Event Notification Report for July 27, 2004
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
07/26/2004 - 07/27/2004
General Information or Other
Event Number: 40944
Rep Org: WA DIVISION OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: WYATT ENGINEERING - USKH
Region: 4
City: SPOKANE State: WA
County:
License #: WN-I0409-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ARDEN SCROGGS
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Licensee: WYATT ENGINEERING - USKH
Region: 4
City: SPOKANE State: WA
County:
License #: WN-I0409-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ARDEN SCROGGS
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 08/12/2004
Notification Time: 18:13 [ET]
Event Date: 07/27/2004
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2004
Notification Time: 18:13 [ET]
Event Date: 07/27/2004
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/12/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
LINDA SMITH (R4)
DANIEL GILLEN (NMSS)
LINDA SMITH (R4)
DANIEL GILLEN (NMSS)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
Taken in part from email sent from Washington Department of Health
"The licensee reported that a Troxler moisture/density gauge, Model 3430, Serial Number 19736 was damaged while in use. The gauge was backed over by a water truck while the source rod was extended into the road surface. The gauge contained two sealed sources, (Cs-137, 0.296 GBq [8 milliCuries] and Am-241:Be 1.48 GBq [40 milliCuries]). The licensee stated the gauge had been placed on the surface with the source rod in a test hole. The licensee was looking for a new test location when the truck damaged the gauge.
"The licensee attempted to retract the Cs-137 source into its shielded position but could not. The operator placed the end of the probe back in the test hole and waited for help. A manufacturer's representative arrived at about 10:30 a.m. to assist the licensee. He surveyed the area and found that the highest reading was 50 mR/hr directly beside the gauge with the rod in the ground. A second attempt was made to retract the source rod into the shielded position. This resulted in moving all but the last ½ inch inside the shield. At this point the source rod with shield was placed in a five gallon bucket and filled with dirt and rock while the transport box was made ready.
"Both the Cs-137 and Am-241:Be sources appeared to be intact and undamaged. The representative attempted again to move the Cs-137 source into the shielded position. This attempt was successful. The Cs-137 source rod/shield assembly and Am-241:Be source were placed into the transport box and more dirt and rock were added. The box was then locked and chained inside the licensee's truck.
"Dose-rate measurements were taken and noted to be 10 mR/hr at 6 inches from the box. The driver's side of the cab measured about 2 mR/hr. The licensee was instructed to park the vehicle, not to leave it unattended and not to drive it until additional shielding could be located. The representative took possession and transported the gauge to a storage area where it was secured. A leak test was performed and found to be negative. The representative will ship the gauge for disposal."
Washington State event report #WA 04-044.
Taken in part from email sent from Washington Department of Health
"The licensee reported that a Troxler moisture/density gauge, Model 3430, Serial Number 19736 was damaged while in use. The gauge was backed over by a water truck while the source rod was extended into the road surface. The gauge contained two sealed sources, (Cs-137, 0.296 GBq [8 milliCuries] and Am-241:Be 1.48 GBq [40 milliCuries]). The licensee stated the gauge had been placed on the surface with the source rod in a test hole. The licensee was looking for a new test location when the truck damaged the gauge.
"The licensee attempted to retract the Cs-137 source into its shielded position but could not. The operator placed the end of the probe back in the test hole and waited for help. A manufacturer's representative arrived at about 10:30 a.m. to assist the licensee. He surveyed the area and found that the highest reading was 50 mR/hr directly beside the gauge with the rod in the ground. A second attempt was made to retract the source rod into the shielded position. This resulted in moving all but the last ½ inch inside the shield. At this point the source rod with shield was placed in a five gallon bucket and filled with dirt and rock while the transport box was made ready.
"Both the Cs-137 and Am-241:Be sources appeared to be intact and undamaged. The representative attempted again to move the Cs-137 source into the shielded position. This attempt was successful. The Cs-137 source rod/shield assembly and Am-241:Be source were placed into the transport box and more dirt and rock were added. The box was then locked and chained inside the licensee's truck.
"Dose-rate measurements were taken and noted to be 10 mR/hr at 6 inches from the box. The driver's side of the cab measured about 2 mR/hr. The licensee was instructed to park the vehicle, not to leave it unattended and not to drive it until additional shielding could be located. The representative took possession and transported the gauge to a storage area where it was secured. A leak test was performed and found to be negative. The representative will ship the gauge for disposal."
Washington State event report #WA 04-044.
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 40901
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC.
Region: 2 State: TN
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY
NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE
LEU SCRAP RECOVERY
NRC Notified By: ANDREW MAXIN
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Region: 2 State: TN
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY
NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE
LEU SCRAP RECOVERY
NRC Notified By: ANDREW MAXIN
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 07/28/2004
Notification Time: 08:58 [ET]
Event Date: 07/27/2004
Event Time: 10:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Notification Time: 08:58 [ET]
Event Date: 07/27/2004
Event Time: 10:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(4) - FIRE/EXPLOSION
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(4) - FIRE/EXPLOSION
Person (Organization):
STEPHEN CAHILL (R2)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
RICHARD WESSMAN (IRD)
STEPHEN CAHILL (R2)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
RICHARD WESSMAN (IRD)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.
This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
[DELETED] FIRE IN OFF-GAS SYSTEM
Ignition of off-gas process line during disassembly of processing equipment. A small flame occurred for a period of several minutes inside ventilated containment. The fire was extinguished by Operations personnel. Slight damage occurred to plexiglass surface and prefilter element. Filtration in ventilation system is intact and operational. Radiological hazard involved a quantity of highly enriched Uranium > 0.2 microCuries. There was no loss of containment and no injury to personnel. Health Physics, Fire Safety, and Nuclear Criticality safety personnel responded and performed evaluation to ensure safe shutdown of operation. Repairs are being made to the off-gas [DELETED] involved and recovery is underway. All surveys showed no evidence of occupational exposure, contamination, or environmental release. Investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the fire and the [DELETED] other off-gas process [DELETED] will be inspected for similar problems.
Licensee notified NRC Resident Inspector. Licensee does not intend to make any State, local or other Federal notifications or issue any press release at this time.
* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY J. KOZAL * * *
THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.
This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.
This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
[DELETED] FIRE IN OFF-GAS SYSTEM
Ignition of off-gas process line during disassembly of processing equipment. A small flame occurred for a period of several minutes inside ventilated containment. The fire was extinguished by Operations personnel. Slight damage occurred to plexiglass surface and prefilter element. Filtration in ventilation system is intact and operational. Radiological hazard involved a quantity of highly enriched Uranium > 0.2 microCuries. There was no loss of containment and no injury to personnel. Health Physics, Fire Safety, and Nuclear Criticality safety personnel responded and performed evaluation to ensure safe shutdown of operation. Repairs are being made to the off-gas [DELETED] involved and recovery is underway. All surveys showed no evidence of occupational exposure, contamination, or environmental release. Investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the fire and the [DELETED] other off-gas process [DELETED] will be inspected for similar problems.
Licensee notified NRC Resident Inspector. Licensee does not intend to make any State, local or other Federal notifications or issue any press release at this time.
* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY J. KOZAL * * *
THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.
This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.