U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Inspection Guidance on 10 CFR 50.72, "Immediate Notification Requirement for Operating Power Reactors"

HPPOS-065 PDR-9111210251

Title: Inspection Guidance on 10 CFR 50.72, "Immediate

Notification Requirement for Operating Power Reactors"

See the memorandum from L. J. Cunningham to L. R. Greger

dated November 15, 1983. This memo states that for

reporting radioactive releases to unrestricted areas: (1)

the annual average meteorological data should be used for

determining offsite concentrations, and (2) the expanded

definition of unrestricted area in NUREG-0133 should be

used.

Clarification was requested on several aspects of the 10

CFR 50.72 notification requirements. These questions

related to the requirement that licensees call in

notification of radioactive releases that exceed the

specified concentrations. Specifically, the questions

were: (1) what meteorological data should be used in

determining offsite concentrations e.g., annual average,

real time or worst case), and (2) what location should be

used (e.g., unrestricted area as defined by Part 20 or the

expanded definition as specified in NUREG-0133). In

addition, it was noted that revised 10 CFR 50.72 was

incorporated into 10 CFR by Supplement No. 12 issued on

September 20, 1983, although the rule change was not

effective until January 1, 1984. It was noted also that a

currently effective version was not in 10 CFR.

Inspection guidance for operating nuclear power reactors

concerning 10 CFR 50.72 are as follows:

1. Annual average meteorological data should be used

for determining offsite airborne concentrations of

radioactivity. This is to maintain consistency with the

Technical Specifications.

2. The expanded definition of an unrestricted area as

specified in NUREG-0133 should be used. This is to

maintain consistency with the Technical Specifications.

3. The lack of a currently effective version of 50.72

in the 10 CFR loose-leaf version is an administrative

problem only. Licensees and inspectors should keep the old

pages for reference until January 1, 1984. The old version

is still the effective rule until January and deviation

from those requirements in favor of the new requirements

would be a technical violation. However, in such a case,

notation in the inspection report without further

enforcement action would be the appropriate approach.

Regulatory references: 10 CFR 50.72, NUREG-0133

Subject codes: 2.3, 4.4, 7.5

Applicability: Reactors