IR 05000193/2011202
| ML112650006 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission |
| Issue date: | 10/06/2011 |
| From: | Johnny Eads Research and Test Reactors Branch B |
| To: | Tehan T State of RI, Atomic Energy Comm, Nuclear Science Ctr |
| DONOHUE J, NRC/NRR/DPR/PROB 415-3163 | |
| References | |
| IR-11-202 | |
| Download: ML112650006 (14) | |
Text
October 6, 2011
Dr. T. Tehan, Director Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission 16 Reactor Road Narragansett, RI 02882-1165
SUBJECT:
RHODE ISLAND ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION - NRC ROUTINE
INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-193/2011-202
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) conducted an inspection on September 5-8, 2011, at the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Reactor facility (Inspection Report No. 50-193/2011-202). The inspection included a review of activities authorized for your facility. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspectio This inspection was an examination of activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulation Within these areas, the inspection consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations of activities in progres Based on the results of this inspection, no safety concern or noncompliance of requirements was identifie No response to this letter is require In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulation, Section 2.390 Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding, a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or the NRCs document system (Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS)).
ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at (the Public Electronic Reading Room)
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.htm Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Jack Donohue at 301-452-1950 or electronic mail at Jack.Donohue@nrc.go
Sincerely,
/RA/
Johnny H. Eads, Jr. Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Docket N License N R-95
Enclosure:
As stated
cc w/ encl: See next page
Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission
Docket No.: 50-193
cc:
Governor Donald Carcieri State House Room 115 Providence, RI 02903
Dr. Stephen Mecca, Chairman Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission Providence College Department of Engineering-Physics Systems River Avenue Providence, RI 02859
Dr. John Breen, Chairman Nuclear and Radiation Safety Committee Providence College 549 River Ave Providence, RI 02918
Dr. Andrew Kadak 253 Rumstick Road Barrington, RI 02806
Dr. Bahram Nassersharif Dean of Engineering University of Rhode Island 102 Bliss Hall Kingston, RI 20881
Dr. Peter Gromet Department of Geological Sciences Brown University Providence, RI 02912
Dr. Alfred L. Allen 425 Laphan Farm Road Pascoag, RI 02859
Mr. Jack Ferruolo, Supervising Radiological Health Specialist Office of Occupational and Radiological Health Rhode Island Department of Health 3 Capitol Hill, Room 206 Providence, RI 02908-5097
Test, Research, and Training Reactor Newsletter University of Florida 202 Nuclear Sciences Center Gainesville, FL 32611
October 6, 2011 Dr. T. Tehan, Director Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission 16 Reactor Road Narragansett, RI 02882-1165
SUBJECT:
RHODE ISLAND ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION - NRC ROUTINE
INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-193/2011-202
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) conducted an inspection on September 5-8, 2011, at the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Reactor facility (Inspection Report No. 50-193/2011-202). The inspection included a review of activities authorized for your facility. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspectio This inspection was an examination of activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulation Within these areas, the inspection consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations of activities in progres Based on the results of this inspection, no safety concern or noncompliance of requirements was identifie No response to this letter is require In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.390 Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding, a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or the NRCs document system (Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS)).
ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at (the Public Electronic Reading Room)
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.htm Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Jack Donohue at 301-452-1950 or electronic mail at Jack.Donohue@nrc.go
Sincerely,
/RA/
Johnny H. Eads, Jr. Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Docket N License N R-95
Enclosure:
As stated cc w/ encl: See next page
DISTRIBUTION:
PUBLIC
PRTB/rf
RidsNrrDprPrtb
RidsOgcMailCenter JDonohue, NRR
WKennedy, NRR
MCompton, NRR (Ltr only O13-E19)
GLappert, NRR
RidsNrrDprPrta ADAMS ACCESSION NO.: ML112650006 TEMPLATE #: NRC-002 OFFICE PROB:RI PRPB:LA PROB:BC NAME JDonohue GLappert JEads DATE 09/15/11 9/22/2011 10/6/11 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
Docket No:
50-193
License No:
R-95
Report No:
50-193/2011-202
Licensee:
Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission
Facility:
Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Research Reactor
Location:
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Dates:
September 6-8, 2011
Inspector:
Jack Donohue
Craig Bassett
Taylor Lichatz (Inspector Trainee)
Approved by:
Johnny H. Eads, Jr., Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Reactor Facility NRC Inspection Report No. 50-193/2011-202
The primary focus of this routine, announced operations inspection was the onsite review of selected aspects of the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission (the licensees) two megawatt Class I research reactor safety programs including organization and staffing, operations and maintenance; surveillance; fuel movement; reactor operator licenses, requalification and medical examinations; and emergency preparednes The licensees programs were acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety, and in compliance with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirement Organization and Operations and Maintenance Activities
- Organization, operations, and maintenance were observed to be in accordance with Technical Specification (TS) requirement The licensee continued improvements in the areas of staffing, communications and maintaining a safety conscious work environmen Surveillance
- Operations were found to be in compliance with the limiting conditions for operation and surveillance requirements as stated in the T Fuel Movement
- The licensee reactor fuel movements when required; followed written procedures that met TS requirement Reactor Operator Licenses, Requalification and Medical Examinations
- The licensee was conducting a reactor operator re-qualification program in compliance with NRC regulations and the licensees written progra Emergency Preparedness
- The licensee maintained an effective emergency preparedness program through implementation of the written emergency pla REPORT DETAILS
Summary of Facility Status
The Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commissions (RIAEC, the licensee) Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center (RINSC) two megawatt Class I research reactor continued to be operated in support of research, service, education, training, and surveillanc During the inspection, the inspectors observed the reactor in operation to irradiate samples as part if its research and service missio.
Organization and Operations and Maintenance Activities Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure (IP) 69006
The inspectors reviewed the following regarding the licensee's organization and staffing to ensure that the requirements of Section 6.0, Administrative Controls, of the RINSC Technical Specifications (TS), Amendment No. 29 to License N R-95 was being met:
- Reactor Logbook No. 57, dated June 17, 2009 to August 12, 2010 and Logbook No. 58, dated August 16, 2010 to the present
Annual Report for July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011, dated July 28, 2011
RINSC organizational structure and staffing
Periodic Maintenance Notebook containing the documentation of maintenance items
RINSC Reactor Operating Procedure (OP) OP-01, Reactor Operation Request, Revision (Rev.) 2, Nuclear and Radiation Safety Committee (NRSC) approval dated December 4, 2009
RINSC OP-02, RINSC Pre-Start Checkout, Rev. 15, NRSC approval dated April 25 2011
RINSC OP-03, Reactor Power Changes, Rev. 4, NRSC approval dated December 10, 2008 Observations and Findings
The inspectors observed a reactor checkout, startup, approach to critical and escalation to full powe The inspectors reviewed portions of various reactor logbooks to verify compliance with the staffing requirements of TS Sections 6. and 6.1.3 and that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-licensed Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) on duty was designated by name in the reactor logboo This individual executed duties in accordance with TS Section 6.3.2, Senior Reactor Operators, TS Section 6.5, Operating Procedures, and TS Section 6.9, Plant Operating Record The inspectors noted that no changes had occurred in key licensee personne The licensee indicated that the Reactor Supervisor position, which became
- 2 -
