Generic Safety Issue-191, "Assessment of Debris Accumulation on PWR Sump Pump Performance"

September 14, 2001

Dr. William D. Travers
Executive Director for Operations
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

Dear Dr. Travers:

During the 484^th and 485^th meetings of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, July 11-13 and September 5-7, 2001, we heard presentations by and held discussions with representatives of the NRC staff regarding the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research recommendation for resolving Generic Safety Issue (GSI)-191, "Assessment of Debris Accumulation on PWR Sump Pump Performance." During this review, we had the benefit of the documents referenced.

We agree with the staff that potential issues associated with the performance of pressurized water reactor containment sumps have been identified. The NRC staff should expeditiously resolve GSI-191. If plant-specific analyses are required as part of the resolution, guidance for performing these analyses should be developed. We would like to review the proposed final disposition of this issue.

References:

Letter dated August 29, 2001, from Michael E. Mayfield, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, NRC, to John T. Larkins, Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, Subject: RES's Proposed Recommendation for Resolution of GSI-191, "Assessment of Debris Accumulation on PWR Sump Performance," attaching: