The inspectors identified an unresolved item (
URI) involving compliance of the
AFW System with
General Design Criterion 2. This
URI will remain unresolved pending additional information from the licensee to determine if a violation of regulatory requirements occurred. On March 9-11, 2009, inspectors performed a routine inspection of the
AFW system in accordance with
Inspection Procedure 711111.04 Equipment Alignment. This inspection also used the insights gained in Operating Experience Smart Sample (
OpESS) Negative Trend and Recurring Events Involving
Feedwater Systems. During their review of operating experience, the inspectors noted that a failure of an
AFW pumps had occurred at the Callaway Plant in 2002 due to debris generated from a degraded
diaphragm in the condensate storage tank (
CST). The inspectors examined system diagrams and confirmed that at Watts Bar there were no screens or other devices which would prevent debris from the
CSTs from impacting the safety related
auxiliary feed water pumps. The inspectors noted that the
CSTs were not safety-related and were not protected from
earthquakes or tornadoes. The inspectors also determined that the
CSTs were lined with an epoxy phenolic coating which was routinely repaired during plant outages. However, if this coating became dislodged in sufficient quantities during normal operations or if an
earthquake or other natural phenomena would cause
CST debris, the
AFW pumps could be adversely impacted. The
UFSAR identified the
AFW system as a safety-related system which is protected from the effects of natural phenomena. The
UFSAR also stated that the plant complies with the requirements of
General Design Criterion (GDC) 2, in that, structures, systems, and components important to safety shall be designed to withstand the effects of natural phenomena such as
earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods. Pending additional information from the licensee involving potential for
CST debris and its impact on the
AFW system and compliance with
GDC 2, this item is identified as
URI 050000390/2009002-01,
Auxiliary Feedwater System Compliance with
General Design Criterion 2