ||
*Fire Zone 21-A, (radwaste control room); and | * Fire Zone 19-C, (feedwater pipe chase); | ||
*Fire Zone 40, (screen house). | * Fire Zone 21-C, (radwaste shipping building); | ||
* Fire Zone 21-B, (radwaste trash compactor area); | |||
* Fire Zone 21-A, (radwaste control room); and | |||
* Fire Zone 40, (screen house). | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. {{a|1R06}} | ||
{{a|1R06}} | ==1R06 Flood Protection Measures== | ||
==1R06 Flood Protection Measures | {{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.06}} | ||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors performed an annual review of flood protection barriers and | The inspectors performed an annual review of flood protection barriers and procedures for coping with internal flooding. The inspection focused on determining whether flood mitigation plans and equipment were consistent with design requirements and risk analysis assumptions. The inspection activities included a review and walkdown to assess design measures, seals, drain systems, contingency equipment condition and availability of temporary equipment and barriers, performance and surveillance tests, procedural adequacy, and compensatory measures. | ||
*No.16 250 Vdc battery and D100 125/250 Vdc distribution panel areas after | |||
The inspectors selected the following equipment for a total of one sample: | |||
* No.16 250 Vdc battery and D100 125/250 Vdc distribution panel areas after it was identified that a drain line in the emergency filtration treatment (EFT)building was frozen and plugged due to extreme cold weather on February 5, 2007. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. {{a|1R07}} | ||
{{a|1R07}} | ==1R07 Heat Sink Performance== | ||
==1R07 Heat Sink Performance | {{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.07}} | ||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors performed an annual review of the | The inspectors performed an annual review of the licensees testing of heat exchangers. | ||
*12 EDG emergency service water (ESW) heat exchangers. | |||
The inspection focused on potential deficiencies that could mask the licensees ability to detect degraded performance, identification of any common cause issues that had the potential to increase risk, and ensuring that the licensee was adequately addressing problems that could result in initiating events that would cause an increase in risk. The inspection activities included a review of the licensees observations as compared against acceptance criteria, the correlation of scheduled testing and the frequency of testing, and the impact of instrument inaccuracies on test results. Inspectors also verified that test acceptance criteria considered differences between test conditions, design conditions, and testing criteria. | |||
The inspectors selected the following equipment for a total of one sample: | |||
* 12 EDG emergency service water (ESW) heat exchangers. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. {{a|1R08}} | ||
{{a|1R08}} | ==1R08 Inservice Inspection (ISI) Activities== | ||
==1R08 Inservice Inspection (ISI) Activities | {{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.08}} | ||
===.1 Piping Systems ISI=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
From March 19 to March 23, 2007, the inspector conducted a review of | From March 19 to March 23, 2007, the inspector conducted a review of the implementation of the licensees ISI program for monitoring degradation of the reactor coolant system (RCS) boundary and the risk-significant piping system boundaries. The inspector selected the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section XI required examinations and Code components in order of risk priority as identified in Section 71111.08-03 of IP 71111.08, Inservice Inspection Activities, based upon the ISI activities available for review during the on-site inspection period. | ||
*Visual examination (VT-3) of a HPCI steam line support (H-3, double spring/4 | |||
requirements. The corrective action documents reviewed by the inspector are listed in the attachment to this report.The reviews as discussed above counted as one inspection sample. | The inspector conducted an on-site review of the following types of nondestructive examination activities to evaluate compliance with the ASME Code Section XI and Section V requirements and to verify that indications and defects (if present) were dispositioned in accordance with the ASME Code Section XI requirements. Specifically, the inspector observed the following examinations: | ||
* Ultrasonic examination (UT) of HPCI water side discharge piping welds, weld W-20 (pipe-to-elbow) and weld W-23 (elbow-to-pipe); | |||
* Magnetic particle examination (MT) of a HPCI steam line support (H-3); and | |||
* Visual examination (VT-3) of a HPCI steam line support (H-3, double spring/4 lug hanger). | |||
The inspector reviewed an examination completed during the previous outage with relevant/recordable condition/indication that was accepted for continued service to verify that the licensees acceptance was in accordance with the Section XI of the ASME Code. Specifically, the inspector reviewed the following records: | |||
* Visual examination records of the upper surveillance sample holder (at 30°). | |||
During the examination, the licensee identified a distorted auxiliary bracket welded to the surveillance sample holder bracket (evaluated and found to be acceptable per ASME Code). | |||
* A pressure boundary weld for a Code Class 1 system which was completed during the previous refueling outage to verify that the welding acceptance and preservice examinations (e.g., pressure testing, visual, magnetic particle, and weld procedure qualification tensile tests and bend tests) were performed in accordance with the ASME Code Sections III, V, IX, and XI requirements. | |||
Specifically, the inspectors reviewed welds associated with the Feedwater Loop A, Valve FW-97-1, seal weld for hinge pin plug replacement. | |||
* Piping system ISI-related issues that were identified by the licensee and entered into the corrective action program. The inspectors reviewed these corrective action program documents to confirm that the licensee had appropriately described the scope of the issues. Additionally, the inspectors review included confirmation that the licensee had an appropriate threshold for identifying issues and had implemented effective corrective actions. The inspector evaluated the threshold for identifying issues through interviews with licensee staff and review of licensee actions to incorporate lessons learned from industry issues related to the ISI program. The inspector performed these reviews to ensure compliance with 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion XVI, Corrective Action, requirements. The corrective action documents reviewed by the inspector are listed in the attachment to this report. | |||
The reviews as discussed above counted as one inspection sample. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. {{a|1R11}} | ||
{{a|1R11}} | ==1R11 Licensed Operator Requalification Program== | ||
==1R11 Licensed Operator Requalification Program | {{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.11}} | ||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors performed a quarterly review of licensed operator requalification training. The inspection assessed the | The inspectors performed a quarterly review of licensed operator requalification training. | ||
*a training crew during a simulator scenario that included a loss of | |||
The inspection assessed the licensees effectiveness in evaluating the requalification program, ensuring that licensed individuals operate the facility safely and within the conditions of their license, and evaluated licensed operator mastery of high-risk operator actions. The inspection activities included a review of high risk activities, emergency plan performance, incorporation of lessons learned, clarity and formality of communications, task prioritization, timeliness of actions, alarm response actions, control board operations, procedural adequacy and implementation, supervisory oversight, group dynamics, interpretations of Technical Specifications (TSs), simulator fidelity, and licensee critique of performance. | |||
The inspectors observed the following requalification activity for a total of one sample: | |||
* a training crew during a simulator scenario that included a loss of shutdown cooling and subsequent loss of coolant accident, which resulted in entry into the emergency operating procedures, an unusual event emergency action level classification, and operation of alternate means to provide shutdown cooling and reactor vessel level control. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. {{a|1R12}} | ||
{{a|1R12}} | ==1R12 Maintenance Effectiveness== | ||
==1R12 Maintenance Effectiveness | {{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.12}} | ||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors reviewed various areas and systems to assess | The inspectors reviewed various areas and systems to assess maintenance effectiveness, including maintenance rule activities, work practices, and common cause issues. Inspection activities included, but were not limited to, the licensee's categorization of specific issues including evaluation of performance criteria, appropriate work practices, identification of common cause errors, extent of condition, and trending of key parameters. Additionally, the inspectors reviewed implementation of the Maintenance Rule (10 CFR 50.65) requirements, including a review of scoping, goal-setting, performance monitoring, short-term and long-term corrective actions, functional failure determinations associated with reviewed CAP documents, and current equipment performance status. | ||
The inspectors performed the following maintenance effectiveness reviews for a total of three samples: | |||
C motor-operated valve (MOV) limit and torque switch setting issues because many MOVs are designated as risk significant under the Maintenance Rule and there were several switch setting issues over the past two years; C a function-oriented review of the Structures maintenance rule system because it was designated as risk significant under the Maintenance Rule and was classified as a 10 CFR 50.65 (a)(1) system during the inspection period; and C an issue/problem-oriented review of post-maintenance electrical breaker racking performance for various safety-related breakers. Breaker operation was reviewed for those designated as risk significant under the Maintenance Rule. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. {{a|1R13}} | ||
{{a|1R13}} | ==1R13 Maintenance Risk Assessments and Emergent Work Control== | ||
==1R13 Maintenance Risk Assessments and Emergent Work Control | {{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.13}} | ||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors reviewed maintenance activities to evaluate risk assessments (RAs) | The inspectors reviewed maintenance activities to evaluate risk assessments (RAs) and emergent work control. The inspectors verified the performance and adequacy of RAs, management of resultant risk, entry into the appropriate licensee-established risk bands, and the effectiveness of planning and control for emergent work activities. The inspection activities included verification that; licensee RA procedures were followed and performed appropriately for routine and emergent maintenance; RAs for the scope of work performed were accurate and complete; necessary actions were taken to minimize the probability of initiating events; and activities that ensured the functionality of mitigating systems and barriers were completed. Additionally, the assessment included an evaluation of external factors, the licensee's control of work activities, configuration control, and appropriate consideration of baseline and cumulative risk. | ||
samples:*electronic pressure regulator failure;*main steam turbine control valve actuator support modification; | The inspectors observed maintenance or planning for the following activities or risk significant systems undergoing scheduled or emergent maintenance for a total of five samples: | ||
*emergent work schedule planning during elevated grid risk conditions; | * electronic pressure regulator failure; | ||
*loss of plant heating boiler on February 15, 2007; and | * main steam turbine control valve actuator support modification; | ||
*replacement of reactor water clean-up (RWCU) valve RC-41-2. | * emergent work schedule planning during elevated grid risk conditions; | ||
* loss of plant heating boiler on February 15, 2007; and | |||
* replacement of reactor water clean-up (RWCU) valve RC-41-2. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. {{a|1R15}} | ||
==1R15 Operability Evaluations== | |||
{{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.15}} | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | |||
The inspectors reviewed operability evaluations for components associated with mitigating systems or barrier integrity to ensure that operability was properly justified and that the component or system remained available. The inspection activities included a review of the technical adequacy of each operability evaluation, its impact on TSs, and the significance of each evaluation to ensure that adequate justifications were documented, and that risk was appropriately assessed. | |||
The inspectors reviewed the following operability evaluations for a total of seven samples: | |||
* CAP 01070238 (no carbon in EFT test canister removed 1/4/07); | |||
*CAP 01073031 (abnormal behavior of control rod drive (CRD) 42-11); | * CAP 01071663 (bent hanger rod on main steam pressure averaging manifold); | ||
*CAP 01071697 (spurious self-actuation of safety relief valve (SRV) | * CAP 01073031 (abnormal behavior of control rod drive (CRD) 42-11); | ||
*CAP 01082169 (scram setpoint calculation | * CAP 01071697 (spurious self-actuation of safety relief valve (SRV) F occurs following scram); | ||
* CAP 01076631 (P-111D, 14 ESW flow to RHR B room less than required band); | |||
* CAP 01079794 (potential leakage past MO-2029 and MO-2030); and | |||
* CAP 01082169 (scram setpoint calculation doesnt account for steam separator differential pressure). | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
=====Introduction:===== | =====Introduction:===== | ||
The inspectors identified a non-cited violation (NCV) of 10 CFR 50,Appendix B, Criterion V, | The inspectors identified a non-cited violation (NCV) of 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V, Instructions, Procedures, and Drawings, having very low safety significance (Green) for failing to provide written instructions for the compensatory actions denoted in Operability Recommendation (OPR) 01076631-03 associated with a degraded condition for the 14 ESW pump and equipment supported by that pump. The issue was considered to be NRC-identified because two days after the approval of the OPR, inspectors identified that procedure changes delineated as compensatory actions to restore operability still had not been implemented. Additionally, the operating crew was unaware of the operating restrictions outlined in the OPR. | ||
=====Description:===== | =====Description:===== | ||
Subsequent to the performance of 0255-11-III-8 [14 ESW | Subsequent to the performance of 0255-11-III-8 [14 ESW comprehensive pump and valve test] on February 9, 2007, and the performance of 0255-11-III-4 | ||
[ESW quarterly pump test] on February 13, 2007, the licensee declared 14 ESW inoperable based on a calculated flow rate of less than 36 gpm to the B RHR room. | |||
Based on an ESW inlet temperature that was significantly below the TS requirement of 90°F, the on-shift operating crew determined that there was a reasonable expectation that the 14 ESW could perform its required function at the reduced flow rate. The 14 ESW system was declared operable and an OPR was requested to further evaluate the issue. | Based on an ESW inlet temperature that was significantly below the TS requirement of 90°F, the on-shift operating crew determined that there was a reasonable expectation that the 14 ESW could perform its required function at the reduced flow rate. The 14 ESW system was declared operable and an OPR was requested to further evaluate the issue. | ||
Operability Recommendation 01076631-03 provided justification that the 14 ESW system was operable but degraded and was approved on February 20, 2007, with a compensatory action of procedurally restricting the 14 ESW inlet temperature to 85°F. | |||
On February 22, 2007, inspectors reviewed OPR 01076631-03. As part of this review, the inspectors attempted to verify that the compensatory measure taken to restore operability, as stated in the OPR had been implemented. The compensatory actions consisted of modifying Procedure A.6, Acts of Nature, and Procedure B.08.01.04-05, Emergency Service Water System Operation, to reflect the new maximum inlet temperature of 85°F. The inspectors discovered that no actions had been completed to implement the procedure changes and that none of the licensee operators which comprised the on-duty crew were aware of the restricted operating limits imposed by OPR 01076631-03. Upon being notified of these deficiencies by the inspectors, the shift manager implemented procedure change requests for the required procedure revisions, prepared an Operations Memorandum which discussed the limitations imposed by the OPR, and entered the issue into the corrective action program. | |||
=====Analysis:===== | |||
The inspectors determined that failing to provide written instructions for the compensatory actions denoted in OPR 01076631-03 associated with a degraded condition for the 14 ESW pump and equipment supported by that pump was a performance deficiency warranting a significance evaluation. The inspectors concluded that the finding was greater than minor in accordance with IMC 0612, Power Reactor Inspection Reports, Appendix B, Issues Disposition Screening, issued on June 22, 2006. The finding was more than minor because it affected the attribute of procedure quality, which could have impacted the Mitigating Systems cornerstone objective of ensuring the availability, reliability, and capability of systems that respond to initiating events to prevent undesirable consequences. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with having complete, accurate and up-to-date procedures. | |||
Utilizing the Phase 1 Screening Worksheet, per IMC 0609, Significance Determination Process, the inspectors determined that the finding did not represent a loss of system safety function nor an actual loss of safety function of a single train for more than its TS allowed outage time. Therefore, this finding was considered to be of very low safety significance (Green). | |||
=====Enforcement:===== | |||
Title 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V, requires, in part, that activities affecting quality shall be prescribed by documented instructions, procedures, or drawings of a type appropriate to the circumstances. Contrary to this requirement, on February 20, 2007, the licensee approved and implemented OPR 01076631-03 without providing written instructions for the compensatory actions denoted in the OPR. The required procedure changes were initiated on February 22, 2007, after the licensee was informed by the inspectors of the deficiency. Because this violation was of very low safety significance and it was entered into the licensees corrective action program as CAP 01078881, this violation is being treated as an NCV, consistent with Section VI.A of the NRC Enforcement Policy. (NCV 05000263/2007002-02). | |||
{{a|1R17}} | |||
==1R17 Permanent Plant Modifications== | |||
{{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.17}} | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | |||
The inspectors review of permanent plant modifications focused on verification that the design bases, licensing basis, and performance capability of related structures, systems or components were not degraded by the installation of the modification. The inspectors also verified that the modifications did not place the plant in an unsafe configuration. | |||
The inspection activities included a review of the design adequacy of the modification by performing a review, or partial review, of the modifications impact on plant electrical requirements, material requirements and replacement components, response time, control signals, equipment protection, operation, failure modes, and other related process requirements. | |||
The inspectors selected the following permanent plant modification for review for a total of one sample: | |||
* reactor building crane upgrade to support spent fuel cask loading activities. | |||
====b. Findings==== | |||
No findings of significance were identified. {{a|1R19}} | |||
==1R19 Post-Maintenance Testing== | |||
{{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.19}} | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors' | The inspectors verified that the post-maintenance test procedures and activities were adequate to ensure system operability and functional capability. Activities were selected based upon the structure, system, or component's ability to impact risk. The inspection activities included witnessing or reviewing the integration of testing activities, applicability of acceptance criteria, test equipment calibration and control, procedural use and compliance, control of temporary modifications or jumpers required for test performance, documentation of test data, system restoration, and evaluation of test data. Also, the inspectors verified that maintenance and post-maintenance testing activities adequately ensured that the equipment met the licensing basis, TS, and updated safety analysis report (USAR) design requirements. | ||
The | The inspectors selected the following post-maintenance activities for review for a total of six samples: | ||
* A EFT filter efficiency and leak testing following planned maintenance; | |||
* scram discharge volume level switch (LS-7428F) testing following replacement; | |||
* MO-2101, RCIC outboard torus suction valve testing following planned maintenance; | |||
* 11 RWCU pump testing following seal replacement; | |||
