Event Notification Report for January 05, 2008
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
01/04/2008 - 01/05/2008
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 43883
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: CHARLES STREET
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
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: CHARLES STREET
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 01/05/2008
Notification Time: 17:03 [ET]
Event Date: 01/05/2008
Event Time: 09:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 01/05/2008
Notification Time: 17:03 [ET]
Event Date: 01/05/2008
Event Time: 09:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 01/05/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
10 CFR Section:
70.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Person (Organization):
STEVEN VIAS (R2)
E. WILLIAM BRACH (FSME)
FUELS OUO GROUP (emai)
STEVEN VIAS (R2)
E. WILLIAM BRACH (FSME)
FUELS OUO GROUP (emai)
SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE OF THE CRITICALITY ALARM SYSTEM
"SNM-124 Section 12.6.4 requires that criticality alarm system detector pairs must generate an alarm signal when both detectors in a pair exceed their trip point, or when one detector is in a fault condition while the other exceeds the alarm trip point.
"During testing, 2 of 18 detector pairs did not generate an alarm signal in all modes as discussed above.
"In the event of a criticality, 2 detector pairs may not have generated an alarm signal.
"During 27 December 2007 through 29 December 2007, a programmable logic controller (PLC) monitoring system was attached to the critical alarm system components. On 29 December 2007, all detector pairs were satisfactorily tested that they would generate an alarm signal when required.
"During 31 December 2007 until 5 January 2008, limited SNM operations were conducted at the plant. Suspect equipment faults occurred during the time frame from 29 December 2007 to 5 January 2008 due to unknown cause.
"Troubleshooting revealed an equipment fault in each detector pair that failed during testing. These faults have been corrected and the detector pairs satisfactorily retested."
The two (2) affected detector pairs are located in the NDA North & South and Building 311 North & South. There were no recorded trouble alarms generated by the operable detector in the affected areas during the week when the system was not functioning properly. Also, there is no indication of tampering in that the fault was identified as loose wiring/connections inside locked cabinets accessible to authorized personnel only.
The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector.
"SNM-124 Section 12.6.4 requires that criticality alarm system detector pairs must generate an alarm signal when both detectors in a pair exceed their trip point, or when one detector is in a fault condition while the other exceeds the alarm trip point.
"During testing, 2 of 18 detector pairs did not generate an alarm signal in all modes as discussed above.
"In the event of a criticality, 2 detector pairs may not have generated an alarm signal.
"During 27 December 2007 through 29 December 2007, a programmable logic controller (PLC) monitoring system was attached to the critical alarm system components. On 29 December 2007, all detector pairs were satisfactorily tested that they would generate an alarm signal when required.
"During 31 December 2007 until 5 January 2008, limited SNM operations were conducted at the plant. Suspect equipment faults occurred during the time frame from 29 December 2007 to 5 January 2008 due to unknown cause.
"Troubleshooting revealed an equipment fault in each detector pair that failed during testing. These faults have been corrected and the detector pairs satisfactorily retested."
The two (2) affected detector pairs are located in the NDA North & South and Building 311 North & South. There were no recorded trouble alarms generated by the operable detector in the affected areas during the week when the system was not functioning properly. Also, there is no indication of tampering in that the fault was identified as loose wiring/connections inside locked cabinets accessible to authorized personnel only.
The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector.
General Information or Other
Event Number: 44963
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: METCO
Region: 4
City: HOUSTON State: TX
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Licensee: METCO
Region: 4
City: HOUSTON State: TX
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Notification Date: 04/02/2009
Notification Time: 18:54 [ET]
Event Date: 01/05/2008
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/08/2009
Notification Time: 18:54 [ET]
Event Date: 01/05/2008
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/08/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
RICK DEESE (R4)
ROBERT LEWIS (FSME)
RICK DEESE (R4)
ROBERT LEWIS (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT- RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA MALFUNCTION
The following information was received from the State of Texas via Email:
"On February 5, 2008, the Agency was notified by the licensee that one of their crews had contacted their office and informed them that the guide tube on their camera had detached from the camera housing and a 91.4 curie Iridium (Ir) 192 source could not be retracted into the camera. The crew was instructed to maintain surveillance of the area until the source recovery team got to their location. Once there, the source recovery team determined that the source drive cable was no longer in the gear housing. They then cut the drive cable housing about one foot from the gear housing. The drive cable was located, and they manually pulled the cable and returned the source to the shielded position. The cause of the failure was determined to be a build up of material in the threads of the camera where the guide tube connected to it. This prevented the guide tube from adequately threading into the camera and allowing the guide tube to separate from the camera during use. The camera was inspected and cleaned. All cameras of similar design were also inspected. No other cameras were found to have the same problem. This event is closed.
"This event was reported within 24 hours of the event using the NMED reporting system and not to the HOO [NRC Headquarters Operations Officer]. Failure to properly report this event was determined after a review was conducted of all radiography related events reported in the State of Texas from September 1, 2006 to March 31, 2009. This review was initiated in response to the State of Texas Incident Investigation Program (IIP) determining that they had failed to correctly interpret the requirements for reporting this type of event. The state used 10 CFR 34.101 to report these events, and not 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2), due to conflicting interpretations of NRC rules requiring reporting.
"In an effort to prevent a reoccurrence of this, each member of IIP was required to read Information Notice 2001-03, Incident Reporting Requirements for Radiography Licenses, dated April 6, 2001. In addition, the IIP database has been changed to clarify the reporting requirement and bring it in line with the NRC requirements."
Texas Incident Report: I- 8480
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED TO KOZAL FROM TUCKER AT 1735 ON 04/08/09 * * *
Upon request of the State the reference to 10 CFR 30.50(b)(a) was changed to 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2).
The following information was received from the State of Texas via Email:
"On February 5, 2008, the Agency was notified by the licensee that one of their crews had contacted their office and informed them that the guide tube on their camera had detached from the camera housing and a 91.4 curie Iridium (Ir) 192 source could not be retracted into the camera. The crew was instructed to maintain surveillance of the area until the source recovery team got to their location. Once there, the source recovery team determined that the source drive cable was no longer in the gear housing. They then cut the drive cable housing about one foot from the gear housing. The drive cable was located, and they manually pulled the cable and returned the source to the shielded position. The cause of the failure was determined to be a build up of material in the threads of the camera where the guide tube connected to it. This prevented the guide tube from adequately threading into the camera and allowing the guide tube to separate from the camera during use. The camera was inspected and cleaned. All cameras of similar design were also inspected. No other cameras were found to have the same problem. This event is closed.
"This event was reported within 24 hours of the event using the NMED reporting system and not to the HOO [NRC Headquarters Operations Officer]. Failure to properly report this event was determined after a review was conducted of all radiography related events reported in the State of Texas from September 1, 2006 to March 31, 2009. This review was initiated in response to the State of Texas Incident Investigation Program (IIP) determining that they had failed to correctly interpret the requirements for reporting this type of event. The state used 10 CFR 34.101 to report these events, and not 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2), due to conflicting interpretations of NRC rules requiring reporting.
"In an effort to prevent a reoccurrence of this, each member of IIP was required to read Information Notice 2001-03, Incident Reporting Requirements for Radiography Licenses, dated April 6, 2001. In addition, the IIP database has been changed to clarify the reporting requirement and bring it in line with the NRC requirements."
Texas Incident Report: I- 8480
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED TO KOZAL FROM TUCKER AT 1735 ON 04/08/09 * * *
Upon request of the State the reference to 10 CFR 30.50(b)(a) was changed to 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2).