| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
09/15/2005 - 09/16/2005 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 41980 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: MTGL, INC
Region: 4
City: ANAHEIM State: CA
County:
License #: 3714-30
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ROBERT GREGER
HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA | Notification Date: 09/12/2005
Notification Time: 14:07 [ET]
Event Date: 09/08/2005
Event Time: 13:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 09/12/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MIKE RUNYAN (R4)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT ON DAMAGED TROXLER GAUGE
The State provided the following information via email:
"On September 8, 2005, we received a call from the RSO that their [Troxler] gauge had been run over by a front loader. The gauge user was standing approximately 3' away from the gauge when this occurred. Although the gauge handle had originally been in the shielded position, the front loader drove the rod down into the ground when it ran over the gauge. The RSO met the gauge user at the site of the incident (Dooley Elementary in Long Beach). The RSO contacted Kent Prendergast, Senior HP for RHB-Richmond, who directed them to try to retract the source, which they were able to do. They placed the gauge in the gauge transport case and brought it directly to Maurer Technical Services (6163-30) in Laguna Hills. Maurer Technical are CPN manufacturer representatives who repair, leak test, and calibrate gauges. The gauge was a Troxler, model 3430, #35001.
"At 8:10 A.M, September 12, 2005*, Maurer reported the source rod was not able to be locked, the gauge was not repairable, but the sources appeared to be intact and was in the shielded position when it was brought in by the licensee. A leak test was performed. The gauge will be shipped to Troxler Labs once it is confirmed that the leak test is negative. There was no exposure to the workers at the site from this incident since the Cs-137 source ended up being extended into the soil and the soil shielded the source. I estimate the gauge user and RSO received from 5-10 millirem during the retrieval of the source. There are no corrective actions required because of this event.
"This event is also reportable within 24 hours by California Code of Regulations, title 17, Section 30295(b)." |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 41981 | Rep Org: MARYLAND DEPT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Licensee: SPECIALIZED ENGINEERING
Region: 1
City: HANOVER State: MD
County:
License #: MD-03-087-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BOB NELSON
HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA | Notification Date: 09/12/2005
Notification Time: 15:07 [ET]
Event Date: 09/09/2005
Event Time: 07:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/12/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JAMES TRAPP (R1)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
TAS (EMAIL) ()
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST MOISTURE/DENSITY GAUGE
The licensee reported a missing [moisture/density] gauge from its storage location at the Calvert Gateway construction site at Town Center Boulevard and Md Route 4 in Dunkirk, MD. The following are the gauge specifications: Campbell Pacific Nuclear (CPN) MC-3 Portaprobe Moisture/Density gauge, SE Gauge No. 15, S/N: M300405608, Radioactive Materials: Cesium-137, sealed source, 8 millicuries; Americium-241:Be, sealed source, 40 millicuries. The Anne Arundel County Police was notified (Report No.05-737156).
Less than the quantity of a IAEA Category 3 source.
Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury.
For some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are IAEA Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 41983 | Facility: BRUNSWICK
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: KEITH HANZ
HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA | Notification Date: 09/12/2005
Notification Time: 23:27 [ET]
Event Date: 09/12/2005
Event Time: 23:14 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/15/2005 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
| Person (Organization):
JAMES MOORMAN (R2)
EDWIN HACKETT (NRR)
MELVYN LEACH (IRD)
LIGGETT (FEMA)
JASON (DHS)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO HURRICANE OPHELIA WARNING
"On September 12, 2005, at 2300 hours, a hurricane warning was issued, which resulted in the declaration of an unusual event for both units. Unit 1 and 2 are currently operating at 100 percent of rated thermal power. The plant area is not currently experiencing any hurricane force winds. The wind speed at the site is approximately 24 miles per hour. State and county emergency response organizations have been notified. The resident inspector has been notified.
"There is no significant impact to the safety of the plant at this time.
