Event Notification Report for January 12, 1999
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center Event Reports For 01/11/1999 - 01/12/1999 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** 35231 35236 35237 35238 35239 35240 35241 35242 +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 35231 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: VERMONT YANKEE REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 01/08/1999| | UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: VT |NOTIFICATION TIME: 11:28[EST]| | RXTYPE: [1] GE-4 |EVENT DATE: 01/08/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 10:35[EST]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: ? |LAST UPDATE DATE: 01/11/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: BOB STRANSKY +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |WILLIAM COOK R1 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |AOUT 50.72(b)(1)(ii)(B) OUTSIDE DESIGN BASIS | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |1 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | RHR SERVICE WATER PUMPS MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE NPSH | | | | A review of calculation VYC-990, R4 shows that inadequate NPSH exists for | | RHR Service Water (RHRSW) pumps. VYC-990, R4 may not have conservatively | | taken into account pump and system parameters, resulting in a condition of | | being outside the design basis of the plant for the RHRSW system. | | | | The NRC resident inspector has been informed of this event by the licensee. | | | | * * * UPDATE 1557 1/11/99 FROM CREITZER TAKEN BY STRANSKY * * * | | | | The licensee submitted the following clarification of the initial report: | | | | "During a review of the NPSH calculations and input data for the RHRSW pumps | | it was determined that potentially the calculation may not be conservative. | | There is no operability concern for the RHRSW pumps at this time due to the | | administrative restrictions the plant has put in place. (BMO 98-44) | | Alternate Cooling System deep basin water temperature will be maintained at | | <= 73�F. A Basis for Maintaining Operability (BMO) has been developed and | | approved by plant management. | | | | "At the present time, the plant is operating in winter conditions and the | | ambient conditions result in additional margin for NPSH. In addition, | | Alternate Cooling System deep basin water temperature is monitored and | | logged once per day. | | | | "Based on the above restrictions and conditions the available NPSH for the | | RHRSW pumps is adequate, for the present and near term operability | | conditions." | | | | NRC resident inspector has been informed of this event by the licensee. | | Notified R1DO (Kelly). | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Other Nuclear Material |Event Number: 35236 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | REP ORG: USAF RADIOISOTOPE COMMITTEE |NOTIFICATION DATE: 01/11/1999| |LICENSEE: USAF |NOTIFICATION TIME: 11:31[EST]| | CITY: Washington D.C. REGION: 1 |EVENT DATE: 12/11/1998| | COUNTY: STATE: DC |EVENT TIME: 08:00[EST]| |LICENSE#: 42-23539-01AF AGREEMENT: N |LAST UPDATE DATE: 01/11/1999| | DOCKET: |+----------------------------+ | |PERSON ORGANIZATION | | |BLAIR SPITZBERG R4 | | |DONALD COOL NMSS | +------------------------------------------------+ | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: Captain Coleman | | | HQ OPS OFFICER: JOHN MacKINNON | | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |BAB1 20.2201(a)(1)(i) LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Suspected loss of Radioactive material | | | | On 11 Dec 98 at 0800, Ramstein Air Force Base located in Germany notified | | the Air Force Medical Operations Agency/Radiation Protection Division | | located at Bolling Air Force, Washington, DC of the suspected loss of a | | Niton XL, Model 309, Lead in Paint Spectrum Analyzer. The Niton contains a | | sealed source with less than 50 millicuries of Cadmium-109. The item was | | lost in shipment to the manufacturer. The Niton was shipped from Ramstein | | to McGuire AFB, NJ, and then forwarded to the manufacturer on 12 Aug 98. | | The subsequent search did not locate the Niton, however, bioenvironmental | | engineers at McGuire AFB continue to research this suspected loss. No | | suspected exposure is associated with this incident. An update on McGuire's | | efforts will be provided to the NRC Region IV as soon as possible. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 35237 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: ARKANSAS NUCLEAR REGION: 4 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 01/11/1999| | UNIT: [1] [2] [] STATE: AR |NOTIFICATION TIME: 11:56[EST]| | RXTYPE: [1] B&W-L-LP,[2] CE |EVENT DATE: 12/21/1998| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: [CST]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: STEVE KAUFMANN |LAST UPDATE DATE: 01/11/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: FANGIE JONES +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |BLAIR SPITZBERG R4 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |NINF INFORMATION ONLY | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |1 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation | |2 N N 0 Cold Shutdown |0 Cold Shutdown | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | INFORMATION ON NEW METHOD TO DETERMINE ADULTERATION OF URINE SAMPLE | | | | The licensee determined that a pre-access urine sample was collected that | | contained an improved type of commercially available adulterant. The