ML20217A856
| ML20217A856 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05200003 |
| Issue date: | 03/05/1998 |
| From: | Seale R Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| To: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| References | |
| ACRS-SL-0457, ACRS-SL-457, SECY-97-231-C, NUDOCS 9803250276 | |
| Download: ML20217A856 (11) | |
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p f farg%_ IJNITED STATES SL'-0457
,f o NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3 - ADVISORY COMMITTEE oN REACTOR SAFEGUARDS PDR g, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20586 March 5, 1998 The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson Chairrnan U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001
Dear Chairman Jackson:
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
REPORT - FOUR HUNDRED FORTY-ElGHTH MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEGUARDS, FEBRUARY 5-7,1998, AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE During its 448th meeting, February 5-7, 1998, the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) discussed several matters and completed the following report and letter. In addition, the Committee authorized Dr. Larkins, Executive Director, to transmit the memoranda noted below:
REPORT
. Nuclear Safety Research (Report to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and to Albert Gore, Jr., President of the United States Senate, from R. L. Seale, Chairman, ACRS, dated February 24,1998)
LETTE1
. Interim Letter on the Safety Asoects of the Westicqhouse Electric Comoany /
Aoolication for Certification of the AP600 Plant Desion ; Letter to L. Joseph Callan, g' Executive Director for Operations, NRC, from R. L Seale, Chairman, ACRS, dated February 19,1998)
MEMORANDA /
. Proposed Generic Lwer. "Guinance on the Storace. Preservation. and Safekeeoina of Quality Assurance Records in Electronic Media" (Memorandum to L. Josepf)
Callan, Executive Director for Operations, NRC, from John T. Larkins, Executive Director, ACRS, dated February 12,1998) pg/$
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The Honorable Shirley Jackson 2 0
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. Final Rulemakina. " Physical Protection for Soent Nuciaar Fuel and Hiah-Level
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i Radioactive Waste" (16 CFR Parts 60. 72. 73 74. and 75) (Memorandum to L.
Joseph Callan, Executive Director for Operations, NRC, from John T. Larkins, L Executive Director, ACRS, dated February 12,1998) j
. Potential Revision to 10 CFR 50.85 (a)(3) of the Maintenance Rule to Reauire Licensees to Perform Safety Assessments (Memorandum to L. Joseph Callan, Executive Director for Operations, NRC, from John T. Larkins, Executive Director, ACRS, dated February 12,1998)
HIGHLIGHTS OF KEY ISSUES CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE
'1. Status of Develonina a Revised Fire Protection Rule Dr. Dana A. Powers, Chairman of the Fire Protection Subcommittee, provided a report on the Subcommittee meeting held on January 22,1998. The Subcommittee heard briefings from the representatives of the NRC staff, the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEl), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Union of !
Concerned Scientists (UCS), and the Nuclear Information & Resource Service (NIRS).
The NRC staff presented three options for developing a revised fire protection rule and the status of its review of Individual Plant Examination of External Events (IPEEE) submittals.
NEl expressed concern that the new rule was neither needed nor necessary to assure or improve safety. NFPA is developing a draft performance-based fire protection rule for nuclear facilities. UCS and NIRS stated that the NRC staff has not demonstrated a complete and adequate understanding of the formulation of the )
current regulations, such as the regulations for fire barrier penetration seals.
Conclusion The Committee plans to review this matter during its March 2-4,1998 meeting.
- 2. _ AP800 Test and Analysis Proaram and Standard Safety Analysis Reoort The Committee heard briefings by and held discussions with representatives of the NRC staff and the Westinghouse Electric Company regarding the AP600 Test and Analysis Program, and discussed eight chapters of the Standard Safety Analysis Report. The staff ' stated that it had no open issues related to the eight SSAR chapters, but identified open issues associated with the NOTRUMP and WGOTHIC
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' The Honorable Shirley Jackson 3 i codes, the automatic depressurization test program, and the scaling and Phenom-ena identification and Ranking Table related to the Oregon State University test program.
Conclusion i The Committee issued a letter to the Executive Director for Operations, dated February 19,1998 on this matter.
- 3. Meeting with NRCChairman Jackson The ACRS met with NRC Chairman Jackson to discuss the NRC research program, the Human Performance and Reliability Plan, applications of risk-informed regulations, proposed revisions to 10 CFR 50.59, the relationship between the maintenance rule and shutdown risk, proposed changes to the fire protection regulations, and elevation of core damage frequency to a fundamental Safety Goal.
