Event Notification Report for October 27, 2008

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
10/24/2008 - 10/27/2008

** EVENT NUMBERS **


44547 44574 44583 44591 44597 44598 44601 44602

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Other Nuclear Material Event Number: 44547
Rep Org: WAL-MART
Licensee: WAL-MART
Region: 4
City: BENTONVILLE State: AR
County:
License #: GL
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RICH DAILEY
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH
Notification Date: 10/07/2008
Notification Time: 16:54 [ET]
Event Date: 10/07/2008
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/24/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
Person (Organization):
DALE POWERS (R4)
MARK DELLIGATTI (FSME)
ILTAB (e-mail) ()

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

LOST TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS

Wal-Mart is conducting a worldwide audit of their tritium exit signs. This morning they discovered three missing signs.

The first missing sign was located at the store in Noblesville, Indiana. The serial number is 301651, manufacturer unknown. Curie content unknown. The sign was last inventoried in the spring of 2008.

The second sign was located at the store in Charlotte, Michigan. The serial number and manufacturer were unknown. Curie content unknown. The sign was last inventoried in the spring of 2008.

The third sign was located at the store in Yankton, South Dakota. The serial number is 293214, manufacturer unknown. Curie content unknown. The sign was last inventoried in the spring of 2008.

All three stores were searched for the signs without success.

* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY RICHARD DALEY TO JASON KOZAL ON 10/09/08 AT 1308 * * *

Three additional signs were discovered missing in the state of Michigan:

1. At a store located at 995 Razorback Dr., Houghton, MI 49931. The serial number is unknown, the manufacturer is Isolite (11.5 Ci of tritium).

2. At a store located at 10772 West Carson City Rd., Greenville, MI 48838. The serial number is unknown, the manufacturer is Isolite (11.5 Ci of tritium).

3. At a store located at 7021 SW Nedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002. The serial number is 357889, the manufacturer is Isolite (11.5 Ci of tritium).

All three stores were searched for the signs without success.

Notified R3DO (Lara), and FSME (Burgess) and ILTAB via email.

* * * UPDATE AT 1400 EDT ON 10/10/08 FROM RICH DAILEY TO S. SANDIN * * *

An additional missing exit sign was identified during the on-going inventory. The exit sign was manufactured by SRB and contained 20 Ci of tritium, S/N 280802. It was last inventoried in Spring 2008 at Wal-Mart Store #5039 which is located in Camden, DE.

Notified R3DO (Lara), FSME (Einberg) and ILTAB via email.

* * * UPDATE AT 1422 EDT ON 10/14/08 FROM RICH DAILEY TO JOE O'HARA * * *

An additional missing exit sign was identified during the on-going inventory. The exit sign was manufactured by SRB and contained 20 Ci of tritium, S/N 277880. It was last inventoried in Spring 2008 at Wal-Mart Store #1833 which is located in Fredericksburg, VA.

Notified R1DO (Jackson), R3DO (Phillips), FSME (Vontill) and ILTAB via email.

* * * UPDATE AT 1305 EDT ON 10/21/08 FROM RICH DAILEY TO JEFF ROTTON * * *

Two additional missing exit signs were identified during the on-going inventory.

1. 1 sign at store #566, 1115 American Way, Booneville, IN 75237. The exit sign was manufactured by SRB and contained 20 Ci of tritium, S/N 306432.

2. 1 sign at store #3548, 910 Walcott Street, Waterbury, CT 06705. The exit sign was manufactured by SRB and contained 20 Ci of tritium, S/N 266092.

Notified FSME (Burgess), R3DO (Hironori Peterson), R1DO (Cahill), and ILTAB via email.

* * UPDATE ON 10/24/08 AT 1735 EDT FROM DAILEY TO KLCO * * *

Wal-Mart Corporate Office reported a total of 2 tritium exit signs missing from one store in Missouri. Store management and maintenance personnel have conducted a search and have determined that the signs are not on the premises. Wal-Mart last inventoried these signs April/2008 and is declaring these signs to be missing.

The device information is as follows:

1. Location: Dexter, Missouri, Serial number - 314882, Curie content - 11.5.

2. Location: Dexter, Missouri, Serial number - 314890, Curie content - Unknown.

Notified FSME (Mauer), R4DO (Deese) and ILTAB via email.

THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

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. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are 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.

This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source

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General Information or Other Event Number: 44574
Rep Org: IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Licensee: WAL-MART
Region: 3
City: MASON CITY State: IA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: NANCY FARRINGTON
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 10/17/2008
Notification Time: 09:33 [ET]
Event Date: 10/17/2008
Event Time: 08:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/17/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
MONTE PHILLIPS (R3)
CHRIS EINBERG (FSME)
ILTAB via e-mail ()

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS

Wal-Mart Corporate Office reported a total of 2 tritium exit signs missing from one store in Iowa. Store management and maintenance personnel have conducted a search and have determined that the signs are not on the premises. Wal-Mart is declaring these signs to be missing.

Wal-Mart Corporate office notified the Iowa Department of Public Health

The device information is as follows:

1. Location: Mason City, Iowa. Manufacturer - SRB Technology, Serial number - 263251, Curie content - 20.

2. Location: Mason City, Iowa. Manufacturer - SRB Technology, Serial number - 263223, Curie content - 20.

THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

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. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are 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.

This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source

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General Information or Other Event Number: 44583
Rep Org: ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: WAL-MART
Region: 4
City: TEXARKANA State: AR
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: STEVE MACK
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 10/21/2008
Notification Time: 16:12 [ET]
Event Date: 10/21/2008
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/21/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
RICK DEESE (R4)
ANDREW MAUER (FSME)
ILTAB via email ()

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

ARKANSAS AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TRITIUM EXIT SIGN

The following information was provided by the State of Arkansas via email:

"Wal-Mart stores notified the state of Arkansas of one missing tritium exit sign discovered during a world wide inventory of their stores. The exit sign was last seen during a Spring 2008 inventory. The following device was reported missing:

1. Exit sign from a store (#468) located at 133 Arkansas Blvd., Texarkana, AR 71854, Serial number - 248464, manufacturer - SRB, activity - 20 Ci of tritium at time of manufacture.

THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

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. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are 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.

This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source

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General Information or Other Event Number: 44591
Rep Org: COLORADO DEPT OF HEALTH
Licensee: ACUREN INSPECTIONS
Region: 4
City: EATON State: CO
County:
License #: RML-997-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ED STROUD
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 10/22/2008
Notification Time: 14:57 [ET]
Event Date: 10/22/2008
Event Time: 12:40 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 10/22/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
RICK DEESE (R4)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA MALFUNCTION

The state faxed the following report

"We [state] received a phone call today from the RSO of Acuren Inspections (RML- 997-01). On October 21, 2008, a two-man crew was making radiography shots at a field location near the intersection of County Roads 59 and 70, east of Eaton, CO.

"The incident involved an Amersham 660 camera, with an Ir-192 source with an estimated 24 Ci of activity.

"While making a shot, the pipe fell and resulted in a kink in the guide tube that prevented the source from being retracted. The crew cranked the source back into the collimator and called the RSO, who responded. Upon arrival, the RSO placed bags of shot over the collimator and used pliers to straighten the guide tube and safely retract the source into the camera. The RSO received a dose of zero mrem. The radiographer had a total dose for the day of 20 mrem, and the assistant had a total dose for the day of 68 mrem.

"A written report is being prepared by the licensee and will be forthcoming."

Incident Report I08-019

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Power Reactor Event Number: 44597
Facility: BEAVER VALLEY
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: KEN TIEFENTHAL
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 10/23/2008
Notification Time: 18:25 [ET]
Event Date: 10/23/2008
Event Time: 18:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/24/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
INFORMATION ONLY
50.72(b)(2)(i) - PLANT S/D REQD BY TS
Person (Organization):
CHRISTOPHER CAHILL (R1)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 99 Power Operation

