[DOE LETTERHEAD]

 

December 8, 2005

 

The Honorable A. J. Eggenberger

Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, NW Suite 700

Washington, D.C. 20004-2941

 

Dear Mr. Chairman:

 

The Department of Energy (DOE) contract with the operator of the Filter Test Facility (FTF), Air Techniques International (ATI), stipulated that prior to the resumption of High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter testing at the newly relocated facility in Baltimore, Maryland, that DOE would conduct a restart audit to verify that the contractor’s Quality Assurance (QA) Program meets the applicable requirements of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) NQA-1-2000, Quality Assurance Program Requirements for Nuclear Facilities.

 

A DOE audit team of QA and technical experts drawn from across the DOE complex conducted a QA audit of the FTF on July 14-15.  The results of the audit are presented in the attached report, Restart Quality Assurance Audit, Air Techniques International Filter Test Facility, Baltimore, Maryland.  The audit team identified certain conditions that needed resolution prior to the start-up of the FTF.  This included changes to ATI Quality Program Plan and procedures, documenting eye test results of all testing personnel, recalibration of certain measuring devices and revalidation of certain testing procedures and software.  These changes were all accomplished to the satisfaction of the audit team.

 

The FTF is now filly operational and began testing HEPA filters on August 15.  Questions concerning the FTF or the audit report may be directed to me at (202) 586-1772 or Robert Loesch at (301) 903-4443.

 

Sincerely,

 

Frank E. Tooper

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary

Office of Corporate Performance Assessment

Environment, Safety and Health

 

Attachment

(Note:  Please call Frank Tooper at 202.586.1772 or Robert Loesch at 301.903.4443 for a copy of the attachment.)

 

cc w/o attachment:

John Spitaleri Shaw, EH-1

C. Russell Shearer, EH-1

Mark Whitaker, DR-1

James McConnell, NA-1

Frank B. Russo, NA-1

Richard H. Lagdon, S-3

Robert M. Loesch, EH-31

Subir K. Sen, EH-31