Protecting People and the EnvironmentUNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
SSINS: 6835
IN 85-19
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
March 11, 1985
Information Notice No. 85-19: ALLEGED FALSIFICATION OF CERTIFICATIONS
AND ALTERATION OF MARKINGS ON PIPING,
VALVES, AND FITTINGS
Addressees:
All nuclear power facilities holding an operating license (OL) or a con-
struction permit (CP).
Purpose:
This information notice is provided to bring to the attention of licensees
and construction permit holders allegations of falsification of certifica-
tions and alteration of markings on piping, valves, and fittings. It is
expected that recipients will review the information for applicability to
their facilities. However, suggestions contained in this information notice
do not constitute NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written
response is required.
Description of Circumstances:
On November 29, 1984, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was notified
by the Portland General Electric Company (PGE) of a potentially reportable
condition under 10 CFR 21 regarding components purchased by the licensee
from Familian Northwest, 2121 N. Columbia Boulevard, Portland, Oregon.
Familian Northwest is under investigation by the U.S. Customs Service in
Portland, Oregon, the U.S. Attorney's office in Seattle, Washington, and the
Cowlitz County (Washington) Sheriff's Department, with participation by the
FBI. The investigation centers on allegations that the Familian Northwest
facility at Longview, Washington has falsified certificates and altered
markings on piping, valves, and fittings. The Longview facility is
specifically alleged to have upgraded 304 and 316 stainless steel 1 1/2 inch
pipe to 316L by grinding off the original marking and marking with the
upgraded designation. Foreign pipe also is alleged to have been altered to
indicate it was of domestic origin. These practices have allegedly been
going on for a long time.
Familian Northwest is believed to have offices principally in the North-
western United States, including Portland, Oregon; Anchorage, Alaska; and
Seattle, Tacoma, Bremerton, Longview and Kennewick, Washington. The company
has sales of approximately $90 million annually in a wide range of plumbing
supplies as well as power plant piping, valves, and fittings. Familian
Northwest is also believed to import materials of the type discussed above
from foreign manufacturers.
8503060540
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IN 85-19
March 11, 1985
Page 2 of 2
Two points should be noted: (1) None of the allegations concerning Familian
Northwest have been reported to the NRC as having been substantiated or
proven to be true at this time; (2) Familian Corp, 7651 Woodman Avenue, Van
Nuys, California 91402, has advised the NRC that Familian Northwest is a
totally separate corporate entity from Familian Corp; neither sharing any
officers/ directors or shareholders. Familian Corp is a holding company with
the following subsidiaries (among others): Familian Pipe and Supply Company;
Familian Sierra Crafts, Inc.; Familian International Corporation.
No specific action or written response is required by this information
notice. If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the
Regional Administrator of the appropriate NRC regional office or this
office.
Edward L. Jordan, Director
Division of Emergency Preparedness
and Engineering Response
Office of Inspection and Enforcement
Technical Contact: Henry Bailey, IE
(301) 492-9006
Attachment:
List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices
