[DOE LETTERHEAD]
ALBUQUERQUE OPERATIONS OFFICE
October 31, 2000
The Honorable John T. Conway
Chairman
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
625 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20004
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Consistent with the Department's implementation plan (IP) for the Defense Nuclear Facilities
Safety Board (DNFSB) Recommendation 98-2 as revised, the following provides information
regarding the five (5) deliverables due October 2000.
- Commitment 4.2.1, "D&P Manual Chapter 11 .8'' - This is a new commitment as a
result of the revision to 98-2. The Department acknowledged that one area where a high
quality analysis could be achieved was through providing a consistent method for the
labs to provide weapon response information and supporting documentation to Pantex.
As a result, the Department tasked the design laboratories and the Pantex Operating
Contractor to jointly develop a consistent approach to evaluating weapon response
information and providing supporting documentation. The product is the enclosed D&P
Manual Chapter 11.8, "Integration of Weapon Response into Authorization Bases at the
Pantex PIant". Publication of the chapter represents completion of this commitment.
- Commitment 4.2.5, "Revision #2 to the Integrated Safety Management Authorization
Manual" - This commitment is a follow-on from the original approved implementation
plan actions associated with commitments 5.3.1 and 5.8.1. The result was the original
publication of the referenced manual. The Department acknowledged that the original
manual was adequate for initial application. However, there were areas that needed
improvement such as integration of fire hazard analyses and tooling failure analyses with
the overall safety analyses for nuclear explosive operations. The Pantex Operating
Contractor prepared a draft Revision #2, but has not completed their internal review and
comment incorporation. To allow time appropriate review, resolution of comments, and
submission to AAO for approval, this deliverable is delayed by 60 days.
- Commitment 4.3.1, "DOE-approved BIO Module on Fire Protection and associated TSR
and Develop a resource-loaded schedule for implementation of improved TSR controls
for fire protection" - This is a new commitment as a result of the revision to 98-2. As a
result of the efforts to implement ultraviolet (UV) detector activated deluge fire
suppression, the Fire BIO is not ready for submission at this time. Technical issues
remain with the sensitivity and zone coverage of the UV detectors that must be resolved
prior to approval of the BIO. The Fire BIO, TSR revision, and implementation plan will
be submitted within 30 days.
- Commitment 4.3.6, "Flammable Solvent and Combustible Material Reduction Plan" -
This is a new commitment as a result of the revision to 98-2. Based upon the analytical
work performed through several CHE weapon program HARs, the Department identified
the need to place increased emphasis and priority to eliminate, minimize, or identify and
implement suitable substitutes through a risk-cost benefit assessment for flammable
solvents and combustible materials currently used in proximity to and in nuclear
explosive operations. Enclosed is the memo from the AL Manager that communicates
this priority and tasks the laboratories and the Pantex Plant operating contractor to
continue pursuit of the Department's plan. Release of the plan represents completion of
this commitment.
- Commitment 4.3.7, "Plan for Transportation Carts" - This is a new commitment as a
result of the revision to 98-2. The Department is in process of developing a plan for the
design, fabrication, and use of carts for partially assembled nuclear weapons affording
protection against the range of potential hazards envisioned during transport at the Pantex
Plant. Enclosed is the memo from the AAO Manager approving the project plan as a
partial submittal. The complexity of the project and evolutionary nature of the design
process dictates completion of the design which includes substantial national laboratory
analysis prior to finalization of the implementation plan. As stated in the enclosed
document, the final plan will be ready for submission by January 2001.
The Department proposes closure of those commitments indicated as complete. If you have any
questions, please contact me at 505-845-6050, or have your staff contact Dan Glenn at 806-477-3182.
R.. E. Glass
Manager
Enclosure (3)
cc w/enclosures:
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
525 Indiana Avenue, NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20004
Attn: J. McConnell, DNFSB Staff
Ann: W. Andrews, DNFSB Staff
M. Whitaker, S-3.1, HQ
D. Beck, DP-20, HQ
Note: Please call Dan Glenn at 806-477-3182 for a copy of the enclosure.