Event Text

INFORMATION ONLY NOTIFICATION REGARDING PLANT SHUTDOWN

"This is an information only notification that Beaver Valley Power Station Unit No. 2 has initiated a plant shutdown as of 1800 on 10/23/08, a proactive measure, to complete repairs on the Train 'A' Low Head Safety Injection (LHSI) Pump 2SIS-P21A. On 10/19/08 at 2326, Beaver Valley Power Station Unit No. 2 removed 2SIS-P21A from service for routine preventive maintenance. Technical Specification 3.5.2, Condition A was entered during this maintenance activity with the Required Action A.1 to restore 2SIS-P21A to operable status within 72 hours (2326 on 10/22/08). On 10/20/08, during this maintenance; the pump shaft was unable to be rotated by hand after approximately 3/4 revolution. The pump was then disassembled and the apparent cause was determined to be that the pump rotating assembly was not centralized in the casing bore resulting in minimal clearance between the pump wear rings. On 10/22/08, First Energy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC) requested enforcement discretion from the NRC to permit an additional 36 hours of time to complete repairs on the pump. The NRC verbally granted FENOC's request for enforcement discretion on 10/22/08 at 1105. The enforcement discretion period will expire on 10/24/08 at 1126. Since unexpected difficulties have delayed the reassembly of the pump, FENOC management decided to proactively shutdown Beaver Valley Power Station Unit No.2 beginning at 1800 on 10/23/08. While pump reassembly and testing to restore operability may still be completed by the end of the enforcement discretion period, FENOC management determined that it was more prudent to shutdown the unit at this time so that the Operations crews are not placed under undue time pressure to reach Mode 3 conditions.

"The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector."

* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY DANIEL SCHWER TO JASON KOZAL ON 10/24/08 AT 0922 * * *

"This 4-hour notification is to report that Beaver Valley Power Station Unit No. 2 has initiated a manual reactor shutdown at 0600 on 10/24/08 in accordance with Technical Specification 3.5.2, 'ECCS - Operating'. On 10/19/08 at 2326 Beaver Valley Power Station Unit No. 2 removed 2SIS-P21A (Train 'A' Low Head Safety Injection [LHSI] Pump) from service for routine preventive maintenance. Technical Specification 3.5.2 was not met during this maintenance activity for two operable trains of Emergency Core Cooing System and Condition A was entered with the Required Action A.1 to restore 2SIS-P21A to operable status within 72 hours (2326 on 10/22/08). Problems were unexpectedly encountered during this maintenance; the pump shaft was unable to be rotated by hand after approximately 3/4 revolution. The pump was disassembled and the apparent cause was determined to be that the pump rotating assembly was not centralized in the casing bore resulting in minimal clearance between the pump wear rings. On 10/22/08 FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company requested enforcement discretion from the NRC to permit an additional 36 hours of time to complete reassembly of the pump. The NRC verbally granted FENOC's request for enforcement discretion on 10/22/08 at 1105. The enforcement discretion period would have expired on 10/24/08 at 1126. Since unexpected difficulties have delayed the reassembly of the pump, FENOC management decided to proactively shutdown Beaver Valley Power Station Unit No.2 beginning at 1800 on 10/23/08 (reference Information Only EN#44597). Beaver Valley Power Station Unit No. 2 entered Mode 3 at 0519 on 10/24/08 as part of the planned controlled shutdown. On 10/24/08 at 0600, Technical Specification 3.5.2, Condition B was entered based on a determination that the projected work completion time for restoring 2SIS-P21A to operable status would not meet the conditions of the enforcement discretion. Technical Specification 3.5.2, Required Action B.1 was met since the plant was in Mode 3, the plant is continuing the cooldown to be in Mode 4 within 12 hours per Required Action B.2. This event is being reported as a Technical Specification required shutdown pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(i).

"No radiological release occurred due to this event.

"The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector."

Notified R1DO (Cahill).

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Power Reactor Event Number: 44598
Facility: NINE MILE POINT
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: QUENTIN HICKS
HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL
Notification Date: 10/24/2008
Notification Time: 00:48 [ET]
Event Date: 10/23/2008
Event Time: 21:26 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/24/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
Person (Organization):
CHRISTOPHER CAHILL (R1)
. ()

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 M/R Y 100 Power Operation 0 Hot Shutdown

Event Text

MANUAL REACTOR SCRAM DUE TO LOSS OF THE ELECTRONIC PRESSURE REGULATOR

"Control Room Operators observed slight [reactor] pressure rise during panel walk down. Investigation of pressure indication led Control room staff to determine that [the] EPR (Electronic Pressure Regulator) was not functioning properly (noise in the output signal). Control Room Staff entered Special Operating Procedure for failed pressure regulator. EPR could not be moved and this was confirmed by operators in the field. Control Room Staff [then] inserted a manual scram.

