Information Notice 1996-64, Modifications to Containment Blowout Panels Without Appropriate Design Controls

Modifications to Containment Blowout Panels Without Appropriate Design Controls

ML031050506
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant, Crane
Issue date:	12/10/1996
From:	Martin T T Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
IN-96-064, NUDOCS 9612060222
Download: ML031050506 (9)

KJ~UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY

COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 December 10, 1996 NRC INFORMATION

NOTICE 96-64: MODIFICATIONS

TO CONTAINMENT

BLOWOUT PANELS WITHOUT APPROPRIATE

DESIGN CONTROLS

Addressees

All holders of operating

licenses or construction

permits for nuclear power reactors.

Purpose

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory

Commission (NRC) is issuing this information

notice to alert addressees

to the potential

for operating

outside of the design basis as a result of modifying structures

without appropriate

design controls.

It is expected that recipients

will review the information

for applicability

to their facilities

and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems.

However, suggestions

contained

in this information

notice are not NRC requirements;

therefore, no specific action or written response is required.Description

of Circumstances

North Anna, Units 1 & 2 On February 13, 1996, it was identified

that six blowout panels for both units' incore instrument

tunnels had been modified by installing

hasps and locks without appropriate

design controls.

Additionally, several steam generator

and reactor coolant loop containment

cubicle door panels had been modified by tack welding their sheet metal covers to the door frames and adding stiffener

plates around the door handles. These modifications

were not reviewed prior to installation

to assure their compliance

with design bases assumptions

contained

in the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR), and existed for an extended time period during past operating

cycles.Cooper On November 21, 1995, it was recognized

that the accident analysis for High Energy Line Break outside Primary Containment

contained

a key assumption

that had been rendered invalid. For a postulated

High Energy Line Break inside the Reactor Building Main Steam Tunnel (Steam Tunnel), the Steam Tunnel blowout panels had been credited with rupturing

to allow a vent path to the Turbine Building, thereby preventing

compartment

overpressurization.

In an effort to reduce Secondary

Containment

leakage, maintenance

was performed

on the DfP blowout panels in 1985 to cover them with fiberglass.

As a result, the blowout panels would rupture at a higher pressure than credited in the High Energy Line Break analysis.

This was 9612060222n

POR tE 0 it r-te

IN 96-64 December 10, 1996 apparently

attributable

to an inadequate

investigation

of the blowout panels' design basis functions

prior to the initiation

of the maintenance.

Quad Cities On May 10, 1996, a tornado caused structural

damage to the metal siding that forms the secondary

containment

barrier for the refueling

floors on both Units. Subsequent

documented

inspections

revealed approximately

270 (out of 1496) damaged explosion

bolts.It was observed that not all of the damaged bolts were a result of this tornado. On August 23, 1996, it was concluded, through calculations, that not all of the design requirements

for the siding would have been met and this would have placed secondary containment

In an inoperable

condition.

The previously

damaged explosion

bolts were damaged by either a pressure load or by ineffective

work practices.

Nine Mile Point, Unit 1 On October 25, 1993, i was determined

that the relief (blowout)

panels in the Nine Mile Point Unit I turbine and reactor buildings

would not blow out at the design pressure of 2.15 kph (45 lbfft 2) because the bolt fasteners

for the panels were larger than designed and had a higher ultimate strength than designed.

The initial engineering

evaluation

of this condition erroneously

determined

that the turbine and reactor building panels would blow out at 2.87 kph (60 VIWf 2) and 2.54 kph (53 VbWt 2), respectively, to relieve internal building pressure prior to structural

failure of the buildings, and the panels were declared operable.

On March 27, 1995, i was determined

that there was an error in the design assumptions

for load distribution.

Revised calculations

confirmed

that the relief panels would not blow out until the internal building pressure exceeded the minimum documented

building structural

design of 3.83 kph (80 VIW 2). The cause of this event was inadequate

quality control measures during initial construction

which resulted in oversize bolts being installed

in the relief panels.Discussion

The purpose of blowout panels is to prevent overpressure

or overtemperature

conditions

in a compartment

or other enclosure

that could be structurally

damaged due to a high energy line break inside the compartment, or that contains equipment

that would be damaged by the overpressure

or overtemperature

condition.

