IR 05000057/2014001
| ML15027A411 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of Buffalo |
| Issue date: | 01/26/2015 |
| From: | Marc Ferdas NRC/RGN-I/DNMS/NMSB3 |
| To: | Vasbinder D University of Buffalo, University of Buffalo |
| References | |
| IR 2014001 | |
| Download: ML15027A411 (10) | |
Text
January 26, 2015
SUBJECT:
NRC INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000057/2014001, BUFFALO MATERIALS RESEARCH CENTER, UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, BUFFALO, NEW YORK
Dear Mr. Vasbinder:
On August 27 and November 3-5, 2014, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
conducted a safety inspection at the Buffalo Materials Research Center (BMRC) in Buffalo, New York. Additional information in documents provided by BMRC was also examined as part of the inspection. The inspection was an examination of your licensed activities as they relate to radiation safety and to compliance with the Commission's regulations and BMRC license conditions. The inspection consisted of observations by the inspectors, interviews with BMRC and contractor personnel, a review of work plans and records, NRC confirmatory measurements, and collection of soil samples. The soil samples were sent to Oak Ridge Associated Universities for analysis and the results of the analysis will be documented in future correspondence. In addition, the inspectors participated in weekly telephone conference calls with the BMRC staff and contractors. During these telephone calls, the status of decommissioning activities was discussed. The results of the inspection were discussed with you via telephone on December 30, 2014, and are described in the enclosed report. No findings of safety significance were identified.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter, its enclosure(s), and your response, if provided, will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from ADAMS, accessible from the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To the extent possible, your response should not include any personal privacy, proprietary, or safeguards information so that it can be made available to the Public without redaction.
Current NRC regulations and guidance are included on the NRC's website at www.nrc.gov; select Nuclear Reactors; Research and Test Reactors; then Regulations, Guidance and Communications. The current Enforcement Policy is included on the NRC's website at www.nrc.gov; select About NRC, Organizations & Functions; Office of Enforcement; Enforcement documents; then Enforcement Policy (Under 'Related Information'). You may also obtain these documents by contacting the Government Printing Office (GPO) toll-free at 1-866-512-1800. The GPO is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays).
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
REGION I
2100 RENAISSANCE BOULEVARD, SUITE 100 KING OF PRUSSIA, PA 19406-2713 No reply to this letter is required. Please contact Steve Hammann at 610-337-5399 if you have any questions regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Marc S. Ferdas, Chief Decommissioning and Technical Support Branch Division of Nuclear Materials Safety
cc:
State of New York No reply to this letter is required. Please contact Steve Hammann at 610-337-5399 if you have any questions regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Marc S. Ferdas, Chief Decommissioning and Technical Support Branch Division of Nuclear Materials Safety
cc:
State of New York
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OFFICE
DNMS/RI
N
DNMS/RI
DNMS/RI
NAME SHammann/sth MRoberts/mcr MFerdas/msf
DATE 1/23/15 1/25/15 1/26/15
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Document Name: C:\\RawFiles\\ML15027A411.docx
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
REGION I
INSPECTION REPORT
Inspection No.
05000057/2014001
Docket No.
05000057
License No.
R-77
Licensee:
Buffalo Materials Research Center (BMRC)
Location:
220 Winspear Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14215
Inspection Dates:
August 27, 2014
November 3-5, 2014
Inspectors:
Senior Health Physicist
Decommissioning and Technical Support Branch
Division of Nuclear Materials Safety
Mark Roberts
Senior Health Physicist
Decommissioning and Technical Support Branch
Division of Nuclear Materials Safety
Health Physicist
Reactor Decommissioning Branch
Division of Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery, & Waste
Programs, NMSS
Approved By:
Marc S. Ferdas, Chief
Decommissioning and Technical Support Branch
Division of Nuclear Materials Safety
Document Name: C:\\RawFiles\\ML15027A411.docx ii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Buffalo Materials Research Center
NRC Inspection Report No. 05000057/2014001
Announced inspections were conducted on August 27 and November 3-5, 2014, at the BMRC, in Buffalo, New York. Additional information in documents provided by BMRC was also examined as part of the inspection. The inspectors reviewed BMRCs decommissioning activities associated with the demolition and excavation of the BMRC building. The inspections verified that decontamination and demolition activities were being conducted safely and in accordance with regulatory requirements, licensee commitments, and the NRC-approved Decommissioning Plan (DP). The inspection consisted of observations by the inspectors, interviews with BMRC and contractor personnel, confirmatory measurements, collection of soil samples, and a review of work plans and work instructions. The soil samples were sent to Oak Ridge Associated Universities for analysis and the results of the analysis will be documented in future correspondence. In addition, the inspectors participated in weekly telephone conference calls with the BMRC staff and contractors. During these telephone calls, the status of decommissioning activities was discussed. The NRC's program for overseeing the safe decommissioning of a research and test reactor (RTR) is described in Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 2545, "Research and Test Reactor Inspection Program.
