ML060060474

12/13/2005 - Summary of December 13, 2005, Category 1 Meeting with PSEG Nuclear LLC, Regarding Salem Nuclear Generating Station Fire Protection Program

ML060060474
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	01/12/2006
From:	Bailey S N Plant Licensing Branch III-2
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Bailey S N,NRR/DLPM,415-1321
References
Download: ML060060474 (7)

Text

January 12, 2006LICENSEE:PSEG NUCLEAR, LLC.FACILITY:SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2

SUMMARY

OF DECEMBER 13, 2005, CATEGORY 1 MEETING WITH PSEGNUCLEAR LLC, REGARDING SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION FIRE PROTECTION PROGRAMOn December 13, 2005, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC Salem Nuclear GeneratingStation, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 (Salem). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the status ofthe Salem Fire Protection Program (FPP) and the licensee's plans to return the FPP to conformance with its licensing basis. Specific discussion areas included Salem's exemptions from Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 50, Appendix R, the causes of reducedcarbon dioxide (CO

2) concentration from the fire suppression system in the 4160-voltswitchgear rooms, 460-volt switchgear rooms, and lower electrical penetration area rooms, and the effects of CO 2 migration to other areas of the plant.As background, the CO 2 fire suppression system does not provide the design CO 2concentration or hold time for the electrical switchgear rooms or lower electrical penetrationareas. The Salem design is based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code NFPA-12. Further, the licensee identified that CO 2 may migrate to other plant areas that mustremain accessible to operators. The licensee requested a license amendment that would lower the required concentration and hold time, but withdrew the request when the NRC staffexpressed concerns that PSEG had not adequately justified the lower concentration, had notdiscussed its effect on 10 CFR, Part 50 Appendix R exemptions, and had not addressed CO 2migration. In a letter dated September 29, 2005, the staff requested a meeting to discuss theabove issues and the licensee's plans to return the system to conformance with its licensingbasis. During the meeting, the licensee discussed the causes of the deficiency, the history of changesto their FPP (including plant modifications to provide additional methods to safely shut down the plant), steps they have taken to decrease the leakage, and thereby increase the CO 2concentration, for the above rooms, the defense in depth that still exists in the above rooms,and the compensatory measures that are in place to account for the deficiency. The licenseestated that they believe the lower concentration and hold time are appropriate, based on NFPA-2001 methodology, and that they withdrew the amendment request primarily to address the issue of CO 2 migration. The licensee stressed that permanently resolving this issue is one ofthe top equipment priorities at Salem. The licensee is evaluating multiple solution paths and plans to select a path in March of 2006. Members of the public were not in attendence. A list of meeting attendees is enclosed (Enclosure 1). A copy of the licensee's presentation isprovided in Enclosure 2. Please direct any inquiries to me at 301-415-1321, or snb@nrc.gov./RA/Stewart N. Bailey, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch 1-2 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor RegulationDocket Nos. 50-272 and 50-311

Enclosures:

As stated cc w/encls: See next page A list of meeting attendees is enclosed (Enclosure 1). A copy of the licensee's presentation isprovided in Enclosure 2. Please direct any inquiries to me at 301-415-1321, or snb@nrc.gov./RA/Stewart N. Bailey, Senior Project ManagerPlant Licensing Branch 1-2 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor RegulationDocket Nos. 50-272 and 50-311

Enclosures:

As stated cc w/encls: See next pageDISTRIBUTIONPUBLICLPL1-2 ReadingCHoldenDRobertsSBaileyCRaynorSWeerakodyPQualsRWolfgang OPARJasinskiGMatakas, RISLee, EDO RIDScrenci, RI TMensahOGCACRSECobey, RIMeeting Summary: ML060060474 Package: ML060060503Slides: OFFICELPLI-2/PMLPLI1-2/LALPLI-2/BCNAMESBaileyCRaynorDRoberts DATE1/10/061/10/061/12/06OFFICIAL RECORD COPY ATTENDEE LISTDECEMBER 13, 2005, MEETING ON FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMSALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2NameOrganizationS. BaileyNRC/NRR/ADRO/DORL/LPLI-2D. RobertsNRC/NRR/ADRO/DORL/LPLI-2S. WeerakodyNRC/NRR/ADRA/DRA/AFPB P. QualsNRC/NRR/ADRA/DRA/AFPB R. WolfgangNRC/NRR/ADRA/DRA/AFPBD. ShumakerPSEGJ. WearnePSEG A. T. RobertsPSEG S. MannonPSEGEnclosure 1 Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 cc:

Mr. Michael GallagherVice President - Eng/Tech Support PSEG Nuclear

P.O. Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038Mr. Dennis WinchesterVice President - Nuclear Assessment PSEG Nuclear

P.O. Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038Mr. Thomas P. JoyceSite Vice President - Salem PSEG Nuclear

P.O. Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038Mr. George H. GellrichPlant Support Manager PSEG Nuclear

P.O. Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038Mr. Carl J. FrickerPlant Manager PSEG Nuclear - N21

P.O. Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038Mr. Darin BenyakDirector - Regulatory Assurance PSEG Nuclear - N21

P.O. Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038Jeffrie J. Keenan, EsquirePSEG Nuclear - N21

P.O. Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038Lower Alloways Creek Townshipc/o Ms. Mary O. Henderson, Clerk Municipal Building, P.O. Box 157 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038Dr. Jill Lipoti, Asst. DirectorRadiation Protection Programs NJ Department of Environmental Protection and Energy CN 415 Trenton, NJ 08625-0415Mr. Brian BeamBoard of Public Utilities 2 Gateway Center, Tenth Floor Newark, NJ 07102Regional Administrator, Region IU.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406Senior Resident InspectorSalem Nuclear Generating Station U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Drawer 0509 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038