Event Notification Report for May 01, 2011
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
04/30/2011 - 05/01/2011
EVENT NUMBERS
4681047003470384706646910
Agreement State
Event Number: 46810
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION
Region: 4
City: PORT LAVACA State: TX
County:
License #: 00051
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RAY JISHA
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Licensee: UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION
Region: 4
City: PORT LAVACA State: TX
County:
License #: 00051
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RAY JISHA
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Notification Date: 05/03/2011
Notification Time: 11:25 [ET]
Event Date: 05/01/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/04/2011
Notification Time: 11:25 [ET]
Event Date: 05/01/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/04/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
DAVID PROULX (R4DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
DAVID PROULX (R4DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STUCK SHUTTER ON OHMART/VEGA MODEL GAUGE
"On May 2, 2011, the Agency [Texas Department of Health] was notified by the licensee that during routine checks on an Ohmart/Vega nuclear gauge model SHD containing 250 millicuries of Cesium (Cs) 137 (original activity), the shutter was found stuck in the open position. The gauge is mounted on a tank and is located 100 feet above ground and does not create an exposure risk. The gauge is used for level detection. The licensee has lubricated the operating mechanism several times to get the shutter to operate, but it remains stuck. A service provider will be contacted to conduct repairs if needed. The gauge was installed in 1990 time frame and is to be replaced in the future. Addition information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident Number I-8840
* * * UPDATE FROM ART TUCKER (VIA EMAIL) TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 0827 EDT ON 5/4/11 * * *
"On May 3, 2011, the Agency was notified by the licensee that the gauge was working as designed. The repeated lubrication of the operating mechanism was the only method used to make the repair to the gauge. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA - 300."
Notified R4DO (Proulx) and FSME EO (McIntosh).
"On May 2, 2011, the Agency [Texas Department of Health] was notified by the licensee that during routine checks on an Ohmart/Vega nuclear gauge model SHD containing 250 millicuries of Cesium (Cs) 137 (original activity), the shutter was found stuck in the open position. The gauge is mounted on a tank and is located 100 feet above ground and does not create an exposure risk. The gauge is used for level detection. The licensee has lubricated the operating mechanism several times to get the shutter to operate, but it remains stuck. A service provider will be contacted to conduct repairs if needed. The gauge was installed in 1990 time frame and is to be replaced in the future. Addition information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident Number I-8840
* * * UPDATE FROM ART TUCKER (VIA EMAIL) TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 0827 EDT ON 5/4/11 * * *
"On May 3, 2011, the Agency was notified by the licensee that the gauge was working as designed. The repeated lubrication of the operating mechanism was the only method used to make the repair to the gauge. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA - 300."
Notified R4DO (Proulx) and FSME EO (McIntosh).
Power Reactor
Event Number: 47003
Facility: BROWNS FERRY
Region: 2 State: AL
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: DAVID RENN
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA
Region: 2 State: AL
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: DAVID RENN
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA
Notification Date: 06/30/2011
Notification Time: 21:03 [ET]
Event Date: 05/01/2011
Event Time: 02:44 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 06/30/2011
Notification Time: 21:03 [ET]
Event Date: 05/01/2011
Event Time: 02:44 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 06/30/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION
Person (Organization):
MARK FRANKE (R2DO)
MARK FRANKE (R2DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown |
INVALID RPS (SCRAM) ACTUATION
"This 60-day telephone notification is being made under the reporting requirements specified by 10 CFR 50.13(a)(2)(iv) and 10 CFR 50.73(a)(I) to describe an invalid RPS (Scram) actuation.
"On May 1, 2011, at 0244 hours Central Daylight Time (CDT), during a non-refueling outage, Browns Ferry Unit 2 was at 000 percent power in Mode 4 with all control rods already inserted into the core when an invalid full scram signal was received.
"The reactor scram signal was determined to be the result of a failure of the Unit 2 Unit Preferred Motor-Motor-Generator Set, which caused an electrical transient and resulted in noise In adjacent nuclear instrumentation cables.
"The scram signal was Initiated due to Invalid Indications (spikes) associated with the C and D Intermediate Range Monitors (IRMs). The spikes did not render the IRMs inoperable as these were momentary spikes. Therefore, the actuation was invalid.