Based on the results of this inspection, no findings of safety significance were identified.
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REPORT DETAILS
1. Summary of Facility Status
The BMRC RTR is owned by the State University of New York at Buffalo and is located on the south campus of the University. The RTR was placed into operation in 1961 and operated until 1963 using materials testing reactor (MTR) type fuel with a maximum steady state power of 1 MWt. In 1963 the reactor was modified to use Pulse Training Assembled Reactor (PULSTAR) type fuel at power levels up to 2 MWt. The reactor was shut down in 1994, and in 1997 the license was amended to possession only. In 1998 the unused fuel was shipped to North Carolina State University, and in 2005 the spent fuel was shipped to the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory.
On November 5, 2012, the NRC approved the DP for the BMRC RTR (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML12286A352 and ML12290A694). During decommissioning activities, Enercon Services, Inc. (Design and Oversight Contractor (DOC)) is providing field management and industrial and radiological safety services. BMRC is also using LVI Services as the Demolition Contractor (DC) for performing decommissioning activities.
In December 2012, BMRC began decommissioning activities. BMRC has completed the dismantlement and removal of the reactor and associated components and is in the final stages of building demolition and excavation of below grade structures. The BMRC contractors expect to initiate the final status survey following completion of the demolition activities.
2. Research and Test Reactor Decommissioning
a. Inspection Scope
Announced inspections were conducted on August 27 and November 3-5, 2014, at the BMRC, in Buffalo, New York. The inspectors reviewed BMRCs decommissioning activities associated with the demolition and excavation of the BMRC building. The inspections verified that decontamination and demolition activities were being conducted safely and in accordance with regulatory requirements, licensee commitments, and the NRC-approved DP. The inspection consisted of observations by the inspectors, interviews with BMRC and contractor personnel, confirmatory measurements, collection of soil samples, and a review of work plans and work instructions. The NRC's program for overseeing the safe decommissioning of an RTR is described in IMC 2545.
The inspectors verified that BMRC adequately provided oversight and control of the DOC and DC. The inspectors reviewed work plans and records and observed decommissioning activities to determine if they were being implemented as specified in the DP and Technical Specifications (TS). The inspectors observed DOC personnel providing health physics job coverage for demolition and excavation activities and the performance of radiation and contamination surveys. The inspectors reviewed radiation work permits (RWPs) and verified that areas were posted for the radiological conditions in accordance with 10 CFR Part 20. The inspectors verified that radiation instrumentation calibrations were maintained current. The inspectors also reviewed the Inspection Report No. 05000057/2014001 C:\\RawFiles\\ML15027A411.docx placement and use of air samplers within the facility. The inspectors observed the segregation, staging and temporary storage of waste to determine if the NRC regulations and DP requirements were being met.
In addition, the inspectors participated in weekly telephone conference calls with the BMRC staff and contractors. During these telephone calls, the status of decommissioning activities was discussed.
b. Observations and Findings
Prior to building demolition, the inspectors walked down designated areas where additional surface remediation activities had been conducted by the BMRC contractor staff. The inspectors performed confirmatory measurements with both a Ludlum Model 19 micro R gamma survey meter and a Ludlum Model 14C rate meter equipped with a Model 44-9 pancake GM detector. The measurements were made in the six additional areas discussed in the June 25, 2014, BMRC submission (ADAMS Accession No.
ML14181B121). Areas in the Sr-90 room and the 1k tank pit were added to the list of items that were to be removed and disposed of as low level radioactive waste (LLRW).
After remediation by BMRC in five of the areas, measurements taken by the inspectors confirmed that radiation levels in these areas were indistinguishable from background.
Measurements in one area of the 1k tank pit were indistinguishable from background with the pancake GM detector. However, the inspectors measurements with a micro R gamma survey meter identified elevated radiation levels after remediation by BMRC.
The inspectors determined that the elevated radiation levels, approximately four times the background exposure rate for the area, were occurring at the interface of the floor and wall. Additional measurements in the vicinity indicated that the elevated area was localized to the approximate area that had been remediated. BMRC performed further remediation of the area and were able to remove the contaminated material. Once completed, measurements of the area were indistinguishable from background.
Inspectors noted the radiation protection coverage during building demolition was adequate and surveys were performed by the DOC of the remaining items (embedded pipes, load bearing columns, etc.) requiring removal as LLRW. Inspectors noted that backfill material to be used for filling the excavated areas was removed from Class 1, 2, and 3 areas and stored adjacent to the building in separate piles. As BMRC performed excavation and relocation of the excavated soil, the inspectors took selected random soil loads for direct radiation measurements and found all results to be indistinguishable from background exposure rates. Radiation measurements by the inspectors at the perimeter of the soil piles were also indistinguishable from the background exposure rates.
Inspectors discussed the soil sample procedures for the backfill material with BMRC personnel and also collected three samples of the soil intended to be used as backfill for confirmatory analysis. The samples were sent to Oak Ridge Associated Universities for analysis and the results of the analysis will be documented in future correspondence.
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c. Conclusions
Based on the results of this inspection, no findings of safety significance were identified.
3. Exit Meeting
The inspection results were discussed with Dave Vasbinder, BMRC Director, and other members of the BMRC staff, on December 30, 2014.
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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED
Licensee
Mark Adams, Safety Engineer
Joseph Raab, CIH, Director, Environment, Health & Safety Services
Jeff Slawson, RSO
David Vasbinder, Associate Director, Environment, Health & Safety Services
Rob Weller, Project Manager
Enercon Services
Chuck Beatty, Site Lead
Kevin Boyle, HP Technician
Dennis Criswell, RPM
Gerry Williams, Project Manager
INSPECTION PROCEDURE USED
Inspection Procedure 69013, Research and Test Reactor Decommissioning
ITEMS OPEN, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED
None
LIST OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
ENERCON Map of site coded with MARSSIM Classes
BMRC Weekly Update Reports - August through December, 2014
ENERCON Air Sample Results Form, May 2013
ENERCON CAM Sample Log, May 2013
ENERCON CAM Sample Results Form, May 2013
Letter, Schenne & Associates, Steam Tunnel Closure Plan & Design, dated 5/28/13
Letter, Schenne & Associates, Steam Tunnel and Utility Protective Measures, dated
5/28/13
Letter, University at Buffalo, Additional Impacted Item, dated November 9, 2014
Letter, University at Buffalo, Clarification Regarding Sampling and Surveying of Stockpiled Soil
for BMRC Decommissioning, dated November 19, 2014
Radiation Work Permit, BMRC-020
UB-WCD-OP-04, Activated Concrete Removal Work Plan
UB-WCD-OP-05C, Waste Water Systems Removal Work Plan
UB-WCD-OP-05D, Control Deck Ventilation Removal work Plan
UB-WCD-OP-06, Asbestos Abatement Work Plan
UB-WCD-OP-07, Utility Isolation Work Plan
UB-WCD-OP-08, Demolition Work Plan
Work Instruction, Survey and Sampling of Class 1 Excavated Soil Material
Work Instruction, Survey and Sampling of Class 2 and Class 3 Excavated Soil Material
Work Instruction, Survey of Trucks Loaded With Demolition Debris
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LIST OF ACRONYMS USED
BMRC
Buffalo Materials Research Center
demolition contractor
DOC
design and oversight contractor
DP
decommissioning plan
IMC
inspection manual chapter
low level radioactive waste
NRC
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
RTR
research and test reactor