ML20216F069

Forwards Safety Evaluation Accepting 980331 Licensee Proposal to Perform Alternative Testing for Containment Pressurization Test for Vynp

ML20216F069
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee
Issue date:	04/15/1998
From:	Thomas C NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:	Reid D VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP.
Shared Package
ML20216F074	List: ML20216F069 ML20216F100
References
TAC-MA1357, NUDOCS 9804160410
Download: ML20216F069 (3)

Text

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Mr. Donald A. Reid Senior Vice President, Operations Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation 185 Old Ferry Road Brattleboro,VT 05301

SUBJECT:

ALTERNATIVE TESTING FOR CONTAINMENT PRESSURIZATION TEST, VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER STATION (TAC NO. MA1357)

Dear Mr. Reid:

By letter dated March 31,1998, you proposed to perform alternative testing to th w specified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,Section XI, IWE-5221. The request was made pursuant to 10 CFR 55a(a)(3)(i).

The attemative testing you proposed involves performing a containment pressurization test to a minimum of 44 psig and hold for a minimum of 1 hour1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br /> as opposed to the pneumatic leakage test required by IWE-522.1 to retest the temporary hatch in the turus.

We have reviewed your submittal and concluded that you have provided an acceptable alternative to the requirements stated in paragraph IWE-5221 of the ASME Code,Section XI.

Therefore, your alternative program provides an acceptable level of quality and safety, is authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or common defense and security, and is otherwise in the public interest, giving due consideration to the burden upon the licensee and facility that could result if the Code requirements were imposed on the facility. Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55s(a)(3)(i) the alternative is authorized.

It is noted that you submitted the request on March 31,1998, and requested approval by April 22,1998. You made the decision to propose alternative testing following our meeting on March 24,1998, where we indicated that the testing you were planning to conduct did not appear to meet the requirements of lWE-5221. We consider this to be an engineering weakness involving a lack of timeliness and inadequate specification of retest requirements.

Sincerely, (u.l atm Richa-d P. Civicau, Project Manager 'hSdt#

Project Directorate 1-3 Division of Reactor Projects - 1/II Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation -~g Docket No. 50-271 )

Enclosure:

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D. Reid Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station cc:

Regional Administrator, Region l Mr. Raymond N. McCandless U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Vermont Division of Occupational 475 Allendale Road and Radiological Health King of Prussia, PA 19406 Administration Building

• Montpelier,VT 05602 Mr. David R. Lewis Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge . Mr. Grutam Son 2300 N Street, N.W. Licensing Manager Washington, DC 20037-1128 Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporatior, Mr. Richard P. Sedano, Commissioner 185 Old Feny Road Vermont Department of Public Service Brattleboro,VT 05301 120 State Street,3rd Floor Montpelier, VT 05602 ' Resident inspector Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station Public Service Board U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission State of Vermont P.O. Box 176 120 State Street Vemon,VT 05354 Montpelier, VT 05602 Mr. Peter LaPorte, Director Chairman, Board of Selectmen ATTN: James Muckerheide Town of Vemon Massachusetts Emergency Management P.O. Box 116 Agency Vemon, VT 05354-0116 400 Worcester Rd.

P.O. Box 14g6 Mr. Richard E. McCullough Framingham, MA 01701-0317 Operating Experience Coordinator Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station Jonathan M. Block, Esq.

P.O. Box 157 Main Street Govemor Hunt Road P. O. Box 566 Vemon, VT 05354 Putney, VT 05346-0566 G. Dana Bisbee, Esq.

Deputy Attomey General 33 Capitol Street

- Concord, NH 03301-6937 Chief, Safety Unit Office of the Attomey General One Ashburton Place,19th Floor Boston, MA 02108 Ms. Deborah B. Katz Box 83 Shellbume Falls, MA 01370 t

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3 DATED: Arril 15,1998 VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER STATION DISTRIBUTION Docket File PUBLIC Vermont Yankee r/f J. Zwolinski C. Thomas R. Croteau G. Bagchi T. Clark G. Georgiev OGC G. Hill (2)

ACRS-T. Harris (TLH3 E-Mail SE)

C. Cowgill, R-l C. Berlinger B. McCabe d-4 t

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