vacant following the promotion of the previous Supervisor to Assistant Director, had been fille The inspectors additionally noted that RINSC procedures continued to go through a systematic revision and update proces A new numbering system had been developed and approved by the NRS Under this system, procedures have been grouped together according to type, i.e., operating procedures, test procedures, calibration procedures, et As the procedures are updated, they are rewritten into a uniform standard format that has been approved by the NRS All new procedures and procedure revisions are submitted to the NRSC for review and approva Once approved, the facility staff is informed about the changes, and the procedures are incorporated into the Procedure History Record, the shared hard drive file for current procedures, and the control room procedure noteboo The Procedure Index is also updated to indicate the current list of procedures, as well as the latest revision in us The inspectors also reviewed the NRSC meeting minutes and associated records from February 2009 through the presen The records showed that meetings were being held and safety reviews and audits were conducted by various members of the NRSC or other designated persons as required and at the TS required frequenc Topics of these reviews were consistent with TS requirements to provide guidance, direction, and oversight, and to ensure acceptable use of the reacto Through interviews with licensee personnel, the inspectors determined that various changes had been initiated and/or completed at the facility since the last NRC inspectio The inspectors reviewed the Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.59 review process used at the facilit It was noted that none of the reviews that had been completed required that a full safety evaluation be conducte The reviews had been presented to the NRSC for review and approva It was also noted that none of the changes required NRC approval prior to implementatio Because the licensee did not have a formal procedure for completing 10 CFR 50.59 reviews, the licensee was encouraged to review the regulations and possibly develop a more formal process or a procedure for conducting these review The maintenance logs and records associated with facility equipment were reviewe They indicated that problems were addressed and preventive maintenance operations completed as required by procedur Records showed that routine maintenance activities were conducted at the required frequencies and in accordance with the TS and/or the applicable procedur Maintenance activities ensured that equipment remained consistent with the Safety Analysis Report and TS requirement Conclusion
Organization, operations, and maintenance were observed to be in accordance with TS requirement.
Surveillance Inspection Scope (IP 69010)
The inspectors 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:
- RINSC Reactor Operating Data Notebook for 2010 and to date in 2011
RINSC Calibration Procedure (CP), CP-04, Alarm, Scram, and Interlock Checks, Rev. 7, NRSC approval dated July 29, 2010
RINSC Maintenance Procedure (MP), MP-01, Confinement System Surveillance, Rev.0, NRSC approval dated November 20, 2001
RINSC MP-03, Primary Water Analysis, Rev.3, NRSC approval dated April 25, 2011
RINSC MP-04, Secondary Water Analysis, Rev. 1, dated July 22, 2009
RINSC Reactor Parameter Testing Procedure (TP) TP-01, Shim Safety Rod Drop Time Measurement, NRSC approval dated July 29, 2010
RINSC TP-03, Control Rod Reactivity Worths, NRSC approval dated December 4, 2009
RINSC TP-04, Control Rod Reactivity Insertion Rates, NRSC approval dated December 4, 2009
Various Nuclear Science Center (NSC) forms associated with reactor operations for the period from 2010 to the present including:
-
Form NSC-49, Reactor Operations Request
-
Form NSC-1, Pre-Start Check Sheet
-
Form NCS-11, Shift Record Data Sheet
-
Form NSC-18, RINSC Reactor Operations Data Observations and Findings
The inspectors witnessed a reactor startup, approach to critical and ascension to powe Surveillances and compliance with TS limits were accomplished through adherence to written procedures which had been reviewed by the NRSC in accordance with TS Section 6.3, Operating Procedure Records for various surveillances conducted for the period from 2009 through the present were also reviewed including: 1) weekly primary and secondary water analysis, 2) core element inspection, 3) shim safety rod inspection, 4) shim safety rod drop times, 5) cold clean blade reactivity, and 6) control blade reactivity wort Conclusion
The program for completing surveillance activities and limiting condition for operation (LCO) confirmations was being carried out in accordance with TS and procedural requirement.
Fuel Movement Inspection Scope (IP 69009)
The inspectors reviewed the following to verify compliance with TS Sections 4.9.b and 6.9.1.g which require visual inspection of fuel elements every five years and the surveillance at least a fifth of the fuel elements each year maintaining operating records of the fuel inventory, respectively:
- Reactor Logbook No. 57, dated June 17, 2009 to August 8, 2010 and Logbook No. 58, dated August 16, 2010 to present
Annual Report for July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011, dated July 31, 201 *
Standard Operating Procedures
RINSC Operating Procedure SP-06, [Special Nuclear Material] SNM Accounting, Rev. 9, for inventory taken April 25, 2011
RAM Shipping Procedure, SHP-02 dated September 27, 2010 Observations and Findings
The inspectors verified by documentation the beryllium reflectors and fuel elements have been inspected as required by T It was noted that the inspections described fuel conditions as well and any discolorations and marking The inspectors noted new fuel was received and stored in appropriate storag Conclusion
The licensee has made recent reactor fuel movements and has made additional changes to ensure fuel once removed returns to previous or required location The licensee followed written procedures that met TS requirement.
