| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
04/27/2011 - 04/28/2011 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Non-Agreement State | Event Number: 43789 | Rep Org: CRAIG TESTING LABORATORYS
Licensee: CRAIG TESTING LABORATORYS
Region: 1
City: MAYS LANDING State: NJ
County:
License #: 29-18018-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: IAN CRAIG
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA | Notification Date: 11/17/2007
Notification Time: 09:33 [ET]
Event Date: 11/16/2007
Event Time: 18:30 [EST]
Last Update Date: 04/27/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
| Person (Organization):
DANIEL HOLODY (R1)
LARRY CAMPER (FSME)
ILTAB EMAIL ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text LOST TROXLER GAUGE MODEL 3430; S/N 33784
On 11/16/07 at 1830, an employee of Craig Testing Laboratory was traveling from a McDonald's restaurant to a Wawa convenience store. When the employee reached the convenience store, he noticed the tailgate of his truck was down, and the Troxler moisture density gauge model 3430; serial number 33784 was missing. The employee notified the company RSO and the Hamilton Township Police Department (Case No. 07-63766). A search of the traveled route near the intersection of route 40 and route 50 was conducted without success. The employee stated that when he was at the restaurant the gauge was present in the back of the pickup truck but not properly secured under lock and key. However, when the employee reached the convenience store (which was about a mile away) the gauge and other items were missing. Those other items included a box of concrete cylinder molds and a concrete pressure meter. The licensee does not believe the items were stolen. The licensee believes the gauge and items fell out of the truck. The activity of the sources are: Am-241 (40 millicuries) and Cs-137 (8 millicuries). The licensee has searched e-Bay and Craig's List and is placing reward ads in the local area and ads in the local newspaper.
* * * UPDATE FROM IAN CRAIG TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 1416 EDT ON 4/27/11 * * *
This morning, the licensee recovered the gauge from a private citizen. The citizen stated that he received the gauge from an acquaintance. The gauge was intact and in pristine condition. Radiation surveys were normal and the source was secure and shielded. The licensee is awaiting leak test results before placing the gauge back in service.
The State of New Jersey will be notified by the licensee as it is now an Agreement State. The licensee's New Jersey license is RAD110001-507930.
Notified R1DO (Schmidt), FSME EO (McIntosh) 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 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 46778 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: BP PRODUCTS NORTH AMERICA
Region: 4
City: TEXAS CITY State: TX
County:
License #: L00254
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 04/22/2011
Notification Time: 15:29 [ET]
Event Date: 04/21/2011
Event Time: 15:30 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/22/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
DAVID PROULX (R4DO)
KEVIN O'SULLIVAN (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MALFUNCTIONING GAUGE INVOLVING A CESIUM-137 SOURCE
"On April 21, 2011, at approximately 1530 CDT, a malfunction occurred when a repaired gauge was being installed on a process vessel at the licensee's facility. The device has two 2-curie Cesium-137 sources, each attached to a separate chain, that are lowered into place in the insertion tube via hand crank. When the first source was being lowered into the tube, the mechanism seized and the source could not be raised or lowered. The device was removed from the vessel, the chain was cut, and the source was pulled up and placed into shielded container. The device and two sources were transported back to the service company for repair.
"Gauge information: Thermo Scientific (TFS) model 5220. Device SN: B-36. Source SNs: MB-3946 and MB-3956."
Texas Incident: I-8837 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 46779 | Rep Org: NV DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: LAMOTHE CARDIOLOGY
Region: 4
City: LAS VEGAS State: NV
County: CLARK
License #: 03-12-0435-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: SNEHA RAVIKUMAR
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO | Notification Date: 04/22/2011
Notification Time: 18:07 [ET]
Event Date: 03/25/2011
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 04/22/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MICHAEL HAY (R4DO)
KEVIN O'SULLIVAN (FSME)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MISPLACED SOURCE
The following information was received by e-mail from the State of Nevada:
"A vial with serial # S358015-011, containing 198 microcuries of Cs-137, belonging to the licensee, is unaccounted for. Cardinal Health removed all equipment from the licensee's office on the last day of patient care and stored it at Advanced Isotopes. The source was originally from Biotech (currently Cardinal Health). The licensee allegedly tried working with Cardinal Health to clear this up, but to no avail. The licensee plans to contact the RSO of Advanced Isotopes, who is currently out of town, and let the [Nevada] Radiation Control Program know if they have any additional information. The matter is being taken very seriously and is being investigated."
This incident is documented as Nevada Incident- NV110012 and was initially reported to the State of Nevada on 4/12/2011.