NRC Chairman Jackson mentioned the improved quality and timeliness of ACRS .
reports and expressed appreciation for the early involvement of the Committee in certain issues. The Committee described the areas where it has been proactive and enumerated its priorities for the next two years. The NRC Chairman stated that the ACRS priorities were consistent with the Commission's priorities.
- 4. Westinghouse Soent Fuel Rack Criticality Analysis Methodoloay The Committee heard briefings by and held discussions with representatives of the NRC staff and Westinghouse Electric Company regarding the Westinghouse methodology for crediting soluble boron in spent fuel pool criticality calculations.
Conclusion This briefing was for information only. No Committee action was required.
- 5. Pronosed imorovements to the Senior Management Meeting Process The Committee heard briefings by and held discussions with representatives of the NRC staff and the NEl regarding proposed improvements to the Senior Manage-ment Meeting process. The Committee discussed the staff's proposed integrated assessment program, the plant performance assessment template, trending methodology, and use of economic indicators. The Committee also discussed NEl's comments on the staffs approach to improving the assessment process.
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The Honorable Shirley Jackson 4 Conclusion The Committee plans to continue its review of this matter during the March 2-4, 1998 meeting.
- 6. Proposed Revision to 10 CFR 50 59. " Chances. Tests and Exoei;rverd."
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' The Committee heard briefings by and held discussions with representatives of the '
NRC staff regarding the status of proposed revisions to 10 CFR 50.59 (Changes, Tests and Experiments). The Committee discussed the status of Commission direction regarding proposed rulemaking. The Comrnittee also discussed related
- activities including enforcement panels for 10 CFR 50.59 violations, guidance for updating Final Safety Analysis Reports, and guidance associated with plant design bases. The Committee considered correspondence between the staff and NEl regarding these matters. -
Conclusion The Committee plans to prepare a report to the Commission during a future meeting on this matter.
- 7. SECY-97-231. Performance-Based insoection Guidance The Committee heard a presentation by and held discussions with representatives of the NRC staff regarding SECY-97-231, " Performance-Based Inspection Guidance and Distinction Between hspecting for Performance and inspecting Against a Performance-Based Rule." The Committee also considered the issues discussed in Chairman Jackson's memorandum dated December 9,1997, to L. Joseph Callan, Executive Director for Operations, regarding these matters.
Conclusion The Committee plans to continue its review of matters related to performance-based regulation during future meetings.
- 8. Human Performance and Reliability lmolementation Plan Dr. George Apostolakis, Chairman of the Human Factors Subcommittee, provided
. a summary report of the January 21,1998 Subcommittee meeting. He described the following four staff presentations to the Subcommittee conceming: 1) the status of revising the Human Performance and Reliability Plan,2) the status of the pilot demonstration of a technique for human error analysis (ATHEANA),3) the use of i . . . . . ....e , . . . . . . . . . , , . . . . . . . ,. ..
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human factor insights in developing the inspection program, and 4) uses of the Office for Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data human performance event
' database.
Conclusion This briefing was for information only. No Committee action was required.
RECONCILIATION OF ACRS COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- The Committee considered the response from the NRC Executive Director for Operations (EDO) dated January 8,1998, responding to ACRS comments and recommendations included in the ACRS report dated December 12, 1997, concoming proposed changes to 10 CFR 50.59 (Changes, Tests and Experiments).
The Committee plans to continue its discussion with the staff during future meetings. A briefing is planned for the April 1998 ACRS meeting.
- The Committee discussed the response from the NRC Executive Director for Operations dated January 13, 1998, responding to ACRS comments and recommendations included in the ACRS report dated December 11, 1997, conceming proposed final Regulatory Guide 1.174 and Standard Review Plan Chapter 19 for risk-informed, performance-based regulation.
The Committee decided that it was satisfied with the EDO's response.
- The Committee discussed the response from the NRC Executive Director for Operations dated January 13, 1998, responding to ACRS comments and recommendations included in the ACRS report dated September 19, 1997, conceming the site-to-site variation in risk-informed regulatory acceptance criteria for the plant-specific application of safety goals.
The Committee decided that it was satisfied with the EDO's response.
