RBG-25814, Responds to NRC Re Violations Noted in Insp Rept 50-458/87-03.Corrective Actions:High Priority Given to Correcting Equipment Deficiencies That Made post-accident Sampling Sys (PASS) Inoperative.Addl PASS Training Planned

Responds to NRC Re Violations Noted in Insp Rept 50-458/87-03.Corrective Actions:High Priority Given to Correcting Equipment Deficiencies That Made post-accident Sampling Sys (PASS) Inoperative.Addl PASS Training Planned

ML20209G481
Person / Time
Site:	River Bend
Issue date:	04/23/1987
From:	Deddens J GULF STATES UTILITIES CO.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION & RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (ARM)
References
RBG-25814, NUDOCS 8704300552
Download: ML20209G481 (4)

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'(S GULF STATES UTILITIES COMPANY POSTOFFICE BOX 220 e ST FRANCISVILLE. LOUISlANA70775 AREACoOE 504 636-3237 387-4257 April 23, 1987 RBG- 2S814 File Nos. G9.5, G15.4.1 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555 '

Gentlemen:

River Ben'd Station - Unit 1

+ Refer to: Region IV Docket No. 50-458/ Report 87-03 This letter responds to the Notice of Violation contained.in NRC Inspection Report No. 50-458/87-03. The inspection was performed by Mr.

R. Wise and Dr. J. B. Nicholas during the period February 9-13, 1987 of activities authorized by NRC Operating License NPF-47 for River Bend Station Unit 1.

Gulf States Utilities Company's (GSU) response to Notice of Violation 8703-01, " Failure to Ensure the Capability to Obtain and Analyze Postaccident Samples", is provided in the enclosed attachment pursuant to 10CFR2.201. This completes GSU's response to these items.

S acere ,

1 J. C. Deddens Senior Vice President River Bend Nuclear Group Oc JCD/ R 'WC/KCH/je Attachments cc: Mr. Robert D. Martin, Regional Administrator U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 1000 Arlington, TX 76011 NRC Resident Inspector P.O. Box 1051 St. Francisville, LA 70775 0 h5g g PDR

ATTACHMENT RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF VIOLATION 50-458/8703-01 LEVEL IV REFERENCE Notice of Violation - J. E. Gagliardo letter to~ J. C. Deddens,- dated

' March 24, 1987.

FAILURE TO ENSURE THE CAPABILITY TO OBTAIN AND ANALYZE POSTACCIDENT SAMPLES Technical Specification 6.8.4 states, in part, "The following programs-shall be established, implemented, and maintained:... (c) Postaccident Sampling - A program which will ensure the capability to obtain and analyze reactor coolant, ... and containment _ atmosphere samples, under accident conditions. .The program shall include... (2) Procedures for sampling and analysis, and (3) Provisions for maintenance of sampling and analysis equipment." This requirement is .further defined in Chemistry Section Procedure CSP-0150, " Chemistry Surveillance of the Postaccident Sampling Systems," which ~ requires monthly surveillance tests of the postaccident sampling system (PASS) to ensure the.

capability to obtain and analyze postaccident samples of reactor water and containment atmosphere.

Contrary to the above, the NRC inspectors determined on February 12, '

1987, that none of the monthly surveillance tests during 1986 had been completed successfully to demonstrate the capability of the PASS to obtain and analyze reactor water and containment atmosphere postaccident samples.

This is a Severity Level IV violation.

REASON FOR THE VIOLATION GSU admits that the PASS could not be demonstrated operable on February 12, 1987, due to equipment malfunction. Although the monthly surveillance tests were not completed with all items as satisfactory, actual -samples were obtained twice in 1986. Leaks, mechanical and electrical problems were the primary reasons for the failures to obtain samples in the remainder of the tests. Lack of timely corrective maintenance on PASS malfunctions has been determined to be the cause of these failures.

CORRECTIVE STEPS WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND THE RESULTS ACHIEVED An in-depth review of completed Chemistry documentation revealed samples l had been taken in January and May, 1986, even though the surveillance test documentation for CSP-0150 was classified as unsatisfactory (1-30 Reactor Coolant and Containment Atmosphere: 5-6 Reactor Coolant and Containment Atmosphere Iodine /Particulates). Outstanding l

Maintenance Work Requests that affected PASS operability have now been I

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ATTACHMENT (cont'd.)

completed. Samples were then taken to simulate:- (a) small and large volume samples and dissolved gas samples; and (b) atmosphere and particulate / iodine samples.

CORRECTIVE STEPS WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO AVOID FURTHER VIOLATIONS Equipment deficiencies that make the PASS-inoperative will receive a higher priority for work / maintenance completion. Those deficiencies identified as affecting operability will be worked prior to the next scheduled surveillance test if possible. Additionally, training on- the PASS and its operability is scheduled to begin in April,.1987.

DATE WHEN FULL COMPLIANCE WILL BE ACHIEVED Successful demonstrations for operability were conducted _in March,1987..

All equipment is currently operational. PASS training is scheduled to be completed in May 1987.

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IBirHD S1NHS T JHERIG ISYTFAR pnmirATUtY GBGEISSICN SUdE & IDUISIANA

• PARISH T MEST FELICIANA

• In the Matter of

• Docket Nos. 50-458 GRE SDGES ITfILITIES G3fANY *

(River Bend Station, Unit 1)

AFFIDRVIT J. C. Deddens, being duly sworn, states that he is a' Senior Vice President of Gulf States Utilities Ccmpany; that he is authorized on the part of said Ompany to sign and file with the Nuclear Regulatory Ccunission the documents attached hereto; and that all such h=nts are true and correct to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.

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J. f. hxidens Subscribed and sworn to before me, a Notary Public in and for the State and and Parish above named, this/8ky of 8 ,

19ff Mn . )

//Joan W. Middlebrooks

& Notary Public in and for West Feliciana Parish, Iouisiana My Ccmnission is for Life.

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