Information Notice 1997-28, Elimination of Instrument Response Time Testing Under the Requirements of 10 CFR 50.59

Elimination of Instrument Response Time Testing Under the Requirements of 10 CFR 50.59

ML031060004
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant, Crane
Issue date:	05/30/1997
From:	Slosson M M Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
IN-97-028, NUDOCS 9705290061
Download: ML031060004 (8)

K\>UNITED STATESNUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONOFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATIONWASHINGTON, D.C. 20555May 30, 1997NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 97-28: ELIMINATION OF INSTRUMENT RESPONSE TIMETESTING UNDER THE REQUIREMENTS OF10 CFR 50.59

Addressees

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits.

Purpose

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information noticeto alert addressees to changes to licensee-controlled documents made in accordance withSection 50.59 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 50.59) that resulted inimproper elimination of a technical specification (TS) surveillance test. It is expected thatrecipients will review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions,as appropriate, to avoid similar problems. However, suggestions contained in this informationnotice are not NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response isrequired.

Description of Circumstances

In accordance with the provisions of Generic Letter (GL) 93-08, "Relocation of TechnicalSpecification Tables of Instrument Response Time Limits," dated December 29, 1993,licensees may submit license amendment requests to remove existing tables of responsetime limits from the plant TSs to the final safety analysis report (FSAR). As stated inGL 93-08, the NRC intends to allow changes to response time limits in accordance with10 CFR 50.59 without NRC approval while not eliminating the requirement to conductresponse time testing.In January 1994, the owners group for boiling-water reactor nuclear power plants (the BWROwners Group) submitted licensing topical report NEDO-32291, "System Analyses forElimination of Selected Response Time Testing Requirements," for NRC review. OnDecember 28, 1994, the NRC issued a'safety evaluation report generically approving the useof this report to justify elimination of certain response time testing requirements.The NRC has learned that several BWR licensees have implemented NEDO-32291 by addinga footnote to FSAR tables of instrument response time limits for several safety-relatedfunctions, namely reactor protection, containment isolation, and emergency core cooling.These footnotes listed sensors eliminated from response time testing in accordance with10 CFR 50.59 and, in some cases, allowed that response time testing was no longer required97 Et ortew qq9-x q'1os0 ." IIL97°529A ele 3// 2lEElllllllll <4,,l

IN 97-28May 30, 1997 for the function. However, the TSs for these plants still require response time testing ofthese instruments. Consequently, these licensees did not test the response times of certaininstruments and thereby violated the TSs.DiscussionThese circumstances arose because the affected licensees used the generically approvedNEDO-32291 guidance to modify tables of instrument functions requiring response timetesting without realizing that such modifications affected plant TSs. Changes to TSs are notpermitted without NRC approval of a license amendment request for such changes.These particular circumstances did not result in a significant safety or operability concern.The instruments in question were tested in accordance with the approved NEDO-32291document. Some of the licensees involved submitted license amendment requests for theseresponse time testing changes. The NRC has granted enforcement discretion whilereviewing these requests.This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have anyquestions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contactslisted below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.Marylee M. Slosson, Acting DirectorDivision of Reactor Program ManagementOffice of Nuclear Reactor RegulationTechnical contacts: P. J. Loeser, NRR(301) 415-2825E-mail: pjl~nrc.govC. S. Schutten, NRR(301) 415-1192E-mail: cssl @nrc.govAttachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

AttachmentIN 97-28May 30, 1997 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUEDNRC INFORMATION NOTICESInformation Date ofNotice No. Subject Issuance Issued to97-27Effect of IncorrectStrainer Pressure Dropon Available Net PositiveSuction HeadDegradation in Small-Radius U-Bend Regionsof Steam Generator Tubes05/16/9705/19/97All holders of OLs or CPsfor light-water powerreactors, except thoselicensees who have per-manently ceased operationsand have certified thatfuel has been permanentlyremoved from the reactorvesselAll holders of OLs or CPsfor pressurized-waterreactors97-2687-10,Sup. 1Potential for WaterHammer During Restart ofResidual Heat RemovalPumps05/15/97All holders of OLs or CPsfor boiling-water reactors97-2597-2497-23Dynamic Range Uncertain-ties in the Reactor VesselLevel InstrumentationFailure of Packing Nutson One-inch UraniumHexafluoride CylinderValvesEvaluation and Reportingof Fires and UnplannedChemical Reactor Eventsat Fuel Cycle Facilities05/09/9705/08/9705/07/97All holders of OLs or CPsfor Westinghouse pressurized-water reactorsAll U.S. Nuclear RegulatoryCommission licensees andcertificatees authorizedto handle uranium hexa-fluoride in 30- and 48-inchdiameter cylindersAll fuel cycle conversion,enrichment, and fabricationfacilities'OL = Operating LicenseCP = Construction Permit

IN 97-28May 30, 1997 for the function. However, the TSs for these plants still require response time testing ofthese instruments. Consequently, these licensees did not test the response times of certaininstruments and thereby violated the TSs.DiscussionThese circumstances arose because the affected licensees used the generically approvedNEDO-32291 guidance to modify tables of instrument functions requiring response timetesting without realizing that such modifications affected plant TSs. Changes to TSs are notpermitted without NRC approval of a license amendment request for such changes.These particular circumstances did not result in a significant safety or operability concern.The instruments in question were tested in accordance with the approved NEDO-32291document. Some of the licensees involved submitted license amendment requests for theseresponse time testing changes. The NRC has granted enforcement discretion whilereviewing these requests.This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have anyquestions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contactslisted below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.original signed by S.H.Weiss forMarylee M. Slosson, Acting DirectorDivision of Reactor Program ManagementOffice of Nuclear Reactor RegulationTechnical contacts: P. J. Loeser, NRR(301) 415-2825E-mail: pjl@nrc.govC. S. Schulten, NRR(301) 415-1192E-mail: cssl@nrc.govAttachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information NoticesTech Editor has reviewed and concurred on 518/97*See previous concurrenceOFFICE *PECBIDRPM *D:DRCH *C:PECBIDRPM (A PiSTAFF CVHodge BABoger AEChaffee ~ssorpDATE 05/06197 j 05/08/97 05/12/97 J 05/4397 IDOCUMENT: 91-Zt$.IN

IN 97-XXMay, 1997 for the function. However, the TSs for these plants still require response time testing ofthese instruments. Consequently, these licensees did not test the response times of certaininstruments and thereby violated the TSs.DiscussionThese circumstances arose because the affected licensees used the generically approvedNEDO-32291 guidance to modify tables of instrument functions requiring response timetesting without realizing that such modifications affected plant TSs. Changes to TSs are notpermitted without NRC approval of a license amendment request for such changes.These particular circumstances did not result in a significant safety or operability concern.The instruments in question were tested in accordance with the approved NEDO-32291document. Some of the licensees involved submitted license amendment requests for theseresponse time testing changes. The NRC has granted enforcement discretion whilereviewing these requests.This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have anyquestions about the Information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contactslisted below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.Marylee M. Slosson, Acting DirectorDivision of Reactor Program ManagementOffice of Nuclear Reactor RegulationTechnical contacts: P. J. Loeser, NRR(301) 415-2825E-mail: pjl@nrc.govC. S. Schulten, NRR(301) 415-1192E-mail: cssl@nrc.govAttachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices*See previous concurrenceOFFICE *PECBIDRPM *D:DRCH C:PECB/DRPM (A)D: lSTAFF CVHodge BABoger AEChaffeeON MMSfsgn MDATE 05/06197 05/08/97 1 05/97 105/97 9qOCUMENT: GWERN\RESPTIME.INF

