U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Reports For 11/04/2008 - 11/05/2008 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** | General Information or Other | Event Number: 44576 | Rep Org: GEORGIA RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL PGM Licensee: WAL-MART Region: 1 City: SWAINSBORO State: GA County: License #: Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: KEITH ST. CYR HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 10/17/2008 Notification Time: 13:39 [ET] Event Date: 10/16/2008 Event Time: [EDT] Last Update Date: 11/04/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE | Person (Organization): EUGENE COBEY (R1) ANDREW MAUER (FSME) GREGORY AHERN (ILTA) | This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MISSING TRITIUM EXIT SIGN A Wal-Mart store at 14 S. Main Street in Swainsboro GA notified the State of Georgia that a tritium exit sign that had been held in storage was missing. The store had previously removed its tritium signs and was storing them for eventual return to the manufacturer. During an inventory of the signs, one was discovered to be missing. The sign is generally licensed by the State. The sign was manufactured by Isolite with 11.5 curies of tritium. The State of Georgia did not have the serial number of the sign. * * * UPDATE FROM ERIC JAMESON TO JOE O'HARA AT 1353 ON 10/21/08 * * * A Wal-Mart store at 6065 Jonesboro Road in Morrow, GA notified the State of Georgia that two tritium exit signs were missing. The signs were manufactured by SRB with 20 Curies each S/N 279368 and S/N 282787. Additionally, a Wal-Mart store at 3886 Highway 17 in Toccoa, GA. had one tritium exit sign missing. The sign was manufactured by Isolite with 11.5 curies of tritium. The State of Georgia did not have the serial number of the sign. The signs are generally licensed by the State. Notified R1DO(Cahill), FSME(Burgess), and ILTAB via E-mail * * * UPDATE FROM ERIC JAMESON TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1533 ON 10/27/08 * * * A Wal-Mart store at 2427 Gresham Road, Atlanta, GA reported on 10/22/08 one missing tritium exit sign. The sign was manufactured by Isolite, S/N unknown, Activity unknown. A Wal-Mart store at 3040 Norman Drive, Valdosta, GA reported on 10/24/08 one missing tritium exit sign. The sign was manufactured by Isolite, S/N 269809, Activity 11.5 curies. A Wal-Mart store at 1569 North Expressway, Griffin, GA reported on 10/24/08 one missing tritium exit sign. The sign was manufactured by SRB, S/N 278658, Activity 20 curies. A Wal-Mart store at 1099 Indian Drive, Eastman, GA reported on 10/24/08 two missing tritium exit signs. The first sign was manufactured by Isolite, S/N 297971, Activity 11.5 curies. The second sign was manufactured by Isolite, S/N 297990, Activity 12.5 curies. Notified R1DO (Cahill), FSME (Mauer), and ILTAB (Ahern) via E-Mail. * * * UPDATE FROM ERIC JAMESON TO JASON KOZAL AT 1557 ON 11/04/08 * * * Two more signs reported missing: A store located at 4221 Atlanta Highway, Loganville, GA Manufacturer - SRB, Serial Number - 310084, Activity - 20 Ci. A store located at 4798 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, Hiram, GA Manufacturer - SRB, Serial Number - 273972, Activity - 20 Ci. Notified R1DO (Caruso), FSME EO (Burgess) and ILTAB via e-mail. 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 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 44614 | Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM Licensee: WAL-MART Region: 1 City: NORTHAMPTON State: MA County: License #: Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: JOHN SUMARES HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE | Notification Date: 10/30/2008 Notification Time: 14:13 [ET] Event Date: 10/30/2008 Event Time: [EDT] Last Update Date: 10/30/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE | Person (Organization): EUGENE COBEY (R1) MICHELE BURGESS (FSME) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED EXIT SIGNS. "On 10/30/08 the Agency [state] received a written report of damaged Tritium exit signs from Richard Dailey, RSO of Wal-Mart Stores. The 2 exit signs, manufactured by SRB Lite, are identified as S/N's 249470 and 249477 each containing 20 curies. "During an inventory on 9/29/08 at the Northampton store, Wal-Mart's contractor discovered 2 damaged signs that failed the glow test. Additionally, one of the signs, S/N 249477, had a cracked face plate. Interviews with the store manager and associates indicated the signs were probably damaged during a recent remodel project. Wal-Mart hired Dade Moeller to assess the radiological impact of the damaged signs. A wipe survey was performed and the survey indicated no high levels of contamination. The signs were packaged per the protocols of Isolite, a specific licensee authorized to receive Tritium exit signs for disposal and transferred to Isolite. Wal-Mart will send the Agency a report of the transfers." | General Information or Other | Event Number: 44617 | Rep Org: ARIZONA RADIATION REGULATORY AGENCY Licensee: WAL-MART Region: 4 City: GOODYEAR State: AZ County: License #: Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: AUBREY GODWIN HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE | Notification Date: 10/31/2008 Notification Time: 12:41 [ET] Event Date: 10/13/2008 Event Time: [MST] Last Update Date: 10/31/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE | Person (Organization): BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4) CHRISTIAN EINBERG (FSME) ILTAB (Email) () | This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - 3 MISSING EXIT SIGNS "The General Licensee (Wal-Mart, Inc.) notified the Agency [state] on October 13, that three of their facilities were missing one exit sign each. Sign SN# 339982 manufactured by SRB contained 20 Curies of tritium when manufactured and was located at the Goodyear facility, (08-012). Sign SN# 277684 by SRB contained 20 curies of tritium when manufactured and was located at the Nogales facility, (08-013). Also the inventory date for these two signs was not provided. The sign at the Tucson facility did not have any information on the manufacturer, the amount of tritium or the date when last inventoried, (08-014). The general licensee does not have any information regarding as to when these signs went missing. The general licensee does not believe they were damaged in their facilities. The Agency continues to look for the source." 