ML20084M965

Provides Addl Info Re Placement of Penetrameters During Radiography of Pipe Welds at Facilities.Issue Relates to Apparent Noncompliance Identified in IE Insp Repts 50-454/82-01 & 50-455/82-01.All Subj Radiographs Acceptable

ML20084M965
Person / Time
Site:	Byron, Braidwood, 05000000
Issue date:	05/03/1984
From:	Tramm T COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
To:	Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 8405160232
Download: ML20084M965 (2)

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[D Commonwe:lth Edison

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) One First National Plaza. Chicago. Ilhnois

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Post Office Box 767 r Chicago, Illinois 60690 q

May 3, 1984 Mr. Harold R. Denton, Director Of fice of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555

Subject:

Byron Generating Station Units 1 and 2 Braidwood Generating Station Units 1 and 2 Penetrameter Placement During Radiography NRC Docket Nos. 50-454, 50-455, 50-456, and 50-457 References (a):

January 27, 1982 letter from C. E. Norelius to Cordell Reed.

(b):

February 26, 1982 letter from L. O. DelGeorge to J. G. Keppler.

(c):

March 16, 1983 letter from D. L. Farrar to J. G. Keppler.

(d):

April 4, 1983 letter from R. L. Spessard to Cordell Reed.

Dear Mr. Denton:

This letter provides additional information regarding the placement of penetrameters during radiography of pipe welds at Byron and Braidwood stations.

This issue relates to the apparent noncompliance identified by I&E in reference (a) (Inspection Report Nos. 50-454/82-01 and 50-455/82-01) which was referred to NRR for resolution.

As indicated in reference (a), the I&E Region III inspector found that on several radiographs made by Southwest Fabricating penetrameters had been placed on the welds.

In reference (b),

Commonwealth Edison indicated that this practice had been discontinued for Byron and Braidwood work on January 22, 1979.

We maintained, however, that the practice was generally acceptable and that the radiography was adequate.

To resolve the matter, a code inquiry was submitted to ASME on February.2, 1982.

Later, ASME approved Code Case 1914 which_ addressed this issue and became effective on February 7, 1983.

8405160232 940503 PDR ADOCK 05000454 G

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H. R. Denton.May 3, 1984 Code Case 1914 indicates that the placement of penetrameters on the weld is acceptable providing the lead penetrameter identifying numbers are not placed on the weld metal.

Our review of the radiographs involved confirms that they all conform to the code in this respect.

The tabulation below summarizes the results of our review on a unit-by-unit basis.

Unit Number of Welds Penetration Over Weld Byron 1 3015 518 Byron 2 1233 38 Braidwood 1 2204 273 Braidwood 2 1064 32 7516 816 Commonwealth Edison has reached the conclusion that even with the penetrameters placed on the welds, acceptable radiographs were produced considering the latitude and density permitted by the ASME Code.

Meaningful flaw indications would not have been obscured by penetrameters placed on weld material.

All of the subject radiographs are techically acceptable.

Please address-further questions regarding this matter to this office.

One signed original and fif teen copies of this letter are provided for NRC review.

Very truly yours, r

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T. R.

Tramm Nuclear Licensing Administrator-1m a

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