NRC Generic Letter 1996-05: Difference between revisions
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{{#Wiki_filter:UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY | {{#Wiki_filter:UNITED STATES | ||
COMMISSION | NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION | ||
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION | OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION | ||
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 September | WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 September 18, 1996 NRC GENERIC LETTER 96-05: PERIODIC VERIFICATION OF DESIGN-BASIS CAPABILITY | ||
18, 1996 NRC GENERIC LETTER 96-05: PERIODIC VERIFICATION | OF SAFETY-RELATED MOTOR-OPERATED VALVES | ||
OF DESIGN-BASIS | |||
CAPABILITY | |||
OF SAFETY-RELATED | |||
MOTOR-OPERATED | |||
VALVES | |||
==Addressees== | ==Addressees== | ||
Line 29: | Line 24: | ||
==Purpose== | ==Purpose== | ||
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this generic letter to (1) discuss the periodic verification of the capability of safety-related motor-operated valves (MOVs) to perform their safety functions consistent with the current licensing bases of nuclear power plants, (2) request that addressees implement actions described herein, and (3) require that addressees provide to the NRC a written response to this generic letter relating to implementation of the requested actions | The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this generic letter to | ||
(1)discuss the periodic verification of the capability of safety-related motor-operated valves (MOVs) to perform their safety functions consistent with the current licensing bases of nuclear power plants, (2)request that addressees implement actions described herein, and (3)require that addressees provide to the NRC a written response to this generic letter relating to implementation of the requested actions. | |||
Appendix A, "General Design Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants." and Appendix B. "Quality Assurance Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants and Fuel Reprocessing Plants," to Part 50 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations | Background NRC regulations require that components that are important to the safe operation of a nuclear power plant, including MOVs, be treated in a manner that provides assurance of their performance. Appendix A, "General Design Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants." and Appendix B. "Quality Assurance Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants and Fuel Reprocessing Plants," to Part 50 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR Part 50) include broad- based requirements in this regard. In 10 CFR 50.55a(f), the NRC requires licensees to comply with Section XI of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME Code). | ||
(10 CFR Part 50) include broad-based requirements in this regard. In 10 CFR 50.55a(f), the NRC requires licensees to comply with Section XI of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME Code).Nuclear power plant operating experience, valve performance problems and MOV research have revealed that the focus of the ASME Code on stroke time and leak-rate testing for MOVs was not sufficient in light of the design of the valves and the conditions under which they must function. | Nuclear power plant operating experience, valve performance problems and MOV | ||
research have revealed that the focus of the ASME Code on stroke time and leak-rate testing for MOVs was not sufficient in light of the design of the valves and the conditions under which they must function. For this reason, on June 28, 1989, the NRC staff issued Generic Letter (GL) 89-10. "Safety-Related Motor-Operated Valve Testing and Surveillance." In GL 89-10, the staff requested that licensees and permit holders ensure the capability of MOVs in safety-related systems to perform their intended functions by reviewing MOV | |||
design bases, verifying MOV switch settings initially and periodically, testing MOVs under design-basis conditions where practicable, improving evaluations of MOV failures and necessary corrective action, and trending MOV | |||
problems. The staff requested that licensees complete the GL 89-10 program within approximately three refueling outages or 5 years from the issuance of | |||
9609100488 PDf AocK 500000 3 urAP 5 4 I /Alt | |||
GL 96-05 September 18. 1996 the generic letter. Permit holders were requested to complete the GL 89-10 | |||
program before plant startup or in accordance with the above schedule, whichever was later. | |||
Recommendation "d"of GL 89-10 requested that licensees and permit holders prepare procedures to ensure that correct MOV switch settings are maintained throughout the life of the plant. GL 89-10 stated that it may become necessary to adjust MOV switch settings because of wear or aging and that additional measures beyond ASME Code stroke-time testing should be taken to adequately verify that the switch settings ensure MOV operability. | |||
Recommendation "j" of GL 89-10 stated that licensees should periodically verify MOV capability every 5 years or every 3 refueling outages | Recommendation "j"of GL 89-10 stated that licensees should periodically verify MOV capability every 5 years or every 3 refueling outages. | ||
Recommendation "h"of GL 89-10 requested that licensees evaluate trends in MOV | |||
performance every 2 years or at each refueling outage. | |||
GL 89-10 and | The staff issued seven supplements to GL 89-10 that provided additional guidance and information on GL 89-10 program scope, design-basis reviews, switch settings, testing, periodic verification, trending, and schedule extensions. Supplement 6 to GL 89-10 stated that no licensee had adequately justified the use of static test data as the sole basis for periodically ensuring MOV design-basis capability. | ||
This generic letter provides more complete guidance regarding periodic verification of safety-related MOVs and supersedes GL 89-10 and its supplements with regard to MOV periodic verification. | GL 89-10 and its supplements provide only limited guidance regarding periodic verification and the measures appropriate to assure preservation of design- basis capability. This generic letter provides more complete guidance regarding periodic verification of safety-related MOVs and supersedes GL 89-10 | ||
and its supplements with regard to MOV periodic verification. Although this guidance could have been provided in a supplement to GL 89-10, the staff has prepared this new generic letter to allow closure of the staff review of GL 89-10 programs as promptly as possible. | |||
Discussion Nuclear power plant utilities are nearing completion of the verification of the design-basis capability of their GL 89-10 MOVs. The NRC staff has been closing its review of individual GL 89-10 programs on the basis of the completion of the design-basis verification of safety-related MOVs at each nuclear power plant and the utility establishment of a program for periodic verification of MOV design-basis capability and for the trending of MOV | |||
problems. The staff may conduct a more complete review of licensee programs for MOV periodic verification as part of the implementation of this generic letter. | |||
The staff believes that various approaches can be taken by licensees to establish a periodic verification program that provides confidence in the long-term capability of MOVs to perform their design-basis safety functions. | |||
With each approach, the licensee should address potential degradation that can result in (1) the increase in thrust or torque requirements to operate the valves and (2) the decrease in the output capability of the motor actuator. | With each approach, the licensee should address potential degradation that can result in (1)the increase in thrust or torque requirements to operate the valves and (2)the decrease in the output capability of the motor actuator. | ||
GL 96-05 September | GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 The staff has long recognized the limitations of using stroke-time testing as a means of monitoring the operational readiness of MOVs (see GL 89-04, Supplement 1, "Guidance on Developing Acceptable Inservice Testing Programs") | ||