* RHR Loop A quarterly pump and valve test following planned maintenance on 13 RHR pump motor breaker; and | |||
* 12 Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG) testing following the 12 year periodic maintenance. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. {{a|1R20}} | ||
{{a| | ==1R20 Outage Activities== | ||
== | {{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.20}} | ||
===.1 Forced Outage (January 10, 2006, to January 24, 2006)=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors | The inspectors evaluated activities for a forced outage that began on January 10, 2006, and ended on January 24, 2006. The inspectors reviewed outage activities to ensure that the licensee considered risk in developing, planning, and implementing the outage schedule, developed mitigation strategies for loss of key safety functions, and adhered to operating license and TS requirements to ensure defense-in-depth. The following represents a partial list of the major outage activities the inspectors reviewed/observed, all or in part: | ||
* | * control room operator response to a reactor scram and plant cooldown without the availability of the normal heat sink (main condenser); | ||
* | * review of outage plans and the ready-backlog; | ||
* control room turnover meetings and selected pre-job briefings; | |||
* repair activities associated with the main steam turbine control valve actuator support modification; | |||
* review of the licensees root cause report, extent of condition evaluation, and scram report; and | |||
* startup and heatup activities, including criticality, feed pump startup, main turbine generator startup and synchronization, and elements of power escalation to full power. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
== | ===.2 Refueling Outage=== | ||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors evaluated activities for a | The inspectors evaluated outage activities for a refueling outage that began on March 14, 2007, at 00:06, and continued through the end of the inspection period. The inspectors reviewed activities to ensure that the licensee considered risk in developing, planning, and implementing the outage schedule, developed mitigation strategies for loss of key safety functions, and adhered to operating license and TS requirements to ensure defense-in-depth. The inspection activities included, but were not limited to, a review of the outage plan, monitoring of shutdown activities, control of outage activities and risk, and observation of reduced inventory operations, maintenance and refueling activities. | ||
*control room turnover meetings and selected pre-job briefings; | |||
* | In addition to activities inspected utilizing specific procedures, the following represents a partial list of the major outage activities the inspectors reviewed/observed: | ||
* reactor shutdown and cooldown; | |||
* review of the outage plan; | |||
* control room turnover meetings and selected pre-job briefings; | |||
* steam dryer and separator removal; | |||
* refueling activities; | |||
* replacement of 12 recirculation pump; | |||
* torus coating work; | |||
* main steam isolation valve (MSIV) work; and | |||
* identification and resolution of problems associated with the outage. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. {{a|1R22}} | ||
==1R22 Surveillance Testing== | |||
{{IP sample|IP=IP 71111.22}} | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors | The inspectors reviewed surveillance testing activities to assess operational readiness and to ensure that risk-significant structures, systems, and components were capable of performing their intended safety function. Activities were selected based upon risk significance and the potential risk impact from an unidentified deficiency or performance degradation that a system, structure, or component could impose on the unit if the condition was left unresolved. The inspection activities included a review for preconditioning, integration of testing activities, applicability of acceptance criteria, test equipment calibration and control, procedural use, control of temporary modifications or jumpers required for test performance, documentation of test data, TS applicability, impact of testing relative to performance indicator (PI) reporting, and evaluation of test data. | ||
* | |||
* | The inspectors selected the following surveillance testing activities for review for a total of five samples: | ||
* | * turbine generator operational tests (routine surveillance); | ||
* MSIV exercise test (in-service test); | |||
* | * alternate shutdown system functional test for Division II RHR, RHR service water, ESW switches and control room annunciator for alternate shutdown system master transfer switch (routine surveillance); | ||
* control rod drive 42-11 scram insertion time testing after identification of increased settling times (routine surveillance); and | |||
* core spray (CS) shutdown valve operability test (routine surveillance). | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
== | ==RADIATION SAFETY== | ||
===Cornerstone: Occupational Radiation Safety=== | |||
2OS1 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas (71121.01) | |||
===.1 Review of Licensee Performance Indicators for the Occupational Exposure Cornerstone=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors reviewed | The inspectors reviewed the licensees occupational exposure control cornerstone performance indicators (PIs) to determine whether or not the conditions surrounding the PIs had been evaluated and identified problems had been entered into the corrective action program for resolution. | ||
This review represented one inspection sample. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.2 | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.2 Plant Walkdowns and Radiation Work Permit Reviews=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors reviewed the | The inspectors reviewed radiologically significant work areas within the plant and reviewed work packages associated with these areas to determine if radiological controls including surveys, postings, and barricades were acceptable. The following four areas were reviewed and were controlled as radiation areas, high radiation areas (HRAs), or airborne areas: | ||
* refuel floor in-service inspections (ISI) activities; | |||
* hydro lazing of reactor vessel; | |||
* drywell nozzle ISI; and | |||
* torus repair and internal coating. | |||
The inspectors reviewed the radiation work permits (RWPs) and WOs used to access these four areas and other high radiation work areas to identify the work control instructions and control barriers that had been specified. Electronic dosimeter alarm set points for both integrated dose and dose rate were evaluated for conformity with survey indications and plant policy. Workers were interviewed to assess whether they were aware of the actions required when their electronic dosimeters noticeably malfunctioned or alarmed. | |||
The inspectors walked down and performed radiological survey measurements in these four areas to verify that the RWP, procedure, and engineering controls were in place, that licensee surveys and postings were complete and accurate, and that air samplers were properly located. | |||
The inspectors reviewed RWPs for any airborne radioactivity areas that existed during the inspection to verify barrier integrity and engineering controls performance (e.g., high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) ventilation system operation) and to determine if there was a potential for individual worker internal exposures of greater than 50 millirem committed effective dose equivalent. There were no airborne radioactivity areas in the plant during this outage. Work areas having a history of, or the potential for, airborne transuranics were evaluated to verify that the licensee had considered the potential for transuranic isotopes and provided appropriate worker protection. | |||
This review represented four inspection samples | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===. | ===.3 Problem Identification and Resolution=== | ||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors reviewed | The inspectors reviewed the licensees self-assessments, audits, Licensee Event Reports, and Special Reports related to the access control program to verify that identified problems were entered into the corrective action program for resolution. | ||
* | |||
* | The inspectors reviewed 20 CAP reports related to access controls and two high radiation area radiological incidents (non-performance indicators identified by the licensee in high radiation areas less than 1R/hr). Staff members were interviewed and corrective action documents were reviewed to verify that follow-up activities were being conducted in an effective and timely manner commensurate with their importance to safety and risk based on the following: | ||
* initial problem identification, characterization, and tracking; | |||
* disposition of operability/reportability issues; | |||
* evaluation of safety significance/risk and priority for resolution; | |||
* identification of repetitive problems; | |||
* identification of contributing causes; | |||
* identification and implementation of effective corrective actions; | |||
* resolution of NCVs tracked in the corrective action system; and | |||
* implementation/consideration of risk significant operational experience feedback. | |||
The inspectors evaluated the licensees process for problem identification, characterization, and prioritization to assess whether problems were entered into the corrective action program and resolved. For repetitive deficiencies and/or significant individual deficiencies in problem identification and resolution, the inspectors assessed whether the licensees self-assessment activities were capable of identifying and addressing these deficiencies The inspectors reviewed licensee documentation packages for all PI events occurring since the last inspection to determine if any of these PI events involved dose rates greater than 25 R/hr at 30 centimeters or greater than 500 R/hr at 1 meter. Barriers were evaluated for failure and to determine if there were any barriers left to prevent personnel access. There were no PI events occurring since the last inspection. | |||
These reviews represented four inspection samples | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.4 Job-In-Progress Reviews and Review of Work Practices in Radiologically Significant=== | |||
Areas | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors | The inspectors evaluated the licensees radiological controls, job coverage and radiation worker practices for the following jobs: | ||
* | * torus recoat maintenance and the associated support work; | ||
* | * drywell in service inspection and nozzle windows and main steam relieve valves maintenance and associated support; | ||
* hydrolazing and vessel preparations; and | |||
* drywell general support and associated work. | |||
This review included radiation survey information to support these work activities; the radiological job requirements; the adequacy of the information exchanges during pre-job briefings; and the access control provisions for these areas was assessed for conformity with TS and with the licensees procedures. | |||
Job performance was observed to determine if radiological conditions in the work areas were adequately communicated to workers through the pre-job briefings and area postings. The inspectors also evaluated the adequacy of the oversight provided by the radiation protection staff including the performance of radiological surveys and air sampling, the work oversight provided by the radiation protection technicians (RPTs),and the administrative and physical controls used over ingress/egress into these areas. | |||
The inspectors also reviewed the licensees procedure and generic practices associated with dosimetry placement and the use of multiple whole body dosimetry for work in high radiation areas having significant dose gradients for compliance with the requirements of 10 CFR 20.1201(c) and applicable industry guidelines. Additionally, previously completed work in areas where dose rate gradients were subject to significant variation such as on the reactor nozzles activities were reviewed to evaluate the licensees practices for dosimetry placement. | |||
These reviews represented three inspection samples. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.5 High Risk Significant, High Dose Rate HRA and VHRA Controls=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors | The inspectors held discussions with the Acting Radiation Protection Manager concerning high dose rate/high radiation area and very high radiation area controls and procedures, including procedural changes that had occurred since the last inspection, in order to verify that any procedure modifications did not substantially reduce the effectiveness and level of worker protection. | ||
The inspectors discussed with radiation protection (RP) supervisors the controls that were in place for special areas that had the potential to become very high radiation areas during certain plant operations, to determine if these plant operations required communication beforehand with the RP group, so as to allow corresponding timely actions to properly post and control the radiation hazards. | |||
The inspectors conducted plant walkdowns to verify the posting and locking of entrances to high dose rate HRAs, and very high radiation. | |||
These reviews represented three inspection samples. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.6 Radiation Worker Performance=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
During job performance observations, the inspectors assessed radiation | During job performance observations, the inspectors assessed radiation worker performance with respect to stated radiation protection work requirements and assessed whether workers were aware of the significant radiological conditions in their workplace, of the RWP controls and limits in place, and that their performance had accounted for the level of radiological hazards present. | ||
The inspectors reviewed radiological problem reports which found that the cause of the event was due to radiation worker errors to determine if there was an observable pattern traceable to a similar cause and to determine if this perspective matched the corrective action approach taken by the licensee to resolve the reported problems. These problems, along with planned and taken corrective actions, were discussed with the Radiation Protection Manager. | |||
These reviewed represented two inspection samples. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.7 Radiation Protection Technician Proficiency=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors evaluated RPT performance during job performance observations, | The inspectors evaluated RPT performance during job performance observations, with respect to radiation protection work requirements and evaluated whether they were aware of the radiological conditions in their workplace, the RWP controls and limits in place, and if their performance was consistent with their training and qualifications. | ||
The inspectors reviewed radiological problem reports which found that the cause of the event was RPT error to determine if there was an observable pattern traceable to a similar cause and to determine if this perspective matched the corrective action approach taken by the licensee to resolve the reported problems. | |||
These reviews represented two inspection samples. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
2OS2 As Low-As-Is-Reasonably-Achievable (ALARA) Planning and Controls (71121.02) | |||
===.1 Inspection Planning=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors reviewed plant collective exposure history and current exposure trends,along with ongoing and planned outage activities, in order to assess current performance and exposure challenges. This included reviewing the | The inspectors reviewed plant collective exposure history and current exposure trends, along with ongoing and planned outage activities, in order to assess current performance and exposure challenges. This included reviewing the plants current 3-year rolling average collective exposure and comparing the sites radiological exposure on a yearly basis for the previous three years. | ||
*drywell general support and associated work.Procedures associated with maintaining occupational exposures ALARA and | |||
The inspectors reviewed the outage work activities scheduled during the inspection period along with associated work activity exposure estimates, including the four work activities which were likely to result in the highest personnel collective exposures: | |||
* torus recoat maintenance and the associated support work; | |||
* drywell in service inspection and nozzle windows and main steam relieve valves maintenance and associated support; | |||
* hydrolazing and vessel preparations; and | |||
* drywell general support and associated work. | |||
Procedures associated with maintaining occupational exposures ALARA and processes used to estimate and track work activity specific exposures were reviewed. | |||
These reviews represented three inspection samples | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.2 Radiological Work Planning.=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors evaluated the | The inspectors evaluated the licensees list of work activities, ranked by estimated exposure, that were in progress and selected the four-work activities of highest exposure potential. | ||
The inspectors reviewed the ALARA work activity evaluations, exposure estimates, and exposure mitigation requirements, in order to determine if the licensee had established procedures, along with engineering and work controls, that were based on sound radiation protection principles, in order to achieve occupational exposures that were ALARA. This also involved determining if the licensee had reasonably grouped the radiological work into work activities, based on historical precedence, industry norms, or special circumstances. | |||
These reviews represented two inspection samples. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.3 Verification of Dose Estimates and Exposure Tracking Systems=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors reviewed the assumptions and bases for the current annual | The inspectors reviewed the assumptions and bases for the current annual collective exposure estimate including procedures, in order to evaluate the licensees methodology for estimating work activity-specific exposures and the intended dose outcome. Dose rate and man-hour estimates were evaluated for reasonable accuracy. | ||
This review represented one sample. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.4 Job Site Inspections and ALARA Controls=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors observed the following four jobs that were being performed in | The inspectors observed the following four jobs that were being performed in radiation areas, airborne radioactivity areas, or high radiation areas for observation of work activities that presented the greatest radiological risk to workers: | ||
*drywell general support and associated support work.The | * torus recoat maintenance and the associated support work; | ||
* drywell in service inspection and nozzle windows and main steam relieve valves maintenance and associated support; | |||
* hydrolazing and vessel preparations; and | |||
* drywell general support and associated support work. | |||
The licensees use of engineering controls to achieve dose reductions was evaluated to assess whether procedures and controls were consistent with the licensees ALARA reviews, that sufficient shielding of radiation sources was provided for, and that the dose expended to install/remove the shielding did not exceed the dose reduction benefits afforded by the shielding. | |||
This review represented one inspection sample. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.5 Source-Term Reduction and Control=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors reviewed licensee records to determine the historical trends and | The inspectors reviewed licensee records to determine the historical trends and current status of tracked plant source terms and to evaluate if the licensee was making allowances and developing contingency plans for expected changes in the source term due to changes in plant fuel performance issues or changes in plant primary chemistry. | ||
This review represented one sample. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.6 Radiation Worker Performance=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
Radiation worker and RPT performance were observed during work activities | Radiation worker and RPT performance were observed during work activities being performed in radiation areas, airborne radioactivity areas, and HRAs that presented the greatest radiological risk to workers. The inspectors assessed whether workers demonstrated the ALARA philosophy in practice by being familiar with the work activity scope and tools to be used, by utilizing ALARA low dose waiting areas, and by complying with work activity controls. | ||
This review represented one inspection sample. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.7 Problem Identification and Resolution=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors reviewed the | The inspectors reviewed the licensees self-assessments, audits, and special reports related to the ALARA program since the last inspection. The inspectors assessed the adequacy of the licensees overall audit programs scope and frequency to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 20.1101(c). | ||
*evaluation of safety significance/risk and priority for resolution; | |||
*identification of repetitive problems; | Corrective action reports generated during the licensees outage (RFO-24) that related to the ALARA program were selectively reviewed, and staff members were interviewed to verify that follow-up activities were being conducted in a timely manner commensurate with their importance to safety and risk using the following criteria: | ||
*identification of contributing causes; and | * initial problem identification, characterization, and tracking; | ||