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
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 |
| !!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!! | | Research Reactor | Event Number: 46784 | Facility: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECH
RX Type: 5000 KW TANK RESEARCH HW
Comments:
Region: 1
City: CAMBRIDGE State: MA
County: MIDDLESEX
License #: R-37
Agreement: Y
Docket: 05000020
NRC Notified By: JOHN BERNARD
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 04/25/2011
Notification Time: 16:42 [ET]
Event Date: 04/24/2011
Event Time: 07:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/27/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
NON-POWER REACTOR EVENT
| Person (Organization):
WAYNE SCHMIDT (R1DO)
WILLIAM KENNEDY (NRR)
| Event Text VIOLATION OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 3.2.3, REACTOR PROTECTION SYSTEM
During a committee review, it was determined that during reactor operations on 4/24/11, the reactor was in operation when it became xenon precluded. Technical Specifications require two period monitoring channels in service during power operations. Because of xenon, one period monitor was indicating below scale and was considered inoperable. When the reactor operator identified the condition, he notified the reactor supervisor who ordered the operator to shutdown the reactor. The reactor operated in this condition for approximately 30 minutes.
The licensee notified their Project Manager who advised them to notify the NRC Operations Center.
* * * RETRACTION FROM JOHN BERNARD TO HOWIE CROUCH ON 4/27/11 AT 1653 EDT * * *
Upon further review, it was determined that since the reactor was subcritical at the time this event occurred, Technical Specification 3.2.3 was not applicable. Therefore, the licensee has retracted this event.
R1DO (Schmidt) and NRR (Adams) were notified. |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 46785 | Rep Org: UTAH DIVISION OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: MISTRAS GROUP, INC
Region: 4
City: OGDEN State: UT
County:
License #: UT 0600485
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: PHILLIP GRIFFIN
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 04/25/2011
Notification Time: 18:33 [ET]
Event Date: 04/20/2011
Event Time: 17:00 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 04/25/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MICHAEL HAY (R4DO)
KEVIN O'SULLIVAN (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - RADIOGRAPHY SOURCE DISCONNECTED FROM CAMERA
Radiography was being performed at a manufacturing shop and warehouse. The source became disconnected while in the guide tube. The radiographer unsuccessfully attempted to reconnect the source. The RSO was contacted and was able to reconnect the source and return it to the radiographic camera. The camera has been returned to service.
The radiographers pocket dosimeter read off scale high. His dosimeter was later read and indicated a dose of 950 mR. The RSO pocket dosimeter read 150 mR. The licensee estimated the extremity dose was 2 R for each individual. The state does not consider this an abnormal occurrence.
Camera: SPEC 150 serial number 0876
Source: 59 Ci Ir-192 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 46790 | Facility: SEQUOYAH
Region: 2 State: TN
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: TIM REED
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 04/27/2011
Notification Time: 13:06 [ET]
Event Date: 04/27/2011
Event Time: 10:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/27/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
DEBORAH SEYMOUR (R2DO)
|
| 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 | 92 | Power Operation | 92 | Power Operation | Event Text LOSS OF EMERGENCY SIRENS DUE TO LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER
"At approximately 1030 EDT on April 27, 2011, [Sequoyah Nuclear Plant] received notification from TVAs Operations Duty Specialist that >30% of offsite sirens are not functional resulting in a 'major loss' of offsite [automatic] public notification [capabilities]. The loss of offsite sirens is due to loss of electrical power caused by severe thunderstorms and high winds in the area. Thirty five sirens are not functioning (32 sirens are considered 30%). Efforts are in place to restore offsite sirens to service.
"At 1044 EDT on April 27, 2011, power was restored to 2 offsite sirens leaving 33 offsite sirens not functional.
"At 1050 EDT on April 27, 2011, TVA's Operations Duty Specialist made a notification to Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and Hamilton County Emergency Response."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 46793 | Facility: BROWNS FERRY
Region: 2 State: AL
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: BILL BAKER
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 04/27/2011
Notification Time: 18:23 [ET]
Event Date: 04/27/2011
Event Time: 17:01 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/27/2011 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
DEBORAH SEYMOUR (R2DO)
ERIC LEEDS (NRR)
VICTOR MCCREE (R2RA)
DEBORAH SEYMOUR (R2DO)
JEFFERY GRANT (IRD)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | A/R | Y | 75 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Shutdown | | 2 | A/R | Y | 75 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Shutdown | | 3 | A/R | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Shutdown | Event Text NOTIFICATION OF UNUSUAL EVENT DUE TO LOSS OF OFFSITE POWER
At 1701 CDT, the licensee declared a Notification of Unusual Event under Emergency Action Level 5.1U due to loss of offsite power for >15 minutes. The loss of offsite power occurred at 1635 CDT and was due to severe weather and winds in the vicinity. When offsite power was lost, all 3 units automatically scrammed. The units are currently stable in Mode 3 with their respective 4KV busses being supplied by the onsite Emergency Diesel Generators[EDG]. The 161KV Athens line is the only offsite power source energized. All onsite safe shutdown equipment is available with the exception of the Unit 3 B EDG which was out of service for planned maintenance.