Reactor Operator Licenses, Requalification and Medical Examinations Inspection Scope (IP 69003)
The inspectors reviewed the following to verify compliance with 10 CFR Part 55, Operators Licenses, and the licensees reactor operator requalification program:
- RINSC Operating Procedures AP-02, Reactor Operator Requalification, Revision (Rev.) 2, dated June 29, 2005
Individual RO and SRO Requalification files containing:
NRC Form 396, Certification of Medical Examination by Facility Licensee
Operator Re-qualification Program Checklist
- 5 -
Medical Certification and Monitoring of Certified Personnel, American National Standards Institute/American Nuclear Society (ANSI/ANS) 15.4, Selection and Training of Personnel for Research Reactors, to use as the basis for determining adequate physical fitness to serve as a SRO or R Observations and Findings
The inspectors reviewed the licensees operator requalification program to verify that it met the requirements of 10 CFR Part 55 and reviewed selected licensed SRO files, verifying that the program was being conducted in accordance with the written procedur The annual operating examination and the biennial written examination were of equivalent difficulty to NRC-administered examinations as require Records were available documenting the fact that during the requalification cycle the individual operators performed the required number of licensed activities and reviewed changes to the facility, regulations, and procedures in addition to passing the examination Medical examinations for selected licensed personal were also reviewed satisfactoril Conclusion
The licensee was conducting a reactor operator re-qualification program in compliance with NRC regulations and the licensees written progra.
Emergency Preparedness Inspection Scope (IP 69011)
The inspectors reviewed the following documents and visited the facilities discussed below to verify compliance with regulatory requirements and the licensees emergency plan commitments:
- Emergency Plan, Rev. 3, dated April 25, 2011
RINSC Nuclear and Radiation Safety Committee Charter, Rev O
RINSC Operating Procedure EP-01, Emergency Plan Implementing Procedures, Rev. 0, dated June 19, 2007, containing:
Attachment B, Form NSC-31, Emergency Communications Network
Attachment E, Emergency Classification Matrix
[Emergency] Communication Tests file
Emergency Equipment Inventory file
Emergency Drill file containing:
Letter from Mr. H. Bicehouse to NRSC, Radiological Emergency Response Plan, dated October 31, 2007
Letter of Agreement between Narragansett Police Department and RINSC, signed by Mr. M. J. Davis and by Chief Hoxie on March 17, 2010
Letter of Agreement for Medical Services, from John B. Murphy MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs Rhode Island Hospital, to Mr. T. Tehan, RIAEC, dated February 2, 2010
- 6 -
Letter of Agreement between Narragansett Fire Department and RINSC, signed by Mr. M. J. Davis and Chief J. Cotter dated December 30, 2009 Observation and Findings
The inspectors reviewed the emergency plan (EP), including an attachment submitted with the transmittal lette The inspectors concurred with the licensees conclusions regarding each of the changes reviewe The licensee maintained a file of recent agreement letters with off-site emergency agencies identified in the plan and reissues the agreement bienniall The inspectors reviewed previous annual emergency drills for 2010 and follow-up action items from the critique The critiques were conducted to review emergency preparedness in general and to identify any weakness or lessons learned from the drills that warranted follow-up action The inspectors visited the Narragansett Fire and Police Department The Fire and Police personnel were very knowledgeable on the EP requirements and took an active part in drill preparation and trainin The inspectors visited to Emergency Support Center (ECS), observing the inventory of emergency supplies, instruments, and information committed to be stored there by the pla The licensee maintained records indicating that the emergency supplies were periodically inventoried as part of the surveillance program invoked by the emergency pla The inspectors noted that the new version of the EP was consistent with the requirements of Regulatory Information Summary (RIS) 2005-02; Rev. 1 dated April 10, 201 Conclusion
The licensee maintained an effective emergency preparedness program through implementation of the written emergency plan and emergency implementing procedure.
