ML20247E177

Forwards Request for Ref Matl Requirements for Reactor/ Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Exams,Scheduled for 890614-15

ML20247E177
Person / Time
Site:	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Issue date:	03/21/1989
From:	Eselgroth P NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Block R RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, TROY, NY
References
NUDOCS 8903310320
Download: ML20247E177 (11)

Text

. _-_ __

March 21, 1989 Docket No. 50-225 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ATTN: Dr. Robert C. Block, Chairman Dept. Nuclear Engineering and Physics NES 1-9 Troy, New York 12180 Gentlemen:

SUBJECT:

SENIOR REACTOR OPERATOR LICENSING EXAMINATIONS In a telephone conversation between Dr. D. Harris, Director, and Mr. D. Silk, Examiner, arrangements were made for the administration of licensing examinations at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

The written examinations are scheduled for June 13, 1989. The operating examinations are scheduled for June 14-15, 1989.

To meet the' above schedule, it will be neces sa ry for you to furnish the 1 reference material listed in Enclosure 1, " Reference Material Requirements for Reactor / Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Examinations," by the week of April 10, 1989. Any delay in receiving approved, properly bound and indexed reference material, or the submittal of inadequate or incomplete reference material may result in the examination being rescheduled. Dr. Harris has been advised of our reference ~ material requirements, and the address where each set is to be mailed.

You are responsible for providing adequate space and accommodations for administration of the written examinations. Enclosure 2, " Requirements for Administration of Written Examination," describes our requirements for conducting these examinations.

Enclosure 3 contains the Rules and Guidelines that will be in effect during the administration of the written examination. The facility management is responsible for ensuring that all applicants are aware of these rules.

The facility staff review of the written examination will be conducted in accordance with requirements specified in Enclosure 4, " Requirements for Facility Review of Written Examinations."

,/ /

,V Ik 0FFICIAL RECORD COPY RENSSELACR POLYTECHNIC - 0001.0.0I 03/13/89 8903310320 PDR 890321 ADOCK 05000225 PDC __ c

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute All completed- reactor ~ operater- and senior reactor operato r. license applications should be submitted at least 30 days before the first examination

-dates so that we will be able to review the training and experience of the candidates, process .the medical certifications, and prepare. final examiner

-assignments after applicant eligibility has- been. determined.

If .the applications are not. received at least 30 days before the examination dates, it is likely. that a postponement will be necessary.

Dr. Harris has been informed of the above requirements.

This request 'is covered by Office of Management an'd Budget Clearance Number 3150-0101' which expires May 31, 1989. .The estimated average burden is 7.7 hours8.101852e-5 days <br />0.00194 hours <br />1.157407e-5 weeks <br />2.6635e-6 months <br /> per . response, including gathering, xeroxing and mailing the required material. Comments on.the accuracy of this estimate and suggestions to reduce the~ burden may be directed. to the Office Of Management and Budget, Paperwork

. Reduction Project 3150-0101), Room ~ 3208, New Executive Office Building, Washington' D.C. -20503, and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Records and Reports Management Branch, Office of Information Resources- Management, Washington, D.C. 20555.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.. If you have any questions-regarding the examination procedures and requirements, please contact me at (215) 337-5211.

Sincerely, l

PETER W. ESELGROTH Peter W. Eselgroth, Chief PWR Section

' Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety

Enclosures:

1. ' Reference Material Requirements for Reactor / Senior Reactor Operator Licensing Examinations

2. Requirements for Administration of Written Examinations

3. NRC Rules and Guidelines for Written Examinations

4. Requirements for Facility Review of Written Examinations

- - - - , _ _ -x__a_------- _ _ - . _ _ - _ - - - - _ - - _ - - _ _ - - - - - _ - - . - -

. Ren'sselaer Polytechnic Insti;ute cc w/ enclosures:

Dr. Harris, Facility Director P. Angelo, Supervisor bec w/ enclosures:

D. Haverkamp, DRP Section Chief

0. Silk, Chief Examiner OL Facility File l RI:DRS Sig RJ.[th 3/ZD/89 3/20/89 l

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY I

f

)

M _..

l

' ENCLOSURE 1 j

.i

' REFERENCE MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS'FOR REACTOR / SENIOR REACTOR I OPERATOR LICENSING EXAMINATIONS- d

1. Existing; learning objectives, Job Performance Measures' and: lesson plans

. (including training - manuals, plant orientation manual, system descrip-tions, reactor theory, thermodynamics, etc.)