"The scram was reset at 0312 CDT.
"This event was entered In the Corrective Action Program as Service Request (SR) 362127, which generated Problem Evaluation Report (PER) 362897.
"There were no safety consequences or impact on the health and safety of the public as a result of these events.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified of this event."
"This 60-day telephone notification is being made under the reporting requirements specified by 10 CFR 50.13(a)(2)(iv) and 10 CFR 50.73(a)(I) to describe an invalid RPS (Scram) actuation.
"On May 1, 2011, at 0244 hours Central Daylight Time (CDT), during a non-refueling outage, Browns Ferry Unit 2 was at 000 percent power in Mode 4 with all control rods already inserted into the core when an invalid full scram signal was received.
"The reactor scram signal was determined to be the result of a failure of the Unit 2 Unit Preferred Motor-Motor-Generator Set, which caused an electrical transient and resulted in noise In adjacent nuclear instrumentation cables.
"The scram signal was Initiated due to Invalid Indications (spikes) associated with the C and D Intermediate Range Monitors (IRMs). The spikes did not render the IRMs inoperable as these were momentary spikes. Therefore, the actuation was invalid.
"The scram was reset at 0312 CDT.
"This event was entered In the Corrective Action Program as Service Request (SR) 362127, which generated Problem Evaluation Report (PER) 362897.
"There were no safety consequences or impact on the health and safety of the public as a result of these events.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified of this event."
Agreement State
Event Number: 47038
Rep Org: MA RADIATION CONTROL PROGRAM
Licensee: BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
Region: 1
City: BOSTON State: MA
County:
License #: 44-0004
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BRUCE PACKARD
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Licensee: BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
Region: 1
City: BOSTON State: MA
County:
License #: 44-0004
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: BRUCE PACKARD
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Notification Date: 07/08/2011
Notification Time: 15:45 [ET]
Event Date: 05/01/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/08/2011
Notification Time: 15:45 [ET]
Event Date: 05/01/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/08/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
DANIEL HOLODY (R1DO)
RICHARD TURTIL (FSME)
DANIEL HOLODY (R1DO)
RICHARD TURTIL (FSME)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT- UNDEREXPOSURE
The following information was received from the Commonwealth by facsimile:
"The RSO reported that a patient was 60% underexposed by an Ir-192 remote after-loader. The prescribed dose is not known. The error occurred because the physicist did not calculate the effect of the tube used to deliver the after-loader source. The target organ was the skin."
A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.
The following information was received from the Commonwealth by facsimile:
"The RSO reported that a patient was 60% underexposed by an Ir-192 remote after-loader. The prescribed dose is not known. The error occurred because the physicist did not calculate the effect of the tube used to deliver the after-loader source. The target organ was the skin."
A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.
Fuel Cycle Facility
Event Number: 47066
Facility: GLOBAL NUCLEAR FUEL - AMERICAS
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: LEU CONVERSION (UF6 TO UO2)
LEU FABRICATION
LWR COMMERICAL FUEL
NRC Notified By: PHILLIP OLLIS
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [] [] []
RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION
Comments: LEU CONVERSION (UF6 TO UO2)
LEU FABRICATION
LWR COMMERICAL FUEL
NRC Notified By: PHILLIP OLLIS
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 07/17/2011
Notification Time: 18:26 [ET]
Event Date: 05/01/2011
Event Time: 12:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/17/2011
Notification Time: 18:26 [ET]
Event Date: 05/01/2011
Event Time: 12:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/17/2011
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):
SCOTT FREEMAN (R2DO)
MERAJ RAHIMI (NMSS)
SCOTT FREEMAN (R2DO)
MERAJ RAHIMI (NMSS)
PREVIOUS INOPERABILITY OF CRITICALITY ACCIDENT ALARM SYSTEM WARNING CIRCUIT NOT IDENTIFIED
"As part of the corrective actions for the Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS) events reported on 7/13/11 (EN #47047) and 7/15/11 (EN #47061), GNF-A is performing an investigation into the cause of the delayed audible alarm actuation. The investigation has determined that this delay existed at the time of the May and June 2011 functional tests and was not adequately identified and thus not reported. The response time to activate the horns did not meet the design requirement for CAAS. These events are being reported pursuant to the requirements of 10CFR70.50 (b)(2)."
