| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
03/18/2010 - 03/19/2010 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Fuel Cycle Facility | Event Number: 45642 | Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC.
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY
NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE
LEU SCRAP RECOVERY
Region: 2
City: ERWIN State: TN
County: UNICOI
License #: SNM-124
Agreement: Y
Docket: 07000143
NRC Notified By: RANDY SHACKELFORD
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK | Notification Date: 01/20/2010
Notification Time: 20:16 [ET]
Event Date: 01/20/2010
Event Time: 19:35 [EST]
Last Update Date: 03/18/2010 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
PART 70 APP A (a)(4) - ALL SAFETY ITEMS UNAVAILABLE
| Person (Organization):
MARVIN SYKES (R2DO)
BRIAN SMITH (NMSS)
WILLIAM GOTT (IRD)
FUELS OUO GROUP ()
| Event Text POTENTIALLY OVERPRESSURIZED UF6 CYLINDERS
"UF6 cylinders are in storage. The cylinders consist of 1s/2s, hoke tubes, and 5A cylinders. The UF6 is contained in the cylinders, which are in DOT shipping containers (20PF1 and 6M containers). Calculations were performed that indicated that the theoretical pressure in some of the cylinders exceeds the service pressure (200psi) and some exceed the hydrostatic test pressure (400psi). DOE literature indicates that the burst pressure for a 5A cylinder is [approximately] 8,000 psi. The age of the cylinders is 1950s [to] 1980s. The potential pressure in the cylinders is estimated to be by liberation of fluorine gas in the cylinders. Access to the areas has been restricted. The path forward consists of further analysis, evaluation, and understanding of the issue. The cylinders potentially contain fluorine gas.
"There were no actual safety consequences to workers, the public, or the environment. The potential consequences are minimal due to restricted access to the areas and the stable condition of the cylinders (i.e., cylinders, shipping containers, building containment).
"UF6 cylinders, shipping containers, building containment provide mitigation. Area sprinklers and smoke detection also provide mitigation. Area security cameras provide assistance for monitoring. Security fire patrols [have been] implemented. Other compensatory measures are being considered that include providing uncharged fire hoses to the areas."
Licensee has informed the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE FROM RANDY SHACKELFORD TO DONG PARK @ 2231 EST ON 01/20/10 * * *
"These are additional compensatory actions that have been and will be put in place:
"1. Verified operability of smoke detection
2. Verified operability of sprinkler system
3. Established fire patrol inspection. (minimum of 1 inspection per hour)
4. Restricted access
5. Hot work restriction in the restricted areas
6. Verified Fire Brigade members on each shift. (minimum of 5 members each shift)
7. Staging one (1) 150 pound dry chemical extinguisher
8. Staging a fire response vehicle
9. Briefing plant superintendent on status with a superintendent turnover each shift."
The licensee has informed the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified R2DO (Sykes), NMSS EO (Smith), and IRD (Gott).
* * * UPDATE ON 1/22/2010 AT 1609 FROM RIK DROKE TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
"With regard to the compensatory actions listed in the e-mail dated January 20, 2010, Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (NFS) is modifying its commitment to have at least five Fire Brigade members on each shift. Thus, compensatory action No. 6 is being replaced with the following compensatory action:
"NFS has developed a specific pre-fire response plan for the areas where the UF6 cylinders are stored. This plan has been reviewed with the Erwin City Fire Chief. NFS plans to provide one trained Fire Brigade member on each shift who will coordinate the Erwin Fire Department response to a fire incident involving a UF6 cylinder."
Notified R2DO (Sykes), NMSS EO (Smith), and IRD (Gott).
* * * UPDATE ON 3/18/10 AT 1559 EDT FROM JENNIFER WHEELER TO DONALD NORWOOD * * *
Following an extensive review by both NFS and independent experts, the analysis of the issue of UF6 cylinders in storage is now complete. The analysis concluded that the likelihood of a release from the cylinders is low, but even if a release were to occur, the consequences to workers, the public, and the environment would be low. Therefore, the additional compensatory actions that have been in place since January 20, 2010, are being discontinued.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified R2DO (Franke), NMSS EO (McCartin), IRD (McDermott), and Fuels OUO Group via E-mail. |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 45769 | Rep Org: NV DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: ROUND MOUNTAIN GOLD CORP
Region: 4
City: ROUND MOUNTAIN State: NV
County:
License #: 13-11-0097-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: SNEHA RAVIKUMAR
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 03/16/2010
Notification Time: 19:01 [ET]
Event Date: 03/15/2010
Event Time: 16:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 03/16/2010 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
WAYNE WALKER (R4DO)
JIM LUEHMAN (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - TWO PROCESS GAUGES WITH STUCK SHUTTERS
The following report information was received from the State of Nevada Dept of Health via e-mail:
"On March 15, 2010, at 1600 hrs, the [Nevada] Radiation Control Program was notified by phone of two stuck shutters on fixed gauges at the Round Mountain Gold Corporation Smoky Valley Common Operation Mill. [The gauges with the stuck open shutters] were identified during the 6 month inspection on March 10, 2010. Both sources are 15 feet overhead and functioning as normal.
"The licensee indicated that the RSO was briefed about the situation, and he documented, conducted safety briefings for all who work in the area, and posted signs to keep staff away from the vicinity of the stuck shutters.
"Manufacturer is scheduled to repair the stuck shutters.
"The Radiation Control Program will investigate this further and update this report. Violations will be cited as appropriate."
Ronan Engineering Model # SA1-C5; Serial #M4882; 1.0 Ci (37 GBq) Cs-137 Source # DE4220
Ronan Engineering Model # SA1-C10; Serial #JJ-593; 0.1 Ci (3.7 GBq) Cs-137 Source # DE4620
Nevada Event Report - NV100004 |
| Other Nuclear Material | Event Number: 45774 | Rep Org: TRIAD ENGINEERING
Licensee: CTL ENGINEERING, INC.
Region: 1
City: MORGANTOWN State: WV
County:
License #: 34-18533-02
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ROGER SIMAR
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 03/18/2010
Notification Time: 17:24 [ET]
Event Date: 03/18/2010
Event Time: 15:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/18/2010 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
| Person (Organization):
ART BURRITT (R1DO)
JIM LUEHMAN (FSME)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text FOUND TROXLER MOISTURE-DENSITY GAUGE
At about 1500 EDT, while traveling on US Rt. 19 South of Arnettsville, an employee of Triad Engineering [license number 45-18209-02] found a Troxler 3430 moisture-density gauge (S/N 24513) on the highway. The employee moved the gauge out of traffic and flagged down a state police officer. The police officer made some calls in an attempt to determine if anyone had reported the gauge lost. After negative results, the police officer left the gauge in the care of the Triad Engineering employee. The employee called his supervisor and was told to bring the gauge into the office where it could be adequately secured. After arriving at the office, calls were made to Troxler to determine to whom the gauge belonged. Troxler listed the gauge as belonging to CTL Engineering in Morgantown, West Virginia. Triad Engineering called CTL Engineering to tell them they had found their gauge. About 1710 EDT, an employee of CTL Engineering arrived at the Triad Engineering office and took possession of the gauge.
Contact the Headquarters Operations Officer for contact information of individuals involved.
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 45775 | Facility: HATCH
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: PAUL UNDERWOOD
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE | Notification Date: 03/18/2010
Notification Time: 20:21 [ET]
Event Date: 03/18/2010
Event Time: 18:16 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/18/2010 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
MARK FRANKE (R2DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Startup | 0 | Startup | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text LOSS OF TONE ALERT RADIOS
"At approximately 1816 EDT, loss of prompt notification system (tone alert radios) occurred. Security notified Jacksonville National Weather Service and Information Technology to investigate. Jacksonville National Weather Service determined a problem with their equipment and prompt notification system (tone alert radios) was returned to service at approximately 1845 eastern time. Security has notified state and local agencies of prompt notification system (tone alert radio) outage and return to service."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Licensee also notified State and local agencies. | |