IR 05000228/1997201
| ML20149E783 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Aerotest |
| Issue date: | 07/11/1997 |
| From: | NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20149E761 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-228-97-201, NUDOCS 9707210065 | |
| Download: ML20149E783 (11) | |
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U. S. NVCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 0FFICE OF NVCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
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Docket No:- 50-228
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License No:. R-98
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Report No: 50-228/97-201
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Licensee: Aerotest Operations
- Facility: Aerotest Radiography and Research Reactor (ARRR)
Locat' ion: San Ramon, California Dates: June 3-4, 1997
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Inspector: Marvin M. Mendonca, Senior Project Manager
- Approved by: Seymour H. Weiss, Acting Deputy Director Division of Reactor Program Management
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This routine, announced inspection consisted of the review of selected conditions and records since the last inspection, and related discussions with licensee personnel. This inspection was conducted in accordance with the guidance of NRC Inspection Manual. Activities were safely implemented as described in the report details and summarized in the followin e Operational logs and records were acceptably maintaine Events were acceptably identified and resolved by the licensee. Operations were in accordance with Technical Specification e Surveillances were completed as require * Procedures were acceptably use * Requalification training and activities were focused on safety and were as required by the Requalification Pla * New personnel met training requirements. On-shift staffing and conduct of operations met or exceeded the requirement * Review and audit functions and resolution of associated findings were acceptabl e The experimental review, approval and implementation program met i regulatory requirement * The fuel was handled as required during fuel inspection. Conservative action was taken to not use potentially damaged fuel element e Maintenance activities were in accordance with approved procedure e No design change was made since the last inspectio * The radiation protection personnel and reactor staff have an effective working relationship, and radioactive material controls are acceptable, e
The emergency plan was acceptably implemented. Acceptable training was provided to licensee personne >
e Security and Safeguards implementation was in accordance with regulatory requirements, e
Two open items (50-228/9601-01 and 50-228/9601-02) were close I l
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Report Details Summary of Facility Status During the onsite inspection period, the facility was being started up and operated several hours a day at 180 kw to allow for the conduct of various
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radiographic work. Maximum authorized power level is 250 kw and the licensee operates at the reduced power level to reduce personnel exposure ; Operations 01 Conduct of Operations 01.1 Operational Loos and Records
! Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure 69001)
The inspector reviewed operational logs and record, selected events and research reactor operational parameter Observations and Findinas Operational logs and records since the last inspection were prepared and maintained as required. Logs were clear and provided an acceptable description of operational activitie '
Events were first recorded in the console logbook. The essential event information and corrective actions was documented to Operational Request Forms. The inspector verified corrective actions for nuclear instrument
- meter and detector repairs on August 1, 1996, April 14, 1997, and May 12, 1997, respectively. This process tracked completion of the corrective actions, t
The inspector also verified, that selected operational parameters were in accordance with Technical Specification Limiting Conditions of
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Operation, by observation of instrumentation and facility conditions during startup and operation Conclusions
Operational logs and records were acceptably maintaine Events were acceptably identified and resolved by the licensee. Operations were in accordance with Technical Specification Limiting Condition of Operation requirements.
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02 Operations 1 Status of Facilities'and Equipment
- 02.1 Surveillance and Limitina Conditions of Operation Insoection Scone (Inspection Procedure 69001)
1 The inspector reviewed surveillance procedures, surveillance data, and
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Limiting Conditions of Operation.
- Observations and Findinas The inspector reviewed the settings of selected safety systems and the conduct of safety system surveillances during the research reactor pre-critical startup procedure. The procedure was of acceptable detail, i and was current and acceptably performed. The inspector also verified surveillance records and or conditions for items such as water level temperature and flow alarms, control rod and nuclear instrument. checks and calibrations, and control room ventilation monthly emergency security alam surveillance,
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- Surveillances required by Technical Specifications were completed as 1 require Operations Procedures and Documentation
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0 Procedures l l Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure 69001)
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The inspector reviewed administrative controls, operating procedures and
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updates, and the performance of procedures.
