ML20154C028

Responds to 880330 Ltr Re Engineering Work Done by Schneider Consulting Engineers (Sce).Duquesne Light Co 880413 Ltr Re Investigation of SCE 801224 Memo Encl & Currently Under NRC Review

ML20154C028
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley
Issue date:	05/10/1988
From:	Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Heinz J SENATE
Shared Package
ML20154C032	List: ML20154C028 ML20154C055
References
NUDOCS 8805180018
Download: ML20154C028 (1)

Text

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Distribution:

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} NUCLEAR HEGULATORY COMMISSION W ASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 gea DR D 4 r/t

- l g.....*/ E00 r/f JLieberman TMurley/JSniezek BHayes CHAIRMAN May 10, 1988 FMiraglia JMurray PDI-4 r/f TMartin SVarga (2) FGillespie BBoger

, 0GC The Honorable John Heinz CA United States Senate SECY Washington, D.C. 20510 VStello JTaylor

Dear Senator Heinz:

TRehm DMossburg I am responding to your March 30, 1988 letter in which you expressed concern about engineering work done several years ago at Duquesne Light Company's Beaver Valley 1 plant by Schneider Consulting Engineers (SCE). These issues received attention in an article that appeared in the Pi_ttsburgh Pre _ss on March 27, 1988.

The article is based on an unsigned internal SCE memorandum dated 4 December 24, 1980, alleging that some piping stress analyses performed by SCE may have been inadequate. As part of their review of the allegation, the NRC staff requested the Duquesne Light Company on March 23, 1988, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the SCE memorandum and provide a report on its findings and conclusions. Duquesne light Company responded on April 13, 1988. A copy of Duquesne Light Company's letter is enclosed for your information. Their letter is currently under review by the staff. The results of the staff's review will be documented in an inspection report and regulatory action will be taken, if appropriate. As you requested, we will be pleased to provide you a copy of the report when it is available.

Sincerely,

{s.4mw. l% l Lando W. Ze , JrL

Enclosure:

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April 13, 1988 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 1

Reference:

Beaver Valley Power Station, Unit No. 1 Docket No. 50-334, License No. DPR-66 Overstressed Piping Allegation Gentlemen:

This letter is in response to your letter dated March 23, 1988 regarding the December 24, 1980 memo from Mr.this Bal Gupta to Mr. Chuck matter and the McCullough. We have thoroughly reviewed fc11owing information is provided in this regard.

In December 1980, there were three consulting firms, including Engineers (SCE), providing piping analysis Schneider Consulting to Duquesne Light Company (DLC). The referenced memo was an services unknown to DLC until it was internal SCE document, which was by the Pittsburgh Press to the DLC Media Relations submitted Department, and subsequently issued to other government officials and the NRC. When Duquesne Light Company became aware of the potential problem alluded to in the memo, we initiated a comprehensive review  ;

of our plant records. 1 review concluded that the condition identified in the memo This  !

referred to the BV-1 reactor the coolant pump cooling water piping which reactor coolant system pressure boundary. l is not a portion of lines are provided to the three reactor coolant These cooling water and motor cooling during normal operation. The pumps for lube oil on two of the three pumps potential overstress condition existed This overstress problem was I

j which had similar piping configurations.

reported by SCE to DLC in their letters dated December 3 and December I 18, 1980.  !

The piping to the lube oil and stator required coolers are defined as ,

non-safety related and as such, are not for safe plant consequences of an accident. These shutdown, or to mitigate the a containment conditions, by lines are isolated, under accident Isolation Phase "B" (CIB) signal.

Following DLC engineering review of the December 18, 1980 letter, action was initiated in accordance with project corrective procedures. Documentation of this modification was furnished to(ECN) the Construction Department by Engineering Change Notice 305-521-OEG, and dispositioned under Design Change Package (DCP) 305.

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6 Baavor Valley Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 Docket No. 50-334, License No. DPR-66 '

Overstressed Piping Allegation Page 2 '

i Since the scope of the SCE effort included both safety related and nonsafety related piping, their contract provided for the implementation of a documented Quality' Assurance Program which was reviewed and approved by DLC. The contractor's efforts were also monitored by DLC Engineering and their activities were audited satisfactorily by the DLC Quality Assurance Department during the course of their contract. 4 In conclusion, the overstress conditions alluded to in the memo were properly identified, evaluated and resolved in accordance with DLC project procedures.

If any further information is desired, please contact my office.

Very truly yours,  ;

h J . D. Sieber i

Vice President, Nuclear cc: Mr. J. T. Wiggins, NRC Mr. J. Scall, Sr. Resident Inspector Mr. W. T. Russell, NRC Region I Administrator I Mr. P. Tam, Project Manager 4

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