Event Notification Report for September 02, 2013
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
09/01/2013 - 09/02/2013
EVENT NUMBERS
49317
Power Reactor
Event Number: 49317
Facility: PALO VERDE
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: WAYNE TIMOTHY
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Region: 4 State: AZ
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE,[3] CE
NRC Notified By: WAYNE TIMOTHY
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Notification Date: 09/02/2013
Notification Time: 22:53 [ET]
Event Date: 09/02/2013
Event Time: 19:26 [MST]
Last Update Date: 09/03/2013
Notification Time: 22:53 [ET]
Event Date: 09/02/2013
Event Time: 19:26 [MST]
Last Update Date: 09/03/2013
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):
BOB HAGAR (R4DO)
MELANIE GALLOWAY (NRR)
TONY VEGEL (R4)
JENNIFER UHLE (NRR)
JANE MARSHALL (IRD)
BOB HAGAR (R4DO)
MELANIE GALLOWAY (NRR)
TONY VEGEL (R4)
JENNIFER UHLE (NRR)
JANE MARSHALL (IRD)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO FIRE IN THE TURBINE BUILDING
"An Event Classification of Unusual Event (HU2.1) was declared at 1926 [MST] for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. At 1912, smoke was detected by a security officer by the 'A' train Main Feed pump. An Auxiliary Nuclear Operator investigated and identified a fire on lagging, with one foot flames behind the main standard 'A' train Main Feed pump. The fire team responded to the fire and is currently on scene. Fire was declared out at 1957.
"No reactor protection system (RPS) or engineered safety feature (ESF) actuations occurred and none were required. The event did not result in any challenges to the fission product barrier or result in any releases of radioactive materials. There were no adverse safety consequences, and this event did not adversely affect the safe operation of the plant or health and safety of the public. The 'A' Main Feed pump high vibration alarm was received, but the continued operation of the main feed pump is currently not in jeopardy."
While removing lagging, during the recovery process, the licensee had 2 reflash events. The flame was extinguished and the licensee continues to remove the oil soaked lagging for the 'A' Main Feed pump.
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector, State, and Local Authorities. The Tonopah Fire Department was contacted and did respond to the site.
Notified DHS SWO, FEMA, DHS NICC, and Nuclear SSA (email only).
* * * UPDATE FROM WAYNE TIMOTHY TO JOHN SHOEMAKER AT 0352 EDT ON 9/3/13 * * *
"PVNGS Unit 2 Terminated the Unusual Event HU2.1 on 9/3/13 at 0029 MST. The fire no longer constitutes a hazard to plant or personnel. 'A' Main Feed Pump is running and Unit 2 is operating at 100% power. The fire was extinguished at 1957 MST (per fire team advisor) and was declared extinguished by the incident commander at 2055 MST. A small oil vapor leak was identified coming from the high pressure bearing seal. Vapor extraction differential pressure was increased to eliminate the oil vapor leak. At 2134 MST, received a report of two reflash events while the Fire Department was removing additional lagging with no sustained flame or fire. All the affected lagging has been removed and the fire emergency was terminated at 2345 MST on 9/2/13."
The licensee updated event times to reflect MST.
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector, State, and Local Authorities.
Notified R4DO (Hagar), NRR (Galloway), IRD (Marshall), DHS SWO, FEMA, DHS NICC, and Nuclear SSA (email only).
"An Event Classification of Unusual Event (HU2.1) was declared at 1926 [MST] for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. At 1912, smoke was detected by a security officer by the 'A' train Main Feed pump. An Auxiliary Nuclear Operator investigated and identified a fire on lagging, with one foot flames behind the main standard 'A' train Main Feed pump. The fire team responded to the fire and is currently on scene. Fire was declared out at 1957.
"No reactor protection system (RPS) or engineered safety feature (ESF) actuations occurred and none were required. The event did not result in any challenges to the fission product barrier or result in any releases of radioactive materials. There were no adverse safety consequences, and this event did not adversely affect the safe operation of the plant or health and safety of the public. The 'A' Main Feed pump high vibration alarm was received, but the continued operation of the main feed pump is currently not in jeopardy."
While removing lagging, during the recovery process, the licensee had 2 reflash events. The flame was extinguished and the licensee continues to remove the oil soaked lagging for the 'A' Main Feed pump.
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector, State, and Local Authorities. The Tonopah Fire Department was contacted and did respond to the site.
Notified DHS SWO, FEMA, DHS NICC, and Nuclear SSA (email only).
* * * UPDATE FROM WAYNE TIMOTHY TO JOHN SHOEMAKER AT 0352 EDT ON 9/3/13 * * *
"PVNGS Unit 2 Terminated the Unusual Event HU2.1 on 9/3/13 at 0029 MST. The fire no longer constitutes a hazard to plant or personnel. 'A' Main Feed Pump is running and Unit 2 is operating at 100% power. The fire was extinguished at 1957 MST (per fire team advisor) and was declared extinguished by the incident commander at 2055 MST. A small oil vapor leak was identified coming from the high pressure bearing seal. Vapor extraction differential pressure was increased to eliminate the oil vapor leak. At 2134 MST, received a report of two reflash events while the Fire Department was removing additional lagging with no sustained flame or fire. All the affected lagging has been removed and the fire emergency was terminated at 2345 MST on 9/2/13."
The licensee updated event times to reflect MST.
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector, State, and Local Authorities.
Notified R4DO (Hagar), NRR (Galloway), IRD (Marshall), DHS SWO, FEMA, DHS NICC, and Nuclear SSA (email only).