Event Notification Report for August 27, 2005
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
08/26/2005 - 08/27/2005
Other Nuclear Material
Event Number: 41952
Rep Org: EPSILON PRODUCTS
Licensee: EPSILON PRODUCTS
Region: 1
City: MARCUS HOOK State: PA
County:
License #: 37-28586-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: WAYNE APPLEGATE
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Licensee: EPSILON PRODUCTS
Region: 1
City: MARCUS HOOK State: PA
County:
License #: 37-28586-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: WAYNE APPLEGATE
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 08/27/2005
Notification Time: 02:59 [ET]
Event Date: 08/27/2005
Event Time: 00:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/28/2005
Notification Time: 02:59 [ET]
Event Date: 08/27/2005
Event Time: 00:30 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/28/2005
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Person (Organization):
WILLIAM COOK (R1)
E. WILLIAM BRACH (NMSS)
WILLIAM COOK (R1)
E. WILLIAM BRACH (NMSS)
FIXED GAUGE (OHMART) FAILED TO PROPERLY RETRACT SOURCE
The licensee's RSO reported that a Ohmart fixed gauge (s/n HLM-CR-3) containing a 1200 millicurie Cs-137 source (Capsule # M4695) malfunctioned by failing to fully retract the source. The RSO believes the shutter may have sheared the cable and left the source outside the shielded (fully closed) position. A protective barrier for a less than 2 milliRem/hr area was set up to protect personnel, and work in this area was discontinued. The RSO did not know whether any personnel received an exposure due to this incident, however, the licensee's APS manager was going to the site to determine this. A representative of the Ohmart company is also going to the site to repair the faulty equipment.
* * * UPDATE 08/27/05 AT 1925 FROM W. APPLEGATE TO P. SNYDER * * *
The Ohmart Vega manufacturers representative is onsite to assess the circumstances and is expected to take action tomorrow to correct the problem. Epsilon Products is continuing their "around the clock" investigation of this issue.
Notified R1DO (Cook) and NMSS EO (Brach).
* * * UPDATE 08/28/05 AT 1320 FROM W. APPLEGATE TO P. SNYDER * * *
The source has been retracted back into the holder and secured. The manufacturers representative will stay on-site while the source is packaged and readied for shipment to Ohmart for further evaluation. The temporary barriers have been removed and the area has been returned to normal background radiation levels.
Notified R1DO (Cook) and NMSS EO (Brach).
The licensee's RSO reported that a Ohmart fixed gauge (s/n HLM-CR-3) containing a 1200 millicurie Cs-137 source (Capsule # M4695) malfunctioned by failing to fully retract the source. The RSO believes the shutter may have sheared the cable and left the source outside the shielded (fully closed) position. A protective barrier for a less than 2 milliRem/hr area was set up to protect personnel, and work in this area was discontinued. The RSO did not know whether any personnel received an exposure due to this incident, however, the licensee's APS manager was going to the site to determine this. A representative of the Ohmart company is also going to the site to repair the faulty equipment.
* * * UPDATE 08/27/05 AT 1925 FROM W. APPLEGATE TO P. SNYDER * * *
The Ohmart Vega manufacturers representative is onsite to assess the circumstances and is expected to take action tomorrow to correct the problem. Epsilon Products is continuing their "around the clock" investigation of this issue.
Notified R1DO (Cook) and NMSS EO (Brach).
* * * UPDATE 08/28/05 AT 1320 FROM W. APPLEGATE TO P. SNYDER * * *
The source has been retracted back into the holder and secured. The manufacturers representative will stay on-site while the source is packaged and readied for shipment to Ohmart for further evaluation. The temporary barriers have been removed and the area has been returned to normal background radiation levels.
Notified R1DO (Cook) and NMSS EO (Brach).
Other Nuclear Material
Event Number: 41953
Rep Org: MATERIAL TESTING, INC
Licensee: MATERIAL TESTING, INC
Region: 1
City: NEWARK State: NJ
County:
License #: 29-30465-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: FRANK PENNISI
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Licensee: MATERIAL TESTING, INC
Region: 1
City: NEWARK State: NJ
County:
License #: 29-30465-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: FRANK PENNISI
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 08/27/2005
Notification Time: 10:16 [ET]
Event Date: 08/27/2005
Event Time: 08:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/27/2005
Notification Time: 10:16 [ET]
Event Date: 08/27/2005
Event Time: 08:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/27/2005
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
Person (Organization):
WILLIAM COOK (R1)
E. WILLIAM BRACH (NMSS)
TAS (EMAIL)
WILLIAM COOK (R1)
E. WILLIAM BRACH (NMSS)
TAS (EMAIL)
TROXLER MOSITURE/DENSITY GAUGE STOLEN
A corporate executive of the licensee stated that about 0800 EDT one of their employees notified him that a Troxler gauge (Model 3411B, s/n 7989) was stolen from the back of his pickup truck. The Troxler gauge, which was correctly chained and boxed in the employee's truck per company regulations, had the chain cut and box removed. The gauge contained 50 milliCuries of Am-241/Be and 10 milliCuries of Cs-137. The LLEA (Newark Police) was notified, however, the report number was not known. The licensee is not offering a reward at this time, and does not expect to make a press release.
Less than the quantity of an IAEA Category 3 source.
Sources that are 'Less than IAEA Category 3 sources,' are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury.
For some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are IAEA Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks.
A corporate executive of the licensee stated that about 0800 EDT one of their employees notified him that a Troxler gauge (Model 3411B, s/n 7989) was stolen from the back of his pickup truck. The Troxler gauge, which was correctly chained and boxed in the employee's truck per company regulations, had the chain cut and box removed. The gauge contained 50 milliCuries of Am-241/Be and 10 milliCuries of Cs-137. The LLEA (Newark Police) was notified, however, the report number was not known. The licensee is not offering a reward at this time, and does not expect to make a press release.
Less than the quantity of an IAEA Category 3 source.
Sources that are 'Less than IAEA Category 3 sources,' are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury.
For some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are IAEA Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 41954
Facility: WATERFORD
Region: 4 State: LA
Unit: [3] [] []
RX Type: [3] CE
NRC Notified By: KENNY CAMBREY
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Region: 4 State: LA
Unit: [3] [] []
RX Type: [3] CE
NRC Notified By: KENNY CAMBREY
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 08/27/2005
Notification Time: 23:22 [ET]
Event Date: 08/27/2005
Event Time: 22:04 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/08/2005
Notification Time: 23:22 [ET]
Event Date: 08/27/2005
Event Time: 22:04 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/08/2005
Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
Person (Organization):
WILLIAM JONES (R4)
PAO-TSIN KUO (NRR)
MEL LEACH (IRD)
AKERS (DHS)
CASTO (FEMA)
WILLIAM JONES (R4)
PAO-TSIN KUO (NRR)
MEL LEACH (IRD)
AKERS (DHS)
CASTO (FEMA)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO HURRICANE WARNING
At 2204 CDT, an Unusual Event was declared due to a Hurricane warning in St Charles Parish, LA. The licensee does not have any Limiting Conditions for Operation on safety related equipment. No electrical grid disturbances currently exist.
The licensee will be notifying the NRC Resident Inspector. The licensee notified the State and Local government agencies.
* * * UPDATE FROM J. PIERCE TO M. RIPLEY 1144 EDT 08/28/05 * * *
"Waterford 3 will commence a plant shutdown to Mode 4 on August 28, 2005 at 1100 CDT. The goal is to be approximately 325 deg F reactor coolant system temperature with both trains of Shutdown Cooling in service [expected at approximately 0100 CDT 08/29/05] . This is approximately 2 hours before hurricane force winds are expected on site."
Notified R4DO (Jones), NRR EO (Kuo), IRD Mgr. (Wilson), DHS (York), and FEMA (Canupp).
* * * UPDATE FROM J. PIERCE TO J. ROTTON 1131 EDT 08/29/05 * * *
As a result of Hurricane Katrina, all offsite power was lost at 0800 CDT. The emergency diesel generators successfully started and loaded.
Notified R4DO (R. Bywater), NSIR (Leach, Wilson), NRR EO (Kuo, Jung), FEMA (Kuzia), DHS (Stransky).
* * * UPDATE FROM LICENSEE (LEWIS) TO NRC (HUFFMAN) AT 2302 EDT ON 8/29/05 * * *
The Hurricane warning for St Charles Parish, LA, has been discontinued by the National Weather Service. Initiating condition, D UE-5, is no longer applicable. Waterford 3 remains in an Unusual Event for initiating condition C UE-1, loss of all offsite power. An agreement to relax 60 minute notification updates to State and local authorities remains in effect.
The licensee has notified State and local authorities as well as the NRC Resident Inspector.
Offsite power is available to the licensee switchyard. However, the voltage is too high for plant specification and the licensee remains disconnected from offsite power and on the emergency diesel generators.
* * * UPDATE FROM LICENSEE (LEWIS) TO NRC (KNOKE) AT 0001 EDT ON 8/31/05 * * *
Waterford 3 remains in an Unusual Event for initiating condition C UE-1, loss of all offsite power. An agreement to relax 60 minute notification updates to State and local authorities remains in effect. The communications system for Public Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX) is working internally, but not externally. Other areas where communications are lost are Emergency Operations Facility (EOF), Operations hotline, Reactor Auxiliary Building (RAB), and the Emergency Notification System (ENS). Waterford has use of an industrial hotline to a circuit in the Parish of St Charles, however, this is very limited in its capability. The Civil Defense communication system is still inoperable.
* * * UPDATE AT 1903 ON 9/6/05 FROM WAIG TO GOULD * * *
NRC exited monitoring mode at 1800 CDT on 9/6/05.
Notified R4 IRC (Waig), R4DO (Powers), IRD (Leach), DHS (Cartlidge), FEMA (Kuzia).