- Observations and Findinas
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The inspec*or observed that the conduct of startup and low ~ power l operations,.as well as the setup for an experiment, was in accordance
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with current, approved procedures. No changes to procedures had been
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made since the last inspectio Conclusions p Procedures were effectively used by the operato l i
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I 05 Operator Training and Qualification i 0 Reaualification Trainina Jpsoection Scope (Insoection Procedure 69001)
The inspector reviewed active license status, training records, I examinations, and corrective action Observations and Findinas ,
Associated records were maintained as required. ' Records and discussions with operators showed that training was conducted on selected conditions and events as required by the requalification plan. Records also showed that active duty. status and requalification plan requirements were i maintained, j The licensee developed the exams for the current cycle. The inspector reviewed these exams and determined that they demonstrated acceptable content and question Conclusions Requalification training and activities were focused on maintaining the research reactor safety and were in accordance with the requirement Operations Organization and Administration-0 Graanization and Staffino Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure 69001)
i The inspector reviewed the organization and staffing, and research '
reactor operations, logs and procedure l
, Observations and Findinas I Records for new employees were reviewed. These records and discussions with selected employees showed that new employees were trained in radiation protection, emergency preparedness, and securit The number of licensed operators remained relatively unchanged. A senior reactor operator was in the control ro *. The inspector verified through-review of selected logs and procedures that a senior reactor operator directed. activities as required by the regulations. The staff size and supervisory oversight were acceptable to support the research reactor utilization schedule. These observations verified that the requirements of Technical Specifications were being satisfied by the licensee. Also records showed that regular training was being performed :
for all employees. There were no organizational changes.
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4 Conclusions .
Employees were acceptably trained to fulfill the requirements of the position. On-shift staffing and conduct of operations met or exceeded the requirements and ensured acceptable safe staffing level Quality Assurance in Operations 07.1 Committees. Audits, and Reviews Insoection Scope (Inspection Procedure 69001)
The inspector reviewed committee membership, management and meeting minutes, and the results of audits and reviews.
^ Observations and Findinas The minutes showed that activities were as required for frequency, quorums, and minutes. These_ minutes showed that the committee was communicating issues to managemen The' inspectors review of records and discussions found an effective, independent committee that evaluates and verifies safe implementation of research reactor activities in accordance with the requirements of
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Technical Specifications. The inspector found the audits raised issues consistent with the charter of the committee.
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Committee review and audit functions were as required by the Technical Specification Miscellaneous Operations Issues 0 Exoeriments Inspection Scope (Insoection Procedure 69001)
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The inspector reviewed experiment review and authorization record Observations and Findinas
The neutron radiography authorization form (#114-7013) was reviewed and approved by.the licensee. The review provided an acceptable safety analysis of the experiment. The review also addressed potential hazards, reactivity and radiation levels, and experiment operational
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-5-requirement Implementation of some _ experimental. protection features (radiation field posting and control requirements) were observed by the inspecto Conclusions The experimental review, approval and implementation program met regulatory requirement .2 Fuel Handlina Loas and Record Scope (Inspection Procedure 69001)
The it.spector reviewed fuel handling procedures and record . Observations and Findinas Fuel elements in the pool were moved and examined in-the December 1996, time frame. Records indicate that this activity and controls were established as required by administrative procedure. Control of potentially damaged fuel elements was also verified in that the licensee has not used such element Conclusions
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The fuel was acceptably handled in accordance with procedural requirements, and conservative action was taken to not use potentially damaged fuel.
! II. Maintenance l M1 Conduct of Maintenance M1.1 Maintenance Loas and Records j Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure 69001)
The inspector reviewed maintenance review and approval records, maintenance procedures, and maintenance authorizations.
