Event Notification Report for October 31, 2014

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
10/30/2014 - 10/31/2014

** EVENT NUMBERS **


50557 50579 50580 50581 50582

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Agreement State Event Number: 50557
Rep Org: VIRGINIA RAD MATERIALS PROGRAM
Licensee: HONEYWELL RESINS AND CHEMICALS LLC
Region: 1
City: CHESTER State: VA
County: CHESTERFIELD
License #: 041-344-2
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ASFAW FENTA
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS
Notification Date: 10/22/2014
Notification Time: 10:07 [ET]
Event Date: 10/21/2014
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/22/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
DAN SCHROEDER (R1DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FIXED GAUGE SHUTTER STUCK OPEN

The following was received via email:

"On October 21, 2014, the Office of Virginia Radiological Health Program (RHP) received a report from the licensee that one of the radioactive source holders, Ronan Model SA1-E37, Serial# M-1818, containing 750 millicuries (414.6 millicuries, decay corrected) of Cs-137, was not 'functioning per the design.' The problem was discovered on October 21, 2014 while the licensee was conducting periodic shutter checks. The shutter is kept in the open position during operations and does not pose an additional radiation exposure [risk] to personnel. The licensee performs radiation survey around the source and is in compliance. The licensee has contacted the Ronan Engineering to repair the gauge. The agency will continue to monitor the situation until the shutter is repaired."

VA Report # VA-2014-19

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Power Reactor Event Number: 50579
Facility: FITZPATRICK
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: THOMAS YURKON
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 10/30/2014
Notification Time: 13:05 [ET]
Event Date: 10/28/2014
Event Time: 17:08 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/30/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) - POT UNCNTRL RAD REL
Person (Organization):
BRICE BICKETT (R1DO)

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

Event Text

REACTOR BUILDING VACUUM BELOW TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION LIMIT

"On the evening of October 28, 2014 at 1708 EDT, with James A. FitzPatrick (JAF) Nuclear Power Plant operating at 100 percent power, the Reactor Building differential pressure decreased below the JAF Technical Specification (TS) Surveillance Requirement (SR) value of at least 0.25 inches water vacuum for a period of thirty-four (34) seconds. This occurred during restoration of the Reactor Building Ventilation System (RBVS) following planned maintenance. The Reactor Building differential pressure was 0.50 inches water vacuum with the 'A' RBVS fans in-service in conjunction with the Standby Gas Treatment System (SGTS). The Reactor Building differential pressure decreased to 0.19 inches water vacuum when the SGTS was secured. The Reactor Building Vent was subsequently isolated, and the alternate 'B' RBVS fans were placed in-service; the differential pressure increased to within the required 0.25 inches water vacuum value.

"The JAF TS bases associated with Secondary Containment state that, 'for Secondary Containment to be considered OPERABLE, it must have adequate leak tightness to ensure that the required vacuum can be established and maintained.' Troubleshooting activities indicated that the transient was due to a non-safety related, non-TS damper downstream of one of the 'A' RBVS fans that did not fully stroke open. The subject damper is not part of Secondary Containment, and has no safety related function. This condition did not impact the leak tightness of Secondary Containment or the ability of the associated equipment to establish and maintain the required differential pressure. Secondary Containment would have fulfilled its safety function.

"However, because the JAF TS SR value of 0.25 inches water vacuum was not met, Secondary Containment was considered Technical Specification INOPERABLE for a period of thirty-four (34) seconds. The Secondary Containment is considered a single-train system; therefore, this condition is reportable pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) as an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 50580
Facility: WATTS BAR
Region: 2 State: TN
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: MATTHEW ROBERTSON
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 10/30/2014
Notification Time: 14:07 [ET]
Event Date: 10/30/2014
Event Time: 11:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/30/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
MARVIN SYKES (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 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION AND PRESS RELEASE REGARDING BOONE DAM STABILITY ISSUES

"On October 30, 2014, at 1100 EDT, TVA conducted a briefing for government officials and other stakeholders regarding the decision to accelerate the Boone Reservoir annual drawdown after discovery of a sink hole near the base of the embankment and a small amount of water and sediment found seeping from the river below the dam. TVA is continuously monitoring the dam and conducting an investigation to determine the source of the water seepage.

"The dam is located upstream of all three TVA nuclear sites. There are currently no nuclear plant operability or safety issues, and TVA is assessing the impacts on the plant licensing bases.

"A press release was issued at approximately 1300 EDT.

"This notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) due to notification of other government agencies and a news release.

"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector was notified."

The licensee is evaluating this event for potential impact on the design basis flooding level.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 50581
Facility: SEQUOYAH
Region: 2 State: TN
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: TERRY DUNNY
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH
Notification Date: 10/30/2014
Notification Time: 12:48 [ET]
Event Date: 10/30/2014
Event Time: 12:20 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 10/30/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
MARVIN SYKES (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 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION REGARDING BOONE DAM STABILITY ISSUES

"On October 30, 2014, at 1100 EDT, TVA conducted a briefing for government officials and other stakeholders regarding the decision to accelerate the Boone Reservoir annual drawdown after discovery of a sink hole near the base of the embankment and a small amount of water and sediment found seeping from the river below the dam. TVA is continuously monitoring the dam and conducting an investigation to determine the source of the water seepage.

"The dam is located upstream of all three TVA nuclear sites. There are currently no nuclear plant operability or safety issues, and TVA is assessing the impacts on the plant licensing bases"

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

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Power Reactor Event Number: 50582
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: TODD CHRISTENSEN
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 10/30/2014
Notification Time: 14:35 [ET]
Event Date: 10/30/2014
Event Time: 11:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/30/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
MARVIN SYKES (R2DO)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 17 Power Operation 17 Power Operation
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation
3 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION AND PRESS RELEASE REGARDING BOONE DAM STABILITY ISSUES

"On October 30, 2014, at 1100 EDT, TVA conducted a briefing for government officials and other stakeholders regarding the decision to accelerate the Boone Reservoir annual drawdown after discovery of a sink hole near the base of the embankment and a small amount of water and sediment found seeping from the river below the dam. TVA is continuously monitoring the dam and conducting an investigation to determine the source of the water seepage.

"The dam is located upstream of all three TVA nuclear sites. There are currently no nuclear plant operability or safety issues, and TVA is assessing the impacts on the plant licensing bases.

"A press release was issued at approximately 1300 EDT.

"This notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) due to notification other government agencies and a news release.

"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector was notified."

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021