]

Training materials shall include all substantive written material used 1 for preparing applicants for . initial R0 ' and SRO licensing. The written

' material shall include learning. objectives ' and .the details presented during lectures, rather than outlines. Training _ materials shall be identified by plant and. unit, bound, tabbed', and indexed. FAILURE TO

. PROVIDE COMPLETE, PROPERLY BOUND AND. INDEXED PLANT REFERENCE MATERIAL MAY RESULT IN THE RETURN OF THE , MATERIAL TO THE' PERSON WHO IS THE. HIGHEST-LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT- WH0 IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FACILITY OPERATIONS.

ACCOMPANYING ' THE- MATERIAL - WILL BE : A r0VER LETTER. EXPLAINING THE DEFICIENCIES- IN THE REFERENCE MATERIAL AND THE FACT THAT THIS WAS THE REASON THE EXAMINATIONS WERE CANCELLED' OR POSTPONED. Training. material s which include:the following shall be provided:

System'. descriptions including descriptions of all operationally relevant flow paths, components, controls and instrumentation.

System training material should draw parallels to' the- actual procedures used for operating the. applicable system.

Complete . and operationally useful- descriptions of all safety-system interactions under emergency and abnormal conditions, including consequences of anticipated operator error, maintenance error, and equipment failure.

Training material used to clarify and strengthen . understanding of emergency operating procedures.

1 g

L.

. Comprehensive theory material that includes fundamentals in the area of theory of reactor operation, thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid flow, as well as specific application to actual in plant components. For example, mechanical theory material on pumps shall include pump theory as well as descriptions of how these principles actually apply to major plant pumps and the systems in which they are installed. Reactor Theory material shall include descriptions that draw explicit ties between the fundamentals and the actual operating limits followed 'in the plant (i.e., reactor theory material should contain explanations how principles relate to 'the actual curves used by operators to verify shutdown margin or calculate an ECP).

2. Complete Procedure Index (including surveillance procedures, etc.)

3. All Administrative Procedures (as applicable to reactor operation or safety)

4. All integrated plant procedures (normal or general operating procedures)

5. All emergency procedures (emergency instructions, abnormal or special procedures)

6. Standing- orders (important orders that are safety related and may super-sede the regular procedures)_

7. Surveillance procedures (procedures that are run frequently, i .e. weekly or that can be run on the simulator)

8. Fuel-handling and cure-loading procedures, (initial core-loading procedure, when appropriate)

9. All annunciator / alarm procedures

10. Radiation protection manual (radiation control manual or procedures)

11. Emergency plan implementing procedures

12. Technical Specifications (and interpretations, if available) for all units for which licenses are sought.

13. System Operating Procedures

14. Piping and Instrumentation diagrams, electrical single-line diagrams, or flow d'.agrams i

15. Technica'l Data Sook, and/or Plant curve information as used by operators and facility precautions, limitations, and set points (PLS) for the facility l

I i

7 V

p. ,

+ .

16. Questions' and answers specific to the facility training program which may be used in the written or operating examinations (voluntary by facility licensee)-

17. Additional material required by the examiners to develop examinations that meet the requirements of these standards'and the regulations.

The above reference material shall be approved, final issues and shall be so narked. If a piant haf not finalized some of the material, the Chief Examiner shall verify with the facility that the most complete, up-to-date material is available and that agreement has been reached with the licensee for ' limiting changes before the administration of the examination. All procedures and reference material shall be bound with appropriate indices or tables of-contents so that they can be used efficiently. Failure to provide complete, properly- bound- and indexed plant reference material could result -in cancellation or rescheduling of the examinations es discussed 'in Paragraph 1 of this enclosure.