*identification and implementation of effective corrective actions.The | * disposition of operability/reportability issues; | ||
* evaluation of safety significance/risk and priority for resolution; | |||
* identification of repetitive problems; | |||
* identification of contributing causes; and | |||
* identification and implementation of effective corrective actions. | |||
The licensees corrective action program was also reviewed to determine if repetitive deficiencies in problem identification and resolution were being addressed. | |||
This review represented two inspection samples. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
Line 359: | Line 601: | ||
==4OA1 Performance Indicator Verification== | ==4OA1 Performance Indicator Verification== | ||
{{IP sample|IP=IP 71151}} | {{IP sample|IP=IP 71151}} | ||
Cornerstone: | ===Cornerstone: Initiating Events=== | ||
Reactor Safety Strategic Area | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
The inspectors | The inspectors review of PIs used guidance and definitions contained in Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Document 99-02, Revision 4, Regulatory Assessment Performance Indicator Guideline, to assess the accuracy of the PI data. The inspectors review included, but was not limited to, conditions and data from logs, licensee event reports (LERs), CAP documents, and calculations for each PI specified. | ||
*Unplanned Scrams per 7000 Critical Hours, for the period of March 2006 | |||
The following PIs were reviewed for a total of three samples: | |||
* Unplanned Scrams per 7000 Critical Hours, for the period of March 2006 through March 2007 (Initiating Events); | |||
* Unplanned Scrams with Loss of Normal Heat Removal, for the period of March 2006 through March 2007 (Initiating Events); and | |||
* Unplanned Power Changes per 7000 Critical Hours, for the period of March 2006 through March 2007 (Initiating Events). | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified. | No findings of significance were identified. {{a|4OA2}} | ||
==4OA2 Identification and Resolution of Problems== | |||
{{IP sample|IP=IP 71152}} | |||
Cornerstones: Initiating Events, Mitigating Systems, Barrier Integrity, and Emergency Preparedness | |||
===.1 Routine Review of Identification and Resolution of Problems=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
As part of the routine inspections documented above, the inspectors verified that | As part of the routine inspections documented above, the inspectors verified that the licensee entered the problems identified during the inspection into their CAP. | ||
Additionally, the inspectors verified that the licensee was identifying issues at an appropriate threshold and entering them in the CAP, and verified that problems included in the licensee's CAP were properly addressed for resolution. Attributes reviewed included: | Additionally, the inspectors verified that the licensee was identifying issues at an appropriate threshold and entering them in the CAP, and verified that problems included in the licensee's CAP were properly addressed for resolution. Attributes reviewed included: complete and accurate identification of the problem; that timeliness was commensurate with the safety significance; that evaluation and disposition of performance issues, generic implications, common causes, contributing factors, root causes, extent of condition reviews, and previous occurrence reviews were proper and adequate; and that the classification, prioritization and focus were commensurate with safety and sufficient to prevent recurrence of the issue. | ||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.2 Daily Corrective Action Program Reviews=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
In order to assist with the identification of repetitive equipment failures and | In order to assist with the identification of repetitive equipment failures and specific human performance issues for follow-up, the inspectors performed a daily screening of items entered into the licensees CAP. This review was accomplished by reviewing daily CAP summary reports and attending corrective action review board meetings. | ||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.. | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===.3 Annual Sample: Operable-But-Degraded/Non-Conforming Items - Non-Resolution=== | |||
during Refueling Outage 23 | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
On January 3, 2007, the licensee wrote CAP 01069830, titled | On January 3, 2007, the licensee wrote CAP 01069830, titled Eight OBN items will not be resolved during RFO23. The CAP identified that of the 13 outstanding operable-but-degraded (OBD) and operable-but-non-conforming (OBN) items, eight would not be resolved before the end of the next refueling outage beginning in mid-March 2007. Based on guidance contained in NRC Inspection Manual 9900, the licensee determined that extending resolution of the outstanding OBD/OBN items past the next refueling outage required documented and approved justification. The inspectors chose to perform an in-depth review of the licensees bases for not resolving the outstanding OBD/OBN items, as well as assessing whether continued operation under the various circumstances was appropriate. During the review, the inspectors considered the overall safety and degradation significance, operational impact, and timing/resource aspects of the conditions. | ||
Of the eight OBD/OBN items, the inspectors reviewed the following two CAP documents, both of which were not planned on being resolved before the end of the March 2007 refueling outage: | |||
* CAP 0878626; MO-2374, main steam line drain outboard valve, shows dual indication when tested in closed direction; and | |||
* CAP 0717451; low pressure coolant injection (LPCI) loop selection logic may not meet USAR break size detection requirement. | |||
Assessment and Observations The inspectors reviewed documentation and interviewed licensee personnel to determine the adequacy of the licensees justification for not resolving the OBD/OBN items at the next available opportunity, i.e., prior to the end of the March-April 2007 refueling outage 23. | |||
Regarding CAP 0878626, the licensee identified that in August 2005, outboard main steam line drain motor-operated valve MO-2374 showed dual indication when it was cycled closed during a surveillance test. The valve was declared inoperable due to its potential inability to close on a Group I main steam line isolation signal, and its inboard counterpart MO-2373, was closed and electrically isolated to meet TS. The valve (MO-2374) was determined to be OBN because it could not meet all design basis requirements. An apparent cause evaluation was performed and compensatory measures were taken. As a corrective action, WO 0507786 was written as a contingency to adjust the torque switch on the valve should a forced shutdown of the unit occur. During the inspectors review after the January 10, 2007, automatic shutdown as discussed in Section 1R20, the inspectors questioned whether WO 0507786 was performed. Licensee personnel stated that performance of the WO was considered during an outstanding WO review during the forced outage, but determined that leaving the inboard valve in its current configuration (closed and electrically isolated) would not pose an undue workaround for operations staff during plant startup. The decision was made to defer the WO and cancel it due to planned replacement of the valve during the March 2007 Refueling Outage 23. The inspectors determined that this course of action was appropriate for the circumstances. | |||
Regarding CAP 0717451, the inspectors conducted interviews with engineering personnel and reviewed documentation associated with the condition. The CAP, generated in May 2004, concerned LPCI recirculation loop selection logic not meeting USAR break size detection requirements. The USAR described that the LPCI recirculation loop selection logic was designed to select the unbroken recirculation loop for break areas greater-than-or-equal-to 0.1 square feet during a postulated recirculation line (loop) break. This break, resulting in a differential pressure of approximately 15 inches of water column, was deemed to be overly conservative after a preliminary calculation was performed for a 2-year fuel cycle extension project. This calculation revealed that when applicable uncertainties were considered, the trip setting could exceed 27 inches of water column. The licensee determined that the logics contribution to the operability of the LPCI recirculation loop selection function was OBN with respect to the USAR description. The inspectors determined that an outstanding license amendment request was in-process and that pending approval, changes to the USAR and Improved Technical Specifications (ITS) would be made after the plant operations review committee approved changes to the USAR and ITS. The inspectors determined that no adverse condition existed, and that completion of the March 2007 refueling outage should not necessarily be contingent upon approval of the amendment. | |||
Overall, the inspectors concluded that although some OBD/OBN items were not resolved, documentation/evaluation justifying continued operation was either in-place, or scheduled to be completed before the end of refueling outage 23. The licensee was aware that documentation of justified operation would, in some cases, be conducted at-risk, i.e., the outcomes of the evaluations may result in requiring resolution before the end of refueling outage 23; however, the licensee believed that all OBD/OBN items would be evaluated and approved. Based on the inspectors review of these items, the licensees actions appeared to be in accordance with guidance contained in NRC Inspection Manual 9900. | |||
====b. Findings==== | ====b. Findings==== | ||
No findings of significance were identified.4.Annual Sample: | No findings of significance were identified. | ||
===4. Annual Sample: B ESW System Testing Issues=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
Inspectors reviewed licensee actions to resolve issues associated with the | Inspectors reviewed licensee actions to resolve issues associated with the recent inability of B ESW system to provide the minimum system and component flows to maintain the operability of RHR and CS pumps in the B RHR room. It should be noted that the 14 ESW pump provides flow through the B ESW system. Recent occurrences where sufficient flow had not been obtained included: | ||
* On January 26, 2007, during the performance of the 14 ESW quarterly pump and valve test, Revision 41, the reference flow required to calculate 14 ESW pump differential (124-128 gpm) could not be achieved; | |||
* On February 9, 2007, during a partial performance of the 14 ESW comprehensive pump and valve test, B ESW could not achieve the required B RHR room flow of at least 36 gpm; | |||
* On February 13, 2007, during the performance of the 14 ESW quarterly pump and valve test, Revision 41, B ESW could not achieve the required B RHR room flow of at least 36 gpm; and | |||
* On February 13, 2007, during the performance of the 14 ESW quarterly pump and valve test, Revision 42, B ESW could not achieve the required B RHR room flow of at least 36 gpm. | |||
Also included as part of this inspection was a review of the licensees corrective action documents associated with this issue and the licensees testing methodology, used in both the 14 ESW quarterly and comprehensive pump and valve tests, to verify that adequate ESW flow was present in the B RHR room to maintain operability of the RHR and CS pumps. | |||
b. Assessments and Observations | |||
=====Introduction:===== | |||
The inspectors identified an NCV of 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V, Instructions, Procedures, and Drawings, having very low safety significance (Green)for failing to have written procedures which adequately verify that sufficient ESW flow was supplied to the B RHR room to maintain the operability of the 12 CS pump, 14 RHR pump, and the B RHR room cooler under worst case ESW system operating conditions. The issue was considered to be NRC-identified because, subsequent to reviewing actual flow distribution data for ESW-cooled components in the B RHR room, the inspectors discovered that the minimum acceptable surveillance indicated B RHR ESW flow would have been insufficient to supply the required actual ESW flow required by the B RHR room cooler. | |||
=====Description:===== | |||
On February 20, 2007, the licensee approved OPR 01076631-03 to document an operable but degraded condition associated with the B ESW system. | |||
The inspectors reviewed this OPR and the inspection results are documented in Section 1R15 of this report. | |||
140° | To evaluate past operability of B RHR room components, the inspectors reviewed ESW data obtained from past performances of 14 ESW quarterly pump and valve tests (2nd Quarter 2005 through 1st Quarter 2007). This procedure states that ESW flow to the B RHR room must be at least 36 gallons per minute (gpm) (indicated). The bases section of the procedure provides the following clarification: | ||
COMPONENT MINIMUM COOLING WATER FLOW REQUIRED V-AC-4 (B RHR Room Cooler) 26 gpm at 90°F to maintain RHR room temperatures less than 140°F 12 RHR Pump Motor Does not require cooling water 14 RHR Pump Motor 4 gpm 12 CS Pump Motor 2 gpm Flow Instrument Inaccuracies 4 gpm TOTAL REQUIRED FLOW 36 gpm (indicated) | |||
Based on indicated ESW flow of 36 gpm, incorporating instrument inaccuracies, the actual flow to the B RHR room could be as low as 32 gpm. Utilizing the documented flow distribution to the cooled components in that room, actual ESW flow rates would be as follows: 23.1 gpm (72.2%) to V-AC-4; 4.1 gpm (12.8%) to the 14 RHR pump motor; and 4.8 gpm (15.0%) to the 12 CS pump motor. Based on this information, the inspectors determined that the current requirement of 36 gpm (indicated) was inadequate and that the 14 ESW quarterly and comprehensive pump and valve tests should require an indicated B RHR room ESW flow rate of at least 40 gpm, assuming current licensee testing assumptions, to ensure that V-AC-4 received 26 gpm (actual). | |||
The inspectors also determined that these procedures were not conservative because they did provide a flow rate correction factor to account for reduced 14 ESW pump performance during design basis minimum river level. | The inspectors also determined that these procedures were not conservative because they did provide a flow rate correction factor to account for reduced 14 ESW pump performance during design basis minimum river level. | ||
The inspectors focused their review of the 14 ESW quarterly pump and valve testing data (2nd Quarter 2005 through 1st Quarter 2007) on determining actual ESW flow rates delivered to V-AC-4. Operability Recommendation 01076631-03 concluded, in part, that V-AC-4 could perform its required function as long as it received an ESW flow rate of 20 gpm with an inlet temperature of 85°F. Although the inspectors determined that there were several quarterly tests where the actual ESW flow rate was less than 26 gpm, and additional quarterly tests where very little margin existed, there was only one quarter that was not bounded by the OPR. During that quarter, even though river temperature exceeded 85°F, adequate ESW flow existed to maintain V-AC-4 operability. | |||
As part of the licensees corrective action process, they performed an apparent cause evaluation to determine why B ESW, on several occasions, was unable to provide minimum system and component flow, as required by surveillance procedures. As a result of the apparent cause evaluation, the licensee developed several corrective actions to address: the deficient ESW testing methodology and its impact on other surveillance procedures; ESW surveillance procedure adequacy; and B ESW system improvements focused on regaining flow margin. | |||
=====Analysis:===== | |||
The inspectors determined that failing to have written procedures which adequately verified that sufficient ESW flow was supplied to the B RHR room to maintain the operability of the 12 CS pump and the 14 RHR pump under worst case ESW system operating conditions was a performance deficiency warranting a significance evaluation. The inspectors concluded that the finding was greater than minor in accordance with IMC 0612, Power Reactor Inspection Reports, Appendix B, Issues Disposition Screening, issued on June 22, 2006. The finding was more than minor because it affected the attribute of equipment performance, which could have impacted the Mitigating Systems cornerstone objective of ensuring the availability, reliability, and capability of systems that respond to initiating events to prevent undesirable consequences. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with maintaining long term plant safety by the maintenance of design margins and the minimization of long-standing equipment issues. | |||
Utilizing the Phase 1 Screening Worksheet, per IMC 0609, Significance Determination Process, the inspectors determined that the finding did not represent a loss of system safety function nor an actual loss of safety function of a single train for more than its TS allowed outage time. Therefore, this finding was considered to be of very low safety significance (Green). | |||
=====Enforcement:===== | |||
Title 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V requires, in part, that activities affecting quality shall be prescribed by documented instructions, procedures, or drawings of a type appropriate to the circumstances. Contrary to this requirement, the licensee failed to maintain written procedures which adequately verified that sufficient ESW flow was supplied to the B RHR room to maintain the operability of the 12 CS pump, 14 RHR pump, and the B RHR room cooler under worst case ESW system operating conditions. Because the event was of very low safety significance and because the issue was entered into the licensees corrective action program (CAP 01076631), this violation is being treated as an NCV, consistent with Section VI.A.1 of Enforcement Policy (NCV 05000263/2007002-03). | |||
{{a|4OA3}} | |||
==4OA3 Event Follow-up== | |||
{{IP sample|IP=IP 71153}} | |||
===.1 (Closed) Licensee Event Report 50-263/2007-001-00: Reactor Scram due to Turbine=== | |||
Control Valve Housing Support Failure On January 10, 2007, the reactor shut down automatically from 90 percent power after all four turbine control valves unexpectedly opened. The open control valves caused a decrease in main steam line pressure, which led to the automatic shutdown. Control room operators responded appropriately to the plant transient and all safety systems functioned as designed. | |||
The licensee subsequently identified that welds on the supports for the turbine control valve actuator box had failed and that the box shifted downward about six inches. The downward shift caused the control valves to open and overrode the signals from the pressure regulating system. | |||
The licensee determined that the failure of the control valve support structure was caused by inadequate design of the structure combined with shortcomings in weld quality dating from original construction. The final failure occurred after a series of intermediate weld failures, which caused loads to be redistributed to other portions of the support structure, eventually resulting in failure of the remaining welds. | |||
The licensee inspected the main steam lines, located beneath the actuator box, and found no damage to the piping. The licensee staff also inspected other support structures to determine whether conditions similar to those identified on the actuator box supports existed, and no deficiencies were identified. | |||
The resident inspectors, assisted by two inspection specialists from the Region III office, performed a visual examination of the failed support structure welds and reviewed the metallurgical report for failed welds that were tested, the licensees modification to the actuator box support structure, associated engineering calculations, and a sample of the licensees corrective actions related to condition evaluation. The resident inspectors also observed portions of the plant restart, including the approach to criticality and the restart of the turbine. | |||
The LER was reviewed by the inspectors and no findings of significance were identified. | |||
===.2 Operator Performance During Division II RHR Logic Testing on February 7, 2007=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
On February 7, 2007, licensee operations staff were performing surveillance testing | On February 7, 2007, licensee operations staff were performing surveillance testing of Division II RHR system logic. During the conduct of the test, one test jumper wire was landed inadequately on a terminal, and a second jumper was installed in the wrong electrical panel. The inspectors evaluated the licensees response to each of these events where personnel error was the initiating cause, including: assessment of the incorrect jumper configuration, removal of the jumper, and evaluation of the potential adverse impacts from the jumper misplacement events. The inspectors reviewed operator logs, surveillance test procedures, and operator conduct expectations. | ||
====b. Findings==== | |||
=====Introduction:===== | |||
The inspectors identified an unresolved item (URI) associated with the operators performance and troubleshooting activities associated with the conduct of OSP-RHR-0545-02, RHR Containment Spray/Cooling Logic Test - Division II, on February 7, 2007. The inspectors identified that the surveillance test, FP-COO-OP-01, Conduct of Operations,, and management expectations were not adhered to by several licensed operators subsequent to the identification of the misplaced jumpers. | |||
=====Description:===== | |||