- The Committee discussed the response from the NRC Executive Director for Operations dated January 15, 1998, responding to ACRS comments and recommendations included in the ACRS report dated December 10, 1997, concoming the proposed final Revision 1 to NUREG-1022, " Event Reporting Guidelines,10 CFR 50.72 and 50.73."
The Comm:ttee decided that it was satisfied with the EDO's response.
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1 The Honorable Shiriey Jackson 6 i
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. The Committee discussed the response from the NRC Executive Director for Operations dated January 30, 1998, responding to ACRS comments and
-recommendations included in the ACRS report dated December 16, 1997, concerning the treatment of uncertainties versus point values in the PRA-related decision-making process.
The Committee decided that it was satisfied with the EDO's response.
. The Committee discussed the response from the NRC Executive Director for Operations dated January 30, 1998, responding to ACRS comments and recommendations included in the ACRS report dated September 10, 1997, conceming the proposed rulemaking package for shutdown and fuel storage pool operations at nuclear power plants.
The Committee decided that it was satisfied with the EDO's response.
. The Committee discussed the response from the NRC Executive Director for Operations dated February 2,1998, responding to ACRS comments and recommendations included in the ACRS report dated December 12, 1997, concerning credit for containment overpressure to provide assurance of sufficient net positive suction head for emergency core cooling and containment heat removal pumps.
The Committee decided that it was satisfied with the EDO's response at this time.
Additional discussion on this matter, however, may be necessary pending receipt of follow-on material from the staff, as noted in the February 2,1998 EDO response.
OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE During the period from December 4,1997 through February 4,1998, the following Subcom-mittee meetings were held:
. Thermal-Hvdraulic Phenomena - December 9 -12,1997 The Subcommittee on Thermal-Hydraulic Phenomena met with representatives of the NRC staff to review the results of the Westinghouse Test and Analysis Program being. conducted in support of the AP600 design certification, specifically the Westinghouse Phenomena identification and Ranking Table and Scaling Report pertaining to the AP600 primary system, and the Westinghouse WGOTHIC code i
.for its application to the Passive Containment System safety analysis, m_ _ _ _.
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The Honorable Shirley Jackson 7
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. Human Factors - January 21,1998 ,
The Subcommittee on Human Factors met with the NRC staff to discuss the latest draft of the NRC Human Performance and Reliability implementation Plan, the -
status of a technique for the human error analysis pilot program, integration of human factors considerations into the inspection process, results of studies that
used the Human Performance Events Database, and associated activities.
. Fire Protection - January 22,1998
- The Fire Protection Subcommittee reviewed the staff's schedule and status for the develcpment of the proposed Fire Protection Rule.
. Plant License Renewal- January 23,1998 The Plant License Renewal Subcommittee reviewed the NRC staff activities regarding the license renewal implementation issues and proposed industry guidelines.
. Plannina and Procedures - January 30-31,1998 The Planning and Procedures Subcommittee discussed prioritization of proposed ACRS activities, the ACRS Operational Plan, self-assessment of ACRS perfor-mance, potential areas for improved effectivenass, interaction with the Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste, ACRS Fellows' activities, and other organizational and personnel matters relating to ACRS and its staff. i
. Elant Ooerations - February 3,1998 The Plant Operations Subcommittee continued its review of proposed improve-ments to the Senior Management Meeting process.
. Planning and Procedures - February 4,1998 The Planning and Procedures Subcommittee discussed proposed ACRS activities, practices, and procedures for conducting Committee business and organizational j and personnel matters relating to ACRS and its staff.
c 1 The Honorable Shirley Jackson 8.
. Advanced Reactor Designs - February 3-4,1998 The Advanced Reactor Designs Subcommittee discussed the AP600 Test and.
Analysis Program and the AP600 Standard Safety Analysis Report, Chapters 1,4, .
5,7,8,11,13, and 18. 1 LIST OF FOLLOW-UP MATTERS FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS
. The_ Committee considered the response from the NRC Executive Director for Operations dated January 8,1998, responding to ACRS comments and recommen-
' dations included in the ACRS report dated December 12, 1997, conceming proposed changes to 10 CFR 50.59 (Changes, Tests and Experiments). The Committee plans to continue its discussion with the staff during future meetings. A briefing is planned for the April 1998 ACRS meeting.
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. The Committee plans to review the status of developing a revised fire protection rule during the March 1998 ACRS meeting.
. The Committee plans to review the proposed improvements to the Senior Management Meeting process during the March 1998 ACRS meeting.
