ML20141J134
| ML20141J134 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/21/1997 |
| From: | Kane W NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Ashley Roberts TRANSPORTATION, DEPT. OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20141J137 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-QA-99901292 99901292-97-01, 99901292-97-1, NUDOCS 9705270261 | |
| Download: ML20141J134 (3) | |
Text
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y a UNITE 3 STATES g j ' NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WACHINGTON, D.C. 30506-0001
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Mr. Alan 1. Roberts Associate Administrator for Hazardous Material Safety
, Research and Special Programs Administration U.S. Department of Transportation 400 Seventh Street S.W. DHM1 Washington, DC 20590-0001
SUBJECT:
NRC INSPECTION AT AMER INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
i REGARDING FABRICATION OF MODEL 30B URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE CYLINDERS
Dear Mr. Roberts:
The U.d. Nuclear Regulatory Commission performed a joint inspection with the U.S.
- Department of Transportation at Amer Industrial Technologies, Inc. (Amer), in Wilmington, Delaware, regarding the fabrication and testing of 130 Model 30B uranium hexafluoride ,
cylinders. We appreciate the assistance you and your staff provided to NRC in performing this inspection. This letter and the enclosed inspection report present the findings and our recommendations for follow up actions.
Between April 9-11,1997, NRC performed an inspection at Amer to verify that fabrication and testing activities of the cylinders were performed in accordance with American National -
Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard N14.1, " Uranium Hexafluoride - Packaging for Transport,'
1990 edition, and Section Vill, Division I, of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and 10 CFR Part 71.
During the inspection, the team identified nonconformances regarding Amers failures to perform work in accordance with ANSI Standard N14.1 and the quality assurance program required by the standard. The nonconformances fall into the following categories:
. Test Control: The team determined, based on available documentation, that Amer performed welding procedure qualification impact testing at the low temperature of
+10 'F instead of at-50 'F, Amer did not obtain the required buyers approval of the welding procedure, and Amer did not present documentation showing that the required air tests were performed.
. Fabrication Contr.o[: The team determined that there is a generallack of documentation showing that the cylinders were fabricated, inspected, and tested in accordance with other requirements of the standard.
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- Quality Assurance: The team determined that the implementation of Amers quality assurance program, and the documentation produced by Amers staff during the fab.ication and testing of the cylinders, does not give sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the cylinders meet the requirements.
9705270261 970521 PDR GA999 EMV*****
MJc/ r4 99901292 PDR
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May 21,1997
! , The specific findings and references to the applicable requirements are given in the enclosed !
. inspection report (Enclosure 1). Based on the inspection findings, NRC issued, in coordination '
with DOT, loformation Notice 97-20 (Enclosure 2) informing NRC licensees that the cylinders i l
are not authorized for transport. I
' Please note that Amer provided additional information in its letters dated April 15,1997 (Enclosure 3), and May 7,1997 (Enclosure 4). In the April 15,1997, letter, Amer committed to requalify its welding procedure by performing impact testing at the correct temperature, and
- taking corrective action to resolve other issues identified during the inspection in the May 7, 1997, letter, Amer provided impact test data indicating that its welding procedure was requalified at the correct temperature. NRC staff is continuing its review of the applicable i requirements in the ANSI Standard N14.1 and the ASME Code. I We have not received an application requesting that the cylinders be authorized for continued use. Should we receive such an application, we will evaluate what tests and deterr.,b. Mons might be appropriate to resolve the disposition of the non-conforming cylinders. This would involve safety consideration of both in-plant processes and transportation.
Since Korea Nuclear Fuel Company, Ltd., the owner of the cylinders, is a foreign company, you may wish to contact other competent authorities regarding this matter. We are forwarding our inspection report to you for any enforcement action you deem appropriate.
Should you have any questions about this inspection, we will be pleased to discuss them with you. .
Sincerel William F. Kane, Director Spent Fuel Project Office Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards
' Docket No.: 99901292
Enclosures:
- 1. NRC inspection Report No. 99901292/97-01 j
- 2. NRC Information Notice 97-20 !
- 3. Amer letter dated April 15,1997 j
- 4. Amer letter dated May 7,1997 i cc:
Mr. Richard W. Boyle Chief, Radioactive Materials Branch Research and Special Programs Administration U.S. Department of Transportation -
400 Seventh Street S.W. DHM 23 Washington, DC 20590-0001
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. Reviewed by:
R. Sanders G. Bennington l
4/24/97 4/24/97 Distribution:
NRC f/c SFPO r/f PUBLIC NMSS r/f JLieberman, OE WReamer, OGC GJackson, OC WKane CHaughney ELeeds SO'Connor PNarbut JSpets FSturz RChappell EEaston 4
MRaddatz KBurke, OlP WBrach, FCSS RO'Connell, IMOB FCostello, RI BLetts, RI MAnderson, RI GCaputo, Of GRoberts, INEL GMcGinnis, DOT GCwalina, NRR k/S.cle ok, FcEa
- Refer to previous concurrence &
OFC SFPO E 01 SFPO E SfP b E cnv NAME TMatula/ tom
- M~nderson* JJankovich* SS an l DATE 5/1/97 5/15/97 5/15/97 [/ /T/97 OFC SFPOy,/ _ E NAME hknE DATE / 11 / 9 7 C = COVER E = COVER & ENCLOSURE N = NO COPY l