"Immediately after the scram reactor water level reached a low of 36", Emergency Operating Procedures for Level (EOP-2) were entered. HPCI initiated on the turbine trip to control water level. After the turbine tripped, all turbine bypass valves failed open; MSIVs (main steam isolation valve) were manually shut to control pressure. [The] EPR eventually disengaged from control, allowing the operator control of the turbine bypass valves. MSIVs were then reopened. [The] Scram has been reset. [The] turbine driven shaft pump did not initially disengage, pump [was] manually tripped after turbine speed reduced to 1500 rpm. All other systems responded correctly.

"[The] plant is not currently in any SOPs or EOPs and is proceeding to cold shutdown using normal operating procedures."

All control rods fully inserted as expected. The plant is in a normal shutdown electrical lineup. At the time of the event, containment spray loop 1-12 was out of service for routine surveillance. The plant is currently cooling down and is at 365 psi.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 44601
Facility: GRAND GULF
Region: 4 State: MS
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: RICKY LIDDELL
HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL
Notification Date: 10/26/2008
Notification Time: 15:40 [ET]
Event Date: 10/26/2008
Event Time: 11:25 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/26/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
Person (Organization):
RICK DEESE (R4)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 A/R Y 50 Power Operation 0 Hot Shutdown

Event Text

AUTOMATIC REACTOR SCRAM AND ISOLATION DUE TO TURBINE TRIP

"Actuation of RPS with reactor critical. Reactor Scram occurred at 11:25, 10/26/08 from approximately 50% CTP (core thermal power).

"A turbine/generator trip and automatic RPS reactor scram on TCV [turbine control valve] fast closure occurred. Exact cause of turbine/generator trip is not known at this time. All withdrawn control rods fully inserted to position 00.

"Reactor Water Level 3 (11.4") was reached which is an RPS Scram Setpoint and also a setpoint for Group 2 (RHR to Radwaste) and Group 3 (Shutdown Cooling Isolation). No valves isolated in these systems due to their being in their normally closed position. Lowest reactor water level reached was -3" Wide Range.

"Appropriate off normal event procedures were entered to mitigate the transient with all systems responding as designed. No loss of offsite or ESF power occurred. No ECCS initiation signals were reached, and no ECCS or DG initiation occurred. All safety systems performed as expected.

"MSIVs remained open and no SRV's lifted. Main Condenser and pressure control system remained in service. Currently, reactor water level is being maintained by the condensate system in normal level band and reactor pressure is being controlled to limit cooldown."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 44602
Facility: QUAD CITIES
Region: 3 State: IL
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-3,[2] GE-3
NRC Notified By: JEFF KOPACZ
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 10/27/2008
Notification Time: 04:48 [ET]
Event Date: 10/27/2008
Event Time: 03:03 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/27/2008
Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
Person (Organization):
HIRONORI PETERSON (R3)
JIM CALDWELL (R3RA)
ERIC LEEDS (NRR)
WILLIAM GOTT (IRD)
JOSEPH GIITTER (NRR)
GOMEZ (DHS)
FULLER (FEMA)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 98 Power Operation 97 Power Operation
2 N Y 97 Power Operation 97 Power Operation

Event Text

UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO EXPLOSION IN THE PROTECTED AREA

"Quad Cities Station has declared an Unusual Event under EAL HU6 due to an explosion in the protected area. The radwaste floor drain surge tank building has physical damage after reports of an explosion in the area. The building is located outside the vital area West of the Turbine building. There are no reports of fire in the area. First responders are on the scene and assessing the situation. This event is being reported under 10 CFR 50.72.(a)."

The licensee stated that there were no injuries or release of radioactive material and no impact on the reactors. The damage was to block structure of the radwaste floor drain surge tank building but the radwaste tank itself was not impacted. The cause of the explosion is still unknown but appears to be related to a buildup of some kind of hydrocarbon gas. No offsite assistance from the fire department has been requested by the licensee. The explosion was reported to occur at 0242 CDT.

The States of Illinois and Iowa have been notified. The licensee has also notified local authorities and will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.

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