During the performance of OSP-RHR-0545-02, the control room supervisor (CRS, a senior-licensed operator), and a licensed balance-of-plant (BOP) operator, were assigned to install test jumpers across various terminals in the cable spreading room to simulate different plant conditions for logic testing. Prior to performing the test, both individuals performed a walkdown of the cable spreading room where the majority of the duties within the test were to take place. After declaring the Division II RHR system inoperable, the testing commenced. During Step 38 of the procedure, a test jumper wire was incorrectly landed in panel C-33 by the operators. The purpose of this jumper was to simulate high drywell pressure on the D RPS logic channel. The operators, not knowing that the jumper was incorrectly landed, proceeded to Step 39, which included a note stating that the jumper installation in Step 39 was to be installed in panel C-32 (a different panel), and that installation of the jumper would result in receipt of a control room annunciator. The BOP operator did not acknowledge the need to change panels, nor did the CRS verify this requirement. The BOP operator proceeded to land the jumper across similarly-labeled terminals in the wrong panel, C-33. The CRS contacted the control room to verify receipt of the annunciator noted in the procedure; however, the lead control room reactor operator (RO) replied that an annunciator was not received. | |||
At this time, the CRS and BOP operator left the cable spreading room to review RHR logic prints. During this review, they discovered that the jumper, installed in Step 39, had been installed in the wrong electrical panel. The CRS then independently determined that the misplaced jumper had no immediate adverse configuration implication and both individuals returned to the cable spreading room. The BOP operator, as instructed by the CRS, removed the jumper from panel C-33, and installed it in the correct location in panel C-32. The control room was again contacted to determine whether the noted annunciator was received; it was, and the surveillance test was continued. | |||
Later in the test procedure, during Step 50, a control room operator attempted to open valve MO-2011 per the procedure and it did not respond. At this point, the surveillance test was discontinued and the CRS and BOP operator reported to the control room. | |||
Shortly thereafter, senior management was notified of the issues and circumstances surrounding the testing and troubleshooting efforts began. The licensee initiated a human performance investigation and removed the involved licensed individuals from duty. The licensee also entered the issue into the corrective action program as CAPs 01075924 and 01075923 and an apparent cause evaluation was conducted. | |||
At the conclusion of the inspection period, the NRC was continuing evaluation and review of the issues surrounding the operators performance. Therefore, this issue will be considered an URI pending further NRC review (URI 05000263/2007002-04). | |||
===.3 Loss of Division II Bus 16, Group II Isolation on March 17, 2007=== | |||
====a. Inspection Scope==== | ====a. Inspection Scope==== | ||
On March 17, 2007, with the plant in Mode 5 refueling and Division I | On March 17, 2007, with the plant in Mode 5 refueling and Division I equipment protected, a full reactor protection system (RPS) trip, scram, and Group II containment isolation occurred when a potential transformer (POT) drawer associated with 1AR transformer work was removed while Division II Bus 16 was energized. | ||
The inspectors evaluated the licensees response to this event including: control room operator response and use of abnormal procedures, conduct of personnel in removing the POT drawer under a clearance order, and scheduling impact associated with timing of the work. The inspectors reviewed operator logs, work and clearance orders, and operator conduct expectations. | |||
====b. Findings==== | |||
=====Introduction:===== | |||
A finding was self-revealed when Division II essential 4 KV Bus 16 was de-energized due to the failure to fully evaluate the scheduling and operational impact of removing a POT drawer associated with isolation activities with Bus 16 energized. This issue was considered to be of very low safety significance (Green) and was dispositioned as a non-cited violation. | |||
=====Description:===== | |||
On March 17, 2007, with the plant in Mode 5 refueling and Division I equipment protected, plant operators initiated clearance order 17605, Isolate Bus Metering #16 4KV Bus, to support a control room metering modification. When the operators arrived near Bus 16 to hang the isolation, they noticed that sequence 040 of the clearance order was not specific, in that it directed removal of a POT drawer, but did not list the specific breaker cubicle in which the drawer was located. The POT drawer located within breaker cubicle 152-610, Bus 16 to 1AR supply, was already removed under 4858-04-OCD, 1AR Reserve Transformer Maintenance Isolation; a separate procedure. Because the clearance order, in part, referenced only breaker 152-610, and because sequence 040 of the clearance order lacked specificity, the operators contacted the Work Control Center (WCC) senior reactor operator (SRO). The operators questioned whether a separate POT drawer within breaker cubicle 152-601, Bus 15 to Bus 16 cross-tie, should be pulled (152-601 contained a POT that supplied signals to bus undervoltage relays). The operators did not notify the WCC SRO that labels stating: DO NOT OPEN WHEN ENERGIZED were located below each POT drawer on breaker cubicles 152-601 and 152-610. The operators assumed that the warning label referred to the breaker itself being de-energized, and not the entire bus. | |||
In addition, the clearance order and associated outage impact statement did not list any precautions for verifying that the bus was de-energized prior to removing the bus POT drawer. | |||
After the WCC SRO agreed that the clearance order was likely lacking information (i.e., sequence 040 should have referred to cubicle 152-601), the operators were directed to proceed with the isolation and remove the POT drawer from cubicle 152-601. | |||
Immediately after the operators removed the drawer, Bus 16 sensed an under-voltage condition due to the POT signal being removed from bus undervoltage relays within cubicle 152-601. Bus 14, which was supplying power to Bus 16, isolated from Bus 16 as designed, resulting in de-energization of Bus 16 due to no other electrical sources supplying power. The 12 EDG did not start on a loss of voltage to the bus because the 12 EDG was in pull-to-lock for planned maintenance. The main control room received a full RPS trip and reactor scram (all rods were already inserted). A Group II isolation resulted primarily in the loss of RWCU and spent fuel pool cooling, and other lighting and ventilation loads were lost. | |||
After unexpected alarms were received, control room operators entered several abnormal operating procedures to restore equipment (e.g. Division II load center 104, which deenergized, was cross-tied to Division I load center 103), performed other troubleshooting activities including a root cause investigation, and made an 8-hour non-emergency report under 10 CFR 50.72 due to the actuation of engineered safety feature equipment. Additional immediate corrective actions included implementation of strict plant status control through the control room, re-assessing shutdown risk due to the loss of RWCU in the heat rejection mode, placing Division II electrical isolations on hold pending independent reviews prior to performing work, and Operations and WCC personnel briefings. | |||
=====Analysis:===== | |||
The inspectors determined that the failure to fully evaluate the scheduling and configuration control impact, as well as provide adequate instructions to manipulate equipment that could affect equipment credited as critical safety systems, was a performance deficiency warranting a significance evaluation. The inspectors concluded that the finding was greater than minor in accordance with IMC 0612, Power Reactor Inspection Reports, Appendix B, Issue Disposition Screening, issued on June 22, 2006. The finding was more than minor because it affected the procedure quality attribute of the Initiating Events cornerstone objective of limiting the likelihood of events that upset plant stability and challenge critical safety functions during shutdown operations. | |||
The licensee determined inadequate clearance order preparation was a primary cause of the event due to a lack of understanding of the potential impact of removing the POT drawer. In addition, the clearance order and associated outage impact statement did not appropriately contain precautions and/or warning steps before removing the bus POT associated with breaker cubicle 152-601 to verify that Bus 16 was de-energized. | |||
Furthermore, communication between the operators in the field and the WCC was inadequate, in that the warning labels on the breaker cubicles was not discussed, i.e., identification of the consequences of pulling the POT drawer could have been identified. The inspectors determined that per the licensees work planning guidelines and outage impact statement review practices, precautions would have been appropriate for the circumstances considering the complex shutdown plant configuration, infrequent nature of the task, and schedule timing requirements to preclude loss of credited shutdown equipment (e.g., impact on shutdown plant risk). | |||
The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having work control components and involving aspects associated with the failure to appropriately coordinate the work activity by incorporating actions to address the operational impact of the testing. In particular, during development and implementation of the clearance order and outage impact statement, several barriers to avoid adversely impacting defense in depth were ineffective due to the lack of operator knowledge in the work planning process and insufficient communication between the work groups. The licensee failed to identify the need for robust precautionary statements in the clearance order or the outage impact statement considering that the testing was an infrequent task and had the potential to affect shutdown defense in depth equipment credited in the critical safety system checklist. | |||
Using IMC 0609, Appendix G, Phase 1 Screening, the inspectors determined that Checklist 8, Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) Cold Shutdown or Refueling Operation Time to Boil > 2 Hours: RCS Level < 23' Above Top of Flange, applied based on plant conditions at the time of the event and during recovery actions. However, because all qualitative criteria within the Core Heat Removal, Inventory Control, Power Availability, and Containment guidelines were met; because the finding did not meet the Checklist 8 criteria for Phase 2 or Phase 3 quantitative analysis (the finding did not: increase the likelihood of a loss of RCS inventory; degrade the licensees ability to terminate a leak path or add RCS inventory when needed; significantly degrade the licensees ability to recover decay heat removal once it was lost; or involve only one or less safety relief valves available to establish a heat removal path to the suppression pool due to the vessel head being removed) and because no event occurred that could be characterized as a loss of control as listed in Table 1 of IMC 0609, Appendix G, the finding was considered to be of very low safety significance (Green). | |||
=====Enforcement:===== | |||
Title 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V requires, in part, that activities affecting quality shall be prescribed by documented instructions, procedures, or drawings of a type appropriate to the circumstances. Contrary to this requirement, on March 17, 2007, clearance order 17605 was used to perform a partial isolation of Bus 16, an activity affecting quality. The clearance order and associated outage impact statement were not appropriate for the circumstances because: | |||
: (1) the documents did not have an adequate level of review to verify the impact of the isolation on shutdown equipment configuration considering the infrequent nature of the task, and | : (1) the documents did not have an adequate level of review to verify the impact of the isolation on shutdown equipment configuration considering the infrequent nature of the task, and | ||
: (2) the documents did not contain precautions or other information to ensure that the isolation was conducted during an appropriate time within the outage schedule, or to verify that Bus 16 was de-energized before performing the work. Because the finding was of very low safety significance and because the issue was entered into the | : (2) the documents did not contain precautions or other information to ensure that the isolation was conducted during an appropriate time within the outage schedule, or to verify that Bus 16 was de-energized before performing the work. Because the finding was of very low safety significance and because the issue was entered into the licensees corrective action program (CAP 01082734), this violation is being treated as an NCV, consistent with Section VI.A.1 of Enforcement Policy (NCV 05000263/2007002-05). | ||
{{a|4OA6}} | |||
==4OA6 Meetings== | |||
===.1 Exit Meeting=== | |||
The inspectors presented the inspection results to Mr. Conway and other members of licensee management on April 3, 2007. The licensee acknowledged the findings presented. The inspectors asked the licensee whether any materials examined during the inspection should be considered proprietary. No proprietary information was identified. | |||
===.2 Interim Exit Meetings=== | |||
Interim exits were conducted for: | |||
* Baseline procedure 71111.08 with technical staff members on March 23, 2007. | |||
The licensee confirmed that none of the potential report input discussed was considered proprietary. | |||
* Access control to radiologically significant areas and the ALARA planning and controls program with Mr. J. Conway, Site Vice President on March 30, 2007. | |||
{{a|4OA7}} | |||
==4OA7 Licensee-Identified Violations== | |||
None. | |||
ATTACHMENT: | |||
=SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION= | =SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION= | ||
Line 436: | Line 807: | ||
: [[contact::B. MacKissock]], Operations Manager | : [[contact::B. MacKissock]], Operations Manager | ||
: [[contact::W. Guldemond]], Nuclear Safety Assurance Manager | : [[contact::W. Guldemond]], Nuclear Safety Assurance Manager | ||
: [[contact::K. Jepson]], Radiation Protection - Chemistry Manager | : [[contact::K. Jepson]], Radiation Protection - Chemistry Manager | ||
: [[contact::R. Latham]], Acting Radiation Protection Manager | : [[contact::R. Latham]], Acting Radiation Protection Manager | ||
: [[contact::S. Nelson]], Fleet Radiation Protection Manager | : [[contact::S. Nelson]], Fleet Radiation Protection Manager | ||
Line 444: | Line 815: | ||
: [[contact::T. Jones]], NDE Coordinator | : [[contact::T. Jones]], NDE Coordinator | ||
: [[contact::G. Lofthus]], Fleet NDE Lead | : [[contact::G. Lofthus]], Fleet NDE Lead | ||
==LIST OF ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED== | ==LIST OF ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED== | ||
===Closed=== | ===Opened and Closed=== | ||
05000263/2007002- | : 05000263/2007002-01 FIN Inadequate Preparation to Address the Potential Loss of the Station Heating Boiler Prior to the Onset of Extreme Cold Outside Ambient Temperatures (Section 1R01) | ||
Outside Ambient Temperatures (Section 1R01)05000263/2007002- | : 05000263/2007002-02 NCV Failure to Provide Written Instructions for the Compensatory Actions Denoted in Operability Recommendation (Section 1R15) | ||
(Section 1R15) | : 05000263/2007002-03 NCV Inadequate 14 Emergency Service Water Surveillance Procedure (Section 4OA2.4) | ||
: 05000263/2007002- | : 05000263/2007002-05 NCV Inadequate Clearance Order for Bus 16 Isolation Resulting in Loss of Bus 16 and Group II Isolation (Section 4OA3.3) | ||
===Opened=== | ===Opened=== | ||
05000263/2007002- | : 05000263/2007002-04 URI Operator Performance During Division II RHR Logic Testing (Section 4OA3.2) | ||
Attachment | |||
===Closed=== | ===Closed=== | ||
05000263/2007- | : 05000263/2007-01 LER Reactor Scram Due to Turbine Control Valve Housing Support Failure (Section 4OA3.1) | ||
===Discussed=== | ===Discussed=== | ||
None. | |||
Attachment | |||
==LIST OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED== | ==LIST OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED== | ||
}} | }} |
Latest revision as of 10:06, 22 December 2019
ML071200036 | |
Person / Time | |
---|---|
Site: | Monticello ![]() |
Issue date: | 04/27/2007 |
From: | Burgess B NRC/RGN-III/DRP/RPB2 |
To: | Conway J Nuclear Management Co |
References | |
FOIA/PA-2010-0209 IR-07-002 | |
Download: ML071200036 (54) | |
Text
ril 27, 2007
SUBJECT:
MONTICELLO NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT NRC INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 05000263/2007002
Dear Mr. Conway:
On March 31, 2007, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at your Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant. The enclosed integrated inspection report documents the inspection findings which were discussed on April 3, 2007, with you and other members of your staff.
The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions 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, there were two NRC-identified and two self-revealed findings of very low safety significance, of which three involved a violation of NRC requirements. However, because these violations were of very low safety significance and because the issues were entered into the licensees corrective action program, the NRC is treating the three violations as non-cited violations in accordance with Section VI.A.1 of the NRCs Enforcement Policy.
If you contest the subject or severity of a non-cited violation, 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, 2443 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 Monticello Nuclear Generating Station. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," 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 (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS), accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
Sincerely,
/RA/
Bruce L. Burgess, Chief Branch 2 Division of Reactor Projects Docket No. 50-263 License No. DPR-22 Enclosure: Inspection Report 05000263/2007002 w/Attachment: Supplemental Information cc w/encl: M. Sellman, President and Chief Executive Officer D. Cooper, Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Manager, Nuclear Safety Assessment J. Rogoff, Vice President, Counsel, and Secretary Nuclear Asset Manager, Xcel Energy, Inc.
State Liaison Officer, Minnesota Department of Health R. Nelson, President Minnesota Environmental Control Citizens Association (MECCA)
Commissioner, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency D. Gruber, Auditor/Treasurer, Wright County Government Center Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Commerce Manager - Environmental Protection Division Minnesota Attorney Generals Office
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Inspection Report 05000263/2007002; 01/01/2007- 03/31/2007; Monticello Nuclear Generating
Plant. Adverse Weather, Operability Evaluation, Identification and Resolution of Problems, and Event Follow-up.
This report covers a three month period of baseline resident inspection and announced baseline radiation protection and inservice inspections. The inspections were conducted by Region III reactor inspectors, health physics inspectors and the resident inspectors. The significance of most findings is indicated by their color (Green, White, Yellow, 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 NRCs program for overseeing the safe operation of commercial nuclear power reactors is described in NUREG-1649, Reactor Oversight Process, Revision 3, dated July 2000.
NRC-Identified
and Self-Revealed Findings
Cornerstone: Initiating Events
- Green.
A finding of very low safety significance was self-revealed when, due to the licensees inadequate preparation to address the potential loss of the station heating boiler prior to the onset of extreme cold outside ambient temperatures, a temporary heating boiler could not be expeditiously installed subsequent to the loss of the station heating boiler on February 16, 2007. The licensee entered this issue into their corrective action program and performed a condition evaluation to determine specific items required to ensure that the installation of a temporary heating boiler could be performed, if needed, without jeopardizing plant operation. No violation of regulatory requirements occurred.
The inspectors determined that the finding was more than minor because it affected the procedure adequacy attribute of the Initiating Events cornerstone objective of limiting those events that upset plant stability and challenge critical safety functions during power operations. The finding was of very low safety significance because the finding:
(1) was not associated with the likelihood of a primary or secondary system loss of coolant accident (LOCA) initiation; (2) did not contribute to both the likelihood of a reactor trip and the likelihood that mitigation systems would be unavailable; and (3) was not associated with a fire or flood. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with having adequate and available facilities and equipment. (Section 1R01)
- Green.
A self-revealed finding of very low safety significance was identified for a violation of 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 50, Appendix B, Criterion V,
Instructions, Procedures, and Drawings, when the Division II essential 4160 Vac Bus 16 was lost, resulting in a reactor protection system (RPS) trip, scram, and Group II containment isolation on March 17, 2007. Specifically, while in Mode 5 refueling with Division I equipment protected, the loss of Bus 16 occurred due to the licensees failure to fully evaluate the scheduling and operational impact of removing a potential transformer (POT) drawer associated with isolation activities for the 1AR transformer while Bus 16 was energized. After the loss of Bus 16, the licensee took immediate corrective actions, including: restoring plant equipment alignment, placing all electrical clearance orders/isolations on hold pending independent reviews, and generating corrective action program (CAP) document 01082734 to review the root cause of the event.
