RE: Y2K problems at a Nuke Plant?

["Lavera, Ron" <Ron.Lavera@nypa.gov>]

Mr. Richards

Yes I agree that these systems are very helpful in diagnosing plant
conditions during an accident, but they are not the only tools available for
this purpose.  In addition, the operators are trained to deal with these
kinds of failures.  I certainly welcomed the availability of those displays
during the simulator portion of the training program, but I didn't consider
them absolutely essential.

Thank you again for your continued interest.  Let me know if I can be of any
additional assistance.

Ron LaVera
lavera.r@nypa.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: Richards, David [mailto:david.richards@rfets.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 1999 2:57 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: RE: Y2K problems at a Nuke Plant?


Ron,
As an SRO you would certainly understand those systems better than me. But
my understanding of the NRC report (www.nrc.gov/NRC/NEWS/WIR/week3.html) is
that they lost both the primary and backup plant monitoring system (PMS)
computers in their entirety. The reference to safety parameter display
system (SPDS), emergency response data system (ERDS), and 3D Monicore
thermal limit monitoring system is that they were lost IN ADDITION TO the
PMS. This seems to have gotten lost in the press writeup. The NRC report
states that "operators determined that this constituted a major loss of
emergency assessment capability". Perhaps my understanding of what the PMS
does is somewhat off base. Wouldn't be the first time.
DJ Richards
Hazards Assessment Team Leader
Emergency Preparedness
Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site
David.Richards@rfets.gov
djrichards@earthlink.net


> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Lavera, Ron [SMTP:Ron.Lavera%nypa.gov@inet.rfets.gov]
> Sent:	Wednesday, March 03, 1999 12:23 PM
> To:	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject:	RE: Y2K problems at a Nuke Plant?
> 
> As a Senior Reactor Operator certified individual, I would like to note
> that
> while these systems are very useful in indicating the existence and
> determination of the extent of a condition, all of the critical plant
> parameter monitoring systems have other direct indications for the
> operators.  Radiation monitors, plant pressure and temperature and other
> related parameters remain available to the Control Room Operators.
> 
> ... Mine and Mine alone ...
> 
> Ron LaVera
> lavera.r@nypa.gov
> 
> 
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