Event Notification Report for November 29, 2013
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
11/28/2013 - 11/29/2013
EVENT NUMBERS
49594
Agreement State
Event Number: 49594
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: STERIS-ISOMEDIX
Region: 4
City: EL PASO State: TX
County:
License #: L04268
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Licensee: STERIS-ISOMEDIX
Region: 4
City: EL PASO State: TX
County:
License #: L04268
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN BLANCHARD
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 12/02/2013
Notification Time: 12:25 [ET]
Event Date: 11/29/2013
Event Time: 19:40 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/02/2013
Notification Time: 12:25 [ET]
Event Date: 11/29/2013
Event Time: 19:40 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/02/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
MICHAEL VASQUEZ (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
MICHAEL VASQUEZ (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING THE FAILURE OF AN IRRADIATOR SOURCE RACK TO FULLY LOWER
The following information was received from the State of Texas via email:
"On December 2, 2013, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] received information from the licensee that on November 29, 2013, at 1940 hrs. CST, the drive mechanism on a Nordion JS-8900 (continuous) pool-type irradiator had failed to completely lower one of the source racks into the fully safe position at the bottom of the pool. Source rack one was completely lowered into the pool by venting the source hoist air cylinder. The licensee reported that the preliminary root cause seems to be debris in the air system which caused the solenoid to get stuck and prevented the source hoist piston from completely lowering the source rack. The solenoid valve spools were replaced, the source cycled several times, and normal operation continued. There were no exposures as a result of this incident. An investigation into this event is ongoing. Further information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident #: I-9140
The following information was received from the State of Texas via email:
"On December 2, 2013, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] received information from the licensee that on November 29, 2013, at 1940 hrs. CST, the drive mechanism on a Nordion JS-8900 (continuous) pool-type irradiator had failed to completely lower one of the source racks into the fully safe position at the bottom of the pool. Source rack one was completely lowered into the pool by venting the source hoist air cylinder. The licensee reported that the preliminary root cause seems to be debris in the air system which caused the solenoid to get stuck and prevented the source hoist piston from completely lowering the source rack. The solenoid valve spools were replaced, the source cycled several times, and normal operation continued. There were no exposures as a result of this incident. An investigation into this event is ongoing. Further information will be provided as it is obtained in accordance with SA-300."
Texas Incident #: I-9140