The inspectors determined that the finding was more than minor because it affected the procedure quality attribute of the Initiating Events cornerstone objective of limiting the likelihood of events that upset plant stability and challenge critical safety functions during shutdown operations. The inspectors evaluated the finding using IMC 0609,
Appendix G, Phase 1 Screening, and determined that Checklist 8, Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) Cold Shutdown or Refueling Operation Time to Boil > 2 Hours: reactor coolant system (RCS) Level < 23' Above Top of Flange, applied. However, because all qualitative criteria within the Core Heat Removal, Inventory Control, Power Availability, and Containment guidelines were met; because the finding did not meet the Checklist 8 criteria for Phase 2 or Phase 3 quantitative analysis (the finding did not: increase the likelihood of a loss of RCS inventory; degrade the licensees ability to terminate a leak path or add RCS inventory when needed; significantly degrade the licensees ability to recover decay heat removal once it was lost; or involve only one or less safety relief valves available to establish a heat removal path to the suppression pool due to the vessel head being removed); and because no event occurred that could be characterized as a loss of control as listed in Table 1 of IMC 0609, Appendix G, the finding was considered to be of very low safety significance. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having work control components, and involving aspects associated with the failure to appropriately coordinate the work activity by incorporating actions to address the operational impact of the testing. (Section 4OA3.3)
Cornerstone: Mitigating Systems
- Green.
An inspector-identified finding of very low safety significance was identified for a violation of 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V, Instructions, Procedures, and Drawings, when the licensee failed to provide written instructions for the compensatory actions denoted in Operability Recommendation (OPR) 01076631-03 associated with a degraded condition for the 14 emergency service water (ESW) pump and equipment supported by that pump. Upon being notified of these deficiencies by the inspectors, the shift manager implemented procedure change requests for the required procedure revisions, prepared an Operations Memorandum which discussed the limitations imposed by the OPR, and entered the issue into the corrective action program.
The finding was more than minor because the performance deficiency affected the procedure quality attribute of the Mitigating Systems cornerstone objective of ensuring the availability, reliability, and capability of systems that respond to initiating events to prevent undesirable consequences. The inspectors determined that the finding was of very low safety significance because the finding did not represent a loss of system safety function nor an actual loss of safety function of a single train for more than its Technical Specification allowed outage time. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with having complete, accurate and up-to-date procedures. (Section 1R15)
- Green.
An inspector-identified finding of very low safety significance was identified for a violation of 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V, Instructions, Procedures, and Drawings, when the licensee failed to maintain written instructions which adequately verified that sufficient ESW flow was supplied to the B residual heat removal (RHR)room to maintain the operability of the 12 core spray (CS) pump, 14 RHR pump, and the B RHR room cooler under worst case ESW system operating conditions. Upon being notified of the issue by the inspectors, the licensee performed an apparent cause evaluation to evaluate the issue. As a result of the apparent cause evaluation, several corrective actions were developed to correct procedural and equipment deficiencies associated with the B ESW system.
The finding was more than minor because the performance deficiency affected the equipment performance attribute of the Mitigating Systems cornerstone objective of ensuring the availability, reliability, and capability of systems that respond to initiating events to prevent undesirable consequences. The inspectors determined that the finding was of very low safety significance because the finding did not represent a loss of system safety function nor an actual loss of safety function of a single train for more than its Technical Specification allowed outage time. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with maintaining long-term plant safety by the maintenance of design margins and the minimization of long-standing equipment issues. (Section 4OA2.4)
Licensee-Identified Violations
None.
REPORT DETAILS
Summary of Plant Status
Monticello operated at full power during the assessment period except for brief down-power maneuvers to accomplish rod pattern adjustments and to conduct planned surveillance testing activities with the following exceptions:
- On January 10, 2007, the reactor scrammed from full power. The licensee determined that the cause of the scram was a turbine control valve system failure, which caused the control valves to open fully; and as a result, reactor pressure dropped, the main steam isolation valves closed, and the reactor scrammed. All safety systems functioned as required subsequent to the scram. Following the implementation of required corrective actions to address the turbine control valve system failure, the reactor was restarted on January 23, 2007. The generator was connected to the grid on January 24, 2007, with full power achieved on January 25, 2007. This event is further discussed in Section 4OA3 of this report.
- On March 4, 2007, fuel cycle coast-down began. On March 14, 2007, the reactor was shut down for a planned refueling outage. The reactor remained shut down for the remainder of the inspection period.
REACTOR SAFETY
Cornerstones: Initiating Events, Mitigating Systems, Barrier Integrity, and Emergency Preparedness
1R01 Adverse Weather
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors performed a review of the licensees preparations to respond to the loss of the station heating boiler during periods of extreme cold outside ambient temperature conditions. The inspectors focused on plant specific design features and the ability to implement procedures for responding to and mitigating the effects of the loss of the station heating boiler under these conditions. Inspection activities included: a review of the licensees abnormal procedure for addressing the loss of the station heating boiler; the procedure for installing a temporary heating boiler; the most current temporary modification package associated with temporary heating boiler installation; and several emergent station heating boiler maintenance issues. The inspectors also observed licensee implementation of the loss of station heating boiler abnormal procedure during a period of time when the boiler was shut down for several hours, coinciding with an outside ambient temperature well below freezing.
The inspectors evaluated overall site preparedness for extreme cold weather for a total of one sample.
b. Findings
Introduction:
A finding of very low safety significance was self-revealed when Monticello licensee staff demonstrated that the site was inadequately prepared to cope with the long-term loss of the station heating boiler prior to the onset of extreme cold outside ambient temperatures.
Description:
During January and early February 2007, several minor maintenance issues resulted in brief losses of the station heating boiler. On each of these occasions, the station heating boiler was restored with little or no impact on reactor or turbine building heating or ventilation systems. On February 16, 2007, at 9:18 p.m., the licensee experienced a sustained loss of the station heating boiler (approximately nine hours), requiring entry into Abnormal Procedure C.4-B.08.03.A, Loss of Heating Boiler, Revision 3. Because outside air temperatures were well below freezing, plant operators expeditiously isolated secondary containment in accordance with the procedure to maintain reactor building temperatures and protect plant equipment. Additional actions taken included the utilization of several portable space heaters and the use of temporary ventilation to prevent average steam chase temperature from exceeding 165°F (an administrative limit; if temperature could not be maintained below the limit, a rapid plant power reduction would have been required). In parallel with trouble-shooting efforts to restore the station heating boiler, the licensee pursued the acquisition and installation of a temporary heating boiler. Approximately nine hours after the station heating boiler was lost, the licensee restored the station heating boiler to operation, enabling exit from C.4-B.08.03.A, and allowing for restoration to normal winter heating and ventilation to the reactor and turbine buildings.
Monticello Abnormal Procedure C.4-B.08.03.A provides directions for plant staff to accomplish in the event of a sustained station heating boiler failure. Specifically, this procedure discusses: manual isolation of secondary containment; initiation of strict plant status control; control of steam chase temperature; isolation and drainage of heating coils; the use of portable heaters; and specific temperature limits for the steam chase, 11 and 12 emergency diesel generator (EDG) rooms, recombiner room, intake structure, diesel fire pump house, and the radioactive waste shipping building. Specific guidance associated with the installation of a temporary heating boiler is located in Step 4 of C.4-B.08.03.A. Step 4 states, IF heating boiler cannot be restored, THEN notify the System Engineer, to coordinate temporary boiler hook up. A note preceding Step 4 states that the time required to install a temporary boiler is 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />. Further clarification of the note is provided in the procedures bases section, which states a temporary boiler can be in place and running in 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />.
The licensee attempted to use existing guidance to acquire and install a temporary heating boiler. This guidance consisted of Temporary Modification (TMOD)04-016, Installation of a Temporary Auxiliary Heating Boiler, and Procedure 8047, Temporary Heating Boiler Installation. The licensee quickly discovered that insufficient preparation and planning had occurred to facilitate the installation of an operational temporary heating boiler within 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />. Specific issues encountered included:
- the temporary heating boiler installation procedure did not provide sufficient detail to facilitate the expedited installation of a temporary heating boiler;
- plant procedures did not document a specific vendor or the specific type of temporary heating boiler to be used;
- the work packages needed to install the temporary heating boiler had not been prepared in advance and required significant engineering, maintenance, and planning resources to prepare; and
- when the temporary heating boiler arrived on-site, the licensee determined that the vendor had not supplied the necessary piping to connect to the plant heating boiler feedwater piping and that a tie-in to existing plant fuel oil systems would be required. TMOD 04-016, developed as a recurring TMOD to be used as the basis document for Procedure 8047 and to support the installation and removal of a temporary heating boiler, could not be used as written. Since the TMOD assumed that the temporary heating boiler vendor supplied the necessary piping to connect to the station heating boiler feedwater system and that the temporary heating boiler would not require a tie-in to existing plant fuel systems, no preparations had been made to support temporary tie-ins to these plant systems.
Subsequent to the inspectors questioning the licensees ability to install a temporary heating boiler within 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br /> of it being requested, the licensee informed the inspectors that 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br /> was unrealistic given that existing instructions in Procedure 8047, which directs the generation of installation work orders, did not list approved temporary heating boiler vendors.
Analysis:
The inspectors determined that the inadequate preparation to address the potential loss of the station heating boiler prior to the onset of extreme cold outside ambient temperatures was a performance deficiency warranting significance evaluation in accordance with Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 0612, Power Reactor Inspection Reports, Appendix B, Issue Screening, issued on June 22, 2006. The inspectors concluded that the finding was more than minor because it affected the procedure adequacy attribute of the Initiating Events cornerstone objective of limiting those events that upset plant stability and challenge critical safety functions during power operations.
The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with having adequate and available facilities and equipment.
Utilizing the Phase 1 Screening Worksheet, per IMC 0609, Significance Determination Process, the inspectors determined that this performance deficiency impacted the Initiating Event cornerstone because it constituted a transient initiator contributor. The inspectors answered no to the Phase 1 Initiating Event questions because the finding:
- (1) was not associated with the likelihood of primary or secondary system loss of coolant accident (LOCA) initiation;
- (2) did not contribute to both the likelihood of a reactor trip and the likelihood that mitigation systems would be unavailable; and
- (3) was not associated with a fire or flood. Therefore, this finding was considered to be of very low safety significance (Green).
Enforcement:
Procedure C.4-B.08.03.A, Loss of Heating Boiler, Revision 3, was not required by 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 50, Appendix B; therefore, no violation of regulatory requirements occurred. This issue was considered to be a finding of very low safety significance (FIN 05000263/2007002-01). The licensee entered the issues into their corrective action program as CAP 01078606, and performed a condition evaluation to determine specific items required to ensure that the installation of a temporary heating boiler could be performed, if needed, without jeopardizing plant operation.
1R04 Equipment Alignment
.1 Partial Walkdown
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors performed partial walkdowns of accessible portions of trains of risk-significant mitigating system equipment. The inspectors reviewed equipment alignment to identify any discrepancies that could impact the function of the system and potentially increase risk. The inspectors selected redundant or backup systems for inspection during times when equipment was of increased importance due to unavailability of the redundant train or other related equipment. Inspection activities included a review of the licensees procedures, verification of equipment alignment, and an observation of material condition, including operating parameters of equipment in-service.
The inspectors selected the following equipment trains to assess operability and proper equipment line-up for a total of three samples:
- Division I residual heat removal (RHR) system with Division II RHR system out-of-service for planned maintenance;
- high pressure coolant injection (HPCI) system with reactor core isolation cooling (RCIC) out-of-service for planned maintenance; and
- shutdown cooling Division I protected equipment post-shutdown.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.2 Complete System Walkdown
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors performed a complete walkdown of equipment for one risk significant mitigating system. The inspectors walked down the system to review electrical equipment line-ups, component labeling, component and equipment cooling, operability of support systems, and to ensure that ancillary equipment or debris did not interfere with equipment operation. A review of past and outstanding work orders (WOs) was performed to determine whether any deficiencies significantly affected the system function. In addition, the inspectors reviewed the CAP database to ensure that any system equipment alignment problems were being identified and appropriately resolved.
The inspectors selected the following system to assess operability and proper equipment line-up for a total of one sample:
- 125 Vdc batteries and distribution system.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R05 Fire Protection
.1 Quarterly Fire Zone Walkdowns
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors walked down risk significant fire areas to assess fire protection requirements. The inspectors reviewed each area to ensure that the licensee had implemented a fire protection program that adequately controlled combustibles and ignition sources within the plant, effectively maintained fire detection and suppression capability, maintained passive fire protection features in good material condition, and had implemented adequate compensatory measures for out-of-service, degraded or inoperable fire protection equipment, systems or features. The inspectors selected fire areas based on their potential to impact equipment which could initiate or mitigate a plant transient. The inspection activities included the control of transient combustibles and ignition sources, fire detection equipment, manual suppression capabilities, passive suppression capabilities, automatic suppression capabilities, compensatory measures, and barriers to fire propagation.
The inspectors selected the following areas for review for a total of 11 samples:
- Fire Zone 2-F, (main steam chase);
- Fire Zone 12-A, (lower 4KV bus area, 11, 13 and 15);
- Fire Zone 12-D, (mechanical vacuum pump (MVP) room);
- Fire Zone 12-E, (steam air ejector room);
- Fire Zone 13-A, (lube oil storage tank room);
- Fire Zone 15-E, (diesel oil pump house);
- Fire Zone 19-C, (feedwater pipe chase);
- Fire Zone 21-C, (radwaste shipping building);
- Fire Zone 21-B, (radwaste trash compactor area);
- Fire Zone 21-A, (radwaste control room); and
- Fire Zone 40, (screen house).
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R06 Flood Protection Measures
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors performed an annual review of flood protection barriers and procedures for coping with internal flooding. The inspection focused on determining whether flood mitigation plans and equipment were consistent with design requirements and risk analysis assumptions. The inspection activities included a review and walkdown to assess design measures, seals, drain systems, contingency equipment condition and availability of temporary equipment and barriers, performance and surveillance tests, procedural adequacy, and compensatory measures.
The inspectors selected the following equipment for a total of one sample:
- No.16 250 Vdc battery and D100 125/250 Vdc distribution panel areas after it was identified that a drain line in the emergency filtration treatment (EFT)building was frozen and plugged due to extreme cold weather on February 5, 2007.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R07 Heat Sink Performance
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors performed an annual review of the licensees testing of heat exchangers.
The inspection focused on potential deficiencies that could mask the licensees ability to detect degraded performance, identification of any common cause issues that had the potential to increase risk, and ensuring that the licensee was adequately addressing problems that could result in initiating events that would cause an increase in risk. The inspection activities included a review of the licensees observations as compared against acceptance criteria, the correlation of scheduled testing and the frequency of testing, and the impact of instrument inaccuracies on test results. Inspectors also verified that test acceptance criteria considered differences between test conditions, design conditions, and testing criteria.
The inspectors selected the following equipment for a total of one sample:
- 12 EDG emergency service water (ESW) heat exchangers.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R08 Inservice Inspection (ISI) Activities
.1 Piping Systems ISI
a. Inspection Scope
From March 19 to March 23, 2007, the inspector conducted a review of the implementation of the licensees ISI program for monitoring degradation of the reactor coolant system (RCS) boundary and the risk-significant piping system boundaries. The inspector selected the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section XI required examinations and Code components in order of risk priority as identified in Section 71111.08-03 of IP 71111.08, Inservice Inspection Activities, based upon the ISI activities available for review during the on-site inspection period.
The inspector conducted an on-site review of the following types of nondestructive examination activities to evaluate compliance with the ASME Code Section XI and Section V requirements and to verify that indications and defects (if present) were dispositioned in accordance with the ASME Code Section XI requirements. Specifically, the inspector observed the following examinations:
- Ultrasonic examination (UT) of HPCI water side discharge piping welds, weld W-20 (pipe-to-elbow) and weld W-23 (elbow-to-pipe);
The inspector reviewed an examination completed during the previous outage with relevant/recordable condition/indication that was accepted for continued service to verify that the licensees acceptance was in accordance with the Section XI of the ASME Code. Specifically, the inspector reviewed the following records:
- Visual examination records of the upper surveillance sample holder (at 30°).
During the examination, the licensee identified a distorted auxiliary bracket welded to the surveillance sample holder bracket (evaluated and found to be acceptable per ASME Code).
- A pressure boundary weld for a Code Class 1 system which was completed during the previous refueling outage to verify that the welding acceptance and preservice examinations (e.g., pressure testing, visual, magnetic particle, and weld procedure qualification tensile tests and bend tests) were performed in accordance with the ASME Code Sections III, V, IX, and XI requirements.
Specifically, the inspectors reviewed welds associated with the Feedwater Loop A, Valve FW-97-1, seal weld for hinge pin plug replacement.
