VII. EQUIPMENT PERFORMANCE AND MONITORING
A. Equipment Performance and Materiel Condition
1. Performance Standard
Equipment performance and materiel condition support reliable plant operation. This is achieved using a strategy that includes methods to anticipate, prevent, identify, and promptly resolve equipment performance problems and degradation.
2. Assessment Guidelines
A. Plant equipment operates on demand.
B. Personnel exhibit a low tolerance for equipment and materiel condition problems by identifying deficiencies and advocating resolution.
C. Equipment performance monitoring is used to detect problems and degrading performance. Performance monitoring activities include the following:
1. In-service testing and in-service inspections
2. Collection and analysis of performance data and predictive monitoring information, such as thermal, hydraulic, chemical, electrical, acoustical, vibration, and mechanical parameters
3. Routine inspections and walkdowns
4. Analysis of performance history and trends
5. Aggregate reviews and analyses of performance data to determine equipment operability and availability
D. Performance criteria are established for equipment based on the importance to safety and plant reliability. These criteria address items such as the following:
1. System performance, including reliability and availability
2. Shutdowns, generation losses, and outage extensions
3. Integrity of barriers to the release of hazardous materials
4. Equipment problems that challenge the ability of operations personnel to control the plant and respond to transients
5. Thermal performance
6. Visible equipment condition
E. Equipment performance and plant materiel condition are measured and compared to established performance criteria.
F. Predictive maintenance and preventive maintenance are performed on equipment and spare parts to improve equipment performance. The frequency and type of predictive and preventive maintenance are adjusted based on operating experience, results of reliability analyses, changes in operating conditions and environment, and vendor recommendations.
G. In-service testing, predictive, and preventive maintenance activities have a technical basis to support equipment performance analysis and changes to the activities.
H. Deferrals of scheduled predictive and preventive maintenance are infrequent and are justified and authorized by designated management.
I. Instruments and controls are operational and calibrated within established criteria.
J. Equipment is protected against the effects of environmental conditions, such as humidity, temperature, dust, and seismic shock.
K. Chemistry controls are established and implemented to preserve equipment. Specific response actions are established for out-of-specification chemistry conditions.
L. Temporary repairs receive adequate engineering review, are controlled, and tracked. The use of temporary repairs is minimized, and permanent repairs are made at the earliest reasonable opportunity.
M. Causes of equipment problems are determined, and corrective actions are implemented and verified for effectiveness. In-depth analysis of equipment failures is commensurate with the importance to plant performance, cost of repairs and the likelihood for recurrence.
N. Equipment problems receive appropriate attention and timely resolution, based on priorities established through the work management process. Technical support is available to resolve equipment problems.
O. Repetitive equipment failures are promptly identified and aggressively pursued to resolution.
P. Component-based operating experience information is shared with the industry, as appropriate.
B. Engineering and Technical Support
1. Performance Standard
Engineering activities are conducted such that equipment performance supports reliable plant operation. Engineering provides the technical information necessary for the plant to be operated and maintained within the operating parameters defined by plant design.
2. Assessment Guidelines
A. Engineering personnel are actively involved in plant operational activities, such as identifying, analyzing, and resolving conditions that can impact the plant design bases.
B. Personnel demonstrate and reinforce in others expected culture behaviors, such as a questioning attitude, and personal integrity.
C. Engineering activities are performed by or under the direct supervision of personnel who have completed applicable educational and qualification guidance for the tasks to be performed.
D. Engineering personnel use technical information, such as design analyses, operating experience information, and fundamental engineering principles, to provide recommendations on plant operations.
E. Engineering personnel support station outage goals for scope, efficient use of resources, maintenance support, risk management, configuration control, and duration. Long-range planning is effectively used for engineering activities, such as performance of major modifications and the implementation of engineering changes.
F. Engineering personnel monitor and evaluate equipment and system performance by examining and trending the results of condition-monitoring activities, reviewing equipment failure history, analyzing availability/reliability information, and performing system walkdowns. Follow-up actions, based on identified problems, trends, and root cause determinations, are timely and effective.
G. Comprehensive in-service and post modification/maintenance testing is conducted so that equipment necessary for safe and reliable plant operation will perform within established limits. The testing program includes a description of scope and responsibilities, scheduling mechanisms, test procedures, and methods for program updates.
H. Engineering personnel support the effective maintenance of the plant. Engineering is aware of and proactively pursues maintenance issues.
I. Processes are in place to communicate technical information and recommendations to the operations and maintenance staffs.
J. Engineering personnel are familiar with operating experience concerning their areas of expertise and use this experience to prevent and resolve equipment problems and improve plant performance.
K. Engineering personnel use outside experts, such as vendor representatives or other utility expertise, as necessary, to resolve station problems. Appropriate controls are implemented to confirm the quality of the support and products supplied by non-plant organizations.
L. Engineering personnel incorporate industry advances in technology and practices into station activities to improve overall performance.
M. Engineering personnel are cognizant of generic industry issues. These issues are reviewed for applicability at the station, and appropriate actions are initiated.
N. Engineering personnel maintain a long-term view of station performance, anticipate issues that could impact long-term plant performance, and develop strategies to address these issues.
O. Engineering programs, such as those for monitoring flow-accelerated corrosion, in-service testing and inspections, and leak rate testing, are clearly defined and effectively implemented.
C. Chemistry Control
1. Performance Standard
Chemistry controls optimize chemistry conditions during all phases of plant operation and system non-operational periods.
2. Assessment Guidelines
A. Chemistry specifications and methods of control are clearly established for systems requiring corrosion control. Chemical and biological contaminants are kept to a practical and achievable minimum level.
B. Sufficient parameters are measured to detect abnormal conditions or changes to conditions. Limits for key parameters are established based on industry technical guidance, where applicable.
C. Action levels are established and emergency actions are planned and implemented for key chemistry parameters. Out-of-specification conditions and abnormal chemistry are corrected in a timely manner.
D. Chemistry parameters are maintained within specified bands. Sampling frequency provides timely detection of chemistry trends.
E. Corrective actions are taken before chemistry specifications are exceeded.
F. Bulk chemicals, laboratory chemicals, corrosive agents, organic chemicals, and cleaning agents are controlled to prevent improper use or inadvertent introduction into plant systems.
G. Chemicals and media such as resins are maintained and controlled to preserve their physical and chemical properties.
H. System leaks that affect chemistry conditions are promptly investigated, and actions are taken to preserve materiel condition.
I. System chemistry controls are evaluated and adjusted, as necessary, to improve plant materiel condition.
J. The effectiveness of water processing equipment is routinely evaluated, and adjustments are made to improve performance.
K. Chemistry specifications and methods of control are clearly established for systems requiring corrosion control during non-operational periods, including system startup and shutdown.
L. Equipment is soaked and flushed, as needed, to remove contaminants prior to corrosion control measures being established, after system cleaning, and prior to startup.
M. Schedules for plant startup and shutdown contain hold points to verify that system chemistry is within control limits.
N. Chemistry data is routinely reviewed and trended to identify chemistry control problems and analytical errors.
O. On-line monitor results are routinely compared with laboratory results. Analytical data is compared to calculated or theoretical data. Investigations are performed when the data does not correlate.
P. The effectiveness of system chemistry control is determined by measures such as component inspections or corrosion monitoring of selected plant systems.
Q. On-line chemistry monitors accurately measure, record, and provide alarms for key parameters, where needed. On-line monitors are properly maintained and calibrated.
D. Regulatory Requirements
1. Performance Standard
Regulatory compliance is paramount in the operation of the generating asset. Each regulatory event is properly identified, reported and appropriate action taken to prevent recurrence.
2. Assessment Guidelines
A. Plant activities are managed to minimize the generation of effluents and emissions.
B. Liquid waste tank levels are monitored periodically to detect unexpected changes.
C. Liquid waste are identified and segregated during collection according to the treatment specified for each waste stream.
D. Processed waste is sampled and analyzed for impurities prior to release or reuse in plant systems.
E. Established criteria are used to routinely evaluate effluent and emission processing equipment, such as stack gas treatment systems, or filters, demineralizers.
F. Effluent and emission monitors accurately measure, record, and provide alarms for key parameters, as needed. Effluent monitors are properly maintained and calibrated.
