Event Notification Report for October 29, 2008

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
10/28/2008 - 10/29/2008

** EVENT NUMBERS **


44395 44547 44575 44589 44599 44600 44602 44606 44608

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General Information or Other Event Number: 44395
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: GME CONSULTING SERVICES
Region: 4
City: DALLAS State: TX
County:
License #: L-05128
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 08/08/2008
Notification Time: 09:46 [ET]
Event Date: 08/08/2008
Event Time: 04:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/28/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
MICHAEL SHANNON (R4)
DUNCAN WHITE (FSME)
ILTAB VIA E-MAIL ()
MEXICO VIA FAX ()

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

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE - STOLEN MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

"At 0828, the Agency [state] received a call from the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for GME Engineering Consulting Incorporated, stating that Troxler model # 3411 moisture/density (M/D) gauge containing a Cesium (Cs) - 137 source and an Americium (Am) - 241 source had been stolen out of one of their trucks parked at their facility. The technician had returned from a job at about 4:00 AM and went into the office to make copies of some of his documents. When he returned to the truck, he found the lock used to secure the M/D gauge in the truck bed had been cut, and the M/D gauge and transport case were both missing. The cable used in association with the lock to secure the gauge was also damaged. The technician reported the event to his RSO, who notified the Agency. Local Law Enforcement has been informed of the event. The RSO stated that he would supply additional information on the event to the Agency via e-mail.

"The Agency received the following update information. The gauge serial # is 9389 containing one 8.3 millicurie Cs-137 source serial # 40-6732, and one 40.0 millicurie Am-241 source serial # 47-5906. The police arrived at the office at about 9:30 AM and obtained fingerprints from the technician's truck and opened a case file. The Dallas police case number is 245096V."

Texas Incident Report # I-8532

* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY ART TUCKER TO JASON KOZAL ON 10/28/08 AT 1748 * * *

The following was provided by the state via e-mail:

"The Agency was contacted on 10/28/08 by an individual stating that a moisture/density gauge was for sale on the web site Ebay. The individual stated that he notified the individual selling the gauge that he needed a license to do so. The individual selling the gauge stated that he had bought it at a pawn shop and that it would have to be OK if the pawn shop sold it. An Agency investigator looked the item up on Ebay and found a serial number and service contractor's name. This gauge had been reported stolen in the State of Texas in August, 2008. The service contractor was contacted and provided the name of the licensee who owned the gauge. The Radiation Safety Officer for the licensee confirmed that based on the serial number of the gauge it was one of his. A fax was sent to Ebay requesting assistance in locating the seller. The seller became concerned about the legal ramifications of possessing the gauge and returned it to the pawn shop. The licensee was informed that the gauge had been returned to the pawn shop. The licensee informed the Agency of this. The Agency arranged for an inspector to meet an individual from the licensee to retrieve the gauge. The gauge was turned over to the licensee by the pawn shop owner. The gauge appears to be undamaged. The licensee will send the gauge to the manufacturer for inspection and leak test."

Notified R4DO (Spitzberg), FSME (Einberg), ILTAB (via e-mail), and Mexico (via fax).

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.

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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: 10/28/2008
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.

* * * UPDATE ON 10/28/08 AT 0900 EDT FROM DAILEY TO KLCO * * *

Wal-Mart Corporate Office reported a tritium exit sign missing from a store in Virginia. 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: Norton, Virginia, Serial number - 316467, Curie content - 11.5.

Notified FSME (Einberg), R1DO (Cobey) 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: 44575
Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: WAL-MART
Region: 1
City: QUINCY State: MA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOHN SUMARES
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 10/17/2008
Notification Time: 11:29 [ET]
Event Date: 10/16/2008
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/28/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
TODD JACKSON (R1)
CHRIS EINBERG (FSME)

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

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOSS OF SIX TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS

"On 10/16/08 the Agency received 2 telephone calls from Rich Dailey, RSO of Wal-Mart. During the first call Rich Dailey reported the loss of 2 tritium exit signs, S/N 249447 & 249454, from the Wal-Mart store in Quincy [MA]. During the second call Rich Dailey reported the loss of 4 tritium exit signs from the Wal-Mart store in Halifax [MA]. Rich Dailey stated that Wal-Mart is conducting a replacement of all tritium signs. In the Spring of 2008 these exit signs were inventoried. In October 2008, prior to replacement, the signs could not be located. All of the exit signs were manufactured by `SRB Lite' and contain 20 curies of H-3. Rich Dailey will send a written report to the Agency at a later date."