* * * UPDATE FROM BILL BAKER TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 1942 EDT ON 4/27/11 * * *
The system actuations that occurred during the loss of offsite power were actuations of the Reactor Protection System, Primary Containment Isolation System (PCIS) and Emergency Diesel Generators. All primary containment valves actuated by the PCIS operated as expected. Unexpectedly, the Unit 3 "B" Main Steam Isolation Valve indicates intermediate.
Unit 1 High Pressure Coolant Injection actuated when reactor water level reached -45". Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) was already initiated at the time.
* * * UPDATE FROM BILL BAKER TO S. SANDIN AT 2153 EDT ON 4/27/11 * * *
Following the loss of offsite power only 12 of the required 100 offsite emergency sirens are operable.
The licensee will inform both state/local agencies and the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified R2IRC (Wert) of this update.
* * * UPDATE FROM BILL BAKER TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 2303 EDT ON 4/27/11 * * *
As a result of the loss of offsite power, the Diesel-driven Fire Pump auto-started. While the pump was running, the licensee discovered that approximately one quart of oil had leaked from the fire pump into the cold water channel which discharges into navigable waterways. The licensee confirmed this at 1950 CDT by visually identifying a sheen in the channel.
The licensee notified the National Response Center of the spill and, in accordance with their site discharge permit, notified the State of Alabama. This constitutes an 0ffsite Notification in accordance with 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi).
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified NRC R2IRC (Wert).
* * * UPDATE FROM BILL BUTLER TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 2338 EDT ON 4/27/11 * * *
At 2120 CDT, operators on Unit 1 were controlling reactor water level between 2 and 51 inches when RCIC became sluggish and water level dropped to +2" causing a valid RPS Scram signal as well as PCIS signals 2, 3, 6, and 8. All valves operated as expected and all isolations were completed.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified NRC R2IRC (Wert). |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 46795 | Facility: FORT CALHOUN
Region: 4 State: NE
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: (1) CE
NRC Notified By: ERICK MATZKE
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 04/27/2011
Notification Time: 20:13 [ET]
Event Date: 04/27/2011
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/28/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
DALE POWERS (R4DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling | Event Text EMERGENCY SIRENS INTERMITTENTLY INOPERABLE DUE TO UPGRADING
"Fort Calhoun Station is improving (upgrading) the emergency siren system. This evening during the upgrade the sirens will be inoperable for a short period between 1830 and 2400 today. Fort Calhoun will inform the HOO when the sirens are returned to operation following this evenings maintenance."
The licensee notified the states of Nebraska and Iowa and local authorities in both states of the siren outage.
* * * UPDATE FROM JOHN FICKLE TO DONG PARK AT 0210 EDT ON 4/28/11 * * *
The emergency siren system maintenance was complete and all sirens were restored to service at 0010 CDT on 4/28/11. The licensee notified the states and local authorities.
Notified R4DO (Powers). |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 46797 | Facility: SEQUOYAH
Region: 2 State: TN
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: JEFF EPPERSON
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN | Notification Date: 04/27/2011
Notification Time: 20:19 [ET]
Event Date: 04/27/2011
Event Time: 19:29 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/28/2011 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(A) - POT UNABLE TO SAFE SD
| Person (Organization):
LEN WERT (R2IR)
|
| 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 | 92 | Power Operation | 92 | Power Operation | Event Text BOTH OFFSITE POWER SOURCES DECLARED INOPERABLE DUE TO EFFECTS OF INCLEMENT WEATHER
"At 1929 EDT, both off-site A.C. power sources to Sequoyah were declared inoperable due to the effects of inclement weather on the TVA transmission system. This determination was made after a review of grid conditions confirmed that pre-analyzed grid/offsite power requirements could not be met. Both Sequoyah Units have entered TS LCO 3.8.1.1, action d, for two inoperable offsite power sources. It has not been determined when this condition will no longer exist.
"Although inoperable, off-site A.C. sources remain connected to Sequoyah; emergency diesel generators are not running nor required to be at this time."
T.S. LCO 3.8.1.1, action d, requires verifying EDG operability within 8 hours and restoration of both offsite power sources within 24 hours or placing both Units in mode 3.
The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE FROM JEFF EPPERSON TO PETE SNYDER AT 0203 EDT ON 4/28/11 * * *
As of 0119 EDT the licensee has two operable offsite power sources qualified through transmission and reliability analysis. The licensee exited their LCO Condition. The grid condition is now yellow.
Notified R2IRC (Gody). | |