! Observations and Findinas The replacement parts for the repaired channels 2, 3, and 4 previously discussed under operational logs and records was an equivalent and did not involve any unreviewed safety questions. The maintenance was acceptably documented, tracked and tested. Within the scope of this review, no safety concerns were identifie >
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-6-c. Conclusions Research reactor maintenance activities were docunanted and performed in accordance with approved procedure II Enaineerina El Conduct of Engineering El.1 Desian Chanaes Insoection Scone (Insoection Procedure 69001)
The inspector reviewed facility records and configuration, Obsorvations and Findinos No design changes were conducted since the last inspectio Conclusions I The facility is relatively stable and design changes have not been ( necessary.
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R1 Radioloaical Protection and Chemistry Control Rl.1 Health Physics Scone (Insoection Procedure 69001)
I The inspector reviewed coordination between the health physics and
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research reactor facility staff, and equipment condition.
i l Observations and Findinas I
- The inspector discussed training and ALARA issues with the Radiation
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Safety Officer and the reactor staf Since the last inspection, 1 radiation surveys of the facility have been initiated to try to further l define and potentially reduce doses. The licensee is continuing to work on this ALARA related topi Conclusions
! The radiation protection personnel and reactor staff have an effective working relationship, and the licensee is working to improve practices
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consistent with ALARA principles.
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'R (Closed) Violation 50-228/9601-02: Failure to control high radiation are The inspector verified the physical changes were performed to l control the high radiation area. Corrective actions were acceptabl P1 Conduct of Emergency Preparedness Activities !
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P Emergency Planning Scoce (Inspection Procedure 69001) ~
l The inspector reviewed the emergency plan, changes to implementing i procedures, facilities, equipment and supplies, exercises and drills, and trainin Observations and Findinas The Emergency Plan and. implementing procedures were kept up-to-date and copies were readily available in response locations. Facilities, equipment and supplies were maintained in working order. The inspector verified that emergency call lists were _ accurate and available in the required place Exercises, drills, and training were in accordance with Emergency Plan requirements and provided an acceptable challenge to the participant Licensee key emergency response personnel demonstrated that they could respond to emergency situations as require ' Conclusions The: emergency plat, was acceptably implemented and acceptable training was provided to licensee personne . . .
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.g-S1 Conduct of Security and Safeguards Activities Sl.1 Security and Safeguards Scope Insoection Procedures 81401. 81402. 81431. 81810. and 85102 The inspector reviewed the physical security and safeguards programs, Observations and Findinas The physical security plan was maintained as required. Record reviews and discussions with personnel showed no reportable events per 10 CFR 73.71 or Appendix G to Part 73. The physical protection of the facility was in accordance with the security plan (e.g., alarms and key control).
Security system surveillance and monitoring were as require Information was kept as required. Material accountability forms were verified to be completed and filed acceptabl Conclusion The implementation of the security and safeguards program was i acceptabl Miscellaneous Security and Safeauards Issues S.8.1 (Closed) Violation 50-228/9601-02: Failure to maintain security gate closed. The inspector verified changes to the administrative controls and physical changes to ensure control of the gate. Corrective actions were acceptabl Manaaement Meetinas X1 Exit Meeting Summary The inspector presented the inspection results to members of licensee management at the conclusion of the inspection on June 4, 1997. The licensee acknowledged the findings presente l l
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PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee R. R. Tsukimura, President, Aorotest Operations, Inc. (Aerotest)
A. W. Meren, Manager Neutron Radiograpy, Aerotest S. L. Warren, Radiological Safety Officer, Aerotest I. C. Molina, Neutron Radiographer, Aerotest B. L. Anderson, Assistant Manager Neutron Radiography, Aerotest C. A. Schmidt, Office Manager, Aerotest INSPECTION PROCEDURE (IP) USED IP 69001: CLASS II NON-POWER REACTORS ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED,' AND DISCUSSED Opened None Closed l 50-228/9601-01 VIO High Rad Area Control 50-228/9601-0E VIO Security Gate Left & Open
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