Information Notice 1985-44, Emergency Communication System Monthly Test

Emergency Communication System Monthly Test

ML031180374
Person / Time
Issue date:	05/30/1985
From:	Jordan E L NRC/IE
To:
References
IN-85-044, NUDOCS 8505280195
Download: ML031180374 (4)

SSINS No.: 6835IN 85-44UNITED STATESNUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONOFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENTWASHINGTON, D.C. 20555May 30, 1985IE INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 85-44: EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM MONTHLY TEST

Addressees

All nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license and NFSErwin, General Atomics, UNC Montville, B&W LCR Lynchburg, and B&W Lynchburg.

Purpose

This information notice is being issued to bring malfunctions of the communi-cation system to the attention of licensees and remind them of their responsi-bility to test required communication systems in accordance with 10 CFR 50. Itis expected that recipients will review the information for applicability totheir facilities and consider actions, if appropriate, to preclude a similarproblem occurring at their facilities. However, suggestions contained in thisinformation notice do not constitute NRC requirements; therefore, no specificaction or written response is required.Discussion:Section 50.54(q) of Part 50 requires licensees to follow emergency plans whichmeet the requirements of Appendix E to Part 50.Section IV.E.9.d of Appendix Erequires monthly tests of provisions for communicating with NRC from the controlroom, the Technical Support Center, and the Emergency Operations Facility.Licensee emergency plans might contain additional testing requirements.Emergency preparedness exercises and specific tests by NRC Headquarters Opera-tions Officers have identified serious communication malfunctions, which werepreviously undetected because of inadequate monthly testing. In most of thosecases, neither the Emergency Notification System (ENS) nor Health PhysicsNetwork (HPN) telephones were found to have been tested routinely.This Information Notice reminds licensees of their responsibility for satisfy-ing the requirement for monthly testing of the ENS and HPN telephones. The NRCis responsible for testing ENS and HPN telephones located in the NRC ResidentInspector's office and for testing the link between the NRC Operations Centerand the Regional Office Operations Center since communications with the licenseevia HPN and ENS are completed through the Headquarters Operations Center.This Information Notice also clarifies that violations in this area may becategorized at Severity Level III, and civil penalties may be considered.8505280195 IN 85-44May 30, 1985 Compliance with the regulation cited above may be achieved through implementa-tion of the testing scheme shown in Attachment 1.The primary system for emergency communications with the NRC is a combinationof the ENS and the HPN. Licensees should note that the backup means ofcommunications for a given link is not required to be tested unless the primarysystem is not available.No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the RegionalAdministrator of the appropriate Regional Office or the technical contactlisted below.war Jordan, DirectorDivi of Emergency Preparednessan Engineering ResponseOffice of Inspection and Enforcement

Technical Contact:

H. M. Hawkins, IE--- 301-492-4145-----Attachments:1. Testing of Emergency Communications LinksBetween Licensees and NRC2. List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices

IAttachment 1IN 85-44May 30, 1985TESTING OF EMERGENCYCOMMUNICATIONS LINKS BETWEEN LICENSEES AND NRCThe matrix below indicates the primary modes of operation forcations links which are to be tested monthly by the licensee.the NRC communi-'AFROMIVHeadquarters*Control RoomENS onlyTechnical Support CenterENS and HPNEmergencyOperations FacilityENS and HPNENS = Emergency Notification SystemHPN = Health Physics Network* Communication between the Licensee and appropriate Regional NRC Officewill always be completed through the Headquarters Operations Center.The communications link between the Headquarters Operations Center andthe Regional Office is tested by NRC.

Attachment 2IN 85-44May 30, 1985LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUEDIE INFORMATION NOTICESInformation Date ofNotice No. Subject Issue Issued to85-4385-4285-4185-4085-3985-3885-3784-55Sup. 185-20Sup. 1Radiography Events At PowerReactorsLoose Phosphor In Panasonic800 Series Badge Thermo-luminescent Dosimeter (TLD)ElementsScheduling Of Pre-LicensingEmergency PreparednessExercisesDeficiencies In EquipmentQualification Testing AndCertification ProcessAuditability of ElectricalEquipment-QualificationRecords At Licensees'FacilitiesLoose Parts Obstruct ControlRod Drive MechanismChemical Cleaning Of SteamGenerator At Milestone 2Seal Table Leaks At PWRs5/30/855/29/855/24/855/22/855/22/855/21/855/14/855/14/85All power reactorfacilities holdingan OL or CPAll power reactorfacilities holdingan OL or CPAll power reactorfacilities holdinga CPAll power reactorfacilities holdingan OL or CPAll power reactorfacilities holdingan OL or CPAll PWR facilitiesdesigned by B&Wholding an OL or CPAll pressure waterreactor facilitiesholding an OL or CPAll power reactorfacilities holdingan OL or CPAll power reactorfacilities holdingan OL or CPMotor-Operated Valve Failures 5/14/85Due To Hammering EffectOL = Operating LicenseCP = Construction Permit