* * * UPDATE ON 10/28/08 AT 0957 EDT FROM DAILEY TO KLCO * * *

The following information was received via facsimile:

"On October 22, 2008 Walmart Stores reported four missing tritium exit signs at 300 Colony Place, Plymouth, MA. The signs were discovered missing on October 21, 2008. The serial numbers and manufacturer were unknown."

Notified FSME(Burgess), R1DO(Cobey) 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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Hospital Event Number: 44589
Rep Org: SAINT MARY'S MEDICAL CENTER
Licensee: SAINT MARY'S MEDICAL CENTER
Region: 1
City: HUNTINGTON State: WV
County:
License #: 47-09576-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JAMES NORWECK
HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL
Notification Date: 10/22/2008
Notification Time: 10:15 [ET]
Event Date: 10/15/2008
Event Time: 14:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/22/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
35.3045(a)(3) - DOSE TO OTHER SITE > SPECIFIED LIMITS
Person (Organization):
CHRISTOPHER CAHILL (R1)
MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)

Event Text

OVEREXPOSURE TO ESOPHAGUS DURING MEDICAL PROCEDURE

The patient was being treated for a thyroid condition with a capsule of I-131 (150 milliCi). The procedure involved the patient swallowing the capsule to position it near the thyroid. During the procedure the capsule became lodged in the patient's throat due to an esophageal obstruction. The staff attempted to aid in passing the capsule by having the patient drink soda and eat applesauce. The capsule eventually passed the obstruction after approximately 2 1/2 hours.

The estimated dose to the esophagus was 1000 Rads. The calculated dose to the esophagus is 1786 Rads. The patient is following-up with a physician today and at that time will be notified of the overexposure. The potential adverse effects of this dose are esophagitis (inflammation of the lining of the esophagus) and radiation fibrosis.

The licensee initially investigated this event shortly after it occurred and at the time contacted NRC R2 (Gabriel). At that time, based on the information that was available (mainly time the device was lodged in the patients esophagus), this event was deemed not reportable. When new information became available to the licensee the event was determined to be reportable.

A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facilities use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.

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General Information or Other Event Number: 44599
Rep Org: GEORGIA RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL PGM
Licensee: N.E GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER, WD STRIBLING HEART CLINIC
Region: 1
City: GAINESVILLE State: GA
County:
License #: 1479-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: IRENE BENNETT
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Notification Date: 10/24/2008
Notification Time: 14:46 [ET]
Event Date: 10/22/2008
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/28/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
CHRISTOPHER CAHILL (R1)
ANDREW MAUER (FSME)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - EXCESS DOSE TO THE FETUS OF A PREGNANT PATIENT

The licensee notified the State of Georgia on 10/23/2008 regarding a dose of greater than 500 mrem administered to the fetus of a pregnant patient. The apparent unintended dose was identified by the licensee on 10/22/08.

The State of Georgia is attempting to contact the licensee for additional follow-up details and a report related to this event.

* * * UPDATE RECEIVED VIA FAX FROM IRENE BENNETT TO JOE O'HARA AT 1531 ON 10/27/08 * * *

The following information was provided to the State of Georgia by the licensee:

"The patient was administered the radiopharmaceutical on October 13, 2008. Our facility was informed of the patients pregnancy on October 22, 2008. The RSO and our consulting medical physicists were notified. A dose calculation was performed and it was determined that the embryo/fetus received an effective dose equivalent in excess of 500 millirem.

"The patient was scheduled for a Nuclear Cardiology treadmill stress test on October 13, 2008. The patient was asked by the staff if she was pregnant per facility policy. The patient indicated that she was not pregnant. This was documented by our staff. The patient was administered 10 mCi Tc-99m Myoview for resting procedure and 30 mCi Tc-99m Myoview for stress. The patient subsequently determined she was pregnant and notified us as described above.

