Most of the spreadsheets that are used per our procedures (reactivity
anomaly, NI single point calibration, manual calorimetric) are quality programs
(QA qualified). For those programs, the normal practice is to have an
independent verification of the inputs to the qualified program. We
usually attached the signed inputs page to the procedure using the
program. But we do have a few spreadsheets that are not qualified that
are used. One takes the raw data from the plant computer and formats it
for the qualified program. The preparer verifies the input against the
hard data and the reviewer does an independent verification. It was
determined to not be worth the time to qualify this spreadsheet in this
case. The procedure has a signoff for the IV.
If we use a spreadsheet to do manual calculations (taking the
average of hours of data, for instance), then the reviewer will perform some
type of independent verification to confirm the results (recreating the
spreadsheet and matching results, verifying the equations in the existing
spreadsheet and checking the calculations, or using another independent method
of verify the results-like the NIST tables).
Adina
LaFrance
The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same
level of thinking we were at when we created them. -Albert Einstein
Nuclear
Analysis & Fuel
Reactor
Engineer
Surry
Power Station
Email:
Adina.K.LaFrance@Dom.com
Phone:
757-365-2658
Pager
#: 4290
From: pwrrm@retaqs.com
[mailto:pwrrm@retaqs.com] On Behalf Of Gore, Duane
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 2:22 PM
To: 'PWR Reactivity Management'
Subject: [Pwrrm] Use of Spreadsheets for Surveillances
We
at STP use spreadsheets to perform surveillance calculations. The results are
then independently verified by a second engineer using an independently
generated spreadsheet. Neither spreadsheet has been formally verified per our
station Software Quality Assurance procedure. In cases where the results are
used without further verification, we do properly QA the spreadsheets (usually
in the cases where other groups use the spreadsheets).
Our
QA department is of the opinion that at least one of these spreadsheets used
for surveillances must by fully verified and documented per our station
Software Quality Assurance procedure.
It
would help my case if I could cite other Rae’s practices with regards to
the use of spreadsheets. What is the practice at your plant?
Thank
you,
Duane
Gore
Supervisor,
Reactor Engineering
STPNOC
(361)
972-8909