18, 1996 The staff has long recognized the limitations of using stroke-time testing as a means of monitoring the operational readiness of MOVs (see GL 89-04, Supplement | and has supported industry efforts to improve MOV periodic monitoring under the inservice testing (IST) program and GL 89-10. As such, the staff would consider a periodic verification program that provides an acceptable level of quality and safety as an alternative to the current IST requirements for stroke-time testing and could authorize such an alternative, upon application by a licensee, pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(i). Guidance in this generic letter and GL 89-04 (Supplement 1) could be used by a licensee in determining whether its periodic verification program provides an acceptable level of quality and safety. | ||
1, "Guidance on Developing Acceptable Inservice Testing Programs") | |||
and has supported industry efforts to improve MOV periodic monitoring under the inservice testing (IST) program and GL 89-10. As such, the staff would consider a periodic verification program that provides an acceptable level of quality and safety as an alternative to the current IST requirements for stroke-time testing and could authorize such an alternative, upon application by a licensee, pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(i). | |||
Guidance in this generic letter and GL 89-04 (Supplement | |||
1) could be used by a licensee in determining whether its periodic verification program provides an acceptable level of quality and safety | |||
Additionally, as discussed in Attachment | In Attachment 1 to this generic letter, the staff discusses industry and regulatory activities and programs related to maintaining long-term capability of safety-related MOVs and provides the staff position regarding American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code Case OMN-1. The staff also identifies attributes of periodic verification programs that the staff considers to be effective and an example approach in implementing those attributes. Additionally, as discussed in Attachment 1, certain licensees developed MOV periodic verification programs that the staff found acceptable during the closure of its review of GL 89-10 programs. | ||
1, certain licensees developed MOV periodic verification programs that the staff found acceptable during the closure of its review of GL 89-10 programs | |||
Licensees may consolidate long-term MOV periodic verification and trending activities as part of their programs to meet the Maintenance Rule (10 CFR | |||
50.65) and other applicable regulations. | |||
The program should ensure that changes in required performance resulting from degradation (such as those caused by age) can be properly identified and accounted for. | Requested Actions Each addressee of this generic letter is requested to establish a program, or to ensure the effectiveness of its current program, to verify on a periodic basis that safety-related MOVs continue to be capable of performing their safety functions within the current licensing bases of the facility. The program should ensure that changes in required performance resulting from degradation (such as those caused by age) can be properly identified and accounted for. | ||
==Addressees== | ==Addressees== | ||
that have developed periodic verification programs in response to GL 89-10 should review those programs to determine whether any changes are appropriate in light of the information in this generic letter | that have developed periodic verification programs in response to GL 89-10 should review those programs to determine whether any changes are appropriate in light of the information in this generic letter. | ||
If | Required Response All addressees are required to submit the following written responses to this generic letter: | ||
1. Within 60 days from the date of this generic letter, a written response indicating whether or not the addressee will implement the action(s) | |||
requested herein. If the addressee intends to implement the requested action(s), the addressee shall submit a schedule for completing implementation. If an addressee chooses not to implement the requested action(s), the addressee shall submit a description of any proposed alternative course of action, the schedule for completing the | |||
GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 alternative course of action (if applicable), and the safety basis for determining the acceptability of the planned alternative course of action. | |||
2. Within 180 days from the date of this generic letter, or upon notification to NRC of completion of GL 89-10 (whichever is later), the addressee shall submit a written summary description of its MOV periodic verification program established in accordance with the Requested Actions paragraph or the alternative course of action established by the addressee in response to item 1 above. | |||
All addressees shall submit the required written reports to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Document Control Desk, Washington, D.C. 20555- | |||
0001, under oath or affirmation under the provisions of Section 182a, Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and 10 CFR 50.54(f). In addition, a copy of the report shall be submitted to the appropriate Regional Administrator. | |||
==Backfit Discussion== | |||
10 CFR Part 50 (Appendix A, Criteria 1 and 4) and plant licensing safety analyses require and/or commit that the addressees design and test components and systems to provide adequate assurance that those systems can perform their safety functions. Other individual criteria in Appendix A to 10 CFR Part 50, | |||
or commitments made by licensees in their Final Safety Analysis Reports, apply to specific systems. In accordance with those regulations and licensing commitments, and under the additional provisions of Criterion XVI of Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50, licensees are required to take actions to ensure that safety-related MOVs are capable of performing their required safety functions. | |||
Recommendation "d"of GL 89-10 requested that licensees and permit holders prepare procedures to ensure that correct MOV switch settings are maintained throughout the life of the plant. GL 89-10 stated that it may become necessary to adjust MOV switch settings because of wear or aging and that additional measures beyond ASME Code stroke-time testing should be taken to adequately verify that the switch settings ensure MOV operability. The NRC | |||
staff issued GL 89-10 as a compliance backfit as defined in 10 CFR 50.109. | |||
A copy of this evaluation will be made available in the NRC Public Document Room. | The actions requested in this generic letter are considered compliance backfits, under the provisions of 10 CFR 50.109 and existing NRC procedures, to ensure that safety-related MOVs are capable of performing their intended safety functions. In accordance with the provisions of 10 CFR 50.109 regarding compliance backfits, a full backfit analysis was not performed for this proposed action; but the staff performed a documented evaluation, which stated the objectives of and reasons for the requested actions and the basis for invoking the compliance exception. A copy of this evaluation will be made available in the NRC Public Document Room. | ||
==Federal Register Notification== | ==Federal Register Notification== | ||
This generic letter was issued for a 60-day public comment period on February 20, 1996. | This generic letter was issued for a 60-day public comment period on February 20, 1996. | ||
GL 96-05 September | GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 | ||
18, 1996 | |||
==Paperwork Reduction Act Statement== | ==Paperwork Reduction Act Statement== | ||
This generic letter contains information collections that are subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). These information collections were approved by the Office of Management and Budget, approval number 3150-0011, which expires July 31, 1997 | This generic letter contains information collections that are subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). These information collections were approved by the Office of Management and Budget, approval number 3150-0011, which expires July 31, 1997. | ||
The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 75 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment on the potential impact of the collection of information contained in the generic letter and on the following issues: | |||
1. Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the NRC, including whether the information will have practical utility? | |||
2. Is the estimate of burden accurate? | |||
3. Is there a way to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected? | |||
4. How can the burden of the collection of information be minimized, including the use of automated collection techniques? | |||
