IE Circular No. 80-10, Failure to Maintain Environmental Qualification of Equipment

                                                            SSINS No.: 6830 
                                                            Accession No.: 
                                                            8002280665

                                UNITED STATES
                        NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
                    OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
                           WASHINGTON, D.C.  20555

                               April 29, 1980

                                                    IE Circular No. 80-10 

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT 

Description of Circumstances: 

Carolina Power and Light recently reported that the wrong class of 
insulating material had been used at their H. B. Robinson Nuclear Plant when 
the motor leads of a containment fan cooler were reconnected.  The motor 
leads had been disconnected during the refueling outage to supply power to 
welding equipment. When the motor leads were reconnected, the wrong class of 
insulating material degraded the environmental qualification of the 
containment fan cooler motor. A similar event, reported by Duquesne Light 
Company, occurred when a containment fan cooler motor was not installed with 
the proper cable insulation. 

The NRC has previously issued IE Circular 78-08 and IE Bulletins 79-01 and 
79-01B concerning environmental qualification of Class 1E equipment.  These 
Bulletins primarily address the environmental qualification of equipment as 
purchased and installed; however, the above events emphasize the importance 
of properly installing and maintaining environmentally qualified equipment. 

Recommended Action for Licensee Considerations: 

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits should recognize 
the potential for degradation of environmentally qualified equipment due to 
improper maintenance or improper use.  It is recommended that licensees 
review current maintenance procedures and administrative policies to ensure 
the following: 

1.   Adequate administrative controls exist to ensure that equipment which 
     is environmentally qualified is identified prior to maintenance. 

2.   Maintenance procedures provide necessary instructions and precautions 
     to ensure that the environmental qualification of equipment is not 
     degraded when maintenance is completed. 

3.   Maintenance personnel are adequately trained on environmental 
     qualification requirements and the potential for equipment degradation 
     from improper maintenance. 

No written response to this Circular is required.  If you require additional
information regarding this matter, contact the Director of the appropriate 
NRC Regional Office.