ML17304A839

Responds to Violations Noted in Insp Rept 50-528/88-40 on 881031-1104.Corrective Actions:Original Flowmeters Returned to Contractor for Use & Ltr Sent to Contractor Informing of Employee Deviation from Procedural Controls

ML17304A839
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	12/19/1988
From:	Karner D ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE CO. (FORMERLY ARIZONA NUCLEAR
To:	NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION & RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (ARM)
References
102-01069-DBK-T, 102-1069-DBK-T, NUDOCS 8901050059
Download: ML17304A839 (34)

Text

'pi PiFQJQI( gr Arizona Nuclear Power Project P.O. BOX 52034 ~ PHOENIX. ARIZONAI5072-%34 ~ 0 (.l. f t 102-01069-DBK/TDS7kf! kC December 19, 1988 DONAI.O B.KARNER EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555

Reference:

Letter from G. P. Yuhas, Chief, Emergency Preparedness and Radiological Protection Branch, U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Arizona Nuclear Power Project, Attn. D. B. Karner, Executive Vice President, dated December 2, 1988.

Subject:

Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Units 1, 2 and 3 Docket No. STN 50-528 (License No. NPF-41)

STN 50-529 (License No. NPF-51 STN 50-530 (License No. NPF-74)

Reply to a Notice of. Violation - 528/88-40-01 File: 88-056-026 S

This letter is provided in response to the routine inspection conducted by Hr.

G. Cicotte from October 31 through November 4, 19&8. Based upon the results of this inspection a violation of NRC requirements was identified. The violation is discussed in Appendix A of the referenced letter.

The violation and ANPP's response are provided. in the attachment to this letter. If you should have any questions regarding this response, contact Hr.

Timothy Shriver of my staff at (602) 393-2521.

DBK/TDS/KLHC/kj Attachments CC: J. G. Haynes (all w/attachments)

J. B. Martin T. J. Polich M. J. Davis T. L. Chan A. C. Gehr

t NRC Document Control Desk 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLHC Page 1 of 2 December 19, 1988 APPENDIX A NOTICE OF VIOLATION Arizona Public Service Company Docket Hos. 50-528, 50-529, 50-530 Palo Verde Nuclear Generating License Nos. NPF-41, 51, 74 Station Units 1 2; and 3 .-

During an inspection conducted October 31 - November 4, 1988, a violation of NRC requirements was:identified. In accordance with the "General Statement of Policy and Procedure for,4RC.-Enforcement Actions," 10 CFR Part 2, Appendix C (1988), as modified by 53 Fed. Reg. 40019 (October 13, 1988), the violation is listed below:

A. Technical Specification 6.8, "Procedures and Programs," states in part:

Written procedures shall be established, implemented, and pa.i,ntained covering the..."

"i. Offsite Dose Calculation Manual tODCM]...."

Licensee Procedure 75RP-OZ108, "Radiological Environmental Air Sample Collection," Revision 0, dated 3-4-88, states in part:

NRC Document Control Desk 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLHC Page 2 of 2 December 19, 1988 APPENDIX A NOTICE OF VIOLATION (Continued)

"1.0 ~Per ose

1. 1 This procedure provides the requirements for the weekly issue and exchange of particulate air filters and charcoal cartridges as required by the ODCH and the REHP [Radiological Environmental Honitoring Program]...."

"6. 1.3.4 Flowmeter reading (If reading is 1.5 CFH no adjustments are necessary, otherwise adjust to 1.5 CFH)."

Contrary to the above, at approximately 12:45 p.m. HST, on November 2, l

1988, the flowmeter for environmental sampling station Nos. 15 and 14a was returned to service without having been adjusted to 1.5 CFH.

I This is a Severity Level IV Violation (Supplement IV).

