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OCT 131978 SSINS'50-259/J MEMORANDUM FOR:
R. W. Woodruff, Acting Assistant Director for Technical Programs, IE FROM:
F. J. Long, Chief Reactor Operations and Nuclear Support Branch, R II
SUBJECT:
Inspection of Licensee Response to IEB-78-03 (Your Memo 8/25/78)
Inspection of the rubject Bulletin per MC 92703 has been completed for all the operating BWR's in Region II as covered in the following in-spection reports:
llatch I 50-321/78-24 Ilatch 2 50-366/78-33 Browns Ferry 1 50-259/78-17 Browns Ferry 2 50-260/78-18 Browns Ferry 3 50-296/78-16 Brunswick 1 50-325/78-18 Brunswick 2 50-324 /78-18 The inspector on Brunswick initiated an Open Item to follow up on completion cf modifications described in the CP & L response to the Bulletin.
F. J. Long, Chief Reactor Operations and Nuclear Support Branch Region II
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0301100059 821207 PDR FOIA HIATT82-545 PDR
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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waswwarou, o.c. rossa s e yi g,.., j OCT 2 6 _tu8 07 FICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Jack Brooks, Chairman Committee on Government Operations United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
In an August 4,1978 letter, the Comptroller General provided a description of the offgas explosions that have occurred at operating boiling water nuclear power plants and an assessment of the actions of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in connection with these explosions.
In addition to describing actions taken by the Commission to minimize offgas explosions the Comptroller General recommended that the Chair-man, Nucle,ar Regulatory Commission:
" Accelerate the process for requiring and implementing the actions aimed at minimizing gas explosions at nuclear power plants. These actions should include ventilation of closed areas where explosive gas may accumulate, assuring seal in-tegrity, and protection of piping from ignition sources."
Before responding to the GA0 recommendations, a brief overview and history of this matter is appropriate. First and most important, boiling water reactor (BWR) offgas systems are not reactor-safety related systems and their malfunctions have not' constituted a health hazard to the public.
Technical analysis, supported by operating experience, has shown that a release of radioactivity, significant to the public health, due to an offgas explosion is unlikely.
In fact, of the offgas explosions that occurred, none have resulted in radioactivity release to the environment above a small fraction of that allowed by Federal regulations for nomal plant operation.
Even though the safety significance of offgas explosions does not constitute a hazard to the health and safety of the public, the Commission has taken actions in this regard, because we recognize that injuries to plant workers and property damage can occur from these mal func tions.
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3 The Honorable Jack Brooks Since 1974, reactors in design and construction stages have been re-quired to improve the integrity of the offgas system drain seals, which represent potential sources of combustible offgas leakage, as part of our licensing reviews. For operating reactors experiencing offgas problems, the Commission has required preventative measures on a case-by-case basis.
In February 1978, the Commission issued an Inspection and Enforcement Bulletin to all BWR licensees requesting their review of the adequacy of designs and operating practice that would minimize offgas explosions. This Bulletin requested licensee responses in several areas including the GAO recommendations concern-ing ventilation of closed areas, assuring seal integrity and protection of piping from ignition sources.
In March 1978, a generic technical report on offgas system experience was completed (NUREG-0442). A copy of that regort is enclosed.
As indicated earlier, the Comptroller General's report recommends that the Commission accelerate the process for requiring and implementing actions aimed at minimizing gas explosions at nuclear power plants.
The Commission does not consider it justified to accelerate the pres-ent program in this area because it would detract from the Commission's efforts devoted to other issues which are of safety significance.
Although we recognize that the present program could have been started ~
earlier, a sound program has been implemented.
In response to the In-spection and Enforcement Bulletin, licensees have stated that they have taken precautions to limit offgas explosions. The features of the spe '
cific plant offgas system at each operating BWR will be independently examined by an NRC inspector before the end of November.
The purpose of these inspections is to review the licensee's system in light of their response to the I&E Bulletin (see Attachment I of HUREG-0442). Upon com-pletion of these inspections, review and assessment reports will be pre-pared for each reactor and will be used to detennine if any additional licensing or other regulatory actions are necessary. These reports are scheduled to be completed this December. The full staff review of the offgas systems is estimated for completion by June 1979.
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The lionorable Jack Brooks In conclusion, the Com.t.ission believes that resources cumnitted to this issue are proportional to its safety significance. The present schedule of review and implementation is timely and consistent with the best utilization of the Cornission's resources.
$1 ncerely, Orie'nM-d t7 g {. -
' :'.3 Joseph M. l'endrie Chairnar
Enclosure:
1.
Technical P.ecort on Operating Fxperience witit Boiling ',*ater Deactor Of fcas Systons, l.'t5.EG 9442, April 1976 DISTRIBUTION cc: Representative Frad Itorton Central Files EEB Reading E00 Reading L. Gossick N. tbseley S. 6hilk R. DeYoung J. Kelley V. Stello C. Kammerer B. Grimes K. Pedersen J. Collins J. Fouchard G. Knighton H. Shapar L. Barrett J. Davis R. Lo C. Smith OCA R. Minogue OIA S. Levine POR H. Denton LPOR E. Case SECY(70-529)
M. Groff (NRR-04335)
RETYPED PER M. BRIDGERS - SEE ATTACHED YELLOW FOR PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES.*
IDENTICAL LETTER SENT TO ADDRESSEES LISTED ON PAGE 4.
APPROVED BY COMMISSION AS SECY 78-529.
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f The lionorable Jack Brooks IDUiTICAL LETTER SENT TO THE FOLLOWING:
The Honorable Abrahae Ribicoff Chainnan Con::ittee on Covernmental Affairs United States Senate Washington, D. C.
20510 Sen. Charles A. Percy cc:
1he Honorable Gary Hart Chainnan Subcomittee on Nuclear, Regulation United States SenateComittee on Environnent and Public Washington. D. C.
20510 Sen. James A. McClure cc:
The Honorable hbrris K. Udall. Chairma Subconnittee on Energy and the Environr.ent Loccittee on Interior and Insular Affairs United States Itcuse of Representatives Washingtor., D. C.
20515 cc:
Rep. Robert Baumn The Honorable John D. Dingell, Chairnar.
Subcomittee on Energy and Power United States !!ouse of RepresentativesComittee on Inters Washington D. C.
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Rep. Clarence J. Drmn cc:
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