Send comments on any aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Information and Records Management Branch, T-6 F33, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC | |||
20555-0001, and to the Desk Officer, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, NEOB-10202 (3150-0011), Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. | |||
The NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB | |||
control number. | |||
Attachment 1 GL 96-XX GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical contact or the lead project manager listed below, or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager. | |||
[Original signed by] | |||
Thomas T. Martin, Director Division of Reactor Program Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Technical contact: TMhomas G. Scarbrough, NRR | |||
301) 415-2794 Elmail: tgs@nrc.gov Lead Project Manager: Allen G. Hansen, NRR | |||
(301) 415-1390 | |||
Email: agh@nrc.gov Attachments: | |||
1. Activities and Programs Related to Maintaining Long-Term Capability of Safety-Related Motor-Operated Valves | |||
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Generic Letters Tech Editor reviewed and concurred on 08/01/95 DOCUMENT NAME: 96-05.GL *SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES | |||
To receive a copy of this document. Indicate inthe box: C' - Copy w/o attachment/enclosure 'E' - Copy wlattachmentlenclosure 'N' - No copy OFFICE TECH CONT l OGC H C\PECB D\qtM L_ | |||
NAME TGScarbro SChidakel* 0AC5/26/96 0 i-I | |||
.DATE 05/17/96 06/10/96 05/26/96 09likY96I | |||
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY | |||
Attachment 1 GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS RELATED TO MAINTAINING | |||
LONG-TERM CAPABILITY OF SAFETY-RELATED MOTOR-OPERATED VALVES | |||
Over the last several years, licensees and permit holders have conducted tests of a large number of MOVs under static and dynamic conditions as part of the implementation of their GL 89-10 programs. From these tests, licensees and permit holders identified significant weaknesses in the design and qualifica- tion of MOVs used in nuclear power plants. These weaknesses caused MOVs to fail to operate properly during testing. Further, some MOVs operated adequately under test conditions, but analyses of the test results sub- sequently revealed that the MOVs might not have performed their safety functions under design-basis conditions. Licensees and permit holders are applying significant resources to ensure that, despite the potential weak- nesses in original design and qualification, MOVs are currently capable of performing their safety functions under design-basis conditions. | |||
For some valves, licensees may have employed other methods (such as grouping) | In completing their GL 89-10 programs, licensees and permit holders may have based their confidence in the current design-basis capability of some safety- related MOVs on the thrust/torque requirements obtained directly from the dynamic testing without additional margin for age-related degradation. For some valves, licensees may have employed other methods (such as grouping) to establish design-basis capability. In some cases, the thrust/torque requirements obtained from the dynamic tests were significantly less than the thrust/torque required to operate apparently identical MOVs. Below, the staff discusses a research program conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) that indicates the potential for the thrust/torque required to operate a valve to increase with service until a plateau is reached. Aging can also decrease the thrust/torque output of motor actuators. Therefore, an effective program for periodic verification of MOV design capability will require that licensees understand the performance of their safety-related MOVs and the manner in which that performance can change with aging. | ||
to establish design-basis capability. | |||
Static diagnostic tests provide information on the thrust/torque output of the motor actuator and any changes to the motor-actuator output as a result of aging effects. The thrust and torque required to operate a valve are highly dependent on the differential pressure and flow across the valve disk, which are not present during static testing. Therefore, dynamic tests can provide information on the thrust/torque requirements and any changes to those requirements as a result of aging effects. Efforts are underway within the nuclear industry to develop methods to obtain information from static tests that would allow prediction of valve dynamic performance. As discussed below, EPRI has developed an analytical methodology that, when combined with static test data, provides bounding information on the thrust/torque requirements to operate gate, globe and butterfly valves under dynamic conditions. | |||
While there may be benefits to performing dynamic testing to ascertain the thrust/torque requirements and changes to these requirements as a result of aging, there are also potential detriments to dynamic testing (e.g., blowdown testing by EPRI resulted in damage to some valves). The staff has not | |||
Attachment 1 GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 concluded that dynamic testing is the preferred method of periodic verification testing and believes dynamic testing may not be appropriate for certain situations. The proposed method for periodic verification testing and demonstration of a particular valve's acceptability and ability to perform consistent with its design basis are the responsibility of the licensee. The proposed method for MOV periodic verification testing may be dependent on the valve and its application as well as the valve's performance history and its contribution to overall plant risk. | |||
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) | |||
A motor-operated valve (MOV) testing program conducted by EPRI has provided significant information regarding the long-term design-basis capabi ity of safety-related MOVs. In addition to finding that the thrust required to operate gate valves is typically greater than the thrust originally predicted by valve vendors, the EPRI program found that the thrust required to operate gate valves can increase with valve strokes until a plateau is reached. EPRI | |||
also found that certain valves could be damaged during high flow and blowdown testing.' | |||
The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) submitted EPRI Topical Report TR-103237, | |||
"EPRI MOV Performance Prediction Program." describing the methodology developed by EPRI to predict dynamic thrust and torque requirements for gate, globe, and butterfly valves without dynamic tests by licensees. The staff prepared a safety evaluation (SE), dated March 15, 1996, which approves the topical report for use and reference. Hence, the staff would find it acceptable if a licensee applied the EPRI methodology (inaccordance with this generic letter and the conditions or limitations contained in the NRC staff's | |||
'Inaddition to information applicable to MOV periodic verification, the EPRI program has revealed performance characteristics of MOVs that might adversely affect a licensee's determination of the current capability of certain MOVs. In particular, EPRI found that a high percentage of gate valves were damaged during hot water and steam blowdown testing with thrust requirements unable to be predicted. For MOVs that might be damaged under such conditions, EPRI esta lished possible modifications to valve internals for proper clearances and for rounding sharp edges. With respect to globe valves, EPRI found that reliable prediction of globe valve thrust requirements requires an appropriate seat or guide area in thrust calculations. Although EPRI tested only one globe valve under high temperature and blowdown conditions, the test revealed significantly higher thrust requirements than predicted. EPRI also found that load-sensitive behavior (or rate of loading) | |||
can reduce actuator thrust output under dynamic conditions. EPRI has furnished the results of their MOV tests to licensees through industry meetings, and the NRC staff has disseminated the results of the tests to licensees through information notices on the EPRI test program and public meetings. Some licensees have already incorporated this information into their MOV programs. | |||
'p Attachment 1 GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 safety evaluation (SE) in establishing a program for periodic verification of MOV design-basis capability. | |||
Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) Owners' Group The BWR Owners' Group submitted Topical Report NEDC 32264, "Application of Probabilistic Safety Assessment to Generic Letter 89-10 Implementation," which provides a methodology to rank the MOVs in GL 89-10 programs with respect to their relative importance to core damage frequency, including appropriate considerations regarding other consequences to be added by an expert panel. | |||
The staff prepared | The staff prepared an SE, dated February 27, 1996. on the topical report. The staff considers the methodology acceptable (inaccordance with any conditions or limitations contained in the NRC staff's SE) for ranking MOVs in BWRs because the plant-specific IPE-based insights are supplemented by generic insights and expert review involving additional considerations, such as external events and shutdown issues. In addition, the use of the MOV rankings is in combination with deterministic considerations that ensure a minimally acceptable frequency of testing is established even for the least risk- significant valves. | ||
NRC Research Activities In the 1980s, the NRC Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) sponsored a test program by the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) to determine the thrust required to operate motor-operated gate valves under dynamic flow conditions. The results of the EPRI valve test program confirmed the findings of the NRC's smaller-scale test program. More recently, preliminary results from the testing of valve material samples sponsored by RES indicate that valve friction can increase with aging. | |||
With respect to MOV ranking, RES sponsored a study of appropriate frequencies of periodic testing of MOVs based on their risk significance. This work is summarized in an article titled "Risk-Based Approach for Prioritizing Motor- Operated Valves" in NUREG/CP-0137, "Proceedings of the Third NRC/ASME | |||
Symposium on Valve and Pump Testing." | |||
American Society of Mechanical EnQineers (ASME) | |||
Licensees are currently bound by the requirements in their Code-of-record regarding stroke-time inservice testing (1ST), as modified by relief requests approved by the staff. Licensees have also verified MOV design-basis capability pursuant to their GL 89-10 commitments. | |||
The ASME Operations and Maintenance Code Committee has developed a method to verify MOV design-basis capability through periodic testing. Through a non- mandatory code case (OMN-1, entitled: "Alternative Rules for Preservice and Inservice Testing of Certain Electric Motor Operated Valve Assemblies in LWR | |||
Power Plants, OM Code 1995 Edition; Subsection ISTC"), ASME is allowing the replacement of frequent stroke-time testing with periodic exercising of all | |||
Attachment 1 GL 96-05 September 18. 1996 safety-related MOVs once per cycle and diagnostic testing under static or dynamic conditions, as appropriate. | |||
With certain limitations, the staff considers the method described in the code case to meet the intent of this generic letter: | |||
(1)When implementing the code case, the staff notes as an additional precaution that the benefits (such as identification of decreased thrust output and increased thrust requirements) and potential adverse effects (such as accelerated aging or valve damage) need to be considered when determining appropriate testing for each MOV. | |||
(2)The code case states that the maximum inservice test frequency shall not exceed 10 years. The staff agrees with this condition of a maximum test interval of 10 years based on current knowledge and experience. In addition to this maximum test interval, where a selected test interval extends beyond five years or three refueling outages (whichever is longer), the licensee should evaluate information obtained from valve testing conducted during the first five-year or three-refueling-outage time period to validate assumptions made in justifying the longer test interval. Based on performance and test experience obtained during the initial interval, a licensee may be able to justify lengthened MOV | |||
periodic verification intervals. | |||
(3)Some licensees are developing programs for inservice testing that include consideration of risk insights. As part of an industry pilot effort, two licensees have submitted requests to utilize this approach to determine inservice test frequencies for certain components, in lieu of testing these components per the frequencies specified by the ASME | |||
Code. Licensees involved in these IST programs that seek to implement the ASME code case need to specifically address the relationship of the code case to their pilot initiative. | |||
Plant-Specific Programs The staff has found effective programs for periodic verification of safety- related MOV design-basis capability at nuclear power plants to be characterized by several attributes, as follow: | |||
* Risk insights to supplement the deterministic considerations may be used to prioritize valve test activities, such as frequency of individual valve tests and selection of valves to be tested. | |||
The | * The valve test program should provide adequate confidence that safety- related MOVs will remain operable until the next scheduled test. | ||
* The importance of the valve should be considered in determining an appropriate mix of-exercising and diagnostic testing. In establishing the mix of testing, the licensee should consider the benefits (such as | |||
Attachment 1 GL 96-05 September 18. 1996 identification of decreased thrust output and increased thrust requirements) and potential adverse effects (such as accelerated aging or valve damage) when determining the appropriate type of periodic verification testing for each safety-related MOV. | |||
1 GL 96-05 September | |||
18. 1996 safety-related | |||
* All safety-related MOVs covered by the GL 89-10 program should be considered in the development of the periodic verification program. The program should include safety-related MOVs that are assumed to be capable of returning to their safety position when placed in a position that prevents their safety system (or train) from performing its safety function: and the system (or train) is not declared inoperable when the MOVs are in their nonsafety position. | |||
and | |||
* Licensees should evaluate and monitor valve performance and maintenance and periodically adjust the periodic verification program, as appropriate. | |||
Licensees of several facilities (for example. Callaway, Monticello. and South Texas) had established MOV periodic verification programs that the staff found acceptable during closure of its review of GL 89-10 programs. One approach to MOV periodic verification that the staff found acceptable is to diagnostically test each safety-related MOV every 5 years (or every | |||
3 refueling outages) to determine thrust and torque motor-actuator output and any changes in the output. A specific margin to account for potential degradation such as that caused by age (inaddition to margin for diagnostic error, equipment repeatability, load-sensitive behavior, and lubricant degradation) is established above the minimum thrust and torque requirements determined under the GL 89-10 program. The selection of MOVs for testing and their test conditions should take into account safety significance, available margin, MOV environment, and the benefits and potential adverse effects of static and dynamic periodic verification testing on the selected MOV sample. | |||
Measures such as grouping and sharing of valve performance between facilities are appropriate to minimize the need to conduct more rigorous periodic verification tests. | |||
As | As discussed in this generic letter, the staff has long recognized the limitations of using stroke-time testing as a means of monitoring the operational readiness of MOVs (see GL 89-04) and has supported industry efforts to improve MOV periodic monitoring under the IST program and GL 89-10. | ||
As such, the staff would consider a periodic verification program that provides an acceptable level of quality and safety as an alternative to the current IST requirements for stroke-time testing and could authorize such an alternative, upon application by a licensee, pursuant to the provisions of | |||
10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(i). | |||
Attachment 2 GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED GENERIC LETTERS | |||
Generic Date of ILLL-1I | |||
n+ttvr riihiprt Issuance Issued To | |||
96-04 BORAFLEX DEGRADATION IN 06/26/96 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs SPENT FUEL POOL STORAGE FOR NPRs RACKS | |||
95-09. MONITORING AND TRAINING OF 04/05/96 ALL U.S. NUCLEAR | |||
