Bulletin 81-02: Supplement 1, Failure of Gate Type Valves to Close Against Differential Pressure
SSIN No. 6820
Accession No.:
8011040283
IEB 81-02, Supp. 1
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
August 18, 1981
IE BULLETIN NO. 81-02 SUPPLEMENT 1: FAILURE OF GATE TYPE VALVES TO CLOSE
AGAINST DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE
Description of Circumstances:
IE Bulletin No. 81-02, "Failure of Gate Type Valves to Close Against
Differential Pressure," identified several gate type valves that had been
shown by tests and/or analyses by Westinghouse to have a potential for not
closing against differential pressure.
As a part of its ongoing analysis program, Westinghouse Electro-Mechanical
Division (W-EMD) has applied the analytical methods developed for valves
discussed in IE Bulletin 81-02 to the remaining motor operated gate valves
that they manufacture. These analyses predict that closure problems could
also be anticipated with 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18-inch nominal size
valves in addition to 3- and 4-inch low-pressure valves. Thus, the entire
line of W-EMD manufactured motor-operated gate valves has the potential for
not closing against differential pressure.
Westinghouse has indicated to NRC that they have notified all of their
domestic nuclear customers of this problem. When the valves were provided as
original scope of supply, they also identified the recommended corrective
action necessary to assure valve closure under the system service conditions
that their records show the valves will experience. Where the valves were
provided as spares or replacements, they indicated the threshold
differential pressure across the valves above which closure could not be
assured under the utility order equipment specification conditions.
A list of power reactor facilities that Westinghouse believes to have the
potentially affected valves is given in Table 1. However, this list, as well
as Westinghouse's notifications, does not take into consideration the fact
that the valves may have been transferred between facilities. In addition,
the Westinghouse determinations of operability and corrective action do not
take into consideration the fact that the valves may have been transferred
between systems or that the system service conditions may have changed
through design evolution.
It is therefore essential that all facilities verify the presence or absence
of W-EMD manufactured motor-operated gate valves and also verify their
ability to close under the current and/or intended service conditions.
Actions To Be Taken by Licensees:
1. Within 30 days of the issuance date of this bulletin supplement,
ascertain whether any W-EMD manufactured motor-operated gate valves
have been
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IEB 81-02. Supp. 1
August 18, 1981
Page 2 of 3
installed, or are maintained as spares for installation, in
safety-related systems where they are required to close against a
differential pressure.
2. If no valves, other than those reported in response to IE Bulletin
81-02, are identified, report this to be the case. No further action is
required.
3. If any valves are identified as being installed, verify that they are
capable of closing under their current limiting normal and post
accident service conditions. If such cannot be shown, take corrective
action on these affected valves and evaluate the effect that failure to
close under any condition requiring closure would have on system(s)
operability pursuant to the facility technical specifications for
continued operation.
4. If any valves are identified as spares, verify that they are capable of
closing under their intended limiting normal and post accident service
conditions. If such cannot be shown, either modify the affected valves
so that they are qualified for the intended service or obtain qualified
replacements prior to installation.
5. Within 45 days of the issuance date of this bulletin supplement, submit
a report to NRC listing the affected valves identified in
safety-related systems, their service or planned service, and the
maximum differential pressure at which they would be required to close,
the safety consequences of the valves failing to close, the corrective
action taken or planned, and the schedule for completing the corrective
action.
Actions To Be Taken by Construction Permit Holders:
1. Ascertain whether any W-EMD manufactured motor-operated gates valves
are or will be installed, or maintained as spares for installation, in
safety-related systems where they are required to close against a
differential pressure.
2. If no valves, other than those reported in response to IE Bulletin
81-02, are identified, report this to be the case. No further action is
required.
3. If any valves are identified, verify that they are capable of closing
under their intended limiting normal and post accident service
conditions. If such cannot be shown, either modify the affected valves
so that they are qualified for the intended service or obtain qualified
replacements prior to startup.
4. Within 90 days of the issuance date of this bulletin supplement, submit
a report to NRC listing the affected valves identified for use in
safety-related systems, their planned service, the maximum differential
pressure at, which they would be required to close, the safety
consequences of the valves failing to close, the corrective action
taken or planned, and the schedule for completing the corrective
action.
For those cases in which reports have already been submitted in accordance
with the Technical Specification, 10 CFR Parts 21 and/or 50.55(e), this
information need not be resubmitted. Rather, licensees or construction
permit holders should reference this earlier report and submit only the
additional information requested above.
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IEB 81-02, Supp. 1
August 18, 1981
Page 3 of 3
Reports, signed under oath or affirmation under the provisions of Section
182a of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, shall be submitted to the Director of
the appropriate NRC Regional Office and a copy shall be forwarded to the
Director of the NRC Office of Inspection and Enforcement, Washington, D.C.
20555.
If you need additional information regarding this matter, please contact the
appropriate NRC Regional Office. This request for information was approved
by OMB under blanket clearance number 3150-0012 that expires December 31,
1981. Comments on burden and duplication should be directed to the Office of
Management and Budget, Reports Management Room 3208, New Executive Office
Building, Washington, D.C. 20503.
Attachments:
1. Table 1, Partial List of Plants With
Valves Manufactured by W-EMD
2. Recently issued IE Bulletins
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Attachment 1
IEB 81-02, Supp. 1
August 18, 1981
TABLE I. PARTIAL LIST OF PLANTS WITH
VALVES MANUFACTURED BY W-EMD
Valves Supplied as Valves Supplied as
Spares or Replacements Original Scope of Supply
Arkansas Nuclear One 1 Beaver Valley 2
Beaver Valley 1 Braidwood 1, 2
Callaway 1, 2 Byron 1, 2
Catawba 1, 2 Callaway 1, 2
Diablo Canyon Comanche Peak 1, 2
Farley Shearon Harris 1, 2, 3
Indian Point 2 Marble Hill 1, 2
Midland 1, 2 Seabrook 1, 2
Oyster Creek South Texas 1, 2
Prairie Island 1, 2 Summer 1
St. Lucie 2 Vogtle 1, 2
San Onofre 1, 2, 3 Watts Bar 1, 2
Summer 1 Wolf Creek 1
Surry 2
Wolf Creek 1
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Page Last Reviewed/Updated Tuesday, March 09, 2021