IR 05000166/2014203

University of Maryland, NRC Routine Inspection Report No. 50-166/2014-203

ML15014A360
Person / Time
Site:	University of Maryland
Issue date:	01/15/2015
From:	Hsueh K P Research and Test Reactors Branch B
To:	Koeth T W Univ of Maryland
Eads J H
References
50-166/14-203
Download: ML15014A360 (13)

Text

January 15, 2015

Dr. Timothy W. Koeth, Director Radiation Facilities and Nuclear Reactor Department of Materials Science and Engineering 2303 Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building Building 090, Stadium Drive The University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-2115

SUBJECT: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - NRC ROUTINE INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-166/2014-203

Dear Dr. Koeth:

From December 15 to 18, 2014, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) conducted an inspection at the Maryland University Training Reactor (Inspection Report No. 50-166/2014-203). The inspection included a review of activities authorized for your facility. The enclosed report documents the inspection results, which were discussed on December 18, 2014, with members of your staff. This inspection was an examination of activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commission's rules and regulations and with the conditions of your license. Within these areas, the inspection consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations of activities in progress. Based on the results of this inspection, no findings of significance were identified. No response to this letter is required.

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 2.390, "Public inspections, exemptions, and requests for withholding," a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the NRC's document system (Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Mr. Johnny Eads at (301) 415-0136 or by electronic mail at Johnny.Eads@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,/RA/

Kevin Hsueh, Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-166 License No. R-70

Enclosure:

NRC Inspection Report No. 50-166/2014-203 cc: See next page

University of Maryland Docket No. 50-166 cc: Director, Dept. of Natural Resources Power Plant Siting Program Energy & Coastal Zone Administration Tawes State Office Building Annapolis, MD 21401 Mr. Roland Fletcher, Director Center for Radiological Health Maryland Department of Environment 201 West Preston Street 7th Floor Mail Room Baltimore, MD 21201

Mr. Vincent G. Adams Associate Director Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building 090 University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742

Mr. Russell Furr, Director Department of Environmental Safety 3115 Chesapeake Building University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742

Test, Research, and Training Reactor Newsletter University of Florida 202 Nuclear Sciences Center Gainesville, FL 32611

ML15014A360; * via e-mail NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DPR/PROB NRR/DPR/PROB NAME JEads KHsueh DATE 01/ 15 /2015 01/ 15 /2015 ENCLOSURE U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

Docket No: 50-166

License No: R-70

Report No: 50-166/2014-203 Licensee: University of Maryland

Facility: Maryland University Training Reactor Location: College Park, Maryland

Dates: December 1518, 2014 Inspector: Johnny H. Eads Approved by: Kevin Hsueh, Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation EXECUTIVE SUMMARY University of Maryland Maryland University Training Reactor Facility NRC Inspection Report No. 50-166/2014-203 The primary focus of this routine, announced inspection was the onsite review of selected aspects of the University of Maryland (the licensee's) Class II research reactor facility safety programs including organization and staffing, operations logs and records, procedures, requalification training, surveillance and limiting conditions for operation, experiments, design changes, and committees, audit and reviews. The licensee's programs were acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety.

Organization and Staffing * Reactor organization and staffing were in compliance with the requirements of the Technical Specifications (TS).

Operations Logs and Records * Operational activities were found to be consistent with applicable TS and procedural requirements. Procedures * Procedural control and implementation satisfied TS requirements. Requalification Training * Operator requalification was conducted as required by the requalification program. Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation * The licensee's program for completing surveillance inspections and limiting conditions for operation verifications satisfied TS and licensee administrative controls.

Experiments * Conduct and control of experiments met the requirements of regulations and the licensee's TS.

Design Changes * Changes at the facility were acceptably reviewed in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 50.59 and applicable licensee administrative controls.

Committees, Audits and Reviews * Review and oversight functions of the Reactor Safety Committee met TS requirements. REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The Maryland University Training Reactor (MUTR), licensed to operate at a maximum steady-state thermal power of 250 kilowatts, continued to be operated in support of academic classes, educational demonstrations, operator training, surveillance, and experiments. During the inspection, the reactor was maintained in a shutdown condition for maintenance and repair activities. 1. Organization and Staffing a. Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure (IP) 69001) The inspector reviewed the following to verify compliance with the staffing requirements in Technical Specification (TS) 6.1, "Organization": * MUTR organization diagram * NRC-issued senior reactor operator (SRO) and reactor operator (RO) licenses * Reactor Console Logbook, January 29, 2013, to March 31, 2014 * Reactor Console Logbook, April 14, 2014, to present b. Observations and Findings Through interviews with the University of Maryland's (licensee's) representatives, the inspector compared the management structure at the facility to requirements in the TS. It was noted that there were three SROs and one RO licensed at the MUTR.

The MUTR staff's qualifications satisfied the training and experience requirements stipulated in the TS. The operations log confirmed that shift staffing met the minimum requirements for duty personnel. The campus Radiation Safety Office staff, which provides oversight for multiple university licenses and activities conducted under the reactor license, occupies a building remote from the reactor building. However, the radiation protection staff is well integrated into the activities at the reactor and is providing significant value to ongoing reactor operations and maintenance activities. c. Conclusion The reactor organization and staffing were in compliance with the requirements of the TS. 2. Operation Logs and Records a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001) The inspector reviewed the following to ensure that selected records were maintained as required by TS 6.3, "Review and Audit;" TS 6.6, "Reports;" and TS 6.7, "Records": * Annual Report for the MUTR for the period July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014 * Daily startup checklists (from Operating Procedure (OP)-101) for the past year * OP-101, "Reactor Startup Checkout," Rev. 13, dated November 12, 2011 * Reactor Console Logbook, January 29, 2013, to March 31, 2014 * Reactor Console Logbook, April 14, 2014, to present b. Observations and Findings Reactor operations were carried out following written procedures and TS requirements. A review of the logs and records indicated that TS operational limits had not been exceeded.

c. Conclusion Operational activities were found to be consistent with applicable TS and procedural requirements. 3. Procedures a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001) The inspector reviewed the following to ensure that the requirements of TS 6.3 were being met concerning written procedures: * OP-101, "Reactor Startup Checkout," Rev. 13, dated November 12, 2011 * Surveillance Procedure (SP)-201, "Control Rod Poison Section Inspection," Rev. 13, October 27, 2011 * SP-203, "Control Rod Drop Time," Rev. 12, March 1, 2000 * SP-204, "Control Rod Calibration by the Positive Asymptotic Period Method," Rev. 13, June 14, 2012 b. Observations and Findings The inspector reviewed a selection of written procedures and verified they addressed activities delineated in TS 6.3. The procedures were approved by the Reactor Safety Committee (RSC) and were of acceptable clarity and detail.

c. Conclusion Procedural control and implementation satisfied TS requirements. 4. Requalification Training a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001) To verify that the licensee was complying with the requirements of the operator requalification program, the inspector reviewed selected aspects of:

• Requalification/training program for the MUTR and associated program checklists, dated March 21, 2000 * The effective dates of current operator licenses * Operator medical examination records for the past year * Current requalification cycle graded written examination * Requalification training topic lesson plans * Operator training records b. Observations and Findings There were three NRC-licensed SROs and one RO on staff at the facility. A review of the logs and records showed that training was being conducted in accordance with the licensee's NRC-approved requalification and training program. Attendance at required training sessions was well documented. Records documenting performance of required reactor manipulations were easily retrievable.

c. Conclusion Operator requalification was conducted as required by the requalification program. 5. Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001) The inspector reviewed the following to verify compliance with TS Section 3.0,