NRC Document Control Desk 102-01069- DBK/TDS/KLHC Page 1 of 5 December 19, 1988 REPLY TO NOTICE OF VIOLATION 528/88-40-01 I. REASON FOR VIOLATION On November 2, 1988, the weekly environmental air sampling was performed by an ANPP contract employee. The air sampling was performed using procedure 75RP-OZZ08, "Radiological Environmental Air Sample Collection", Revision 0, dated Harch 4, 1988. During the performance of the air sampling at predetermined sites 14a and 15a, the inspector observed that the flowmeter reading recorded prior to adjustments was

2. 1 CFH and 2.0 CFH respectively. The individual then adjusted the flowrate to obtain a flowmeter reading at site 14a of 2.0 CFH.

As discussed in the inspection report, procedure 75RP-OZZ08 paragraph 6.1.3.3 states; "Flowmeter reading (If reading is 1.5 CFH no adjustments are necessary; otherwise adjust to 1.5 CFH).

A preliminary evaluation conducted by ANPP confirmed the inspector's observations that the sample station flowrate was adjusted to obtain a flowmeter reading of 2.0 CFH or was left in the as found condition of 2.0 CFH. As a result, ANPP initiated an evaluation to determine the root cause of the deficiency and to identify the necessary corrective actions. The results of that evaluation are discussed in the following paragraphs.

NRC Document Control Desk 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLHC December 19, 1988 REPLY TO NOTICE OF VIOLATION 528/88-40-01

.....Prior. to November, 1987 the contractor had been supplied flowmeters, used to verify/adjust the flowrates at the various sampling sites, which measured air flow on a percentage scale.

The scale range is 0-100% with 100% equaling 2.5 CFH +5%. In November; 1987 the contractor was supplied replacement meters which could be permanently installed at the collection sites. The replacement meters measured air flow on a scale ranging from 0-6 CFH +10%. The contractor independently evaluated the two devices and determined that a reading of 2.0 CFH on the replacement meter equated to a reading of 60% on the original meter and would therefore provide a true measurement of 1.5 CFH. The procedural controls, as previously discussed, were revised to address the ~

replacement: meters and-required, the air flow to be adjusted to obtain a meter reading of 1.5 CFH. The intent of the procedure was to ensure a sample flow rate through the'collection equipment

'I of 1.5 CFH. Therefore, based upon the unapproved evaluation, the contractor utilized a flowmeter reading of 2.0 to adjust the sampling site flowrates. This decision was discussed with and

, concurred with by an ANPP representative. Based upon these events, the "root causes" of the identified violation are the failure of the contract organization to adhere to established procedural controls and the failure of the ANPP representative to initiate the required evaluations and procedural changes that would have authorized the contractor's actions.

NRC Document Control Desk 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLHC December 19, 1988 REPLY TO NOTICE OF VIOLATION 528/88-40>>01 II. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TAKEN AND RESULTS ACHIEVED As an immediate corrective action, an evaluation was performed to determine the effect of using 2.0 CFH vice the required 1.5 CFH flowrate. The difference in the calculated activity results is approximately 25 percent in the conservative direction.

Additionally, the original flowmeters which were utilized by the contractor have been returned to the contractor for use. The meters'alibration stickers have been specifically annotated that a 100% scale reading equates to a 2.5 CFH flowrate. A change has been approved to the governing procedure, 75RP-OZZ08, clarifying the readings required to obtain the appropriate flowrate.

I I I. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TAKEN TO AVOID FURTHER VIOLATIONS To address the fact that the contract individual believed he could deviate from established procedural controls based upon an unapproved technical justification, a letter was issued to the contractor from-ANPP on November 10, 1988. The letter informed the contractor of this event and emphasized that any deviation from procedural controls was unacceptable. The letter also provided instructions that whenever an individual performing a procedure has a question or concern regarding the procedure's adequacy, technical accuracy, or requirements he shall stop the activity and resolve the matter with ANPP management prior to

NRC Document Control Desk 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLMC December 19, 1988 REPLY TO NOTICE OF VIOLATION 528/88-40-0l proceeding, ANPP has requested that the contractor brief the responsible personnel to ensure they understand and comply with these instructions. In addition, a meeting was held by ANPP on December 1, 1988 with the re'sponsible contract personnel to reinforce the ANPP requirements for procedural compliance.