The licensee states that the delay in the alarm actuation existed during surveillance testing in May and June of 2011 but the delay was not recognized at the time. This condition rendered the system inoperable since May 2011.
The licensee has notified R2 (Sykes) and will notify state and local authorities. R2DO (Freeman) notified.
"As part of the corrective actions for the Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS) events reported on 7/13/11 (EN #47047) and 7/15/11 (EN #47061), GNF-A is performing an investigation into the cause of the delayed audible alarm actuation. The investigation has determined that this delay existed at the time of the May and June 2011 functional tests and was not adequately identified and thus not reported. The response time to activate the horns did not meet the design requirement for CAAS. These events are being reported pursuant to the requirements of 10CFR70.50 (b)(2)."
The licensee states that the delay in the alarm actuation existed during surveillance testing in May and June of 2011 but the delay was not recognized at the time. This condition rendered the system inoperable since May 2011.
The licensee has notified R2 (Sykes) and will notify state and local authorities. R2DO (Freeman) notified.
Agreement State
Event Number: 46910
Rep Org: WISCONSIN RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: FRANK JIRAN CONTRACTOR, INC
Region: 3
City: LODI State: WI
County: COLUMBIA
License #: 021-1255-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MARK PAULSON
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Licensee: FRANK JIRAN CONTRACTOR, INC
Region: 3
City: LODI State: WI
County: COLUMBIA
License #: 021-1255-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MARK PAULSON
HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO
Notification Date: 06/01/2011
Notification Time: 17:03 [ET]
Event Date: 05/01/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 06/01/2011
Notification Time: 17:03 [ET]
Event Date: 05/01/2011
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 06/01/2011
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
ROBERT DALEY (R3DO)
BILL VON TILL (FSME)
ILTAB via email
ROBERT DALEY (R3DO)
BILL VON TILL (FSME)
ILTAB via email
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - PORTABLE NUCLEAR GAUGE STOLEN AND THEN RECOVERED
The following information was received by fax:
"On May 31, 2011 the Department [Wisconsin Radiation Protection Section] received notification via email from the licensee's RSO that the licensee had reported a portable nuclear gauge stolen from their storage location in Lodi, WI (Columbia County). The Department called the licensee for additional information on June 1, 2011. The gauge was a Seaman model R-50 roofing gauge containing a maximum of 40 mCi of Americium-241:Be. In the call the licensee stated that on May 1, 2011 they had discovered their storage location had been broken into, their security barriers to the gauge had been defeated, and their portable nuclear gauge had been removed from the premises. Law enforcement had been notified on May 1, 2011 and investigated the theft. The gauge was recovered on May 28, 2011 in Madison, WI and had already been returned to the licensee at the time this conversation took place. The Department performed a reactive inspection on June 1, 2011, and confirmed that the gauge was recovered in good condition and placed in secure storage. The Department is waiting for additional information regarding this theft from both the Madison Police Department and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office."
The following information was received by fax:
"On May 31, 2011 the Department [Wisconsin Radiation Protection Section] received notification via email from the licensee's RSO that the licensee had reported a portable nuclear gauge stolen from their storage location in Lodi, WI (Columbia County). The Department called the licensee for additional information on June 1, 2011. The gauge was a Seaman model R-50 roofing gauge containing a maximum of 40 mCi of Americium-241:Be. In the call the licensee stated that on May 1, 2011 they had discovered their storage location had been broken into, their security barriers to the gauge had been defeated, and their portable nuclear gauge had been removed from the premises. Law enforcement had been notified on May 1, 2011 and investigated the theft. The gauge was recovered on May 28, 2011 in Madison, WI and had already been returned to the licensee at the time this conversation took place. The Department performed a reactive inspection on June 1, 2011, and confirmed that the gauge was recovered in good condition and placed in secure storage. The Department is waiting for additional information regarding this theft from both the Madison Police Department and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office."