"The patient withheld information regarding pregnancy and fertility medication when asked prior to the study. The dose to the conceptus is estimated to be approximately 1.12 rad with an uncertainty factor of 50 percent. Determination of dose is limited by patient habitus and metabolic parameters.

"The prescribing physician was notified October 23, 2008 at 9:34 AM and stated that she will notify the primary physician and patient."

Notified R1DO(Cobey) and FSME(Mauer)

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General Information or Other Event Number: 44600
Rep Org: SC DIV OF HEALTH & ENV CONTROL
Licensee: MACTEC ENGINEERING AND CONSULTING, INC.
Region: 1
City: COLUMBIA State: SC
County:
License #: 568
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MELINDA BRADSHAW
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Notification Date: 10/24/2008
Notification Time: 15:34 [ET]
Event Date: 10/24/2008
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/24/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
CHRISTOPHER CAHILL (R1)
ANDREW MAUER (FSME)
ILTAB via e-mail ()

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

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

The following information was received via facsimile.

"The SC [South Carolina] Department of Health and Environmental Control was notified on Friday, October 24, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. that a Humboldt Model 5001 portable moisture density gauge had been lost, along with the licensee's company vehicle. [DELETED], Columbia Radiation Safety Officer, and [DELETED], Corporate RSO, notified the Department that a gauge technician had been in possession of the truck and portable gauge on Thursday, October 23. The technician apparently decided to go out for a "night on the town" with the company vehicle/gauge and became highly intoxicated. As a result of this, per [DELETED] and [DELETED], the technician does not recall where the truck with the gauge was left. The technician called a fellow MACTEC employee this morning who then picked him up at his hotel. The keys to the MACTEC truck were in the possession of the errant technician so it has been assumed that the truck with the gauge secured in the truck bed is parked at a local nightspot. The technician has been questioned but can shed no light on where the truck is at this time. The licensee has called the police department to notify them of the situation. They have also called the city and county to rule out the possibility that the truck was towed overnight. No report of this vehicle being towed was on file. The licensee currently has four company trucks out looking for the lost vehicle and gauge.

"As more information is available, this notice will be updated. The licensee was advised that a written report detailing this event must be submitted to the Department within 30 days. The event is open and pending further investigation by the licensee and the Department. Updates will be made through the national NMED system."

Humboldt 5001 moisture density gauges nominally contain 10 mCi Cs-137 and 40 mCi Am:Be.

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.

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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: 10/28/2008
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.


* * * UPDATE FROM CURT STEFFES TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1655 EDT 10/28/08 * * *

"Unusual Event - Termination

"This is an update to EN #44602.

"On October 27, 2008, at 0303 hours CDT, Quad Cities declared an Unusual Event under EAL HU6 due to an explosion in the protected area. The radwaste floor drain surge tank building incurred physical damage. A walkdown of the area confirmed that the explosion had no impact on any safety related structures or components. There were no injuries. The combustible atmosphere in the surge tank building has been attributed to the accumulation of methane gas, which originated in the surge tank. Actions have been initiated to purge and monitor the surge tank atmosphere to ensure conditions will not deteriorate.

"Conditions no longer meet an emergency action level, the event was terminated at 1530 CDT hours on October 28, 2008.

"A press release will be issued on the termination of the Unusual Event."

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector, Illinois EMA, Illinois REAC, Iowa EMD, Scott County - Iowa, and Clinton County - Iowa.

Notified R3RA (Caldwell), R3DO (Kozak), NRR EO (Skeen), IRD (Gott). DHS (Hill), and FEMA (Blankenship).