* * * UPDATE FROM LICENSEE (LEWIS) TO NRC (KNOKE) AT 19:12 EDT ON 09/07/05 * * *
At 17:57 CDT the licensee exited from the Unusual Event. Offsite power was restored and communications were reestablished with (1) a functional operational hotline, (2) a dedicated open line to NRC Headquarters Operations Center, and (3) having the plant PABX circuits routed through Little Rock, AK area code. The plant is holding in Mode 5 until further notice, however, this may change when the decision to (or not to) repair a check valve in the Safety Injection system is made.
Notified R4DO (Powers), IRD (McGinty), NRR EO (Hackett), DHS (Sullivan), and FEMA (Kuzia).
* * * UPDATE FROM LICENSEE AT 08:45 EDT ON 09/08/05 * * *
This report has been updated to reflect the correct time of the licensee exiting their unusual event classification. Unusual event was exited at 1740 CDT not 1757 CDT.
Notified R4DO (Powers), IRD (McGinty), NRR EO (Jung).
At 2204 CDT, an Unusual Event was declared due to a Hurricane warning in St Charles Parish, LA. The licensee does not have any Limiting Conditions for Operation on safety related equipment. No electrical grid disturbances currently exist.
The licensee will be notifying the NRC Resident Inspector. The licensee notified the State and Local government agencies.
* * * UPDATE FROM J. PIERCE TO M. RIPLEY 1144 EDT 08/28/05 * * *
"Waterford 3 will commence a plant shutdown to Mode 4 on August 28, 2005 at 1100 CDT. The goal is to be approximately 325 deg F reactor coolant system temperature with both trains of Shutdown Cooling in service [expected at approximately 0100 CDT 08/29/05] . This is approximately 2 hours before hurricane force winds are expected on site."
Notified R4DO (Jones), NRR EO (Kuo), IRD Mgr. (Wilson), DHS (York), and FEMA (Canupp).
* * * UPDATE FROM J. PIERCE TO J. ROTTON 1131 EDT 08/29/05 * * *
As a result of Hurricane Katrina, all offsite power was lost at 0800 CDT. The emergency diesel generators successfully started and loaded.
Notified R4DO (R. Bywater), NSIR (Leach, Wilson), NRR EO (Kuo, Jung), FEMA (Kuzia), DHS (Stransky).
* * * UPDATE FROM LICENSEE (LEWIS) TO NRC (HUFFMAN) AT 2302 EDT ON 8/29/05 * * *
The Hurricane warning for St Charles Parish, LA, has been discontinued by the National Weather Service. Initiating condition, D UE-5, is no longer applicable. Waterford 3 remains in an Unusual Event for initiating condition C UE-1, loss of all offsite power. An agreement to relax 60 minute notification updates to State and local authorities remains in effect.
The licensee has notified State and local authorities as well as the NRC Resident Inspector.
Offsite power is available to the licensee switchyard. However, the voltage is too high for plant specification and the licensee remains disconnected from offsite power and on the emergency diesel generators.
* * * UPDATE FROM LICENSEE (LEWIS) TO NRC (KNOKE) AT 0001 EDT ON 8/31/05 * * *
Waterford 3 remains in an Unusual Event for initiating condition C UE-1, loss of all offsite power. An agreement to relax 60 minute notification updates to State and local authorities remains in effect. The communications system for Public Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX) is working internally, but not externally. Other areas where communications are lost are Emergency Operations Facility (EOF), Operations hotline, Reactor Auxiliary Building (RAB), and the Emergency Notification System (ENS). Waterford has use of an industrial hotline to a circuit in the Parish of St Charles, however, this is very limited in its capability. The Civil Defense communication system is still inoperable.
* * * UPDATE AT 1903 ON 9/6/05 FROM WAIG TO GOULD * * *
NRC exited monitoring mode at 1800 CDT on 9/6/05.
Notified R4 IRC (Waig), R4DO (Powers), IRD (Leach), DHS (Cartlidge), FEMA (Kuzia).
* * * UPDATE FROM LICENSEE (LEWIS) TO NRC (KNOKE) AT 19:12 EDT ON 09/07/05 * * *
At 17:57 CDT the licensee exited from the Unusual Event. Offsite power was restored and communications were reestablished with (1) a functional operational hotline, (2) a dedicated open line to NRC Headquarters Operations Center, and (3) having the plant PABX circuits routed through Little Rock, AK area code. The plant is holding in Mode 5 until further notice, however, this may change when the decision to (or not to) repair a check valve in the Safety Injection system is made.
Notified R4DO (Powers), IRD (McGinty), NRR EO (Hackett), DHS (Sullivan), and FEMA (Kuzia).
* * * UPDATE FROM LICENSEE AT 08:45 EDT ON 09/08/05 * * *
This report has been updated to reflect the correct time of the licensee exiting their unusual event classification. Unusual event was exited at 1740 CDT not 1757 CDT.
Notified R4DO (Powers), IRD (McGinty), NRR EO (Jung).