- The Committee plans to review SECY-97-231, " Performance-Based Inspection Guidance," during future ACRS meetings. q
. The Committee decided to review the potential revision to 10 CFR 50.65(a)(3) of the Maintenance Rule following reconciliation of public comments.
. The Committee decided not to review the final rulemaking, " Physical Protection for i Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste" (10 CFR Parts 60,72,73, 74, and 75).
. The Committee decided not to review the proposed Generic Letter, " Guidance on the Storage, Preservation, and Safekeeping of Quality Assurance Records in Electronic Media."
PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR THE 449TH AND 450TH ACRS MEETINGS
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The Committee agreed to consider the following during the 449th ACRS Meeting, March 2-4,1998, and the 450th ACRS Meeting, March 5-6,1998:
The Honorable Shirley Jackson 9 449th Meeting Draft Commission Paoer on Modified Anoroach for Fire Protection Rulemaking (Open)-
The Committee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the NRC staff regarding a modified approach to fire protection rulemaking. The NEl and other industry representatives may provide their views, as appropriate.
Final Rule for Reauirements for Shinoina Packages Used to Transoort Vitrified Hiah-Level Waste (Open) - The Committee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the NRC staff regarding the proposed final rule for requirements for shipping packages used to transport vitrified high-level waste.
Risk Ranking Anoroach for Motor-Onerated Valves (Open) - The Committee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the NRC staff regarding the Lrisk ranking approach for motor-operated valves.
SECY-98-001. Mechanisms for Addressing Generic Safety lasues (Open) - The Committee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the NRC staff regarding SECY-98-001, Mechanisms for Addressing Generic Safety issues. ,
Elevation of CDF to a Fundamental Safety Goal and Possible Revision to the Safetv Goal Poliev Statement (Open)- The Committee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the NRC staff regarding staff actions related to elevation of the core 4 damage frequency (CDF) to a fundamental safety goal and modifying the Safety Goal Policy.
Prooosed Final SRP Sections and Reaulatorv Guides for Risk-Informed. Performance-Based Reaulation and Related Matters (Open)- The Committee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the NRC staff and industry regarding proposed final Standard Review Plan sections and Regulatory Guides for risk-informed, performance-based regulation including individual applications for technical specifications, graded quality assurance, and inservice testing.
Report of the Subcommittee on Reliability and Probabilistic Risk Assessment (Open)- The Committee will hear a report by the Chairman of the Reliability and Probabilistic Risk Assessment Subcommittee regarding matters conside:ed during the February 19-20,1998
. Subcommittee meeting.
Pronosed imorovements to the Senior Management Meeting Process (Open) - The Committee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the NRC staff regarding proposed improvements to the Senior Management Meeting process.
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The Honorable Shirley Jackson 10 450th Meeting Strataav for the Develonment of the NRC Ramanrch Proaram (Open)- The Committee will .
hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the NRC staff, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES), concerning the systematic research process, methods used to identify research topics, and agency goals and programs that require support.-
Prioritization of Research Needs (Open)- The Committee will hear presentations by and
' hold discussions with representatives of the RES staff regarding the methods used to prioritize research needs. Validation and justification of the prioritization methods should be provided.
Core Capabilities (Open).- The Committee will hear presentations by and hold discussions -
with representatives of the RES staff regarding the expertise and core capabilities needed to respond to future needs, as well as an explanation of how these needs were identified and how they affect the research program.
Confirmatory Research Activities (Open) - The Committee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the RES staff regarding the processing of user need requests and identification of the research activities that are confirmatory in nature.
Anticinatorv Activities and Severe Accident Research (Open)- The Committee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the RES staff regarding the identification of each research activity that is anticipatory in nature. The Committee will also discuss the current activities and remaining needs especially in light of the drive toward risk-informed regulation and the estimation of large early release frequency.
IPE and WEEE Pro!ects Open)- The Committee will hear presentations by and hold discussions w ' ith representatives of the NRC RES staff regarding possible uses of the IPE and IPEEE results.
Meeting with Commissioner Nils J. Diaz (Open) - The Committee will discuss items of mutual interest with Commissioner Nils J. Diaz.
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The Honorable Shirley Jackson 11 Deferred Research (Open)'- The Committee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the RES staff regarding the risk significance and vulnerabilities of agency programs and goals and research that is needed but is not being done.
Sincerely, R, L. Seale Chairman
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