"The plant is currently in Abnormal Operating Procedure 0AOP-13.0, 'Operation During Hurricane, Flood Conditions, Tornado, or Earthquake,' and Plant Emergency Procedure 0PEP-02.6, 'Severe Weather,' in preparation for hurricane conditions."
On-site facilities are not being activated at this time. No off-site assistance is requested. Request suspension of additional follow up notification unless plant conditions change. All Emergency Core Cooling Systems and the Emergency Diesel Generators are fully operable if needed. The electrical grid is stable.
* * * UPDATE AT 0758 EDT ON 9/14/05 FROM BRUCE HARTSOCK TO S. SANDIN * * *
"Commenced reduction in power on Unit 2 in anticipation of exceeding 74 mph winds. Prediction revised to maximum of 64 mph onsite. Power reduction stopped. Plant stabilized. Power will be restored."
Notified RCT (Hasselberg) and R2IRC (Casto).
* * * UPDATE AT 0028 EDT ON 9/15/05 FROM KENON CHISM TO S. SANDIN * * *
"As of 2300 hours (EDT) on September 14, 2005, the Hurricane Warning south of Cape Fear, North Carolina, has been discontinued; therefore, the Unusual Event has been terminated. Entry into the Unusual Event was reported by Event Notification 41983. Both Unit 1 and Unit 2 continue to operate at 100 percent power. There has been no damage affecting safety equipment or causing operational constraints as a result of Hurricane Ophelia."
The licensee notified state/local agencies and will inform the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (Munday), NRR (Mayfield), IRD (McGinty), FEMA (Snyder), and DHS (Gomez). |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 41985 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: MATT FALKE
Region: 4
City: TURLOCK State: CA
County:
License #: 06021
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: EDWARD GLOOR
HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA | Notification Date: 09/13/2005
Notification Time: 13:20 [ET]
Event Date: 09/11/2005
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 09/13/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MIKE RUNYAN (R4)
GREG MORELL (NMSS)
CNSNS- MEX (Email) ()
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The State provided the following information via facsimile:
"Matt Falke notified Office of Emergency Services on Sunday 9-11-05 of the theft of his Soil Moisture Density Gauge from a secured container located in the bed of his truck parked in the driveway of his home. Matt Falke thought he had called RHB [Radiological Health Branch] but in fact was speaking with OES who transferred him [to] the DHS Duty Officer of the day. Bill Potter of OES sent RHB actual notification on Monday, Sept 12 of the event. Local police and Modesto and Sacramento FBI field offices have been notified. The device has been identified as a CPN 503DR Hydroprobe containing 50 mCi of AmBe241 [Americium-241-beryllium] with a serial number H33024767. Matt Falke is checking the local Flea Market today to see If the item will be offered for sale and is putting a reward offer in the local newspaper."
Less than the quantity of an IAEA Category 3 source. Sources that are 'Less than IAEA Category 3 sources,' are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. For some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are IAEA Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 41986 | Rep Org: COLORADO DEPT OF HEALTH
Licensee: MIDWEST INSPECTION SERVICES
Region: 4
City: BRIGHTON State: CO
County:
License #: 902-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: T G BONZER
HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA | Notification Date: 09/13/2005
Notification Time: 18:07 [ET]
Event Date: 09/12/2005
Event Time: [MDT]
Last Update Date: 09/13/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MIKE RUNYAN (R4)
M. WAYNE HODGES (NMSS)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE DISCONNECT
The State provided the following information via facsimile:
"On 13 September 2005 at approximately 1:00 PM, I received telephone notification from David L. Ezzell, the Corporate RSO for Midwest Inspection Services, informing the Department of a source disconnect that occurred on 12 Sept 05. The source was a 33 Ci Ir-192 radiography source that was being used in Sterling Colorado. The radiography crew identified the source disconnect when approaching the end of the guide tube following a shot. The crew contacted their corporate RSO who proceeded to the location and retrieved the source at approximately 2:45 PM that day. Mr. Ezzell stated that there was no apparent reason for the disconnect and the examination of the connector portion of the pigtail (once the source was returned to the radiography exposure device) did not show damage. A written report providing a detailed description of the events and circumstances is to be submitted by Mr. Ezzell within the next few days." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 41991 | Facility: BRUNSWICK
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: DANIEL HARDIN
HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA | Notification Date: 09/14/2005
Notification Time: 14:11 [ET]
Event Date: 09/14/2005
Event Time: 08:32 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/15/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
JOEL MUNDAY (R2)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 2 | N | Y | 93 | Power Operation | 93 | Power Operation | Event Text LOSS OF OFFSITE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SIRENS
"On September 14, 2005, at approximately 0832 hours [EDT], Brunswick began losing the function of several offsite emergency preparedness sirens as a result of adverse weather conditions associated with Hurricane Ophelia. There are a total of 36 sirens located in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, NC. The maximum number of sirens that were inoperable was twenty (20). As of 1330 [EDT], eleven (11) sirens in Brunswick County and four (4) sirens in New Hanover County remain inoperable. The Brunswick and New Hanover County Emergency Operations Centers are aware of the condition of the sirens and maintenance activities are in progress to restore siren capabilities. Other communications with local, state, and federal emergency response organizations have not been affected.