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 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 44620 | Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM Licensee: T. C. INSPECTION Region: 4 City: RODEO State: CA County: License #: 5299-07 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: KENT PRENDERGAST HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 10/31/2008 Notification Time: 17:31 [ET] Event Date: 10/02/2008 Event Time: [PDT] Last Update Date: 10/31/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE | Person (Organization): BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4) CHRISTIAN EINBERG (FSME) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING A STUCK RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE The following information was received from the State of California via email: "On 10/30/08 the Vallero Refinery, Benicia, CA, informed the RHB of an incident that happened on 10/02/08 during radiography operations performed by T.C. Inspections at their refinery. On the night shift of October 2, 2008, a radiographer, two assistants, and a technician were performing radiography on Tank # 1795. After cranking the source out, the magnetic stand holding the collimator fell and was suspended by a rope from the top. This left the camera, crank, and collimator dangling from the tank. The collimator was about 40 feet up, the crank was hanging down and accessible from the lowered man-lift, so the radiographer tried to crank the source in, but realized that the source was stuck due to a kink in the guide tube. The radiographer approached the collimator using a man-lift and was able to straighten the guide tube and crank the source into the shielded position. The radiographer was very close to the source for approximately 1 minute. It has taken about 5 minutes from the ground to get the source back into the shielded position. The radiographer's pocket dosimeter was off scale. His dosimeter was processed and the whole body dose indicated 843 Mr." California 5010 Number (Date Notified): 103008 | Power Reactor | Event Number: 44627 | Facility: SEQUOYAH Region: 2 State: TN Unit: [ ] [2] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: JULIOUS WHITWORTH HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA | Notification Date: 11/04/2008 Notification Time: 02:58 [ET] Event Date: 11/03/2008 Event Time: 23:22 [EST] Last Update Date: 11/05/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL | Person (Organization): DEBORAH SEYMOUR (R2) | Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | 2 | M/R | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Standby | Event Text MANUAL REACTOR TRIP DUE TO FEEDWATER REG VALVE FAILURE "On 11/3/08 at 2322, Unit 2 was manually tripped due to the failure of Loop 4 Feed Water Reg. Valve (FRV Controller). Manual control was attempted to control level in Loop 4 Steam Generator (S/G); however, Loop 4 FRV failed to respond. A manual Reactor Trip was initiated as a result of this failure. In addition, Auxiliary Feedwater (AFW) initiated as required due to a Feedwater isolation signal "The Loop 4 FRV did isolate from the Feedwater isolation signal. "The Plant is being maintained in Mode 3 at NOT/NOP, 547 F and 2235 psig, with AFW supplying the S/G's and Steam Dumps removing decay heat. "Additionally, Unit 2 has an indication of a primary leak inside lower containment. The leak rate is calculated to be approximately 2.0 gallons per minute. Based on current indications, the leak is suspected to be from a Pressurizer level transmitter "No primary system or steam generator safety valves opened due to this trip. An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the Loop 4 Feed Water Reg. Valve (FRV Controller) failure and the source of the approximately 2.0 gallons per minute primary leak. A recovery plan will be developed." Pressurizer (PRZ) level is stable. All safety related systems are available and OPERABLE for safe plant shutdown. There is no impact on Unit 1. The loop 2 S/G blowdown sample line valve did not go closed as expected on the Feedwater isolation signal. The licensee is taking action to isolate it. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. * * * UPDATE FROM LARRY PRUETT TO JOE O'HARA AT 0001 ON 11/5/08 * * * "The Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Unit - 2 reactor coolant system unidentified leakage was terminated on Nov. 4, 2008 @ 2205 hours when a manual valve was closed isolating the reactor coolant system from the leak location." The licensee closed the root valve to the PZR pressure channel 2-VLV-68-446A. The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO(Desai) | Power Reactor | Event Number: 44629 | Facility: SALEM Region: 1 State: NJ Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: TOM BYYKKONEN HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 11/05/2008 Notification Time: 05:44 [ET] Event Date: 11/05/2008 Event Time: 00:57 [EST] Last Update Date: 11/05/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION | Person (Organization): JOHN CARUSO (R1) | Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | 1 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown | Event Text EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATOR START DUE TO UNEXPECTED ESF SIGNAL "This is an 8-hour notification to report a valid ESF signal to start the 1A Emergency Diesel Generator that occurred on 11/5/08 at 0057. Salem Unit 1 is in Mode 5, with core cooling being provided by 12 RHR pump. The Reactor Coolant System is being maintained at 173 F and 315 PSIG with a pressurizer level of 35 percent. The operating crew was performing a load shed surveillance test for a single component IAW test plan. The test plan used the Safeguards Equipment Cabinet (SEC) test pushbuttons to verify the equipment's response to a load shed signal. When the 1A SEC test pushbutton was actuated in addition to testing the single component it opened the in-feed breaker to the 1A 4KV vital bus and the bus was de-energized and loaded in blackout conditions. All equipment functioned as designed and core cooling was unaffected and remained in-service from 12 RHR pump powered from 1B 4KV bus. Investigation revealed the test plan did not take into account all components operated by the test pushbutton and the test pushbutton operated as designed. The 1A 4KV vital bus was restored to off-site power and the 1A EDG was restored to a standby condition. There were no personnel injured during the event. "The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified." LAC Township was notified by the licensee. | |