As an additional corrective action, ANPP has evaluated the other ANPP procedures utilized by the contractor to implement the REHP. The evaluation identified no technical deficiencies.

The ANPP representative who was made aware of the procedural deviation by the contractor and failed to..take appropriate action has been counseled. Based upon the individual's previous performance, no additional actions are deemed necessary at this time. However, the Radiation Protection Standards section responsible for the Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program (REHP) will be briefed on the necessity to properly overview a contractor's performance and to conduct a careful review of the documentation submitted by the contractor placing particular emphasis on ensuring procedural compliance.

IV. DATE WHEN FULL COMPLIANCE WILL BE ACHIEVED All the corrective actions stated in Sections II and III have been implemented with the exception of the briefings to be given to the contract personnel and the Radiation Protection Standards section

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NRC Document Control Desk 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLHC Page 5 of 5 December 19, 1988 REPLY TO NOTICE OF VIOLATION 528/88-40-01 personnel responsible for the implementation of the RENP. ANPP estimates the completion of these briefings by February 1989.

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ESSION NBR:8901050059 DOC.DATE: 88/12/19 NOTARIZED: NO DOCKET CIL:STN-50-528 Palo Verde Nuclear Station, Unit 1, Arizona Publi 05000528 AUTH. NAME AUTHOR AFFILIATION KARNER,D.B. Arizona Nuclear Power Project (formerly Arizona Public Serv RECIP.NAME RECIPIENT AFFILIATION Document Control Branch (Document Control Desk)

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SUBJECT:

Responds to violations noted in Insp Rept 50-528/88-40 on 881031-1104. I DISTRIBUTION CODE: IE06D COPIES RECEIVED:LTR ENCL SIZE:

TITLE: Environ & Radiological (50 DKT)-Znsp Rept/Notice of Violation Respons D NOTES:Standardized plant. 05000528 8 RECIPIENT COPIES RECIPIENT COPIES ID CODE/NAME LTTR ENCL ID CODE/NAME LTTR ENCL PD5 LA 1 0 PD5 PD 1 1 CHAN,T 1 1 DAVIS,M 1 1 INTERNAL: ACRS 2 2 AEOD/DSP 1 1 NMSS/LLOB 5E4 1 1 NMSS/SGOB 4E4 1 1 NRR/DLPQ/PEB 11 1 1 NRR/DOEA/EAB 11 1 1 NRR/DREP/EPB 10 1 1 NRR/DREP/RPB 10 2 2.

'RR/PMAS/ILRB12 1 1 NUDO~S=A TRACT 1 1 OGC/HDS 1 1 1 ~ERG' 02 1 1 RES 1 1 KGE5 FILE 01 1 1 RGN2/DRSS/EPRPB 1 1 RGN4 MURRAY, B 1 1 E ERNAL: LPDR 1 1 NRC PDR 1 1 NSIC 1 1 RESL MARTIN,D 1 1 NOTES:

D NOXE TO ALL RZDS" RECZPZENIS S

PIZASE HELP US TO REDUCE TQLSTH CONIACT IHE DOCUMENI CONIBOL DESKF RXM. Pl-37 (EXT. 20079) 1O ELZK2VLER YOUR NAME PRQH DZSTIKBVTZGN LISTS H)R DOCUMENIS YOU DONFT HEEDs TOTAL NUMBER OF COPIES REQUIRED: LTTR 27 ENCL 26

gt Arizona Nuclear Power Project P.O. BOX 52034 ~ PHOENIX. ARIZONA85072-2034 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KL'HC December 19, 1988 OONALO B. KARNER EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555

Reference:

Letter from G. P. Yuhas, Chief, Emergency Preparedness and Radiological Protection Branch, U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Arizona Nuclear Power Project, Attn. D. B. Karner, Executive Vice President, dated December 2, 1988.

Subject:

Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Units 1, 2 and 3 Docket No. STN 50-528 (License No. NPF-41)

STN 50-529 (License No. NPF-51)

STN 50-530 (License No. NPF-74)

Reply to a Notice of Violation - 528/88-40-01 0 This File: 88-056-026 letter is provided in response to the routine inspection conducted by Hr.