"The initial safety significance of this condition is considered minimal. Unit 1 and 2 are currently operating in Mode 1 under normal parameters. State and county emergency response officials are aware of the condition and compensatory measures are in place to provide warning to the affected areas if required."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE AT 0028 EDT ON 9/15/05 FROM KENON CHISM TO S. SANDIN * * *
"On September 14, 2005, under Event Notification 41991, Brunswick Plant reported the loss of a number of offsite emergency preparedness sirens as a result of adverse weather conditions associated with Hurricane Ophelia. Maintenance activities continue for restoration of the siren capabilities lost. As of 2340 hours (EDT) on September 14, 2005, nine (9) sirens remain inoperable, six (6) sirens in Brunswick County and three (3) sirens in New Hanover County."
The licensee will inform the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (Munday).
* * * UPDATE AT 1639 EDT ON 9/15/05 FROM DANIEL HARDIN TO J. ROTTON * * *
"On September 14, 2005, at 1411 hours, the Brunswick plant provided a notification (reference Event Number 41991) in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) for the loss of function several offsite emergency preparedness sirens as a result of adverse weather conditions associated with Hurricane Ophelia. This update is to notify the NRC Operations Center that as of September 15, 2005, at 1600 hours, all but 3 of 36 sirens have been restored and the condition no longer meets the criteria of 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"Restoration efforts for the remaining sirens are in progress."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (Munday) |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 41996 | Facility: PALO VERDE
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: DAN MARKS
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 09/15/2005
Notification Time: 14:41 [ET]
Event Date: 09/15/2005
Event Time: 11:40 [MST]
Last Update Date: 09/15/2005 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
INFORMATION ONLY
| Person (Organization):
MIKE RUNYAN (R4)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | | 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SIREN MODIFICATIONS
"This is an information only notification.
"Commencing approximately 1 PM Mountain Standard Time, September 15, 2005, the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station will be performing modifications to Emergency Preparedness sirens within the 5-mile radius of the emergency planning zone (EPZ) to implement corrective action to prevent recurrence of damage due to vandalism that has occurred and been reported in previous ENS notifications [Recent Event Notifications: 41960, 41912, 41874, 41810, 41486, 41466, 41451].
"Palo Verde's reporting criterion includes a loss of capability to inform greater than 5% of the population (more than 106 people) within 5 miles. Six of the 12 sirens within the 5-mile radius meet this criterion. Only one of these 6 sirens will be out of service at a time for modification. The Palo Verde Emergency Plan (section 6.6.2.1) has a contingency for dispatching Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) vehicles with loud speakers to alert persons within the affected area(s) when sirens are inoperable. The MCSO has been informed of the status of siren modification for each of the 6 sirens so that the contingency can be promptly implemented if an event requiring siren activation were to exist, thus no loss of capability to inform the population will occur."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |