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Event Notification Report for December 17, 2015

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
12/16/2015 - 12/17/2015

** EVENT NUMBERS **

Non-Agreement State	Event Number: 51594
Rep Org: NASA GODDARD Licensee: NASA GODDARD Region: 1 City: GREENBELT State: MD County: License #: 19-05748-03 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: DAN SIMPSON HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK	Notification Date: 12/09/2015 Notification Time: 09:05 [ET] Event Date: 12/08/2015 Event Time: 12:00 [EST] Last Update Date: 12/09/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE	Person (Organization): GLENN DENTEL (R1DO) NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICA (EMAI)

Event Text

IRRADIATOR EQUIPMENT FAILURE

"At approximately noon on December 8, 2015, the source located inside the right side of the J. L. Shepherd Model 81-24Q Beam Irradiator didn't move upward from its normal down shielded position to the normal operational position when the operator pressed the button on the operation console. A second attempt was made to have the source be raised to its normal operational position, but the source remained at its normal down shielded position. An emergency shutter built into the system was deployed just as a precaution. Facility Manager notified the Radiation Safety Officer in the Radiation Protection Office (RPO).

"Upon entering the room, it was noted that the source position indicator found on the operating tower mounted on the top of the irradiator showed that the source was located at its normal down shielded position in the irradiator. RPO staff conducted a radiation survey surrounding the irradiator and found that all readings were similar to levels noted in previous surveys conducted when the sources in the irradiator were in their shielding position and the highest reading was noted as 1 mR/hr on contact with the irradiator.

"Contact was made to J. L. Shepherd and arrangements are being made to have a representative come onsite to conduct an evaluation of the system. Arrangements are being made to have that evaluation be conducted during the week of December 14th and the Radiation Safety Officer has given direction for the irritator to not be used until this evaluation by the manufacture can be conducted."

No personnel exposures were reported.

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