[DOE LETTERHEAD]

 

National Nuclear Security Administration

 

February 15, 2007

 

The Honorable A. J. Eggenberger

Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, NW, Suite 700

Washington DC 20004-2901

 

Dear Mr. Chairman:

 

As you know, the Department has identified the Pit Disassembly and Conversion Facility (PDCF) as a pilot facility in its revised Implementation Plan (IP) for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) Recommendation 2004-2, Active Confinement Systems.  As part of the revised IP, the Department has completed a PDCF Ventilation System Evaluation report, which was reviewed and approved by the Central Technical Authority of the National Nuclear Security Administration.  This report was provided to you on December 19, 2006.

 

The PDCF Ventilation System Evaluation identified three potential gaps, none of which require mandatory resolution.  However, one of these gaps concerning post accident indication of filter break-through in the sand filter was recommended for closure.  To close this gap, the PDCF design will be modified to upgrade the sand filter exhaust sample collection system to meet Performance Cntegory-3 Natural Phenomena Hazard criteria and safety class emergency power requirements.  The design will also be modified to include a sample collection point prior to the exhaust stack, with sampling components located in the fan house.  NNSA is committed to implementing these upgrades, which have been incorporated into the PDCF technical baseline.

 

If you have any questions, please contact me or have your staff contact Mr. Joe Olencz, PDCF Program Manager, at 202-586-4124.

 

Sincerely,

 

William H. Tobey

Deputy Administrator

For Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

 

cc:   Kenneth E. Baker, NA-20

Thomas Deters, NA-20

Ken Chacey, NA-26

Ken Bromberg, NA-26

Joe Olencz, NA-261

Katie Vogler, NA-26

Marty Newdorf, NA-261

Marggie Schwenker, NA-261

Garrett Smith, NA-261

Ram Mukunda, NA-262

Rich Person, NA-262

Kenneth Sanders, NA-262

Bill Clark, NA-266

Robert Billue, NA-266

Sam Glenn, NA-266

Joanne D. Lorence, HS-1.1

Mark B. Whitaker, HS-1.1