ML061520205
| ML061520205 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/06/2006 |
| From: | Kobetz T J NRC/NRR/ADRO/DIRS/ITSB |
| To: | Bradley B, Gallagher M P Exelon Nuclear, Nuclear Energy Institute |
| Tjader T R NRR/DIRS/ITSB 415-1187 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML061520205 (7) | |
Text
June 6, 2006Mr. Biff BradleyMr. Michael P. GallagherNuclear Energy InstituteDirector, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Suite 400Exelon Nuclear 1776 I Street, NW200 Exelon Way Washington, DC 20006-3708Kennett Square, PA 19348
Dear Mr. Bradley and Mr. Gallagher:
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff is conducting its review of Risk ManagementTechnical Specifications Initiative 5b, Surveillance Frequency Control Program, which includes the Limerick license amendment request of June 11, 2004, and the Nuclear Energy Institute(NEI) proposed process methodology document NEI 04-10. Enclosed are the final set of staff comments and requests for additional information (RAIs) (see Enclosure) resulting from its review of the initial submittals. We are prepared to meet with you to further discuss these comments and RAIs. Pleasecontact Bob Tjader at (301) 415-1187 or e-mail trt@nrc.gov if you have any questions or needfurther information on these proposed changes.Sincerely,/RA/Timothy J. Kobetz, ChiefTechnical Specifications Branch Division of Inspection & Regional Support Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosure:
As statedcc: See attached page
ML061520205OFFICEITSB/DIRSEEEB/DEITSB/DIRSNAMETRTjaderGAWilsonTJKobetz DATE6/2/066/6/066/6/06 Letter to Mr. Biff Bradley and M. Gallagher from T.J. Kobetz dated: cc via e-mail
- Mr. Tony PietrangeloNuclear Energy Institute arp@nei.orgMr. Biff Bradley Nuclear Energy Institute reb@nei.orgMr. Mike Schoppman Nuclear Energy Institute mas@nei.orgMr. Alan Hackerott, Chairman Omaha Public Power District hhackerott@oppd.comMr. Ray Schneider Westinghouse Electric Company raymond.e.schneider@us.westinghouse.comMr. Jim Kenny Pennsylvania Power & Light Company jimkenny@pploweb.comMr. James Andrachek Westinghouse Electric Company Andracjd@westinghouse.comMr. John Gaertner EPRI jgaertner@erpi.com Mr. Frank RahnEPRI frahn@epri.com Mr. Gabe SalamonNMC gabor.salamon@nmcco.com Mr. Glenn StewartExelon glenn.stewart@exeloncorp.com Mr. Michael S. Kitlan, Jr.Duke Energy Corporation mskitlan@duke-energy.com Mr. Donald HoffmanEXCEL Services Corporation donaldh@excelservices.comMr. Wayne Harrison STP awharrison@stpegs.comMr. Jerry Andre Westinghouse Electric Company Adykes@absconsulting.com Mr. Eugene KellyExelon eugene.kelly@exeloncorp.com Mr. Andrew Dykes ABSC Adykes@absconsulting.com
Mr. Courtney Smyth PSEG Nuclear LLC courtneysmyth@pseg.com Mr. Gary ChungSCE-SONGS gary.chung@songs.sce.com
Letter to: Mr. Bradley and Mr. Gallager, by T.J. Kobetz Dated: DISTRIBUTION:ADAMS PUBLIC TSS R/F TSS Staff RidsNrrDIRS RidsNrrAdro RidsNrrDss RidsNrrDssSbpb RidsNrrDssSbwb RidsNrrDra RidsNrrDrp RidsNrrDnrl RidsNrrDorl RidsNrrDlr RidsNrrDe RidsOgcRp RidsAcrsAcnwMailCenter NSaltos (NTS)
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EnclosureREQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONRELOCATE SURVEILLANCE TEST FREQUENCIES FROM THE BODY OF THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND PLACE THEM INTO A RISK BASED OWNER CONTROLLED PROGRAM RAI 1Integrated Decision Making Panel (Expert Panel) Review of SurveillanceFrequencies Based on Codes and StandardsProvide deterministic criteria in the basis document that would be used to approve revisions tosurveillance frequencies that are based upon approved Codes and Standards.A critical attribute for any calibration or surveillance test is the interval between calibrations ortests. Many of the present surveillances, surveillance test intervals, and acceptance criteria were established over a 40 year history of industry consensus standards and regulatory endorsement through the regulatory guide processes. The guidance in RG 1.174 states thatsufficient safety margins are maintained when codes and standards (e.g., American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) or alternatives approved for use by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are met. The current draft of the methodology document recognizes that Codes and Standards helpmaintain safety margins but does not contain criteria for revising surveillance frequencies. The importance of recognizing requirements based on codes and standards is demonstrated by an example evaluation included with the Limerick pilot plant request (STI#4). The example indicated the Expert Panel determined there were no codes or standards associated with the Limerick emergency diesel generator (EDG) surveillance test frequencies. However the EDGsurveillances are directly mentioned in IEEE Std.- 387, "Standard Criteria for Diesel-GeneratorUnits Applied as Standby Power Supplies for Nuclear Power Generating Stations." Refer to attached Table 1.RAI 2Technical Specification Surveillance Frequencies vs Acceptance Criteria Provide deterministic criteria in the basis document to address whether more conservativeacceptance criteria will be necessary for an extended surveillance frequency. Specifically,discuss when a surveillance frequency extension would require a change in the acceptancecriteria, such as the as-found and as-left allowable values. RAI 3Monitoring for Conditioning/Exercising Provide deterministic criteria in the basis document that evaluates the degree that asurveillance provides a conditioning exercise to maintain equipment operability, prior tochanging the surveillance frequency.Many surveillances exercise safety-related components and supporting systems on a periodicbasis. This periodic exercise of the components provide a measure of conditioning, such as lubrication of bearings and electro-pneumatic relays, or electrical contact wiping (cleaning) of built-up oxidation. RAI 4Controls on the Time of Permitted Surveillance Frequency ExtensionsProvide deterministic criteria in the basis document of a minimum number of surveillanceintervals that would be required to establish a database to further extend a previously extendedsurveillance frequency. RAI 5 Monitoring Criteria For Returning to the Original Surveillance Frequency Provide deterministic criteria in the basis document that describes how monitoring andfeedback of a surveillance with an extended frequency would result in a return to the originalfrequency when the number of surveillance test failures are determined to be too many.
AttachmentTABLE 1A Comparison of Selected Limerick Technical Specifications for the Emergency Diesel Generators to IEEE Standards and NRC Regulatory GuidesEmergency Diesel Generator SurveillancesLimerick Tech Spec4.8.1.1.x.x.x.IEEE-387-1995Section 7.5.xReg Guide 1.9Endorses 387-1984Monthly Interval Availability Tests Start2.a.47.5.12.2.1 Load Run2.a.57.5.22.2.2 Six Month Availability Tests Fast Start and Load2.h7.5.32.2.3 Shutdown/Refueling Outage Interval System Operation Tests LOOP2.e.47.5.42.2.4 ECCS Actuation2.e.57.5.52.2.5 Combined ECCS and LOOP2.e.67.5.62.2.6Largest Load Reject2.e.27.5.72.2.7Design Load Reject2.e.37.5.82.2.8 Endurance and Load2.e.8.a7.5.92.2.9 Hot Restart2.e.8.b7.5.102.2.10 Synchronizing2.e.107.5.112.2.11 Protective TripBypass2.e.77.5.122.2.12Test Mode Override2.e.117.5.132.2.1310 Year Interval Division Independence Independence2.f7.5.142.2.14