"Limiting Conditions for Operation," and to determine if the periodic surveillance tests on safety systems were performed as stipulated in TS Section 4.0, "Surveillance Requirements": * "Control Rod Poison Section Inspection," dated October 21, 2014 * "Control Rod Calibration," dated January 6, 2014 * "Control Rod Drop Time Data Sheet," dated October 21, 2014 * SP-201, "Control Rod Poison Section Inspection," Rev. 13, October 27, 2011 * SP-203, "Control Rod Drop Time," Rev 12, March 27, 2000 * SP-204, "Control Rod Calibration by the Positive Asymptotic Period Method," Rev. 13, June 14, 2012 * File of daily startup checklists (from OP-101) for the past year b. Observations and Findings The inspector noted that daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual checks, tests, and/or calibrations for TS-required surveillance were completed as required. The limiting condition for operation verifications were completed on schedule and in accordance with licensee procedures. All of the recorded results were within the TS and procedurally prescribed parameters. The records and logs were noted to be complete and were being maintained as required. The procedures for each of the surveillances provided clear and concise direction and control of reactor operational tests and surveillances. c. Conclusions The licensee's program for completing surveillance inspections and limiting condition for operation verifications satisfied TS and licensee administrative controls. 6. Experiments a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001) To verify compliance with licensee's procedures; TS 3.5, "Limitations on Experiments;" TS 6.4, "Experiment Review and Approval;" and Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.59, the inspector reviewed selected aspects of: * Reactor Console Logbook, January 29, 2013, to March 31, 2014 * Reactor Console Logbook, April 14, 2014, to present * Annual Report, July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014 * Reactor Safety Committee Minutes for Meeting of August 12, 2014 * Reactor Safety Committee Meeting Agenda for December 11, 2014 b. Observations and Findings No new experiments have been initiated, reviewed, and approved since the previous inspection at the facility. The inspector verified that the experiment review and approval was in accordance with TS limits and procedural requirements.

c. Conclusion Conduct and control of experiments met the requirements of regulations and the licensee's TS. 7. Design Changes a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001) In order to verify that any modifications to the facility were consistent with 10 CFR 50.59, the inspector reviewed selected aspects of: * Reactor Console Logbook, January 29, 2013, to March 31, 2014 * Reactor Console Logbook, April 14, 2014, to present * Annual Report, July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014 * Reactor Safety Committee Minutes for Meeting of August 12, 2014 * Reactor Safety Committee Meeting Agenda for December 11, 2014 b. Observations and Findings Through review of applicable records and interviews with licensee personnel, the inspector determined that since the previous inspection there were no changes made which required prior NRC approval pursuant to 10 CFR 50.59. The inspector verified that administrative controls were in place that required the appropriate review and approval of facility changes prior to implementation. c. Conclusion Changes at the facility were acceptably reviewed in accordance with 10 CFR 50.59 and applicable licensee administrative controls. 8. Committees, Audits and Reviews a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001) The inspector reviewed the following to ensure that the audits and reviews stipulated in TS 6.2 were being completed by the RSC: * Reactor Console Logbook, January 29, 2013, to March 31, 2014 * Reactor Console Logbook, April 14, 2014, to present * Annual Report, July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014 * Letter transmitting External Audit Results, dated July 19, 2013 b. Observations and Findings The licensee's safety oversight was performed by its RSC. The RSC membership met the requirements of TS 6.2.2, "Reactor Safety Committee Charter and Rules." The inspector verified that the RSC composition, meeting quorums, and meeting frequency were all in accordance with TS 6.2.2.

The inspector also verified that the audit function required in TS 6.2.4, "Reactor Safety Committee Audit Function," was conducted and that the audit reports were reviewed by the RSC. The inspector reviewed the External Audit Results for an independent external audit conducted on July 15-16, 2013. c. Conclusion Review and oversight functions of the RSC appear to meet TS requirements. 9. Exit Interview The inspection scope and results were summarized on December 18, 2014, with members of licensee management. The inspector described the areas inspected and discussed the inspection findings. The licensee acknowledged the findings presented. PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee V. Adams Associate Director and Senior Reactor Operator Director, Radiation Facilities and Nuclear Reactor M. Dorman Assistant Director of Environmental Safety

INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69001 Class II Non-Power Reactors

ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED OPENED:

None CLOSED:

None

PARTIAL LIST OF ACRONYMS USED 10 CFR Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations ADAMS Agencywide Document Access and Management System IP Inspection Procedure MUTR Maryland University Training Reactor NRC U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission OP Operating Procedure Rev Revision RO Reactor Operator RSC Reactor Safety Committee SP Surveillance Procedure SRO Senior Reactor Operator TS Technical Specifications