Event Notification Report for May 20, 2002

DISCOVERY OF A LEAKING RADIUM STATIC ELIMINATOR AT A SCRAP METAL RECYCLING FACILITY LOCATED IN DENVER, COLORADO

On the morning of 05/20/02, a leaking radium static eliminator was discovered at a scrap metal recycling facility (Metal Management, Inc.) located in Denver, Colorado, when the facility's portal monitors alarmed. The static eliminator was on what appeared to be labeling equipment, and it does not appear to be licensed due to its age (vintage 1930s or 1940s).

State representatives responded on the afternoon of 05/20/02, and smears were taken on the horizontal surfaces of the areas adjacent to the static eliminator. The results of these smears are expected to be received by close of business today.

An attempt will be made to identify the original owner. However, the state is in the process of issuing the scrap metal facility a provisional license which would allow the facility to make arrangements with a broker if the original owner of the static eliminator cannot be found.

The state plans to contact the Environmental Protection Agency (Region VIII).

(Call the NRC operations officer for a state contact telephone number and for the address of the metal recycling facility.)

PLANNED MAINTENANCE RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE FACILITY FOR THE DURATION OF THE EVOLUTION

The following text is a portion of a facsimile received from the licensee:

"During performance of planned maintenance, the Emergency Operation Facility (EOF) will be de-energized. These maintenance activities, including electrical isolation and restoration, are expected to last approximately 16 hours. Contingency plans for emergency situations have been established."

"This event is reportable per 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii) since this constitutes a loss of an emergency response facility for the duration of the evolution."

"The NRC Resident was previously notified that this activity was scheduled to occur and will be informed of this ENS notification."

DAMAGED MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE AT CONSTRUCTION SITE IN WISCONSIN

The licensee reported that a moisture density guage was damaged when a construction vehicle accidentally ran over the guage. The gauge was manufactured CPN and was model number MC1DR. The guage contained 10 millicuries of CS-137 and 50 millicuries of AM-241-BE. The company radiation safety officer responded to the site and established a 75 foot exclusion area. Surveys revealed no release of radioactive materials. The guage was in the safe position with the ram in the lead shield.

DAMAGED MOISTURE DENSITY GUAGE AT CONSTRUCTION SITE

A construction vehicle ran over a CPN moisture density guage, model number MC3. The radiation safety officer responded to the site. Radiological surveys were performed and the damaged guage was collected in an appropriate container. The guage was then returned to the licensee storage facility where it will be shipped out for repair. The guage was closed and locked at the time of the event. No personnel contaminations were reported. The guage contained less than 50 millicuries of AM-241 and less than 10 millicuries of CS-137.

FIRE PROTECTION CARBON DIOXIDE IN SAFETY RELATED AREAS

REPORTED UNDER FIRE PROTECTION LICENSE CONDITION 2.C.X



Tracer gas testing was being performed for the following fire areas at Salem Unit 1 and Unit 2:

(1) Unit 1 EL. 78 Lower Electrical Penetration Area
(2) Unit 1 EL. 64 4160V Switchgear Room
(3) Unit 2 EL. 78 Lower Electrical Penetration Area


The tracer gas test, along with a door fan test were being performed to determine actual field conditions for inclusion in a re-analysis of the carbon dioxide fire suppression system for these areas. At 1730 hours on 05/20/02, preliminary results were obtained for tests 1 and 2 above that indicated a significant amount of leakage through the ventilation control dampers in these areas that would prevent the carbon dioxide system from achieving the required concentration of 50% and a hold time of 20 minutes as required by NFPA-12. The results for Test 3 have not been completed but identify a similar condition for the Unit 2 Lower Electrical Penetration Area.

The problem with leakage from these fires areas appears to be from a high differential pressure across the ventilation dampers that close on a carbon dioxide discharge, however, the ventilation fans continue to operate. Based on this information, the Unit 2 4160 VAC Switchgear Room, the Unit 1 460 VAC Switchgear Room and the Unit 2 460 VAC Switchgear Room have a similar configuration on carbon dioxide actuation and will most likely not meet the 50% concentration requirement. As a result, the carbon dioxide system for all six areas above were impaired and continuous fire watches were established.

Although air leakage from the ventilation supply and exhaust dampers affects the ability to achieve or maintain the carbon dioxide design concentration in accordance with NFPA-12, the carbon dioxide discharge into the room still provides a fire suppression function. Automatic early warning (ionization) fire detection will alert the dedicated onsite fire brigade, who will respond and extinguish any fire using manual fire suppression methods. The fire brigade can manually activate an additional carbon dioxide system discharge. Based on the above, there is reasonable assurance that the plant can achieve and maintain safe shutdown.

Failure to meet the carbon dioxide concentration in all six of these areas is a violation of the Fire Protection Program License Condition 2.C.5 (Unit 1) and 2.C.10 (Unit 2). Failure to meet Unit 2 License condition 2.C.10 requires a 24-hour report accordance with Unit 2 License Condition 2I and a follow-up 14 day special report.

The NRC Resident inspector will be notified of this event by the licensee.