ENCLOSURE 2 REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS

1. A single room shall be provided for administration of the written examination. The location of this room and supporting restroom facilities shall be such as to prevent contact with all other facility and/or contractor ~ personnel during the written examination. If necessary, the facility should make arrangements for the use of a suitable room at a local school, motel, or other building. Obtaining this room is the responsibility of the licensee.

2. Minimum spacing is required to ensure examination integrity as determined by the Chief Examiner. Minimum spacing should be one applicant per table, with a three foot space between tables.

3. Suitable arrangements shall be made by the facility if the applicants are to have lunch, coffee, or other refreshments. These arrangements shall comply with Item 1 above and shall be reviewed by the examiner and/or proctor.

4. The facility licensee shall provide pads of 8-1/2 by 11 inch lined paper in unopened packages for each applicant's use in completing the examination. The examiner shall distribute these pads to the applicants.

5. Applicants may bring pens, pencils, calculators or slide rules into the 4 examination room. Only black ink or dark pencils should be used for writing answers to questions. ,

1

6. The licensee shall provide one set of steam tables for each applicant.

The examiner shall distribute the steam tables to the applicants. No wall charts, models, and/or other training materials shall be present in the examination room. No other equipment or referent e material shall be allowed unless provided by the examiner.

I J

l l

ly;

'C .

r r

~

E '

ENCLOSURE 3 PROCEDURES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION'0F WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS

1. Check identification' badges.

2. Pass out examinations and all: handouts. _ Remind applicants not to review examination until instructed to do so.

READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS VERBATIM:

During the administration of this examination.the following rules apply:

1. Cheating on the examination means an automatic denial of your application:

and could resulttin more. severe penalties.

2. . After. the examination has been completed, you must sign the statement on the cover sheet : indicating that .the work is your-_own and you have not received or given. assistance in completing the examination. This must be-done after.you complete the examination.

READ THE-FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Restroom trips are to be limited and only one applicant at a time may

. leave. You must avoid all contacts' with anyone outside the examination room to avoid even the appearance or possibility of cheating.

2. Use black ink- or dark pencil only to facilitate legible. reproductions.

3. Print your name in the blank provided in the upper right-hand corner of the examination cover sheet.

4. Fill in the date on the cover sheet of the examination (if necessary).

5. You may write your answers on the examination question page or on a separate sheet of paper. USE ONLY THE PAPER PROVIDED AND DO NOT WRITE ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE PAGE.

6. If you write your answers on the examination question page and you need more space to answer a specific question, use a separate sheet of the paper proyhied and insert it directly after the specific question. DO NOT WRITE ON THE BACK SIDE Of THE EXAMINATION QUESTION PAGE.

-7. Print your nace in the upper right hand corner of the first page of each section of your answer sheets whether you use the examination question

.pages or separate sheets of paper. Initial each page.

8. Before ycu turn in your examination, consecutively number each answer sheet, including any additional pages inserted when wr' ting your arawers ,4 on the examination giestion page.

--___---____---___-__-___-______--_______-____-________-____-____-_____-____-_--__--___a

g .

-9. If you are_ using separate sheets, number each-answer as to category' and number ~ (i .e. H.02, J.05 - ) and skip at 'least 3 ' lines 'between answers to allow space'for grading.

I 10. Write "End of Category " at . the end 'of your answers to a category.

l 11. Star _t each category on a new page.

12 .' Write "Last Page" on the last answer' sheet.

-13. Use abbreviations only if they are commonly used in' ~ facility literature.

Avoid using symbols .such as <. or > signs to avoid a simple transposition

. error resulting'in an incorrect answer. Write it.out.

14' . The point value for' each- question is indicated:in parentheses after the question. The amount of blank space on1an examination question page is NOT an indication.of the depth of answer required.

15. Show all calculations, methods,- or assumptions used to obtain an answer.

16. Partial. credit may be given. Therefore, ANSWER ALL PARTS'0F.THE QUESTION AND;D0 NOT LEAVE'ANY ANSWER BLANK.

17-. Proportional grading will be - applied. ' Any additional wrong information that is provided may count against you. For example, if a question is worth 'one point and asks for four responses, each of which is worth 0.25 points, and you give five responses, each of your responses will be worth.