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Power Reactor Event Number: 44606
Facility: PALO VERDE
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: FARA BURDICK
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Notification Date: 10/28/2008
Notification Time: 12:28 [ET]
Event Date: 10/28/2008
Event Time: 09:00 [MST]
Last Update Date: 10/28/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N N 0 Refueling 0 Refueling
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
3 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

MAINTENANCE ON PUBLIC PROMPT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM EMERGENCY SIRENS

"The following event description is based on information currently available. If through subsequent reviews of the event, additional information is identified that is pertinent to this event or alters the information being provided at the time, a follow-up notification will be made via the ENS or under the reporting requirements of 10CFR50.73.

"From October 28, 2008 until October 31, 2008, Palo Verde personnel will be performing maintenance on public prompt notification system sirens. One siren at a time will be removed from service, and will be restored prior to continuing to the next siren.

"Siren #42 provides notification to approximately 558 members of the public within 5 miles of Palo Verde.
"Siren #44 provides notification to approximately 210 members of the public within 5 miles of Palo Verde.
"Siren #25 provides notification to approximately 302 members of the public within 5 miles of Palo Verde.
"Siren #23 provides notification to approximately 498 members of the public within 5 miles of Palo Verde.
"Siren #22 provides notification to approximately 855 members of the public within 5 miles of Palo Verde.
"Siren #18 provides notification to approximately 396 members of the public within 5 miles of Palo Verde
"Siren #17 provides notification to approximately 1106 members of the public within 5 miles of Palo Verde.
"Siren #36 provides notification to approximately 301 members of the public within 5 miles of Palo Verde.
"Siren #15 provides notification to approximately 940 members of the public within 5 to 10 miles of Palo Verde.

"Each of these are considered by Palo Verde to be a 'large segment of the population.'

"The Palo Verde Emergency Plan has a contingency for dispatching Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) vehicles, during an actual event, with loud speakers to alert persons within the affected area when sirens are inoperable.

"There are no events in progress that require siren operation. A follow-up call will be placed when the affected sirens are returned to service.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified of the siren maintenance and this ENS call."

These sirens are utility owned.

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Fuel Cycle Facility Event Number: 44608
Facility: PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
                   6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
                   BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
Region: 2
City: PADUCAH State: KY
County: McCRACKEN
License #: GDP-1
Agreement: Y
Docket: 0707001
NRC Notified By: TONY HUDSON
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD
Notification Date: 10/28/2008
Notification Time: 14:15 [ET]
Event Date: 10/28/2008
Event Time: 08:49 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/28/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
76.120(c)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Person (Organization):
DEBORAH SEYMOUR (R2)
PATTI SILVA (NMSS)

Event Text

PROCESS GAS LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM INOPERABLE

"At 0849 CDST, on 10-28-08 the Plant Shift Superintendent (PSS) was notified that an alarm was received for the C-337 Unit 1 Cell 2 UF6 Release Detection (PGLD) System. Operators responded and found that the READY and MANUAL lights for this system were not illuminated. This PGLD System contains detectors that cover C-337 Unit 1 Cell 2 and Section 1 of the cell bypass piping. At the time of this alarm, Unit 1 Cell 2 and some areas of Sections 1 of the cell bypass were operating above atmospheric pressure. TSR 2.4.4.1 requires that at least the minimum number of detector heads in the cell and in each defined section of the cell bypass are operable during steady state operations above atmospheric pressure. With the Unit 1 Cell 2 PGLD system inoperable, none of the required cell heads and only 2 of the required 3 heads in Sections 1 of the cell bypass were operable. This PGLD System was declared inoperable. TSR LCO 2.4.4.1.A.1 and 2.4.4.1.C.1 were entered and a continuous smoke watch was put in place within one hour. Engineering has determined that the system would not have been able to perform its intended safety function when this alarm came in. This event is reportable as a 24 hour event in accordance with 10CFR76.120(c)(2)(i). This is an event in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when: a.) the equipment is required by a TSR to prevent releases, prevent exposures to radiation and radioactive materials exceeding specified limits, mitigate the consequences of an accident, or restore this facility to a pre-established safe condition after an accident; b.) the equipment is required by a TSR to be available and operable and either should have been operating or should have operated on demand, and c.) no redundant equipment is available and operable to perform the required safety function.

"PGDP Event Report No. PAD-2008-033.

"The NRC Resident lnspector has been notified of this event."

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021