Cost effective approach to upgrading a radiation monitoring system

Components of the H. B. Robinson Plant Radiation Monitoring System (RMS) were reaching the end of their useful life. This was identified by 592 work requests being generated between 1983 and 1988. It appears that equipment important to safety may have been out of service (OOS) when needed. To address this concern, a team of personnel trained in using total quality (TQ) skills was assembled. TQ tools added organization to the RMS team meetings. The original team membership consisted of personnel who used the equipment daily. They compiled data and generated a well-defined project to upgrade only the problem equipment of their RMS. This team received exceptional support from HBRs management. While only problem equipment was replaced, enhancements were incorporated when possible. The upgraded RMS has improved operations interface, requires less I&C (instrumentation and control) maintenance, and is one that E&RC can easily calibrate and check calibrations while obtaining less dose