- Piping system ISI-related issues that were identified by the licensee and entered into the corrective action program. The inspectors reviewed these corrective action program documents to confirm that the licensee had appropriately described the scope of the issues. Additionally, the inspectors review included confirmation that the licensee had an appropriate threshold for identifying issues and had implemented effective corrective actions. The inspector evaluated the threshold for identifying issues through interviews with licensee staff and review of licensee actions to incorporate lessons learned from industry issues related to the ISI program. The inspector performed these reviews to ensure compliance with 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion XVI, Corrective Action, requirements. The corrective action documents reviewed by the inspector are listed in the attachment to this report.
The reviews as discussed above counted as one inspection sample.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R11 Licensed Operator Requalification Program
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors performed a quarterly review of licensed operator requalification training.
The inspection assessed the licensees effectiveness in evaluating the requalification program, ensuring that licensed individuals operate the facility safely and within the conditions of their license, and evaluated licensed operator mastery of high-risk operator actions. The inspection activities included a review of high risk activities, emergency plan performance, incorporation of lessons learned, clarity and formality of communications, task prioritization, timeliness of actions, alarm response actions, control board operations, procedural adequacy and implementation, supervisory oversight, group dynamics, interpretations of Technical Specifications (TSs), simulator fidelity, and licensee critique of performance.
The inspectors observed the following requalification activity for a total of one sample:
- a training crew during a simulator scenario that included a loss of shutdown cooling and subsequent loss of coolant accident, which resulted in entry into the emergency operating procedures, an unusual event emergency action level classification, and operation of alternate means to provide shutdown cooling and reactor vessel level control.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R12 Maintenance Effectiveness
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed various areas and systems to assess maintenance effectiveness, including maintenance rule activities, work practices, and common cause issues. Inspection activities included, but were not limited to, the licensee's categorization of specific issues including evaluation of performance criteria, appropriate work practices, identification of common cause errors, extent of condition, and trending of key parameters. Additionally, the inspectors reviewed implementation of the Maintenance Rule (10 CFR 50.65) requirements, including a review of scoping, goal-setting, performance monitoring, short-term and long-term corrective actions, functional failure determinations associated with reviewed CAP documents, and current equipment performance status.
The inspectors performed the following maintenance effectiveness reviews for a total of three samples:
C motor-operated valve (MOV) limit and torque switch setting issues because many MOVs are designated as risk significant under the Maintenance Rule and there were several switch setting issues over the past two years; C a function-oriented review of the Structures maintenance rule system because it was designated as risk significant under the Maintenance Rule and was classified as a 10 CFR 50.65 (a)(1) system during the inspection period; and C an issue/problem-oriented review of post-maintenance electrical breaker racking performance for various safety-related breakers. Breaker operation was reviewed for those designated as risk significant under the Maintenance Rule.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R13 Maintenance Risk Assessments and Emergent Work Control
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed maintenance activities to evaluate risk assessments (RAs) and emergent work control. The inspectors verified the performance and adequacy of RAs, management of resultant risk, entry into the appropriate licensee-established risk bands, and the effectiveness of planning and control for emergent work activities. The inspection activities included verification that; licensee RA procedures were followed and performed appropriately for routine and emergent maintenance; RAs for the scope of work performed were accurate and complete; necessary actions were taken to minimize the probability of initiating events; and activities that ensured the functionality of mitigating systems and barriers were completed. Additionally, the assessment included an evaluation of external factors, the licensee's control of work activities, configuration control, and appropriate consideration of baseline and cumulative risk.
The inspectors observed maintenance or planning for the following activities or risk significant systems undergoing scheduled or emergent maintenance for a total of five samples:
- electronic pressure regulator failure;
- main steam turbine control valve actuator support modification;
- emergent work schedule planning during elevated grid risk conditions;
- loss of plant heating boiler on February 15, 2007; and
- replacement of reactor water clean-up (RWCU) valve RC-41-2.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R15 Operability Evaluations
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed operability evaluations for components associated with mitigating systems or barrier integrity to ensure that operability was properly justified and that the component or system remained available. The inspection activities included a review of the technical adequacy of each operability evaluation, its impact on TSs, and the significance of each evaluation to ensure that adequate justifications were documented, and that risk was appropriately assessed.
The inspectors reviewed the following operability evaluations for a total of seven samples:
- CAP 01071663 (bent hanger rod on main steam pressure averaging manifold);
- CAP 01073031 (abnormal behavior of control rod drive (CRD) 42-11);
- CAP 01071697 (spurious self-actuation of safety relief valve (SRV) F occurs following scram);
- CAP 01079794 (potential leakage past MO-2029 and MO-2030); and
b. Findings
Introduction:
The inspectors identified a non-cited violation (NCV) of 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V, Instructions, Procedures, and Drawings, having very low safety significance (Green) for failing to provide written instructions for the compensatory actions denoted in Operability Recommendation (OPR) 01076631-03 associated with a degraded condition for the 14 ESW pump and equipment supported by that pump. The issue was considered to be NRC-identified because two days after the approval of the OPR, inspectors identified that procedure changes delineated as compensatory actions to restore operability still had not been implemented. Additionally, the operating crew was unaware of the operating restrictions outlined in the OPR.
Description:
Subsequent to the performance of 0255-11-III-8 [14 ESW comprehensive pump and valve test] on February 9, 2007, and the performance of 0255-11-III-4
[ESW quarterly pump test] on February 13, 2007, the licensee declared 14 ESW inoperable based on a calculated flow rate of less than 36 gpm to the B RHR room.
Based on an ESW inlet temperature that was significantly below the TS requirement of 90°F, the on-shift operating crew determined that there was a reasonable expectation that the 14 ESW could perform its required function at the reduced flow rate. The 14 ESW system was declared operable and an OPR was requested to further evaluate the issue.
Operability Recommendation 01076631-03 provided justification that the 14 ESW system was operable but degraded and was approved on February 20, 2007, with a compensatory action of procedurally restricting the 14 ESW inlet temperature to 85°F.
On February 22, 2007, inspectors reviewed OPR 01076631-03. As part of this review, the inspectors attempted to verify that the compensatory measure taken to restore operability, as stated in the OPR had been implemented. The compensatory actions consisted of modifying Procedure A.6, Acts of Nature, and Procedure B.08.01.04-05, Emergency Service Water System Operation, to reflect the new maximum inlet temperature of 85°F. The inspectors discovered that no actions had been completed to implement the procedure changes and that none of the licensee operators which comprised the on-duty crew were aware of the restricted operating limits imposed by OPR 01076631-03. Upon being notified of these deficiencies by the inspectors, the shift manager implemented procedure change requests for the required procedure revisions, prepared an Operations Memorandum which discussed the limitations imposed by the OPR, and entered the issue into the corrective action program.
Analysis:
The inspectors determined that failing to provide written instructions for the compensatory actions denoted in OPR 01076631-03 associated with a degraded condition for the 14 ESW pump and equipment supported by that pump was a performance deficiency warranting a significance evaluation. The inspectors concluded that the finding was greater than minor in accordance with IMC 0612, Power Reactor Inspection Reports, Appendix B, Issues Disposition Screening, issued on June 22, 2006. The finding was more than minor because it affected the attribute of procedure quality, which could have impacted the Mitigating Systems cornerstone objective of ensuring the availability, reliability, and capability of systems that respond to initiating events to prevent undesirable consequences. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with having complete, accurate and up-to-date procedures.
Utilizing the Phase 1 Screening Worksheet, per IMC 0609, Significance Determination Process, the inspectors determined that the finding did not represent a loss of system safety function nor an actual loss of safety function of a single train for more than its TS allowed outage time. Therefore, this finding was considered to be of very low safety significance (Green).
Enforcement:
Title 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V, requires, in part, that activities affecting quality shall be prescribed by documented instructions, procedures, or drawings of a type appropriate to the circumstances. Contrary to this requirement, on February 20, 2007, the licensee approved and implemented OPR 01076631-03 without providing written instructions for the compensatory actions denoted in the OPR. The required procedure changes were initiated on February 22, 2007, after the licensee was informed by the inspectors of the deficiency. Because this violation was of very low safety significance and it was entered into the licensees corrective action program as CAP 01078881, this violation is being treated as an NCV, consistent with Section VI.A of the NRC Enforcement Policy. (NCV 05000263/2007002-02).
1R17 Permanent Plant Modifications
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors review of permanent plant modifications focused on verification that the design bases, licensing basis, and performance capability of related structures, systems or components were not degraded by the installation of the modification. The inspectors also verified that the modifications did not place the plant in an unsafe configuration.
The inspection activities included a review of the design adequacy of the modification by performing a review, or partial review, of the modifications impact on plant electrical requirements, material requirements and replacement components, response time, control signals, equipment protection, operation, failure modes, and other related process requirements.
The inspectors selected the following permanent plant modification for review for a total of one sample:
- reactor building crane upgrade to support spent fuel cask loading activities.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R19 Post-Maintenance Testing
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors verified that the post-maintenance test procedures and activities were adequate to ensure system operability and functional capability. Activities were selected based upon the structure, system, or component's ability to impact risk. The inspection activities included witnessing or reviewing the integration of testing activities, applicability of acceptance criteria, test equipment calibration and control, procedural use and compliance, control of temporary modifications or jumpers required for test performance, documentation of test data, system restoration, and evaluation of test data. Also, the inspectors verified that maintenance and post-maintenance testing activities adequately ensured that the equipment met the licensing basis, TS, and updated safety analysis report (USAR) design requirements.
The inspectors selected the following post-maintenance activities for review for a total of six samples:
- A EFT filter efficiency and leak testing following planned maintenance;
- scram discharge volume level switch (LS-7428F) testing following replacement;
- MO-2101, RCIC outboard torus suction valve testing following planned maintenance;
- 11 RWCU pump testing following seal replacement;
- RHR Loop A quarterly pump and valve test following planned maintenance on 13 RHR pump motor breaker; and
- 12 Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG) testing following the 12 year periodic maintenance.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R20 Outage Activities
.1 Forced Outage (January 10, 2006, to January 24, 2006)
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors evaluated activities for a forced outage that began on January 10, 2006, and ended on January 24, 2006. The inspectors reviewed outage activities to ensure that the licensee considered risk in developing, planning, and implementing the outage schedule, developed mitigation strategies for loss of key safety functions, and adhered to operating license and TS requirements to ensure defense-in-depth. The following represents a partial list of the major outage activities the inspectors reviewed/observed, all or in part:
- control room operator response to a reactor scram and plant cooldown without the availability of the normal heat sink (main condenser);
- review of outage plans and the ready-backlog;
- control room turnover meetings and selected pre-job briefings;
- repair activities associated with the main steam turbine control valve actuator support modification;
- review of the licensees root cause report, extent of condition evaluation, and scram report; and
- startup and heatup activities, including criticality, feed pump startup, main turbine generator startup and synchronization, and elements of power escalation to full power.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.2 Refueling Outage
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors evaluated outage activities for a refueling outage that began on March 14, 2007, at 00:06, and continued through the end of the inspection period. The inspectors reviewed activities to ensure that the licensee considered risk in developing, planning, and implementing the outage schedule, developed mitigation strategies for loss of key safety functions, and adhered to operating license and TS requirements to ensure defense-in-depth. The inspection activities included, but were not limited to, a review of the outage plan, monitoring of shutdown activities, control of outage activities and risk, and observation of reduced inventory operations, maintenance and refueling activities.
In addition to activities inspected utilizing specific procedures, the following represents a partial list of the major outage activities the inspectors reviewed/observed:
- reactor shutdown and cooldown;
- review of the outage plan;
- control room turnover meetings and selected pre-job briefings;
- steam dryer and separator removal;
- refueling activities;
- replacement of 12 recirculation pump;
- torus coating work;
- main steam isolation valve (MSIV) work; and
- identification and resolution of problems associated with the outage.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R22 Surveillance Testing
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed surveillance testing activities to assess operational readiness and to ensure that risk-significant structures, systems, and components were capable of performing their intended safety function. Activities were selected based upon risk significance and the potential risk impact from an unidentified deficiency or performance degradation that a system, structure, or component could impose on the unit if the condition was left unresolved. The inspection activities included a review for preconditioning, integration of testing activities, applicability of acceptance criteria, test equipment calibration and control, procedural use, control of temporary modifications or jumpers required for test performance, documentation of test data, TS applicability, impact of testing relative to performance indicator (PI) reporting, and evaluation of test data.
The inspectors selected the following surveillance testing activities for review for a total of five samples:
- turbine generator operational tests (routine surveillance);
- MSIV exercise test (in-service test);
- alternate shutdown system functional test for Division II RHR, RHR service water, ESW switches and control room annunciator for alternate shutdown system master transfer switch (routine surveillance);
- control rod drive 42-11 scram insertion time testing after identification of increased settling times (routine surveillance); and
- core spray (CS) shutdown valve operability test (routine surveillance).
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
RADIATION SAFETY
Cornerstone: Occupational Radiation Safety
2OS1 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas (71121.01)
.1 Review of Licensee Performance Indicators for the Occupational Exposure Cornerstone
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed the licensees occupational exposure control cornerstone performance indicators (PIs) to determine whether or not the conditions surrounding the PIs had been evaluated and identified problems had been entered into the corrective action program for resolution.
This review represented one inspection sample.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.2 Plant Walkdowns and Radiation Work Permit Reviews
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed radiologically significant work areas within the plant and reviewed work packages associated with these areas to determine if radiological controls including surveys, postings, and barricades were acceptable. The following four areas were reviewed and were controlled as radiation areas, high radiation areas (HRAs), or airborne areas:
- refuel floor in-service inspections (ISI) activities;
- hydro lazing of reactor vessel;
- drywell nozzle ISI; and
- torus repair and internal coating.
The inspectors reviewed the radiation work permits (RWPs) and WOs used to access these four areas and other high radiation work areas to identify the work control instructions and control barriers that had been specified. Electronic dosimeter alarm set points for both integrated dose and dose rate were evaluated for conformity with survey indications and plant policy. Workers were interviewed to assess whether they were aware of the actions required when their electronic dosimeters noticeably malfunctioned or alarmed.
The inspectors walked down and performed radiological survey measurements in these four areas to verify that the RWP, procedure, and engineering controls were in place, that licensee surveys and postings were complete and accurate, and that air samplers were properly located.
The inspectors reviewed RWPs for any airborne radioactivity areas that existed during the inspection to verify barrier integrity and engineering controls performance (e.g., high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) ventilation system operation) and to determine if there was a potential for individual worker internal exposures of greater than 50 millirem committed effective dose equivalent. There were no airborne radioactivity areas in the plant during this outage. Work areas having a history of, or the potential for, airborne transuranics were evaluated to verify that the licensee had considered the potential for transuranic isotopes and provided appropriate worker protection.
This review represented four inspection samples
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.3 Problem Identification and Resolution
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed the licensees self-assessments, audits, Licensee Event Reports, and Special Reports related to the access control program to verify that identified problems were entered into the corrective action program for resolution.
The inspectors reviewed 20 CAP reports related to access controls and two high radiation area radiological incidents (non-performance indicators identified by the licensee in high radiation areas less than 1R/hr). Staff members were interviewed and corrective action documents were reviewed to verify that follow-up activities were being conducted in an effective and timely manner commensurate with their importance to safety and risk based on the following:
- initial problem identification, characterization, and tracking;
- disposition of operability/reportability issues;
- evaluation of safety significance/risk and priority for resolution;
- identification of repetitive problems;
- identification of contributing causes;
- identification and implementation of effective corrective actions;
- resolution of NCVs tracked in the corrective action system; and
- implementation/consideration of risk significant operational experience feedback.
The inspectors evaluated the licensees process for problem identification, characterization, and prioritization to assess whether problems were entered into the corrective action program and resolved. For repetitive deficiencies and/or significant individual deficiencies in problem identification and resolution, the inspectors assessed whether the licensees self-assessment activities were capable of identifying and addressing these deficiencies The inspectors reviewed licensee documentation packages for all PI events occurring since the last inspection to determine if any of these PI events involved dose rates greater than 25 R/hr at 30 centimeters or greater than 500 R/hr at 1 meter. Barriers were evaluated for failure and to determine if there were any barriers left to prevent personnel access. There were no PI events occurring since the last inspection.
These reviews represented four inspection samples
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.4 Job-In-Progress Reviews and Review of Work Practices in Radiologically Significant
Areas
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors evaluated the licensees radiological controls, job coverage and radiation worker practices for the following jobs:
- torus recoat maintenance and the associated support work;
- drywell in service inspection and nozzle windows and main steam relieve valves maintenance and associated support;
- hydrolazing and vessel preparations; and
- drywell general support and associated work.
This review included radiation survey information to support these work activities; the radiological job requirements; the adequacy of the information exchanges during pre-job briefings; and the access control provisions for these areas was assessed for conformity with TS and with the licensees procedures.