G.. Cicotte from October 31 through November 4, 1988. Based upon the results of this inspection a violation of NRC requirements was identified. The violation is discussed in Appendix A of the referenced letter.

The violation and ANPP's response are provided in the attachment to this letter. If you should have any questions regarding this response, contact Hr.

Timothy Shriver of my staff at (602) 393-2521.

DBK/TDS/KLHC/kj Attachments CC: J. G. Haynes (all w/attachments)

J. B. Hartin T. J. Polich H. J.'Davis T. L. Chan A. C. Gehr ~Ho a:="1219 pqoi050~5 0'500052~

QQQCK poc 0

1 i

NRC Document Control Desk 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLMC Page 1 of 2 December. 19, 1988 APPENDIX A NOTICE OF VIOLATION Arizona Public Service Company Docket Nos. 50-528, 50-529, 50-530 Palo Verde Nuclear Generating License Nos. NPF-41, 51, 74 Station Units 1, 2, and 3 During an inspection conducted October 31 - November 4, 1988, a violation of NRC requirements was identified. In accordance with the "General Statement of Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions," 10 CFR Part 2, Appendix C (1988), as modified by 53 Fed. Reg. 40019 (October 13, 1988), the violation is listed below:

A. Technical Specification 6.8, "Procedures and Programs," states in part:

"6.8.1 Written procedures shall be established, implemented, and maintained covering the..."

"i. Offsite Dose Calculation Manual [ODCM]...."

Licensee Procedure 75RP-OZZ08, "Radiological Environmental Air Sample Collection," Revision 0, dated 3-4-88, states in part:

i l

I I

NRC Document Control Desk 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLMC Page 2 of 2 December 19, 1988 APPENDIX A NOTICE OF VIOLATION (Continued)

"1.0 ~Por ose

1. 1 This procedure provides the requirements for the weekly issue and exchange of particulate air filters and charcoal cartridges as required by the ODCM and the REHP I'Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program]...."

"6.1.3.4 Flowmeter reading (If reading is 1.5 CFH no adjustments are necessary, otherwise 'adjust to 1.5 CFH).."

Contrary to the above, at approximately 12:45 p.m. HST, on November 2, 1988, the flowmeter for environmental sampling station Nos. 15 and 14a was returned to service without having been adjusted to 1.5 CFH.

This is a Severity Level IV Violation (Supplement IV).

f 4 ' I ' 'I ~ f 'lo s' ', y r PAN A Q 'H le ~

i NRC Document Control Desk 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLHC Page 1 of 5 December 19, 1988 REPLY TO NOTICE OF VIOLATION 528/88-40-01 I. REASON FOR VIOLATION On November 2, 1988, the weekly environmental air sampling was performed by an ANPP contract employee. The air sampling was performed using procedure 75RP-OZZ08, "Radiological Environmental Air Sample Collection", Revision 0, dated March 4, 1988. During the performance of the air sampling at predetermined sites 14a and 15a, the inspector observed that the flowmeter reading recorded prior to adjustments was

2. 1 CFH and 2.0 CFH respectively. The individual then adjusted the flowrate to obtain a flowmeter reading at site 14a of 2.0 CFH.

As discussed in the inspection report, procedure 75RP-OZZ08 paragraph 6.1.3.3 states; "Flowmeter reading ( If reading is 1.5 CFH no adjustments are necessary; otherwise adjust to 1.5 CFH).

A preliminary evaluation conducted by ANPP confirmed the inspector's observations that the sample station flowrate was adjusted to obtain a flowmeter reading of 2.0 CFM or was left in the as found condition of 2.0 CFM. As a result> ANPP initiated an evaluation to determine the root cause of the deficiency and to identify the necessary corrective actions. The results of that evaluation are discussed in the 'following paragraphs.