This function may or may not be a "safety-related" function depending

on whether the high energy line break could result in loss of (1)the capability

to reach and maintain safe shutdown, or (2) the capability

to mitigate an accident in which a high energy line break is postulated

to occur as a passive or consequential

additional

failure. In addition to the overpressure "active" function, blowout panels may also have a passive function such as tornado missile protection.

Blowout panels are designed to open at specific design differential

pressures.

Licensees discovered

that as-found configurations

either would not allow the panels to open until after exceeding

the design pressure, or in the Quad Cities example, did not meet all of secondary containment

design bases described

in the UFSAR. Modifications

made to satisfy apparently

valid concerns did not adequately

evaluate the effects on the panels' design bases or

IN 96-64 December 10, 1996 adequately

consider the design assumptions

used for analyzing

containment

structures

and supports.

The modifications

were not recognized

as having the potential

to place the structures

outside of their design bases.Previous Similar Generic Communication

NRC Information

Notice 96-17, "Reactor Operations

Inconsistent

with the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report," dated March 18, 1996, (Accession

No. 9603150213).

This information

notice requires no written response.

If you have any questions

about the information

in this notice, please contact the technical

contacts listed below or the appropriate

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project Manager.References

1. NRC Inspection

Report 50-338/96-01

& 501339/96-01, dated March 21, 1996, (Accession

Number 9604090115)

2. Cooper Nuclear Station Licensee Event Report 50-298/95-018-01, dated May 31, 1996, (Accession

Number 9606110378)

3. Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station Licensee Event Report 50-254 &50-265/96-016, dated September

20, 1996, (Accession

Number 9609300009)

4. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Unit 1 Licensee Event Report 50-220195-005-01, dated June 26, 1996, (Accession

Number 9607010370)

r Thomas T. Martin, Director Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical

contacts:

Donald R. Taylor, RHI (540) 984-5421 E-mail: drt@nrc.gov

Neal K. Hunemuller, NRR (301) 415-1152 E-mail: nkh@nrc.gov

Attachment:

List of Recently Issued Information

Notices

K>Attachment

IN 96-64 December 10, 1996 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED NRC INFORMATION

NOTICES Information

Date of Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to 96-63 96-62 96-61 Potential

Safety Issue Regarding

the Shipment of Fissile Material Potential

Failure of the Instantaneous

Trip Function of General Electric RMS-9 Programmers

Failure of a Main Steam Safety Valve to Reseat Caused by an Improperly

Installed

Release Nut Potential

Common-Mode

Post-Accident Failure of Residual Heat Removal Heat Exchangers

Potential

Degradation

of Post Loss-of-Coolant

Recirculation

Capability

as a Result of Debris RCP Seal Replacement

with Pump on Backseat 12/05/96 11/20/96 11/20/96 11/14/96 10/30/96 10/30/96 All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory

Commission

licensees

authorized

to possess special nuclear material in unsealed quantities

greater than a critical mass All holders of OLs and CPs for nuclear power plants All holders of OLs or CPs for nuclear power reactors All holders of OLs or CPs for nuclear power reactors All holders of OLs or CPs for nuclear power reactors All holders of OLs or CPs for pressurized-water

reactors 96-60 96-59 96-58 OL = Operating

License CP = Construction

Permit

IN 96-64* -K' December 10, 1996 adequately

consider the design assumptions

used for analyzing

containment

structures

and supports.

The modifications

were not recognized

as having the potential

to place the structures

outside of their design bases.Previous Similar Generic Communication

NRC Information

Notice 96-17, "Reactor Operations

Inconsistent

with the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report," dated March 18, 1996, (Accession

No. 9603150213).

This information

notice requires no written response.

