Event Notification Report for December 23, 2015
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
12/22/2015 - 12/23/2015
EVENT NUMBERS
51622
Agreement State
Event Number: 51622
Rep Org: MARYLAND DEPT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Licensee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - COLLEGE PARK
Region: 1
City: COLLEGE PARK State: MD
County:
License #: MD 33-004-03
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RAY MANLEY
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH
Licensee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - COLLEGE PARK
Region: 1
City: COLLEGE PARK State: MD
County:
License #: MD 33-004-03
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: RAY MANLEY
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH
Notification Date: 12/23/2015
Notification Time: 15:08 [ET]
Event Date: 12/23/2015
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/23/2015
Notification Time: 15:08 [ET]
Event Date: 12/23/2015
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/23/2015
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
JAMES NOGGLE (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
JAMES NOGGLE (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFIC (EMAI)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - PANORAMIC RESEARCH IRRADIATOR EMERGENCY RETURN CABLE BROKEN
The following information was received from the State of Maryland via email:
"This afternoon [12/23/15] the emergency return cable for the source rack became crimped and the normal movement of the cable was stopped resulting in most of the emergency cable bunching up in the bottom of the source pool. The source rack was not raised during this occurrence and remains fully shielded at the bottom of the pool. College Park does not intend to use the irradiator until they fix/replace the emergency return cable.
"The plan is to wait until after the holidays and put the sources in the storage rack currently located at the bottom of the pool. Once the main rack is empty they will use their established procedures to raise the rack and repair/replace the emergency return cable. It was confirmed that there was no potential for damage to the sources from the emergency return cable hang-up. It was stated that the failure of the emergency return cable could not have resulted in a hung up source rack. It was stated that the repair of the system would not have any potential for additional occupational exposure to employees or would put the sources in any kind of jeopardy.
"The licensee will prepare, by next week, a report that will be sent by email to [the State] defining the incident, the methodology of repair ,and ultimately what caused the failure/crimping of the emergency return cable. Note: Due to the previous incident 1.5 years ago, when source rack hung up, the emergency return cable was replaced at that time."
The following information was received from the State of Maryland via email:
"This afternoon [12/23/15] the emergency return cable for the source rack became crimped and the normal movement of the cable was stopped resulting in most of the emergency cable bunching up in the bottom of the source pool. The source rack was not raised during this occurrence and remains fully shielded at the bottom of the pool. College Park does not intend to use the irradiator until they fix/replace the emergency return cable.
"The plan is to wait until after the holidays and put the sources in the storage rack currently located at the bottom of the pool. Once the main rack is empty they will use their established procedures to raise the rack and repair/replace the emergency return cable. It was confirmed that there was no potential for damage to the sources from the emergency return cable hang-up. It was stated that the failure of the emergency return cable could not have resulted in a hung up source rack. It was stated that the repair of the system would not have any potential for additional occupational exposure to employees or would put the sources in any kind of jeopardy.
"The licensee will prepare, by next week, a report that will be sent by email to [the State] defining the incident, the methodology of repair ,and ultimately what caused the failure/crimping of the emergency return cable. Note: Due to the previous incident 1.5 years ago, when source rack hung up, the emergency return cable was replaced at that time."