SUPP. 1 SHIPPERS AND CARRIERS OF REGULATORY COMMISSION | |||
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS LICENSEES | |||
96-03 RELOCATION OF THE PRESSURE 01/31/96 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs TEMPERATURE LIMIT CURVES OR CPs FOR NPRs AND LOW TEMPERATURE OVER- | |||
PRESSURE PROTECTION SYSTEM | |||
LIMITS | |||
96-02 RECONSIDERATION OF NUCLEAR 01/31/96 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs POWER PLANT SECURITY OR CPs FOR NPRs REQUIREMENTS ASSOCIATED | |||
WITH AN INTERNAL THREAT | |||
89-10. CONSIDERATION OF VALVE 01/24/96 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs Supp. 7 MISPOSITIONING IN (EXCEPT THOSE LICENSES | |||
PRESSURIZED-WATER THAT HAVE BEEN AMENDED | |||
REACTORS TO A POSSESSION ONLY | |||
STATUS) OR CPs FOR NPRs | |||
96-01 TESTING OF SAFETY-RELATED 01/10/96 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs OR | |||
LOGIC CIRCUITS CPs FOR NPRs | |||
95-10 RELOCATION OF SELECTED 12/15/95 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs OR | |||
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS CPs FOR NPRs REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO | |||
INSTRUMENTATION | |||
95-09 MONITORING AND TRAINING OF 11/03/95 ALL U.S. NRC LICENSEES | |||
SHIPPERS AND CARRIERS OF | |||
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS | |||
95-08 10 CFR 50.54(p) PROCESS FOR 10/31/95 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs & | |||
CHANGES TO SECURITY PLANS CPs FOR NPRs WITHOUT PRIOR NRC APPROVAL | |||
OL = OPERATING LICENSE | |||
CP = CONSTRUCTION PERMIT | |||
NPR = NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS | |||
Attachment 1 GL 96-XX GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical contact or the lead project manager listed below, or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager. | |||
[Origina signed by] | |||
Thomas T. Martin, Director Division of Reactor Program Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Technical contact: Thomas G. Scarbrough, NRR | |||
(,301) 415-2794 Email: tgs@nrc.gov Lead Project Manager: Allen G. Hansen, NRR | |||
(301) 415-1390 | |||
Email: agh@nrc.gov Attachments: | |||
1. Activities and Programs Related to Maintaining Long-Term Capability of Safety-Related Motor-Operated Valves | |||
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Generic Letters fi tf C "tff p4V (" ,r,(/ | |||
Tech Editor reviewed and concurred on 08/01/95 DOCUMENT NAME: 96-05.GL *SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES | |||
To receive a copy of this document, hIdicate hIthe box: 'C' = Copy w/o attachment/enclosure 'E- - Copy w/attachmentlenclosure 'N' - No copy OFFICE TECH CONT I OGC I 1C\PECB [ D\fPMl NAME TGScarbrough* SChidakel* IAChaffee* TT1aftFin DATE 05/17/96 06/10/96 05/26/96 09/i&196 OFFICIAL RECORD COP | |||
71137 | |||
1I-)}} | |||
1. Activities and Programs Related to Maintaining Long-Term Capability of Safety-Related Motor-Operated Valves 2. List of Recently Issued NRC Generic Letters C | |||
To receive a copy of this document, hIdicate | |||
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Revision as of 03:06, 24 November 2019
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 September 18, 1996 NRC GENERIC LETTER 96-05: PERIODIC VERIFICATION OF DESIGN-BASIS CAPABILITY
OF SAFETY-RELATED MOTOR-OPERATED VALVES
Addressees
All holders of operating licenses (except those licenses that have been amended to possession-only status) or construction permits for nuclear power reactors.
Purpose
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this generic letter to
(1)discuss the periodic verification of the capability of safety-related motor-operated valves (MOVs) to perform their safety functions consistent with the current licensing bases of nuclear power plants, (2)request that addressees implement actions described herein, and (3)require that addressees provide to the NRC a written response to this generic letter relating to implementation of the requested actions.
Background NRC regulations require that components that are important to the safe operation of a nuclear power plant, including MOVs, be treated in a manner that provides assurance of their performance. Appendix A, "General Design Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants." and Appendix B. "Quality Assurance Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants and Fuel Reprocessing Plants," to Part 50 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR Part 50) include broad- based requirements in this regard. In 10 CFR 50.55a(f), the NRC requires licensees to comply with Section XI of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME Code).
Nuclear power plant operating experience, valve performance problems and MOV
research have revealed that the focus of the ASME Code on stroke time and leak-rate testing for MOVs was not sufficient in light of the design of the valves and the conditions under which they must function. For this reason, on June 28, 1989, the NRC staff issued Generic Letter (GL) 89-10. "Safety-Related Motor-Operated Valve Testing and Surveillance." In GL 89-10, the staff requested that licensees and permit holders ensure the capability of MOVs in safety-related systems to perform their intended functions by reviewing MOV
design bases, verifying MOV switch settings initially and periodically, testing MOVs under design-basis conditions where practicable, improving evaluations of MOV failures and necessary corrective action, and trending MOV
problems. The staff requested that licensees complete the GL 89-10 program within approximately three refueling outages or 5 years from the issuance of
9609100488 PDf AocK 500000 3 urAP 5 4 I /Alt
GL 96-05 September 18. 1996 the generic letter. Permit holders were requested to complete the GL 89-10
program before plant startup or in accordance with the above schedule, whichever was later.
Recommendation "d"of GL 89-10 requested that licensees and permit holders prepare procedures to ensure that correct MOV switch settings are maintained throughout the life of the plant. GL 89-10 stated that it may become necessary to adjust MOV switch settings because of wear or aging and that additional measures beyond ASME Code stroke-time testing should be taken to adequately verify that the switch settings ensure MOV operability.
Recommendation "j"of GL 89-10 stated that licensees should periodically verify MOV capability every 5 years or every 3 refueling outages.
Recommendation "h"of GL 89-10 requested that licensees evaluate trends in MOV
performance every 2 years or at each refueling outage.
The staff issued seven supplements to GL 89-10 that provided additional guidance and information on GL 89-10 program scope, design-basis reviews, switch settings, testing, periodic verification, trending, and schedule extensions. Supplement 6 to GL 89-10 stated that no licensee had adequately justified the use of static test data as the sole basis for periodically ensuring MOV design-basis capability.
GL 89-10 and its supplements provide only limited guidance regarding periodic verification and the measures appropriate to assure preservation of design- basis capability. This generic letter provides more complete guidance regarding periodic verification of safety-related MOVs and supersedes GL 89-10
and its supplements with regard to MOV periodic verification. Although this guidance could have been provided in a supplement to GL 89-10, the staff has prepared this new generic letter to allow closure of the staff review of GL 89-10 programs as promptly as possible.
Discussion Nuclear power plant utilities are nearing completion of the verification of the design-basis capability of their GL 89-10 MOVs. The NRC staff has been closing its review of individual GL 89-10 programs on the basis of the completion of the design-basis verification of safety-related MOVs at each nuclear power plant and the utility establishment of a program for periodic verification of MOV design-basis capability and for the trending of MOV
problems. The staff may conduct a more complete review of licensee programs for MOV periodic verification as part of the implementation of this generic letter.
The staff believes that various approaches can be taken by licensees to establish a periodic verification program that provides confidence in the long-term capability of MOVs to perform their design-basis safety functions.
With each approach, the licensee should address potential degradation that can result in (1)the increase in thrust or torque requirements to operate the valves and (2)the decrease in the output capability of the motor actuator.
GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 The staff has long recognized the limitations of using stroke-time testing as a means of monitoring the operational readiness of MOVs (see GL 89-04, Supplement 1, "Guidance on Developing Acceptable Inservice Testing Programs")
and has supported industry efforts to improve MOV periodic monitoring under the inservice testing (IST) program and GL 89-10. As such, the staff would consider a periodic verification program that provides an acceptable level of quality and safety as an alternative to the current IST requirements for stroke-time testing and could authorize such an alternative, upon application by a licensee, pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(i). Guidance in this generic letter and GL 89-04 (Supplement 1) could be used by a licensee in determining whether its periodic verification program provides an acceptable level of quality and safety.
In Attachment 1 to this generic letter, the staff discusses industry and regulatory activities and programs related to maintaining long-term capability of safety-related MOVs and provides the staff position regarding American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code Case OMN-1. The staff also identifies attributes of periodic verification programs that the staff considers to be effective and an example approach in implementing those attributes. Additionally, as discussed in Attachment 1, certain licensees developed MOV periodic verification programs that the staff found acceptable during the closure of its review of GL 89-10 programs.
Licensees may consolidate long-term MOV periodic verification and trending activities as part of their programs to meet the Maintenance Rule (10 CFR 50.65) and other applicable regulations.
Requested Actions Each addressee of this generic letter is requested to establish a program, or to ensure the effectiveness of its current program, to verify on a periodic basis that safety-related MOVs continue to be capable of performing their safety functions within the current licensing bases of the facility. The program should ensure that changes in required performance resulting from degradation (such as those caused by age) can be properly identified and accounted for.
Addressees
that have developed periodic verification programs in response to GL 89-10 should review those programs to determine whether any changes are appropriate in light of the information in this generic letter.
Required Response All addressees are required to submit the following written responses to this generic letter:
1. Within 60 days from the date of this generic letter, a written response indicating whether or not the addressee will implement the action(s)
requested herein. If the addressee intends to implement the requested action(s), the addressee shall submit a schedule for completing implementation. If an addressee chooses not to implement the requested action(s), the addressee shall submit a description of any proposed alternative course of action, the schedule for completing the
GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 alternative course of action (if applicable), and the safety basis for determining the acceptability of the planned alternative course of action.
2. Within 180 days from the date of this generic letter, or upon notification to NRC of completion of GL 89-10 (whichever is later), the addressee shall submit a written summary description of its MOV periodic verification program established in accordance with the Requested Actions paragraph or the alternative course of action established by the addressee in response to item 1 above.
All addressees shall submit the required written reports to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Document Control Desk, Washington, D.C. 20555-
0001, under oath or affirmation under the provisions of Section 182a, Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and 10 CFR 50.54(f). In addition, a copy of the report shall be submitted to the appropriate Regional Administrator.
Backfit Discussion
10 CFR Part 50 (Appendix A, Criteria 1 and 4) and plant licensing safety analyses require and/or commit that the addressees design and test components and systems to provide adequate assurance that those systems can perform their safety functions. Other individual criteria in Appendix A to 10 CFR Part 50,
or commitments made by licensees in their Final Safety Analysis Reports, apply to specific systems. In accordance with those regulations and licensing commitments, and under the additional provisions of Criterion XVI of Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50, licensees are required to take actions to ensure that safety-related MOVs are capable of performing their required safety functions.
Recommendation "d"of GL 89-10 requested that licensees and permit holders prepare procedures to ensure that correct MOV switch settings are maintained throughout the life of the plant. GL 89-10 stated that it may become necessary to adjust MOV switch settings because of wear or aging and that additional measures beyond ASME Code stroke-time testing should be taken to adequately verify that the switch settings ensure MOV operability. The NRC
staff issued GL 89-10 as a compliance backfit as defined in 10 CFR 50.109.
The actions requested in this generic letter are considered compliance backfits, under the provisions of 10 CFR 50.109 and existing NRC procedures, to ensure that safety-related MOVs are capable of performing their intended safety functions. In accordance with the provisions of 10 CFR 50.109 regarding compliance backfits, a full backfit analysis was not performed for this proposed action; but the staff performed a documented evaluation, which stated the objectives of and reasons for the requested actions and the basis for invoking the compliance exception. A copy of this evaluation will be made available in the NRC Public Document Room.
Federal Register Notification
This generic letter was issued for a 60-day public comment period on February 20, 1996.
GL 96-05 September 18, 1996
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
This generic letter contains information collections that are subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). These information collections were approved by the Office of Management and Budget, approval number 3150-0011, which expires July 31, 1997.
The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 75 hours8.680556e-4 days <br />0.0208 hours <br />1.240079e-4 weeks <br />2.85375e-5 months <br /> per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is seeking public comment on the potential impact of the collection of information contained in the generic letter and on the following issues:
1. Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the NRC, including whether the information will have practical utility?
2. Is the estimate of burden accurate?
3. Is there a way to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected?
4. How can the burden of the collection of information be minimized, including the use of automated collection techniques?
Send comments on any aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Information and Records Management Branch, T-6 F33, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC
20555-0001, and to the Desk Officer, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, NEOB-10202 (3150-0011), Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503.
The NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
Attachment 1 GL 96-XX GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical contact or the lead project manager listed below, or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.
[Original signed by]
Thomas T. Martin, Director Division of Reactor Program Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Technical contact: TMhomas G. Scarbrough, NRR
301) 415-2794 Elmail: tgs@nrc.gov Lead Project Manager: Allen G. Hansen, NRR
(301) 415-1390
Email: agh@nrc.gov Attachments:
1. Activities and Programs Related to Maintaining Long-Term Capability of Safety-Related Motor-Operated Valves
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Generic Letters Tech Editor reviewed and concurred on 08/01/95 DOCUMENT NAME: 96-05.GL *SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES
To receive a copy of this document. Indicate inthe box: C' - Copy w/o attachment/enclosure 'E' - Copy wlattachmentlenclosure 'N' - No copy OFFICE TECH CONT l OGC H C\PECB D\qtM L_
NAME TGScarbro SChidakel* 0AC5/26/96 0 i-I
.DATE 05/17/96 06/10/96 05/26/96 09likY96I
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Attachment 1 GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS RELATED TO MAINTAINING
LONG-TERM CAPABILITY OF SAFETY-RELATED MOTOR-OPERATED VALVES
Over the last several years, licensees and permit holders have conducted tests of a large number of MOVs under static and dynamic conditions as part of the implementation of their GL 89-10 programs. From these tests, licensees and permit holders identified significant weaknesses in the design and qualifica- tion of MOVs used in nuclear power plants. These weaknesses caused MOVs to fail to operate properly during testing. Further, some MOVs operated adequately under test conditions, but analyses of the test results sub- sequently revealed that the MOVs might not have performed their safety functions under design-basis conditions. Licensees and permit holders are applying significant resources to ensure that, despite the potential weak- nesses in original design and qualification, MOVs are currently capable of performing their safety functions under design-basis conditions.