l2IN 97-XXMay , 1997 DiscussionThese circumstances arose because the affected licensees used the generically approvedNEDO-32291 guidance to modify tables of Instrument functions requiring response timetesting without realizing that such modifications affected plant TSs. Changes to TSs are notpermitted without NRC approval of a license amendment request for such changes.These particular circumstances did not result in a significant safety or operability concem.The instruments in question were tested in accordance with the approved NEDO-32291document. Some of the licensees involved submitted license amendment requests for theseresponse time testing changes. The NRC has granted enforcement discretion whilereviewing these requests.This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have anyquestions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contactslisted below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.Marylee M. Slosson, Acting DirectorDivision of Reactor Program ManagementOffice of Nuclear Reactor RegulationTechnical contacts: P. J. Loeser, NRR(301) 415-2825E-mail: pjlenrc.govC. S. Schulten, NRR(301) 415-1192E-mail: cssl@nrc.govAttachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices*See previous concurrenceOFFICE PECB/DRPM l *D:DRCH C:PECBIDRPM (A)D:DRPMSTAFF CVHodge BABoger AEChaffee MMSlossonDATE G E05R 7 05/08/97 051 /97 E051 97DOCUMENT: G:W\ERN\RESPTIME.IN .\

Information Notice 97-X DiscussionThese circumstances arose because the affected licensees used th genericallyapproved NEDO-32291 guidance to modify tables of instrument fu ionsrequiring response time testing without realizing that such m ificationsaffected plant TSs. Changes to TSs are not permitted witho NRC approval ofa license amendment request for such changes.These particular circumstances did not result in a sign icant safety oroperability concern. The instruments in question wer tested in accordancewith the approved NEDO-32291 document. Some of the censees involvedsubmitted license amendment requests for these res nse time testing changes.The NRC has granted enforcement discretion while eviewing these requests.This information notice requires no specific a ion or written response. Ifyou have any questions about the information *n this notice, please contactone of the technical contacts listed below the appropriate Office ofNuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project m ager.Thomas .Martin, DirectorDivis'n of Reactor Program ManagementOffi of Nuclear Reactor RegulationTechnical contacts: P. J. Loese , NRR(301) 415- 25E-mail: P @nrc.govC. S. S ulten, NRR(301) 5-1192E-mai : cssl@nrc.govAttachment: List of Re ntly Issued NRC Information Notices*See previous concurre eOFFICE PECDRPM *D:DRCH C:PECB/DRPM D:DRPMSTAFF CV odge BEBoger AEChaffee TTMartinDATE L51 /97 .05/08/97 1 05/ /97 05/ /97locument: g:\ rn\resptime.lnT

KJInformation Notice 97-XX DiscussionThese circumstances arose because the affected licensees used the genericallyapproved NEDO-32291 guidance to modify tables of instrument functionsrequiring response time testing without realizing that such modifications,-affected plant technical specifications. Changes to technical specific t'ionsare not permitted without NRC approval of a license amendment request .for suchchanges.These particular circumstances did not result in a significant Afety oroperability concern. The instruments in question were teste in accordancewith the approved NEDO-32291 document. Some of the licens s involvedsubmitted license amendment requests for these response me testing changes.The NRC has granted enforcement discretion while review, g these requests.This information notice requires no specific action r written response. Ifyou have any questions about the information in th notice, please contactone of the technical contacts listed below or the ppropriate Office ofNuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.Thomas T. M tin, DirectorDivision ofProject SupportOffice of uclear Reactor RegulationTechnical contacts: P. J. Loeser, N(301) 415-2825E-mail: pjl@n c.govC. S. Schul en, NRR(301) 415- 192E-mail: 1s@nrc.govAttachment:1. List of Recently Issue NRC Information NoticesOFFICE PECB/DRM X D:DRCH C:PECB/DRPM D:DRPMSTAFF CVHodg4 ABBoger AEChaffee TTMartinDATE 05/O6/97 05/8 /97 05/ /97 05/ /97l