If you have any questions

about the information

in this notice, please contact the technical

contacts listed below or the appropriate

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project Manager.References

1. NRC Inspection

Report 50-338/96-01

& 50/339/96-01, dated March 21, 1996, (Accession

Number 9604090115)

2. Cooper Nuclear Station Licensee Event Report 50-298/95-018-01, dated May 31, 1996, (Accession

Number 9606110378)

3. Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station Licensee Event Report 50-254 &50-265/96-016, dated September

20, 1996, (Accession

Number 9609300009)

4. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Unit 1 Licensee Event Report 50-220/95-005-01, dated June 26, 1996, (Accession

Number 9607010370)

original signed by D.B. Matthews hLhomas T. Martin, Director Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical

contacts:

Donald R. Taylor, RII (540) 984-5421 E-mail: drt@nrc.gov

Neal K. Hunemuller, NRR (301) 415-1152 E-mail: nkhenrc.gov

Attachment:

List of Recently Issued Information

Notices Tech Editor has reviewed and concurred

on DOCUMENT NAME: 96-64.IN

• See previous concurrence

To receive a copy of this document, Indicate In the box: "C" a Copy without enclosures "EN' E Copy wqtpcdures "N" -No copy OFFICE PECB C:SCSB C:PECB D:DRP9 O/1 I NAME INHunemuller

CBerlinger

AChaffee*

TMartW f I DATE 12/ /96 11/18/96 11/22/96 12/ /96 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

K-, IN 96-xx November xx, 1996 adequately

consider the design assumptions

used for analyzing

containment

struct sand containment

structures

and supports.

The modifications

were not recognized

a aving the potential

to place the structures

outside of their design bases.Previous Similar Generic Communication

NRC Information

Notice 96-17, "Reactor Operations

Inconsistenth

the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report," dated March 18, 1996, (Accession

N .9603150213).

This information

notice requires no written response.

If u have any questions

about the information

in this notice, please contact the technical

ontacts listed below or the appropriate

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project Managr.References

1. NRC Inspection

Report 50-338/96-01

0/339/96-01, dated March 21, 1996, (Accession

Number 9604090115)

2. Cooper Nuclear Station License vent Report 50-298/95-018-01, dated May 31, 1996, (Accession

Num er 9606110378)

3. Quad Cities Nuclear Power tation Licensee Event Report 50-254 &50-265/96-016, dated Se ember 20, 1996, (Accession

Number 9609300009)

4. Nine Mile Point Nule Station Unit 1 Licensee Event Report 50-220/95-005-01, dated June 26, 1996, (A sion Number 9607010370)

Thomas T. Martin, Director Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technica contacts:

Donald R. Taylor, RII (540) 984-5421 E-mail: drt@nrc.gov

Neal K. Hunemuller, NRR (301) 415-1152 E-mail: nkh@nrc.gov

Attachment:

List of Recently Issued Information

Notices DOC ENT NAME: G:INKHXBLWTPNLS.IN

See previous concurren To rle a copy of this document, Indicate In the box: "C"

• Copy without enclosures "E" -copy w igsures "N" No copy OYFICE PECB C:SCSB I C:PECB D:DR r NAME NHunemuller

CBerlinger

• AChaffee*

TMartfn 1n!DATE 11/ /96 11/18/96 11/22/96 / /96D OFFICIAL RECORD COPY-

v>K>~IN 96-xx November xx, 1996 Pane% 3 nf R meet all of the secondary

containment

design bases described

In the UFSA Modifications

made to satisfy apparently

valid concerns did not adequa evaluate the effects on the panels' design bases or adequately

consider the de gn assumptions

used for analyzing

containment

structures

and suppo .The modifications

were not recognized

as having the potential

to pia the structures

outside of their design bases.Previous Similar Generic Communications

/NRC Information

Notice 96-17, "Reactor Operations

consistent

with the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report," dated March 18, 1996, cession No. 9603150213).

This information

notice requires no written r ponse. If you have any questions

about the information

in this notice, please con t the technical

contacts listed below or the appropriate

Office of Nuclear Reactor R ulation Project Manager.References

1. NRC Inspection

Report i38196-01

& 601339196-01, dated March 21, 1996, (Accession

Number 96 090115)2. Cooper Nuclear Staon Licensee Event Report 60-298195-018-01, dated May 31, 1996, (Ac sslon Number 9606110378)

3. Quad Cities N lear Power Station Licensee Event Report 50-254 &60-265196-01 dated September20, 1996, (Accession

Number9609300009)

4. Nine Mile Iont Nuclear Station Unit I Licensee Event Report 50-220195-005-01, dated Jue 26, 1996, (Accession

Number 9607010370)

contacts: Thomas T. Martin, Director Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Donald R. Taylor, RH (540) 984-5421 E-mall: drt@nrc.gov