In completing their GL 89-10 programs, licensees and permit holders may have based their confidence in the current design-basis capability of some safety- related MOVs on the thrust/torque requirements obtained directly from the dynamic testing without additional margin for age-related degradation. For some valves, licensees may have employed other methods (such as grouping) to establish design-basis capability. In some cases, the thrust/torque requirements obtained from the dynamic tests were significantly less than the thrust/torque required to operate apparently identical MOVs. Below, the staff discusses a research program conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) that indicates the potential for the thrust/torque required to operate a valve to increase with service until a plateau is reached. Aging can also decrease the thrust/torque output of motor actuators. Therefore, an effective program for periodic verification of MOV design capability will require that licensees understand the performance of their safety-related MOVs and the manner in which that performance can change with aging.
Static diagnostic tests provide information on the thrust/torque output of the motor actuator and any changes to the motor-actuator output as a result of aging effects. The thrust and torque required to operate a valve are highly dependent on the differential pressure and flow across the valve disk, which are not present during static testing. Therefore, dynamic tests can provide information on the thrust/torque requirements and any changes to those requirements as a result of aging effects. Efforts are underway within the nuclear industry to develop methods to obtain information from static tests that would allow prediction of valve dynamic performance. As discussed below, EPRI has developed an analytical methodology that, when combined with static test data, provides bounding information on the thrust/torque requirements to operate gate, globe and butterfly valves under dynamic conditions.
While there may be benefits to performing dynamic testing to ascertain the thrust/torque requirements and changes to these requirements as a result of aging, there are also potential detriments to dynamic testing (e.g., blowdown testing by EPRI resulted in damage to some valves). The staff has not
Attachment 1 GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 concluded that dynamic testing is the preferred method of periodic verification testing and believes dynamic testing may not be appropriate for certain situations. The proposed method for periodic verification testing and demonstration of a particular valve's acceptability and ability to perform consistent with its design basis are the responsibility of the licensee. The proposed method for MOV periodic verification testing may be dependent on the valve and its application as well as the valve's performance history and its contribution to overall plant risk.
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
A motor-operated valve (MOV) testing program conducted by EPRI has provided significant information regarding the long-term design-basis capabi ity of safety-related MOVs. In addition to finding that the thrust required to operate gate valves is typically greater than the thrust originally predicted by valve vendors, the EPRI program found that the thrust required to operate gate valves can increase with valve strokes until a plateau is reached. EPRI
also found that certain valves could be damaged during high flow and blowdown testing.'
The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) submitted EPRI Topical Report TR-103237,
"EPRI MOV Performance Prediction Program." describing the methodology developed by EPRI to predict dynamic thrust and torque requirements for gate, globe, and butterfly valves without dynamic tests by licensees. The staff prepared a safety evaluation (SE), dated March 15, 1996, which approves the topical report for use and reference. Hence, the staff would find it acceptable if a licensee applied the EPRI methodology (inaccordance with this generic letter and the conditions or limitations contained in the NRC staff's
'Inaddition to information applicable to MOV periodic verification, the EPRI program has revealed performance characteristics of MOVs that might adversely affect a licensee's determination of the current capability of certain MOVs. In particular, EPRI found that a high percentage of gate valves were damaged during hot water and steam blowdown testing with thrust requirements unable to be predicted. For MOVs that might be damaged under such conditions, EPRI esta lished possible modifications to valve internals for proper clearances and for rounding sharp edges. With respect to globe valves, EPRI found that reliable prediction of globe valve thrust requirements requires an appropriate seat or guide area in thrust calculations. Although EPRI tested only one globe valve under high temperature and blowdown conditions, the test revealed significantly higher thrust requirements than predicted. EPRI also found that load-sensitive behavior (or rate of loading)
can reduce actuator thrust output under dynamic conditions. EPRI has furnished the results of their MOV tests to licensees through industry meetings, and the NRC staff has disseminated the results of the tests to licensees through information notices on the EPRI test program and public meetings. Some licensees have already incorporated this information into their MOV programs.
'p Attachment 1 GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 safety evaluation (SE) in establishing a program for periodic verification of MOV design-basis capability.
Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) Owners' Group The BWR Owners' Group submitted Topical Report NEDC 32264, "Application of Probabilistic Safety Assessment to Generic Letter 89-10 Implementation," which provides a methodology to rank the MOVs in GL 89-10 programs with respect to their relative importance to core damage frequency, including appropriate considerations regarding other consequences to be added by an expert panel.
The staff prepared an SE, dated February 27, 1996. on the topical report. The staff considers the methodology acceptable (inaccordance with any conditions or limitations contained in the NRC staff's SE) for ranking MOVs in BWRs because the plant-specific IPE-based insights are supplemented by generic insights and expert review involving additional considerations, such as external events and shutdown issues. In addition, the use of the MOV rankings is in combination with deterministic considerations that ensure a minimally acceptable frequency of testing is established even for the least risk- significant valves.
NRC Research Activities In the 1980s, the NRC Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) sponsored a test program by the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) to determine the thrust required to operate motor-operated gate valves under dynamic flow conditions. The results of the EPRI valve test program confirmed the findings of the NRC's smaller-scale test program. More recently, preliminary results from the testing of valve material samples sponsored by RES indicate that valve friction can increase with aging.
With respect to MOV ranking, RES sponsored a study of appropriate frequencies of periodic testing of MOVs based on their risk significance. This work is summarized in an article titled "Risk-Based Approach for Prioritizing Motor- Operated Valves" in NUREG/CP-0137, "Proceedings of the Third NRC/ASME
Symposium on Valve and Pump Testing."
American Society of Mechanical EnQineers (ASME)
Licensees are currently bound by the requirements in their Code-of-record regarding stroke-time inservice testing (1ST), as modified by relief requests approved by the staff. Licensees have also verified MOV design-basis capability pursuant to their GL 89-10 commitments.
The ASME Operations and Maintenance Code Committee has developed a method to verify MOV design-basis capability through periodic testing. Through a non- mandatory code case (OMN-1, entitled: "Alternative Rules for Preservice and Inservice Testing of Certain Electric Motor Operated Valve Assemblies in LWR
Power Plants, OM Code 1995 Edition; Subsection ISTC"), ASME is allowing the replacement of frequent stroke-time testing with periodic exercising of all
Attachment 1 GL 96-05 September 18. 1996 safety-related MOVs once per cycle and diagnostic testing under static or dynamic conditions, as appropriate.
With certain limitations, the staff considers the method described in the code case to meet the intent of this generic letter:
(1)When implementing the code case, the staff notes as an additional precaution that the benefits (such as identification of decreased thrust output and increased thrust requirements) and potential adverse effects (such as accelerated aging or valve damage) need to be considered when determining appropriate testing for each MOV.
