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Event Notification Report for January 21, 2004

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
01/20/2004 - 01/21/2004

** EVENT NUMBERS **

Power Reactor	Event Number: 40448
Facility: PILGRIM Region: 1 State: MA Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] GE-3 NRC Notified By: MICHAEL McDONNELL HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN	Notification Date: 01/14/2004 Notification Time: 15:00 [ET] Event Date: 01/14/2004 Event Time: 10:00 [EST] Last Update Date: 01/20/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE	Person (Organization): DANIEL HOLODY (R1)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
1	N	Y	100	Power Operation	100	Power Operation

Event Text

EMERGENCY SIRENS INOPERABLE/DEGRADED DUE TO POTENTIAL AMPLIFIER PROBLEMS

"At 1049 EST on January 14, 2004 the Control Room was notified that 78% (87 out of 112) Emergency Sirens failed a 'Quiet Test.' The Quiet test is a status check between the Emergency Offsite Facility and each individual siren. Further investigation revealed that 53 sirens would not operate as required and 34 were experiencing some degree of degradation. Indications point toward amplifier problems within each affected siren.

"Efforts are ongoing to troubleshoot and repair the effected sirens. Contingency plans are in place for alternate notification.

"The resident inspector has been notified."

This condition was discovered during routine monthly testing. The sirens were upgraded about a year ago using equipment supplied by Federal Signal.

* * * UPDATE ON 1/20/04 AT 1422 EST FROM RANDY HAISLET TO GERRY WAIG * * *

The following was received via facsimile:

"This is a follow up to event report 40448 concerning a loss of 53 sirens. As of this morning, 105 of the 112 sirens are considered operable. Six of the 7 inoperable sirens are due to rotational problems. The remaining siren is inoperable due to the impact of a vehicle on it's pole. Work is currently on going to restore these sirens.

"The siren failures reported in event report are believed to be the result of a manufacturing defect which resulted in temperature sensitivity. A temporary means of heating the subject equipment has been put in place. Investigation is continuing."

Notified R1DO (Clifford Anderson)

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