(l 'RC Page Document Control Desk 2 of 5

,102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLHC December 19, 1988 e REPLY TO NOTICE OF VIOLATION 528/88-40-01 Prior to November, 1987 the contractor had been supplied flowmeters, used to verify/adjust the flowrates at the various sampling sites, which measured air flow on a percentage scale.

The scale range is 0-100% with 100% equaling 2.5 CFH +5%. In November, 1987 the contractor was supplied replacement meters which could be permanently installed at the collection sites. The replacement meters measured air flow on a'cale ranging from 0-6 CFH +10%. The contractor independently evaluated the two devices and determined that a reading of 2.0 CFH on the replacement meter equated'o a reading of 60% on the original meter. and would therefore provide a true measurement of 1.5 CFH. The procedural controls, as previously discussed, were revised to address the replacement meters and required the air flow to be adjusted to obtain a meter reading of 1.5 CFH. The intent of the procedure was to ensure a sample flow rate through the collection equipment of 1.5 CFH. Therefore, based upon the unapproved evaluation, the contractor utilized a flowmeter reading of .2.0 to adjust the sampling site flowrates. This decision was discussed with and concurred with by an ANPP representative. Based upon these events, the "root causes" of the identified violation are the failure of the contract organization to adhere to established procedural controls and the failure of the ANPP representative to initiate the required evaluations and procedural changes that would have authorized the contractor's actions.

NRC Document Control Desk 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLHC Page 3 of 5 December 19, 1988 REPLY TO NOTICE OF VIOLATION 528/88-40-01 II. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TAKEN AND RESULTS ACHIEVED As an immediate corrective action, an evaluation was performed to determine the effect of using 2.0 CFH vice the required 1.5 CFH flowrate. The difference in the calculated activity results is approximately 25 percent in the conservative direction.

Additionally, the original flowmeters which were utilized by the contractor have been returned to the contractor for use. The meters' calibration stickers have been specifically annotated that a 100% scale reading equates to a 2.5 CFH flowrate. A change has been ap>roved to the governing procedure, 75RP-OZZ08, clarifying the readings required to obtain tPe appropriate flowrate.

I I I. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TAKEN TO AVOID FURTHER VIOLATIONS To address the fact that the contract individual believed he could 0

deviate from established procedural controls based upon an unapproved technical justification, a letter was issued to the contractor from ANPP on November 10, 1988. The letter informed the contractor of this event and emphasized that any deviation from procedural controls was unacceptable. The letter also provided instructions that whenever an individual performing a procedure has a question or concern regarding the procedure's adequacy, technical accuracy, or requirements he shall stop the activity and resolve the matter with ANPP management prior to

HRC Document Control Desk 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLMC Page 4 of 5 December 19, 1988 REPLY T'0 NOTICE OF VIOLATION 528/88-40-01 proceeding. ANPP has requested that the contractor brief the responsible personnel to ensure they understand and comply with these instructions. In addition, a meeting was held by ANPP on December 1, 1988 with the responsible contract personnel to reinforce the ANPP requirements for procedural compliance.

As an additional corrective action, ANPP has evaluated the other ANPP procedures utilized by the contractor to implement the REMP. 'The evaluation identified no technical deficiencies.

The ANPP representative who was made aware of the procedural deviation I

by the contractor and fai'led to take appropriate action has been counseled. Based upon the individual's previous performance, no additional actions are deemed necessary at this time. However, the Radiation Protection Standards section responsible for the Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program (REMP) will be briefed on the necessity to properly overview a contractor's performance and to conduct a careful review of the documentation submitted by the contractor placing particular emphas'is on ensuring procedural compliance.

IV. DATE WHEN FULL COMPLIANCE WILL BE ACHIEVED All the 'corrective actions stated in Sections II and III have been implemented with the exception of the briefings to be given to the contract personnel and the Radiation Protection Standards section

IJ

~

5RC Document Control Desk 102-01069-DBK/TDS/KLHC Page 5 of 5 December 19, 1988 REPLY TO NOTICE OF VIOLATION 528/88-40-01 personnel responsible for the implementation of the REHP. ANPP estimates the completion of these briefings by February 1989.