Neal K. Hunemuller, NRR (301) 415-1152 E-mall: nkh@nrc.gov

Attachment:

List of Recently Issued Information

Notices TACt q4 2 6°DOCUMENT NAME: G:INKHRBLWTPNLS.IN

• See previous concurrence

To receive a copy of this document, Indicate In the box: "C" = Copy without enclosures

wE" -Copy with enclosures "N" n No copy OFFICE PECB J .C:SCSB I C:PECB D:DRPM l NAME NHunemullert

CBerlinger

• AChaffee Ok& ITMartin DATE 11/L/96 11/18/96 11/L/96 ' 11/ /96 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

v IN 96-xx November xx, 1996 for analyzing

containment

structures

and supports:

The modifications

were not recognized

as having the potential

to place the structures

outside of their design bases.Previous Similar Generic Communications

NRC Information

Notice 96-17, "Reactor Operations

Inconsistent

with Updated Final Safety Analysis Report," dated March 18, 1996, (Acc 9603150213).

This information

notice requires no written response.

If y have questions

about the information

in this notice, please cotact the 1 contacts listed below or the appropriate

Office of Nuci r Reactor I Project Manager.ion No.any technical Regulation

References

1. NRC Inspection

Report 50-338/96-01

& 50/(Accession

Number 9604090115)

-01, dated March 21, 1996, 2. Cooper Nuclear Station Licensee Eve Report 50-298/95-018-01, dated May 31. 1996, (Accession

Number 96 110378)3. Quad Cities Nuclear Power Stati Licensee Event Report 50-254 &50-265/96-016, dated September

20, 1996, (Accession

Number 9609300009)

4. Nine Mile Point Nuclear St ion Unit 1 Licensee Event Report 50-220/95-

005-01, dated June 26, 19 , (Accession

Number 9607010370)

Thomas T. Martin, Director Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical

contacts:

onald R. Taylor. RII (540) 984-5421 E-mail drt@nrc.gov

Neal K. Hunemuller, NRR (301) 415-1152 E-mail nkh@nrc.gov

Attachment.

ist of Recently Issued Information

Notices DOCUMENT NAME: :\NKH\BLWTPNLS.IN

• See previous concurrence

To ecelve a copy of Is document, Indicate In the box: "C" -Copy without encosures "E" -Copy with enclosures "N" N No copy OFFICE 1PEV l. 1C:SCSB C:PECB D:DRPM NAME N nemuller %M CBerlinger

• AChaffee TMartin DATE 1/f?/96 11/18/96 11/ /96 11/ /96/Ukt lIAL KtLUKU L Y A .'4 L

IN 96-xx* .November

xx. 1996 This information

notice requires no written response.

If you have any questions

about the information

in this notice, please contact the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project Manager.References

1. NRC Inspection

Report 50-338/96-01

& 50/339/96-01.

dated March 21. 1996.(Accession

Number 9604090115)

2. Cooper Nuclear Station Licensee Event Report 50-298/95-018-01.

dated May 31. 1996, (Accession

Number 9606110378)

3. Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station Licensee Event Report 50-254 &50-265/96-016, dated September

20. 1996. (Accession

Number 9609300009)

4. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Unit 1 Licensee Event Report 50-220/95-

005-01, dated June 26. 1996. (Accession

Number 9607010370)

Thomas T. Martin. Director Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical

contacts:

Donald R. Taylor, RII (540) 984-5421 E-mail drt@nrc.gov

Neal K. Hunemuller, NRR (301) 415-1152 E-mail nkh@nrc.gov

Attachment:List

of Recently Issued Information

Notices DOCUMENT NAME: G:\NKH\BLWTPNLS.IN

To receive a copy of this document, Indicate In tlh- ") " Copy without enclosures "En -Copy with enclosures "NW -No copy (OFFICE PECB l C:SCS6 A CPECB l D:DRPM l NAME NHunemullerm/

' CBerlinger

IAChaffee

MTartin DATE 11//5/96 111/ 96 &I11/ /96 11/ /96 OFFICIAXL

RECORD COPY