0.20. points. If one of your five responses is incorrect, 0.20 will be deducted and your total credit for that question will be 0.80 instead of 1.00 even though you got the four correct answers.

18. If the intent of a question is unclear, ask questions of the examiner only.

19. When turning in your . examination, assemble the completed examin? tion with examination questions, examination aids and answer sheets. In addition, turn in all scrap paper. .

20. To -pass the examination, you must achieve a grade of at least 70% in each  !

category. j

21. There is a tine limit of (6) hours for completion of the examination.

l j

. (or some other time if less than the full examination is taten.) J

22. When you are done and have turned in your examination, leave the examination area (DEFINE THE AREA). If you are found in this area while i the examination is still in progress, your license may be denied or revoked. ,

i 1

i

g :, mm F r f ..

&. x s(*- ..

y ...e

) L 1

Enclosure 4 1

j ' REQUIREMENTS'FOR' FACILITY REVIEW OF' WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS:

p 1. ' At' the option of. the Chief Examiner, the facility may review the written L - examination' up to: two. weeks prior to its administration. This review may take place at~ the_ facility or in the Regional office. The Chief Examiner will . coordinate the. details of the review with the facility. An . NRC p ' examiner;will always be present during the review.

When. this option of ' examination review- is ' utilized, the facility reviewers will- sign the following statement prior to being allowed access to the examination. The examination or writwen notes will not be.

retained by the-facility.

a. Pre-Examination ~ Security-Agreement I agree 'that' I 'will' not -knowingly divulge any information concerning ther replacement (or initial) examination-scheduled for- . to any4 unauthorized : persons. I understand, that I am not to participate in any: instruction ' involving--

those reactor _' operator or ' senior reactor Loperator applicants scheduled to be administered the above replacement (or Linitial).

examination from now- until after the examination has- been administered. I understand that violation of this security

-agreement could result in the examination being voided.

Signature /Date In addition, the facility staff reviewers will sign the following statement after the written examination has been administered,

b. Post-Examination Security Agreement I did not, to the best of knowledge, divulge any information conce .ing the written examination administered on _ to any. unauthorized persons. I did not participate in providing any instruction to those reactor operator and senior reactor ope:ator applicants who were administered the examination from the time that I was allowed access to the examination.

Signature /Date

= - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - - - _ - _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ - _ _

a , ..

2. Regardless of. whether the above examination review option is exercised, '

immediately following the ~ administration of the written ' examination, the facility staff shall be provided a marked up copy of 'the examination and '

the answer key. The copy of' the written examination shall include pen and. ink changes made to questions during the examination administration.

If the facility did not review the- examination prior to its administration, they will have five (5) working days from the day of the written examination to submit formal ' comments. If the facility. reviewed the examination prior to .its administration, any additional comments must be given to an examiner prior to his/her leaving the site at the end of

.the week of the written examination administration. In either case, the comments will be addressed to the responsible Regional Office by the highest level cf management responsible for facility operations. A copy of the submittal will be forwarded to the Chief Examiner, as appropriate.

Comments not submitted within the required time frame will be considered for inclusion in the. grading process on a case-by-case basis by the Regional Office Section Chief. Should the comment submittal deadline not be met, a long delay in grading the examination may occur.

3. The following format should be adhered to for submittal of specific comments:

a. Listing of NRC Question, answer and reference b .' Facility comment / recommendation

c. Reference (to support facility comment)

NOTES: 1. No change to the examination will be made without submittal of of a reference to support the facility comment. Any supporting documentation that was not previously supplied, should be provided.

2. Comments made without a concise facility recommendation will not be addressed, i- 4. A two hour post examination review may be held at the discretion of the Chief Examiner. If this review is held, the facility staff should be informed that only written comments that are properly supported will be l considered in the grading of the examination.

I L

rv

---_------x------r---a-----