Job performance was observed to determine if radiological conditions in the work areas were adequately communicated to workers through the pre-job briefings and area postings. The inspectors also evaluated the adequacy of the oversight provided by the radiation protection staff including the performance of radiological surveys and air sampling, the work oversight provided by the radiation protection technicians (RPTs),and the administrative and physical controls used over ingress/egress into these areas.
The inspectors also reviewed the licensees procedure and generic practices associated with dosimetry placement and the use of multiple whole body dosimetry for work in high radiation areas having significant dose gradients for compliance with the requirements of 10 CFR 20.1201(c) and applicable industry guidelines. Additionally, previously completed work in areas where dose rate gradients were subject to significant variation such as on the reactor nozzles activities were reviewed to evaluate the licensees practices for dosimetry placement.
These reviews represented three inspection samples.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.5 High Risk Significant, High Dose Rate HRA and VHRA Controls
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors held discussions with the Acting Radiation Protection Manager concerning high dose rate/high radiation area and very high radiation area controls and procedures, including procedural changes that had occurred since the last inspection, in order to verify that any procedure modifications did not substantially reduce the effectiveness and level of worker protection.
The inspectors discussed with radiation protection (RP) supervisors the controls that were in place for special areas that had the potential to become very high radiation areas during certain plant operations, to determine if these plant operations required communication beforehand with the RP group, so as to allow corresponding timely actions to properly post and control the radiation hazards.
The inspectors conducted plant walkdowns to verify the posting and locking of entrances to high dose rate HRAs, and very high radiation.
These reviews represented three inspection samples.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.6 Radiation Worker Performance
a. Inspection Scope
During job performance observations, the inspectors assessed radiation worker performance with respect to stated radiation protection work requirements and assessed whether workers were aware of the significant radiological conditions in their workplace, of the RWP controls and limits in place, and that their performance had accounted for the level of radiological hazards present.
The inspectors reviewed radiological problem reports which found that the cause of the event was due to radiation worker errors to determine if there was an observable pattern traceable to a similar cause and to determine if this perspective matched the corrective action approach taken by the licensee to resolve the reported problems. These problems, along with planned and taken corrective actions, were discussed with the Radiation Protection Manager.
These reviewed represented two inspection samples.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.7 Radiation Protection Technician Proficiency
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors evaluated RPT performance during job performance observations, with respect to radiation protection work requirements and evaluated whether they were aware of the radiological conditions in their workplace, the RWP controls and limits in place, and if their performance was consistent with their training and qualifications.
The inspectors reviewed radiological problem reports which found that the cause of the event was RPT error to determine if there was an observable pattern traceable to a similar cause and to determine if this perspective matched the corrective action approach taken by the licensee to resolve the reported problems.
These reviews represented two inspection samples.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
2OS2 As Low-As-Is-Reasonably-Achievable (ALARA) Planning and Controls (71121.02)
.1 Inspection Planning
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed plant collective exposure history and current exposure trends, along with ongoing and planned outage activities, in order to assess current performance and exposure challenges. This included reviewing the plants current 3-year rolling average collective exposure and comparing the sites radiological exposure on a yearly basis for the previous three years.
The inspectors reviewed the outage work activities scheduled during the inspection period along with associated work activity exposure estimates, including the four work activities which were likely to result in the highest personnel collective exposures:
- torus recoat maintenance and the associated support work;
- drywell in service inspection and nozzle windows and main steam relieve valves maintenance and associated support;
- hydrolazing and vessel preparations; and
- drywell general support and associated work.
Procedures associated with maintaining occupational exposures ALARA and processes used to estimate and track work activity specific exposures were reviewed.
These reviews represented three inspection samples
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.2 Radiological Work Planning.
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors evaluated the licensees list of work activities, ranked by estimated exposure, that were in progress and selected the four-work activities of highest exposure potential.
The inspectors reviewed the ALARA work activity evaluations, exposure estimates, and exposure mitigation requirements, in order to determine if the licensee had established procedures, along with engineering and work controls, that were based on sound radiation protection principles, in order to achieve occupational exposures that were ALARA. This also involved determining if the licensee had reasonably grouped the radiological work into work activities, based on historical precedence, industry norms, or special circumstances.
These reviews represented two inspection samples.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.3 Verification of Dose Estimates and Exposure Tracking Systems
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed the assumptions and bases for the current annual collective exposure estimate including procedures, in order to evaluate the licensees methodology for estimating work activity-specific exposures and the intended dose outcome. Dose rate and man-hour estimates were evaluated for reasonable accuracy.
This review represented one sample.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.4 Job Site Inspections and ALARA Controls
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors observed the following four jobs that were being performed in radiation areas, airborne radioactivity areas, or high radiation areas for observation of work activities that presented the greatest radiological risk to workers:
- torus recoat maintenance and the associated support work;
- drywell in service inspection and nozzle windows and main steam relieve valves maintenance and associated support;
- hydrolazing and vessel preparations; and
- drywell general support and associated support work.
The licensees use of engineering controls to achieve dose reductions was evaluated to assess whether procedures and controls were consistent with the licensees ALARA reviews, that sufficient shielding of radiation sources was provided for, and that the dose expended to install/remove the shielding did not exceed the dose reduction benefits afforded by the shielding.
This review represented one inspection sample.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.5 Source-Term Reduction and Control
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed licensee records to determine the historical trends and current status of tracked plant source terms and to evaluate if the licensee was making allowances and developing contingency plans for expected changes in the source term due to changes in plant fuel performance issues or changes in plant primary chemistry.
This review represented one sample.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.6 Radiation Worker Performance
a. Inspection Scope
Radiation worker and RPT performance were observed during work activities being performed in radiation areas, airborne radioactivity areas, and HRAs that presented the greatest radiological risk to workers. The inspectors assessed whether workers demonstrated the ALARA philosophy in practice by being familiar with the work activity scope and tools to be used, by utilizing ALARA low dose waiting areas, and by complying with work activity controls.
This review represented one inspection sample.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.7 Problem Identification and Resolution
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed the licensees self-assessments, audits, and special reports related to the ALARA program since the last inspection. The inspectors assessed the adequacy of the licensees overall audit programs scope and frequency to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 20.1101(c).
Corrective action reports generated during the licensees outage (RFO-24) that related to the ALARA program were selectively reviewed, and staff members were interviewed to verify that follow-up activities were being conducted in a timely manner commensurate with their importance to safety and risk using the following criteria:
- initial problem identification, characterization, and tracking;
- disposition of operability/reportability issues;
- evaluation of safety significance/risk and priority for resolution;
- identification of repetitive problems;
- identification of contributing causes; and
- identification and implementation of effective corrective actions.
The licensees corrective action program was also reviewed to determine if repetitive deficiencies in problem identification and resolution were being addressed.
This review represented two inspection samples.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4OA1 Performance Indicator Verification
Cornerstone: Initiating Events
Reactor Safety Strategic Area
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors review of PIs used guidance and definitions contained in Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Document 99-02, Revision 4, Regulatory Assessment Performance Indicator Guideline, to assess the accuracy of the PI data. The inspectors review included, but was not limited to, conditions and data from logs, licensee event reports (LERs), CAP documents, and calculations for each PI specified.
The following PIs were reviewed for a total of three samples:
- Unplanned Scrams per 7000 Critical Hours, for the period of March 2006 through March 2007 (Initiating Events);
- Unplanned Scrams with Loss of Normal Heat Removal, for the period of March 2006 through March 2007 (Initiating Events); and
- Unplanned Power Changes per 7000 Critical Hours, for the period of March 2006 through March 2007 (Initiating Events).
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
4OA2 Identification and Resolution of Problems
Cornerstones: Initiating Events, Mitigating Systems, Barrier Integrity, and Emergency Preparedness
.1 Routine Review of Identification and Resolution of Problems
a. Inspection Scope
As part of the routine inspections documented above, the inspectors verified that the licensee entered the problems identified during the inspection into their CAP.
Additionally, the inspectors verified that the licensee was identifying issues at an appropriate threshold and entering them in the CAP, and verified that problems included in the licensee's CAP were properly addressed for resolution. Attributes reviewed included: complete and accurate identification of the problem; that timeliness was commensurate with the safety significance; that evaluation and disposition of performance issues, generic implications, common causes, contributing factors, root causes, extent of condition reviews, and previous occurrence reviews were proper and adequate; and that the classification, prioritization and focus were commensurate with safety and sufficient to prevent recurrence of the issue.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.2 Daily Corrective Action Program Reviews
a. Inspection Scope
In order to assist with the identification of repetitive equipment failures and specific human performance issues for follow-up, the inspectors performed a daily screening of items entered into the licensees CAP. This review was accomplished by reviewing daily CAP summary reports and attending corrective action review board meetings.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
.3 Annual Sample: Operable-But-Degraded/Non-Conforming Items - Non-Resolution
during Refueling Outage 23
a. Inspection Scope
On January 3, 2007, the licensee wrote CAP 01069830, titled Eight OBN items will not be resolved during RFO23. The CAP identified that of the 13 outstanding operable-but-degraded (OBD) and operable-but-non-conforming (OBN) items, eight would not be resolved before the end of the next refueling outage beginning in mid-March 2007. Based on guidance contained in NRC Inspection Manual 9900, the licensee determined that extending resolution of the outstanding OBD/OBN items past the next refueling outage required documented and approved justification. The inspectors chose to perform an in-depth review of the licensees bases for not resolving the outstanding OBD/OBN items, as well as assessing whether continued operation under the various circumstances was appropriate. During the review, the inspectors considered the overall safety and degradation significance, operational impact, and timing/resource aspects of the conditions.
Of the eight OBD/OBN items, the inspectors reviewed the following two CAP documents, both of which were not planned on being resolved before the end of the March 2007 refueling outage:
- CAP 0878626; MO-2374, main steam line drain outboard valve, shows dual indication when tested in closed direction; and
- CAP 0717451; low pressure coolant injection (LPCI) loop selection logic may not meet USAR break size detection requirement.
Assessment and Observations The inspectors reviewed documentation and interviewed licensee personnel to determine the adequacy of the licensees justification for not resolving the OBD/OBN items at the next available opportunity, i.e., prior to the end of the March-April 2007 refueling outage 23.
Regarding CAP 0878626, the licensee identified that in August 2005, outboard main steam line drain motor-operated valve MO-2374 showed dual indication when it was cycled closed during a surveillance test. The valve was declared inoperable due to its potential inability to close on a Group I main steam line isolation signal, and its inboard counterpart MO-2373, was closed and electrically isolated to meet TS. The valve (MO-2374) was determined to be OBN because it could not meet all design basis requirements. An apparent cause evaluation was performed and compensatory measures were taken. As a corrective action, WO 0507786 was written as a contingency to adjust the torque switch on the valve should a forced shutdown of the unit occur. During the inspectors review after the January 10, 2007, automatic shutdown as discussed in Section 1R20, the inspectors questioned whether WO 0507786 was performed. Licensee personnel stated that performance of the WO was considered during an outstanding WO review during the forced outage, but determined that leaving the inboard valve in its current configuration (closed and electrically isolated) would not pose an undue workaround for operations staff during plant startup. The decision was made to defer the WO and cancel it due to planned replacement of the valve during the March 2007 Refueling Outage 23. The inspectors determined that this course of action was appropriate for the circumstances.
Regarding CAP 0717451, the inspectors conducted interviews with engineering personnel and reviewed documentation associated with the condition. The CAP, generated in May 2004, concerned LPCI recirculation loop selection logic not meeting USAR break size detection requirements. The USAR described that the LPCI recirculation loop selection logic was designed to select the unbroken recirculation loop for break areas greater-than-or-equal-to 0.1 square feet during a postulated recirculation line (loop) break. This break, resulting in a differential pressure of approximately 15 inches of water column, was deemed to be overly conservative after a preliminary calculation was performed for a 2-year fuel cycle extension project. This calculation revealed that when applicable uncertainties were considered, the trip setting could exceed 27 inches of water column. The licensee determined that the logics contribution to the operability of the LPCI recirculation loop selection function was OBN with respect to the USAR description. The inspectors determined that an outstanding license amendment request was in-process and that pending approval, changes to the USAR and Improved Technical Specifications (ITS) would be made after the plant operations review committee approved changes to the USAR and ITS. The inspectors determined that no adverse condition existed, and that completion of the March 2007 refueling outage should not necessarily be contingent upon approval of the amendment.
Overall, the inspectors concluded that although some OBD/OBN items were not resolved, documentation/evaluation justifying continued operation was either in-place, or scheduled to be completed before the end of refueling outage 23. The licensee was aware that documentation of justified operation would, in some cases, be conducted at-risk, i.e., the outcomes of the evaluations may result in requiring resolution before the end of refueling outage 23; however, the licensee believed that all OBD/OBN items would be evaluated and approved. Based on the inspectors review of these items, the licensees actions appeared to be in accordance with guidance contained in NRC Inspection Manual 9900.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
4. Annual Sample: B ESW System Testing Issues
a. Inspection Scope
Inspectors reviewed licensee actions to resolve issues associated with the recent inability of B ESW system to provide the minimum system and component flows to maintain the operability of RHR and CS pumps in the B RHR room. It should be noted that the 14 ESW pump provides flow through the B ESW system. Recent occurrences where sufficient flow had not been obtained included:
- On January 26, 2007, during the performance of the 14 ESW quarterly pump and valve test, Revision 41, the reference flow required to calculate 14 ESW pump differential (124-128 gpm) could not be achieved;
- On February 9, 2007, during a partial performance of the 14 ESW comprehensive pump and valve test, B ESW could not achieve the required B RHR room flow of at least 36 gpm;
- On February 13, 2007, during the performance of the 14 ESW quarterly pump and valve test, Revision 41, B ESW could not achieve the required B RHR room flow of at least 36 gpm; and
- On February 13, 2007, during the performance of the 14 ESW quarterly pump and valve test, Revision 42, B ESW could not achieve the required B RHR room flow of at least 36 gpm.
Also included as part of this inspection was a review of the licensees corrective action documents associated with this issue and the licensees testing methodology, used in both the 14 ESW quarterly and comprehensive pump and valve tests, to verify that adequate ESW flow was present in the B RHR room to maintain operability of the RHR and CS pumps.
b. Assessments and Observations
Introduction:
The inspectors identified an NCV of 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V, Instructions, Procedures, and Drawings, having very low safety significance (Green)for failing to have written procedures which adequately verify that sufficient ESW flow was supplied to the B RHR room to maintain the operability of the 12 CS pump, 14 RHR pump, and the B RHR room cooler under worst case ESW system operating conditions. The issue was considered to be NRC-identified because, subsequent to reviewing actual flow distribution data for ESW-cooled components in the B RHR room, the inspectors discovered that the minimum acceptable surveillance indicated B RHR ESW flow would have been insufficient to supply the required actual ESW flow required by the B RHR room cooler.
Description:
On February 20, 2007, the licensee approved OPR 01076631-03 to document an operable but degraded condition associated with the B ESW system.
The inspectors reviewed this OPR and the inspection results are documented in Section 1R15 of this report.
To evaluate past operability of B RHR room components, the inspectors reviewed ESW data obtained from past performances of 14 ESW quarterly pump and valve tests (2nd Quarter 2005 through 1st Quarter 2007). This procedure states that ESW flow to the B RHR room must be at least 36 gallons per minute (gpm) (indicated). The bases section of the procedure provides the following clarification:
COMPONENT MINIMUM COOLING WATER FLOW REQUIRED V-AC-4 (B RHR Room Cooler) 26 gpm at 90°F to maintain RHR room temperatures less than 140°F 12 RHR Pump Motor Does not require cooling water 14 RHR Pump Motor 4 gpm 12 CS Pump Motor 2 gpm Flow Instrument Inaccuracies 4 gpm TOTAL REQUIRED FLOW 36 gpm (indicated)
Based on indicated ESW flow of 36 gpm, incorporating instrument inaccuracies, the actual flow to the B RHR room could be as low as 32 gpm. Utilizing the documented flow distribution to the cooled components in that room, actual ESW flow rates would be as follows: 23.1 gpm (72.2%) to V-AC-4; 4.1 gpm (12.8%) to the 14 RHR pump motor; and 4.8 gpm (15.0%) to the 12 CS pump motor. Based on this information, the inspectors determined that the current requirement of 36 gpm (indicated) was inadequate and that the 14 ESW quarterly and comprehensive pump and valve tests should require an indicated B RHR room ESW flow rate of at least 40 gpm, assuming current licensee testing assumptions, to ensure that V-AC-4 received 26 gpm (actual).
The inspectors also determined that these procedures were not conservative because they did provide a flow rate correction factor to account for reduced 14 ESW pump performance during design basis minimum river level.
The inspectors focused their review of the 14 ESW quarterly pump and valve testing data (2nd Quarter 2005 through 1st Quarter 2007) on determining actual ESW flow rates delivered to V-AC-4. Operability Recommendation 01076631-03 concluded, in part, that V-AC-4 could perform its required function as long as it received an ESW flow rate of 20 gpm with an inlet temperature of 85°F. Although the inspectors determined that there were several quarterly tests where the actual ESW flow rate was less than 26 gpm, and additional quarterly tests where very little margin existed, there was only one quarter that was not bounded by the OPR. During that quarter, even though river temperature exceeded 85°F, adequate ESW flow existed to maintain V-AC-4 operability.