Follow-up of identified items Inspection Scope (IP 92701)
- Report to Atomic Energy Commission on Structural Investigation and Analysis of the Reactor Building Exterior Wall, dated June 14,1989 from James T. Cassidy
[Medcalf & Eddy], Woburn, MA
RINSC Routine inspection, IR 50-193/88-04, dated December 22, 198 Observations and Findings
The inspectors noted that during the tour of the facility with the licensee, the inspectors identified various structural cracks in the confinement wall and other areas of the support structur The licensee acknowledged the findings and provided a report by structural engineers sent to the RIAEC on the structural investigation and analysis of the reactor building wall dated June 14, 198 This report was in response to an open item documented in Inspection Report (IR)
No. 50-193/1988-0 The report described each area where cracks were observed and documented the locatio The report concludes that the reactor building was structurally sound at the time (1989) and provides instruction with sealing the exterior face to prevent future corrosion of the reinforced steel and subsequent deterioratio The inspection report (IR 50-193/1988-04) that documented the condition of the walls and the need for an Engineering Evaluation was close There has not been any recent identified maintenance performed or further evaluation of the structur Conclusion
The licensee has been requested to determine the structural integrity of the various cracks on the confinement wall and any other load bearing structur An Inspector Follow-up Item (IFI) 50-193/2011-202-001 was written to document this reques.
Exit Interview
The inspectors presented the inspection results to licensee management at the conclusion of the inspection on September 8, 201 The inspectors described the areas inspected and discussed in detail the inspection observation No dissenting comments were received from the license The licensee acknowledged the findings presented and did not identify as proprietary any of the material provided to or reviewed by the inspector during the inspection and that the results of the inspection are subject to management review
PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED
Licensee
H. Bicehouse Radiation Safety Officer and Assistant
Director for Radiation and Reactor Safety M. Damato
Health Physics Technician and Senior Reactor Operator M.J. Davis
Assistant Director, Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center S. Guarino
Health Physicist B. MacGregor Facility Engineer/Senior Reactor Operator A. Nunes
Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission Z. Richards
Reactor Supervisor/ Senior Reactor Operator T. Tehan
Director, Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center
INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED
IP 69003 Class 1 Research and Test Reactor Operator Licenses, Requalification, and Medical Examinations IP 69006 Class 1 Research and Test Reactors Organization and Operations and Maintenance Activities IP 69009 Class 1 Research and Test Reactors Fuel Movement IP 69010 Class 1 Research and Test Reactors Surveillance IP 69011 Class 1 Research and Test Reactors Emergency Preparedness IP 92701 Unresolved Item Followup
ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED
Opened
IR-50-193/2011-202-001
IFI
Investigation and Analysis of Reactor
Building Cracks
Closed
None
Discussed
IR-50-193/2011-202-001
IFI
Investigation and Analysis of Reactor
Building Cracks
- 2 -
LIST OF ACRONYMS USED
10 CFR Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations ADAMS Agencywide Document Access Management System ANSI/ANS National Standards Institute/American Nuclear Society ESC
Emergency Support Center IFI
Inspector Follow-up Item IP
Inspection Procedure LCO
Limiting Conditions for Operation NRC
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission NRSC Nuclear and Radiation Safety Committee NSC
Nuclear Science Center Rev
Revision RIAEC Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission RINSC Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center RO
Reactor Operator RSO
Radiation Safety Officer SNM Special Nuclear Material SOP
Standard Operating Procedure SRO
Senior Reactor Operator TP
Testing Procedure TS
Technical Specification