(2)The code case states that the maximum inservice test frequency shall not exceed 10 years. The staff agrees with this condition of a maximum test interval of 10 years based on current knowledge and experience. In addition to this maximum test interval, where a selected test interval extends beyond five years or three refueling outages (whichever is longer), the licensee should evaluate information obtained from valve testing conducted during the first five-year or three-refueling-outage time period to validate assumptions made in justifying the longer test interval. Based on performance and test experience obtained during the initial interval, a licensee may be able to justify lengthened MOV
periodic verification intervals.
(3)Some licensees are developing programs for inservice testing that include consideration of risk insights. As part of an industry pilot effort, two licensees have submitted requests to utilize this approach to determine inservice test frequencies for certain components, in lieu of testing these components per the frequencies specified by the ASME
Code. Licensees involved in these IST programs that seek to implement the ASME code case need to specifically address the relationship of the code case to their pilot initiative.
Plant-Specific Programs The staff has found effective programs for periodic verification of safety- related MOV design-basis capability at nuclear power plants to be characterized by several attributes, as follow:
- Risk insights to supplement the deterministic considerations may be used to prioritize valve test activities, such as frequency of individual valve tests and selection of valves to be tested.
- The valve test program should provide adequate confidence that safety- related MOVs will remain operable until the next scheduled test.
- The importance of the valve should be considered in determining an appropriate mix of-exercising and diagnostic testing. In establishing the mix of testing, the licensee should consider the benefits (such as
Attachment 1 GL 96-05 September 18. 1996 identification of decreased thrust output and increased thrust requirements) and potential adverse effects (such as accelerated aging or valve damage) when determining the appropriate type of periodic verification testing for each safety-related MOV.
- All safety-related MOVs covered by the GL 89-10 program should be considered in the development of the periodic verification program. The program should include safety-related MOVs that are assumed to be capable of returning to their safety position when placed in a position that prevents their safety system (or train) from performing its safety function: and the system (or train) is not declared inoperable when the MOVs are in their nonsafety position.
- Licensees should evaluate and monitor valve performance and maintenance and periodically adjust the periodic verification program, as appropriate.
Licensees of several facilities (for example. Callaway, Monticello. and South Texas) had established MOV periodic verification programs that the staff found acceptable during closure of its review of GL 89-10 programs. One approach to MOV periodic verification that the staff found acceptable is to diagnostically test each safety-related MOV every 5 years (or every
3 refueling outages) to determine thrust and torque motor-actuator output and any changes in the output. A specific margin to account for potential degradation such as that caused by age (inaddition to margin for diagnostic error, equipment repeatability, load-sensitive behavior, and lubricant degradation) is established above the minimum thrust and torque requirements determined under the GL 89-10 program. The selection of MOVs for testing and their test conditions should take into account safety significance, available margin, MOV environment, and the benefits and potential adverse effects of static and dynamic periodic verification testing on the selected MOV sample.
Measures such as grouping and sharing of valve performance between facilities are appropriate to minimize the need to conduct more rigorous periodic verification tests.
As discussed in this generic letter, the staff has long recognized the limitations of using stroke-time testing as a means of monitoring the operational readiness of MOVs (see GL 89-04) and has supported industry efforts to improve MOV periodic monitoring under the IST program and GL 89-10.
As such, the staff would consider a periodic verification program that provides an acceptable level of quality and safety as an alternative to the current IST requirements for stroke-time testing and could authorize such an alternative, upon application by a licensee, pursuant to the provisions of
Attachment 2 GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED GENERIC LETTERS
Generic Date of ILLL-1I
n+ttvr riihiprt Issuance Issued To
96-04 BORAFLEX DEGRADATION IN 06/26/96 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs SPENT FUEL POOL STORAGE FOR NPRs RACKS
95-09. MONITORING AND TRAINING OF 04/05/96 ALL U.S. NUCLEAR
SUPP. 1 SHIPPERS AND CARRIERS OF REGULATORY COMMISSION
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS LICENSEES
96-03 RELOCATION OF THE PRESSURE 01/31/96 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs TEMPERATURE LIMIT CURVES OR CPs FOR NPRs AND LOW TEMPERATURE OVER-
PRESSURE PROTECTION SYSTEM
LIMITS
96-02 RECONSIDERATION OF NUCLEAR 01/31/96 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs POWER PLANT SECURITY OR CPs FOR NPRs REQUIREMENTS ASSOCIATED
WITH AN INTERNAL THREAT
89-10. CONSIDERATION OF VALVE 01/24/96 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs Supp. 7 MISPOSITIONING IN (EXCEPT THOSE LICENSES
PRESSURIZED-WATER THAT HAVE BEEN AMENDED
REACTORS TO A POSSESSION ONLY
96-01 TESTING OF SAFETY-RELATED 01/10/96 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs OR
95-10 RELOCATION OF SELECTED 12/15/95 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs OR
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS CPs FOR NPRs REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO
INSTRUMENTATION
95-09 MONITORING AND TRAINING OF 11/03/95 ALL U.S. NRC LICENSEES
SHIPPERS AND CARRIERS OF
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
95-08 10 CFR 50.54(p) PROCESS FOR 10/31/95 ALL HOLDERS OF OLs &
CHANGES TO SECURITY PLANS CPs FOR NPRs WITHOUT PRIOR NRC APPROVAL
OL = OPERATING LICENSE
CP = CONSTRUCTION PERMIT
NPR = NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS
Attachment 1 GL 96-XX GL 96-05 September 18, 1996 If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical contact or the lead project manager listed below, or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.
[Origina signed by]
Thomas T. Martin, Director Division of Reactor Program Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Technical contact: Thomas G. Scarbrough, NRR
(,301) 415-2794 Email: tgs@nrc.gov Lead Project Manager: Allen G. Hansen, NRR
(301) 415-1390
Email: agh@nrc.gov Attachments:
1. Activities and Programs Related to Maintaining Long-Term Capability of Safety-Related Motor-Operated Valves
2. List of Recently Issued NRC Generic Letters fi tf C "tff p4V (" ,r,(/
Tech Editor reviewed and concurred on 08/01/95 DOCUMENT NAME: 96-05.GL *SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES
To receive a copy of this document, hIdicate hIthe box: 'C' = Copy w/o attachment/enclosure 'E- - Copy w/attachmentlenclosure 'N' - No copy OFFICE TECH CONT I OGC I 1C\PECB [ D\fPMl NAME TGScarbrough* SChidakel* IAChaffee* TT1aftFin DATE 05/17/96 06/10/96 05/26/96 09/i&196 OFFICIAL RECORD COP
71137
1I-)