Event Notification Report for September 18, 2005
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
09/17/2005 - 09/18/2005
EVENT NUMBERS
41998
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 41998
Facility: FRAMATOME ANP RICHLAND
Region: 2 State: WA
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: LEU CONVERSION
FABRICATION & SCRAP RECOVERY
COMMERCIAL LWR FUEL
NRC Notified By: BOB LINK
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Region: 2 State: WA
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: LEU CONVERSION
FABRICATION & SCRAP RECOVERY
COMMERCIAL LWR FUEL
NRC Notified By: BOB LINK
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 09/18/2005
Notification Time: 23:49 [ET]
Event Date: 09/18/2005
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 09/19/2005
Notification Time: 23:49 [ET]
Event Date: 09/18/2005
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 09/19/2005
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(1) - UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(1) - UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION
Person (Organization):
JOEL MUNDAY (R2)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
JOEL MUNDAY (R2)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
CONTAMINATION EVENT IN UNCONTROLLED AREA
The licensee observed a puddle of water on a blacktop surface in an area outside the Uranium Oxide (UO2) building under conditions where no water would ordinarily be expected. The puddle was characterized as about 4 feet by 8 feet in size. The area was barricaded and samples were taken for analysis. The sample analysis has still not been completed, however, the puddle has evaporated and radiological survey of the blacktop area with a GM tube type probe indicated an on-contact radiological contamination count rate of 4000 CPM (counts per minute). The licensee has covered the blacktop surface with a tarpaulin now that the area is dry and a decontamination plan is under development.
The location of the contamination is within the facility's security zone that is not a contamination-controlled area. There was no release or potential of release outside the facility. There was no personnel contamination associated with this event. The licensee believes the contamination is from Uranium but is still awaiting lab results. The source of the contamination is still unknown. The license was performing fire protection deluge testing at approximately the time the puddle was discovered but the connection between this testing and the generation of the contaminated water is not known.
The licensee plans to contact the Region.
The licensee observed a puddle of water on a blacktop surface in an area outside the Uranium Oxide (UO2) building under conditions where no water would ordinarily be expected. The puddle was characterized as about 4 feet by 8 feet in size. The area was barricaded and samples were taken for analysis. The sample analysis has still not been completed, however, the puddle has evaporated and radiological survey of the blacktop area with a GM tube type probe indicated an on-contact radiological contamination count rate of 4000 CPM (counts per minute). The licensee has covered the blacktop surface with a tarpaulin now that the area is dry and a decontamination plan is under development.
The location of the contamination is within the facility's security zone that is not a contamination-controlled area. There was no release or potential of release outside the facility. There was no personnel contamination associated with this event. The licensee believes the contamination is from Uranium but is still awaiting lab results. The source of the contamination is still unknown. The license was performing fire protection deluge testing at approximately the time the puddle was discovered but the connection between this testing and the generation of the contaminated water is not known.
The licensee plans to contact the Region.