As part of the licensees corrective action process, they performed an apparent cause evaluation to determine why B ESW, on several occasions, was unable to provide minimum system and component flow, as required by surveillance procedures. As a result of the apparent cause evaluation, the licensee developed several corrective actions to address: the deficient ESW testing methodology and its impact on other surveillance procedures; ESW surveillance procedure adequacy; and B ESW system improvements focused on regaining flow margin.
Analysis:
The inspectors determined that failing to have written procedures which adequately verified that sufficient ESW flow was supplied to the B RHR room to maintain the operability of the 12 CS pump and the 14 RHR pump under worst case ESW system operating conditions was a performance deficiency warranting a significance evaluation. The inspectors concluded that the finding was greater than minor in accordance with IMC 0612, Power Reactor Inspection Reports, Appendix B, Issues Disposition Screening, issued on June 22, 2006. The finding was more than minor because it affected the attribute of equipment performance, which could have impacted the Mitigating Systems cornerstone objective of ensuring the availability, reliability, and capability of systems that respond to initiating events to prevent undesirable consequences. The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having resource components, and involving aspects associated with maintaining long term plant safety by the maintenance of design margins and the minimization of long-standing equipment issues.
Utilizing the Phase 1 Screening Worksheet, per IMC 0609, Significance Determination Process, the inspectors determined that the finding did not represent a loss of system safety function nor an actual loss of safety function of a single train for more than its TS allowed outage time. Therefore, this finding was considered to be of very low safety significance (Green).
Enforcement:
Title 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V requires, in part, that activities affecting quality shall be prescribed by documented instructions, procedures, or drawings of a type appropriate to the circumstances. Contrary to this requirement, the licensee failed to maintain written procedures which adequately verified that sufficient ESW flow was supplied to the B RHR room to maintain the operability of the 12 CS pump, 14 RHR pump, and the B RHR room cooler under worst case ESW system operating conditions. Because the event was of very low safety significance and because the issue was entered into the licensees corrective action program (CAP 01076631), this violation is being treated as an NCV, consistent with Section VI.A.1 of Enforcement Policy (NCV 05000263/2007002-03).
4OA3 Event Follow-up
.1 (Closed) Licensee Event Report 50-263/2007-001-00: Reactor Scram due to Turbine
Control Valve Housing Support Failure On January 10, 2007, the reactor shut down automatically from 90 percent power after all four turbine control valves unexpectedly opened. The open control valves caused a decrease in main steam line pressure, which led to the automatic shutdown. Control room operators responded appropriately to the plant transient and all safety systems functioned as designed.
The licensee subsequently identified that welds on the supports for the turbine control valve actuator box had failed and that the box shifted downward about six inches. The downward shift caused the control valves to open and overrode the signals from the pressure regulating system.
The licensee determined that the failure of the control valve support structure was caused by inadequate design of the structure combined with shortcomings in weld quality dating from original construction. The final failure occurred after a series of intermediate weld failures, which caused loads to be redistributed to other portions of the support structure, eventually resulting in failure of the remaining welds.
The licensee inspected the main steam lines, located beneath the actuator box, and found no damage to the piping. The licensee staff also inspected other support structures to determine whether conditions similar to those identified on the actuator box supports existed, and no deficiencies were identified.
The resident inspectors, assisted by two inspection specialists from the Region III office, performed a visual examination of the failed support structure welds and reviewed the metallurgical report for failed welds that were tested, the licensees modification to the actuator box support structure, associated engineering calculations, and a sample of the licensees corrective actions related to condition evaluation. The resident inspectors also observed portions of the plant restart, including the approach to criticality and the restart of the turbine.
The LER was reviewed by the inspectors and no findings of significance were identified.
.2 Operator Performance During Division II RHR Logic Testing on February 7, 2007
a. Inspection Scope
On February 7, 2007, licensee operations staff were performing surveillance testing of Division II RHR system logic. During the conduct of the test, one test jumper wire was landed inadequately on a terminal, and a second jumper was installed in the wrong electrical panel. The inspectors evaluated the licensees response to each of these events where personnel error was the initiating cause, including: assessment of the incorrect jumper configuration, removal of the jumper, and evaluation of the potential adverse impacts from the jumper misplacement events. The inspectors reviewed operator logs, surveillance test procedures, and operator conduct expectations.
b. Findings
Introduction:
The inspectors identified an unresolved item (URI) associated with the operators performance and troubleshooting activities associated with the conduct of OSP-RHR-0545-02, RHR Containment Spray/Cooling Logic Test - Division II, on February 7, 2007. The inspectors identified that the surveillance test, FP-COO-OP-01, Conduct of Operations,, and management expectations were not adhered to by several licensed operators subsequent to the identification of the misplaced jumpers.
Description:
During the performance of OSP-RHR-0545-02, the control room supervisor (CRS, a senior-licensed operator), and a licensed balance-of-plant (BOP) operator, were assigned to install test jumpers across various terminals in the cable spreading room to simulate different plant conditions for logic testing. Prior to performing the test, both individuals performed a walkdown of the cable spreading room where the majority of the duties within the test were to take place. After declaring the Division II RHR system inoperable, the testing commenced. During Step 38 of the procedure, a test jumper wire was incorrectly landed in panel C-33 by the operators. The purpose of this jumper was to simulate high drywell pressure on the D RPS logic channel. The operators, not knowing that the jumper was incorrectly landed, proceeded to Step 39, which included a note stating that the jumper installation in Step 39 was to be installed in panel C-32 (a different panel), and that installation of the jumper would result in receipt of a control room annunciator. The BOP operator did not acknowledge the need to change panels, nor did the CRS verify this requirement. The BOP operator proceeded to land the jumper across similarly-labeled terminals in the wrong panel, C-33. The CRS contacted the control room to verify receipt of the annunciator noted in the procedure; however, the lead control room reactor operator (RO) replied that an annunciator was not received.
At this time, the CRS and BOP operator left the cable spreading room to review RHR logic prints. During this review, they discovered that the jumper, installed in Step 39, had been installed in the wrong electrical panel. The CRS then independently determined that the misplaced jumper had no immediate adverse configuration implication and both individuals returned to the cable spreading room. The BOP operator, as instructed by the CRS, removed the jumper from panel C-33, and installed it in the correct location in panel C-32. The control room was again contacted to determine whether the noted annunciator was received; it was, and the surveillance test was continued.
Later in the test procedure, during Step 50, a control room operator attempted to open valve MO-2011 per the procedure and it did not respond. At this point, the surveillance test was discontinued and the CRS and BOP operator reported to the control room.
Shortly thereafter, senior management was notified of the issues and circumstances surrounding the testing and troubleshooting efforts began. The licensee initiated a human performance investigation and removed the involved licensed individuals from duty. The licensee also entered the issue into the corrective action program as CAPs 01075924 and 01075923 and an apparent cause evaluation was conducted.
At the conclusion of the inspection period, the NRC was continuing evaluation and review of the issues surrounding the operators performance. Therefore, this issue will be considered an URI pending further NRC review (URI 05000263/2007002-04).
.3 Loss of Division II Bus 16, Group II Isolation on March 17, 2007
a. Inspection Scope
On March 17, 2007, with the plant in Mode 5 refueling and Division I equipment protected, a full reactor protection system (RPS) trip, scram, and Group II containment isolation occurred when a potential transformer (POT) drawer associated with 1AR transformer work was removed while Division II Bus 16 was energized.
The inspectors evaluated the licensees response to this event including: control room operator response and use of abnormal procedures, conduct of personnel in removing the POT drawer under a clearance order, and scheduling impact associated with timing of the work. The inspectors reviewed operator logs, work and clearance orders, and operator conduct expectations.
b. Findings
Introduction:
A finding was self-revealed when Division II essential 4 KV Bus 16 was de-energized due to the failure to fully evaluate the scheduling and operational impact of removing a POT drawer associated with isolation activities with Bus 16 energized. This issue was considered to be of very low safety significance (Green) and was dispositioned as a non-cited violation.
Description:
On March 17, 2007, with the plant in Mode 5 refueling and Division I equipment protected, plant operators initiated clearance order 17605, Isolate Bus Metering #16 4KV Bus, to support a control room metering modification. When the operators arrived near Bus 16 to hang the isolation, they noticed that sequence 040 of the clearance order was not specific, in that it directed removal of a POT drawer, but did not list the specific breaker cubicle in which the drawer was located. The POT drawer located within breaker cubicle 152-610, Bus 16 to 1AR supply, was already removed under 4858-04-OCD, 1AR Reserve Transformer Maintenance Isolation; a separate procedure. Because the clearance order, in part, referenced only breaker 152-610, and because sequence 040 of the clearance order lacked specificity, the operators contacted the Work Control Center (WCC) senior reactor operator (SRO). The operators questioned whether a separate POT drawer within breaker cubicle 152-601, Bus 15 to Bus 16 cross-tie, should be pulled (152-601 contained a POT that supplied signals to bus undervoltage relays). The operators did not notify the WCC SRO that labels stating: DO NOT OPEN WHEN ENERGIZED were located below each POT drawer on breaker cubicles 152-601 and 152-610. The operators assumed that the warning label referred to the breaker itself being de-energized, and not the entire bus.
In addition, the clearance order and associated outage impact statement did not list any precautions for verifying that the bus was de-energized prior to removing the bus POT drawer.
After the WCC SRO agreed that the clearance order was likely lacking information (i.e., sequence 040 should have referred to cubicle 152-601), the operators were directed to proceed with the isolation and remove the POT drawer from cubicle 152-601.
Immediately after the operators removed the drawer, Bus 16 sensed an under-voltage condition due to the POT signal being removed from bus undervoltage relays within cubicle 152-601. Bus 14, which was supplying power to Bus 16, isolated from Bus 16 as designed, resulting in de-energization of Bus 16 due to no other electrical sources supplying power. The 12 EDG did not start on a loss of voltage to the bus because the 12 EDG was in pull-to-lock for planned maintenance. The main control room received a full RPS trip and reactor scram (all rods were already inserted). A Group II isolation resulted primarily in the loss of RWCU and spent fuel pool cooling, and other lighting and ventilation loads were lost.
After unexpected alarms were received, control room operators entered several abnormal operating procedures to restore equipment (e.g. Division II load center 104, which deenergized, was cross-tied to Division I load center 103), performed other troubleshooting activities including a root cause investigation, and made an 8-hour non-emergency report under 10 CFR 50.72 due to the actuation of engineered safety feature equipment. Additional immediate corrective actions included implementation of strict plant status control through the control room, re-assessing shutdown risk due to the loss of RWCU in the heat rejection mode, placing Division II electrical isolations on hold pending independent reviews prior to performing work, and Operations and WCC personnel briefings.
Analysis:
The inspectors determined that the failure to fully evaluate the scheduling and configuration control impact, as well as provide adequate instructions to manipulate equipment that could affect equipment credited as critical safety systems, was a performance deficiency warranting a significance evaluation. The inspectors concluded that the finding was greater than minor in accordance with IMC 0612, Power Reactor Inspection Reports, Appendix B, Issue Disposition Screening, issued on June 22, 2006. The finding was more than minor because it affected the procedure quality attribute of the Initiating Events cornerstone objective of limiting the likelihood of events that upset plant stability and challenge critical safety functions during shutdown operations.
The licensee determined inadequate clearance order preparation was a primary cause of the event due to a lack of understanding of the potential impact of removing the POT drawer. In addition, the clearance order and associated outage impact statement did not appropriately contain precautions and/or warning steps before removing the bus POT associated with breaker cubicle 152-601 to verify that Bus 16 was de-energized.
Furthermore, communication between the operators in the field and the WCC was inadequate, in that the warning labels on the breaker cubicles was not discussed, i.e., identification of the consequences of pulling the POT drawer could have been identified. The inspectors determined that per the licensees work planning guidelines and outage impact statement review practices, precautions would have been appropriate for the circumstances considering the complex shutdown plant configuration, infrequent nature of the task, and schedule timing requirements to preclude loss of credited shutdown equipment (e.g., impact on shutdown plant risk).
The inspectors determined that the performance deficiency affected the cross-cutting area of Human Performance, having work control components and involving aspects associated with the failure to appropriately coordinate the work activity by incorporating actions to address the operational impact of the testing. In particular, during development and implementation of the clearance order and outage impact statement, several barriers to avoid adversely impacting defense in depth were ineffective due to the lack of operator knowledge in the work planning process and insufficient communication between the work groups. The licensee failed to identify the need for robust precautionary statements in the clearance order or the outage impact statement considering that the testing was an infrequent task and had the potential to affect shutdown defense in depth equipment credited in the critical safety system checklist.
Using IMC 0609, Appendix G, Phase 1 Screening, the inspectors determined that Checklist 8, Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) Cold Shutdown or Refueling Operation Time to Boil > 2 Hours: RCS Level < 23' Above Top of Flange, applied based on plant conditions at the time of the event and during recovery actions. However, because all qualitative criteria within the Core Heat Removal, Inventory Control, Power Availability, and Containment guidelines were met; because the finding did not meet the Checklist 8 criteria for Phase 2 or Phase 3 quantitative analysis (the finding did not: increase the likelihood of a loss of RCS inventory; degrade the licensees ability to terminate a leak path or add RCS inventory when needed; significantly degrade the licensees ability to recover decay heat removal once it was lost; or involve only one or less safety relief valves available to establish a heat removal path to the suppression pool due to the vessel head being removed) and because no event occurred that could be characterized as a loss of control as listed in Table 1 of IMC 0609, Appendix G, the finding was considered to be of very low safety significance (Green).
Enforcement:
Title 10 CFR 50, Appendix B, Criterion V requires, in part, that activities affecting quality shall be prescribed by documented instructions, procedures, or drawings of a type appropriate to the circumstances. Contrary to this requirement, on March 17, 2007, clearance order 17605 was used to perform a partial isolation of Bus 16, an activity affecting quality. The clearance order and associated outage impact statement were not appropriate for the circumstances because:
- (1) the documents did not have an adequate level of review to verify the impact of the isolation on shutdown equipment configuration considering the infrequent nature of the task, and
- (2) the documents did not contain precautions or other information to ensure that the isolation was conducted during an appropriate time within the outage schedule, or to verify that Bus 16 was de-energized before performing the work. Because the finding was of very low safety significance and because the issue was entered into the licensees corrective action program (CAP 01082734), this violation is being treated as an NCV, consistent with Section VI.A.1 of Enforcement Policy (NCV 05000263/2007002-05).
4OA6 Meetings
.1 Exit Meeting
The inspectors presented the inspection results to Mr. Conway and other members of licensee management on April 3, 2007. The licensee acknowledged the findings presented. The inspectors asked the licensee whether any materials examined during the inspection should be considered proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.
.2 Interim Exit Meetings
Interim exits were conducted for:
- Baseline procedure 71111.08 with technical staff members on March 23, 2007.
The licensee confirmed that none of the potential report input discussed was considered proprietary.
- Access control to radiologically significant areas and the ALARA planning and controls program with Mr. J. Conway, Site Vice President on March 30, 2007.
4OA7 Licensee-Identified Violations
None.
ATTACHMENT:
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
KEY POINTS OF CONTACT
Licensee
- J. Conway, Site Vice President
- B. Sawatzke, Plant Manager
- J. Grubb, Site Engineering Director
- S. Radebaugh, Maintenance Manager
- B. MacKissock, Operations Manager
- W. Guldemond, Nuclear Safety Assurance Manager
- K. Jepson, Radiation Protection - Chemistry Manager
- R. Latham, Acting Radiation Protection Manager
- S. Nelson, Fleet Radiation Protection Manager
- S. Halbert, Training Manager
- R. Baumer, Regulatory Compliance Engineer
- R. Deopere, ISI Coordinator
- G. Lofthus, Fleet NDE Lead
LIST OF ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED
Opened and Closed
- 05000263/2007002-01 FIN Inadequate Preparation to Address the Potential Loss of the Station Heating Boiler Prior to the Onset of Extreme Cold Outside Ambient Temperatures (Section 1R01)
- 05000263/2007002-02 NCV Failure to Provide Written Instructions for the Compensatory Actions Denoted in Operability Recommendation (Section 1R15)
- 05000263/2007002-03 NCV Inadequate 14 Emergency Service Water Surveillance Procedure (Section 4OA2.4)
- 05000263/2007002-05 NCV Inadequate Clearance Order for Bus 16 Isolation Resulting in Loss of Bus 16 and Group II Isolation (Section 4OA3.3)
Opened
- 05000263/2007002-04 URI Operator Performance During Division II RHR Logic Testing (Section 4OA3.2)
Attachment
Closed
- 05000263/2007-01 LER Reactor Scram Due to Turbine Control Valve Housing Support Failure (Section 4OA3.1)
Discussed
None.
Attachment