Event Notification Report for March 23, 2003
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
03/22/2003 - 03/23/2003
EVENT NUMBERS
39691
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 39691
Facility: PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT
Region: 3 State: KY
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
NRC Notified By: SKAGGS
HQ OPS Officer: CHAUNCEY GOULD
Region: 3 State: KY
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY
Comments: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER
6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
BETHESDA, MD 20817 (301)564-3200
NRC Notified By: SKAGGS
HQ OPS Officer: CHAUNCEY GOULD
Notification Date: 03/24/2003
Notification Time: 09:53 [ET]
Event Date: 03/23/2003
Event Time: 10:44 [CST]
Last Update Date: 03/24/2003
Notification Time: 09:53 [ET]
Event Date: 03/23/2003
Event Time: 10:44 [CST]
Last Update Date: 03/24/2003
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
76.120(c)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
10 CFR Section:
76.120(c)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Person (Organization):
MICHAEL PARKER (R3)
DON COOL (NMSS)
MICHAEL PARKER (R3)
DON COOL (NMSS)
POWER SUPPLY FAILURE RESULTED IN THE UF6 RELEASE DETECTION SYSTEM BEING INOPERABLE
At 1044 CST, on 3-23-03 the Plant Shift Superintendent (PSS) was notified that the control power for C-337A Autoclaves 1 East and 1 West was interrupted due to a fuse smoking in the distribution panel. The power supply for the local autoclave area audible and visual alarms for the UF6 Release Detection System are fed from the #1 Autoclave control power. Due to the loss of control power to the #1 Autoclaves, the UF6 Release Detection System was rendered inoperable. At the time of this incident, the C-337A facility was in an operational mode in which the UF6 Release Detection System was required to be operable. The system was declared inoperable and Limiting Conditions for Operation (LCO) required actions were put in place until power could be restored. Power was restored and the UF6 Release Detection System was declared operable at 1206 on 3-23-03.
The event is reportable as a 24 hour event, as required by 10 CFR 76.120(c)(2)(1): "An event in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when the equipment is required by TSR to prevent releases, prevent exposures to radiation and radioactive materials exceeding specified limits, mitigate the consequences of an accident, or restore this facility to a preestablished safe condition after an accident." The equipment was required by TSR to be available and operable and no redundant equipment was available to perform the required safety function.
The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified of this event.
At 1044 CST, on 3-23-03 the Plant Shift Superintendent (PSS) was notified that the control power for C-337A Autoclaves 1 East and 1 West was interrupted due to a fuse smoking in the distribution panel. The power supply for the local autoclave area audible and visual alarms for the UF6 Release Detection System are fed from the #1 Autoclave control power. Due to the loss of control power to the #1 Autoclaves, the UF6 Release Detection System was rendered inoperable. At the time of this incident, the C-337A facility was in an operational mode in which the UF6 Release Detection System was required to be operable. The system was declared inoperable and Limiting Conditions for Operation (LCO) required actions were put in place until power could be restored. Power was restored and the UF6 Release Detection System was declared operable at 1206 on 3-23-03.
The event is reportable as a 24 hour event, as required by 10 CFR 76.120(c)(2)(1): "An event in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when the equipment is required by TSR to prevent releases, prevent exposures to radiation and radioactive materials exceeding specified limits, mitigate the consequences of an accident, or restore this facility to a preestablished safe condition after an accident." The equipment was required by TSR to be available and operable and no redundant equipment was available to perform the required safety function.
The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified of this event.