sample | | initially screened positive for but was later confirmed negative. Special | | testing at a confirmatory laboratory determined the presence of an | | adulterant. ANO Fitness for Duty has now taken action to detect this | | adulterant during the collection process. | | | | Refer to HOO log for additional details. | | | | The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector and Region IV (Schaefer). | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Other Nuclear Material |Event Number: 35238 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | REP ORG: SPERRY-SUN |NOTIFICATION DATE: 01/11/1999| |LICENSEE: SPERRY-SUN |NOTIFICATION TIME: 14:40[EST]| | CITY: HOUSTON REGION: 4 |EVENT DATE: 12/16/1998| | COUNTY: STATE: TX |EVENT TIME: [CST]| |LICENSE#: 42-26844-01 AGREEMENT: Y |LAST UPDATE DATE: 01/11/1999| | DOCKET: |+----------------------------+ | |PERSON ORGANIZATION | | |BLAIR SPITZBERG R4 | | |DONALD COOL NMSS | +------------------------------------------------+ | | NRC NOTIFIED BY: RICHARD ARSENAULT | | | HQ OPS OFFICER: BOB STRANSKY | | +------------------------------------------------+ | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |BAB1 20.2201(a)(1)(i) LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | RADIOACTIVE SOURCE LOST DURING SHIPMENT | | | | On 11/30/98, the licensee shipped an Amersham model CDC.CY13 oil well | | logging source, containing a 2 Ci Cs-137 source (serial #2299GW), via | | Federal Express. The package was picked up in Houston, TX, and was to be | | transported to the north slope of Alaska. On 12/8/98, the licensee | | contacted FedEx to determine the location of the package, as it had not been | | received. On 12/15/98, Federal Express contacted the licensee and reported | | that the package could not be found. Federal Express stated that the | | package was tracked to a FedEx hub in Indianapolis, IN, but that no further | | tracking information was available. On 12/16/98, the licensee contacted the | | NRC Region IV office and reported the lost shipment. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 35239 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: RIVER BEND REGION: 4 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 01/11/1999| | UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: LA |NOTIFICATION TIME: 16:56[EST]| | RXTYPE: [1] GE-6 |EVENT DATE: 01/11/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 15:20[CST]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: RUSS GODWIN |LAST UPDATE DATE: 01/11/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: BOB STRANSKY +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |BLAIR SPITZBERG R4 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |APRE 50.72(b)(2)(vi) OFFSITE NOTIFICATION | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |1 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | NOTIFICATION TO STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY | | | | "On January 11, 1999, RBS personnel made a report to the Louisiana | | Department of Environmental Quality related to a potential defect in fuel | | cladding. A previous report was made on September 21, 1998, and updated on | | October 22, 1998. RBS personnel have continued to monitor plant conditions | | after the first two had been suppressed. Chemistry sampling and power | | suppression results indicate a probable third fuel failure. Indications | | could be caused by a previously identified fuel failure. | | | | "The plant is operating at 100% power with radioactive releases well below | | the limits of the Technical Requirements Manual and 10 CFR 20. Plant | | personnel continue to implement site procedures to address the issue, and | | take appropriate actions." | | | | The NRC resident inspector has been informed of this notification by the | | licensee. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 35240 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: HADDAM NECK REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 01/11/1999| | UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: CT |NOTIFICATION TIME: 17:56[EST]| | RXTYPE: [1] W-4-LP |EVENT DATE: 01/11/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 17:00[EST]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: JON BOWER |LAST UPDATE DATE: 01/11/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: BOB STRANSKY +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |GENE KELLY R1 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |AOUT 50.72(b)(1)(ii)(B) OUTSIDE DESIGN BASIS | | | | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |1 N N 0 Decommissioned |0 Decommissioned | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | VENT STACK RADIATION MONITOR CALIBRATION PROCEDURE INADEQUATE | | | | The licensee has determined that the pressure transmitter compensation input | | signal to the primary vent stack monitor (R-14A) was not recognized or used | | in the calibration of the monitor. | | | | The following information was submitted by the licensee via facsimile: | | | | "The condition report [99-0011] has noted that the RM-14A monitor's output | | signal is compensated based on the effects of the absolute pressure as | | measured at the detector chamber by a pressure transmitter mounted on the | | monitor skid. It has been determined that this pressure transmitter was | | provided as part of the original design by the vendor (Victoreen). Also | | noted is that the pressure transmitter Is not calibrated as part of the | | radiation monitor's surveillance procedure and that no separate calibration | | procedure exists for the pressure transmitter. | | | | "Radiation monitor RM-14A monitors the noble gas effluents being discharged | | through the primary vent stack (which includes discharges from the Spent | | Fuel Building). Plant modification number, PDCR 1550, approved on December | | 11, 1995, replaced several radiation monitor channels, including RM-14A | | (this PDCR is still open at present, with final installation being | | completed). | | | | "PDCR 1550 noted in the bases of current design section that the replacement | | RM-14A monitor Is non-QA and is not required during accident conditions | | since it does not perform a safety related function. The replacement monitor | | was purchased in accordance with CY specification SP-CY-EE-369. | | | | "The purpose of PDCR 1550 was to replace radiation monitors that were | | obsolete or difficult to maintain. The design basis for RM-14A is to monitor | | gaseous effluent r releases through the primary vent stack and provide | | indication I alarms for the plant operator r the PDCR nor the purchase | | specification noted the requirement for a pressure con compensated signal | | for RM-14A. | | | | "Radiation monitor RM-14A was tested under PDCR 1550 and released for | | operations on August 5,1996. As a condition of release this monitor was | | calibrated and functionally tested by the surveillance test SUR 5.2-81.3 | | (last performed on October 28, 1998).Since this surveillance test does not | | include the calibration or functional check of the pressure transmitter, the | | indicated radiation level may be inaccurate. This is interpreted as a missed | | surveillance and inadequate functional testing of the RM-14A replacement | | design. Therefore it is believed to be reportable under | | 1OCFR5O.73(a)(2)(i)(B) as a condition prohibited by the plant's Technical | | Specifications. | | | | "The Victoreen Technical Manual is a 2 volume set that provides | | installation, operation and maintenance instructions as well as factory test | | procedures and initial data. The organization of this information is | | somewhat confusing regarding the use of or need for the pressure | | transmitter. The system overview does not discuss this function at all, the | | theory of operation section states that the signal is used to calculate the | | radiation value 'when used,' and the section on 'optional circuit boards' | | lists an analog input board that can be used for the pressure input signal. | | | | "SP-CY-EE.369 specified technical requirements and factory acceptance | | testing for the radiation monitors purchased under PDCR 1550. CY personnel | | were to witness (indeterminate if performed) factory calibration tests of | | the monitors. Victoreen's factory test data sheet for the monitor's | | electronic check had a hand written entry that the pressure transmitter | | input was disabled during the test, this step is not documented in their | | test procedure. | | | | "The PDCR and surveillance test procedure for RM-14A failed to recognize | | that the pressure transmitter input signal was used to calculate a | | compensated radiation value. This indicates an inadequate understanding of | | system design and instrument calibration by plant personnel. Therefore it is | | believed to be reportable under 10CFR5O.73(a)(2)(ii)(B) outside the design | | basis of the plant." | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 35241 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: HOPE CREEK REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 01/11/1999| | UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: NJ |NOTIFICATION TIME: 19:01[EST]| | RXTYPE: [1] GE-4 |EVENT DATE: 01/11/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 16:41[EST]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: ERV PARKER |LAST UPDATE DATE: 01/11/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: BOB STRANSKY +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |GENE KELLY R1 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |AIND 50.72(b)(2)(iii)(D) ACCIDENT MITIGATION | | |NINF INFORMATION ONLY | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |1 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | RCIC SYSTEM DECLARED INOPERABLE | | | | The licensee manually closed the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) | | outboard steam supply isolation valve in accordance with plant Technical | | Specifications. At 1541, the Isolation Actuation Instrumentation System TS | | was entered due to an apparent component power supply failure in the steam | | leak detection isolation circuitry. The licensee is currently | | troubleshooting the power supply problem with the steam leak detection | | circuitry. With the RCIC outboard steam supply isolation valve closed, the | | system is not capable of performing its intended function. The High | | Pressure Coolant Injection (HPCI) system is currently operable. The NRC | | resident inspector will be informed of this event by the licensee. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Power Reactor |Event Number: 35242 | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FACILITY: COOK REGION: 3 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 01/11/1999| | UNIT: [1] [2] [] STATE: MI |NOTIFICATION TIME: 20:27[EST]| | RXTYPE: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP |EVENT DATE: 01/11/1999| +------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 16:28[EST]| | NRC NOTIFIED BY: DON KOSLOFF |LAST UPDATE DATE: 01/11/1999| | HQ OPS OFFICER: BOB STRANSKY +-----------------------------+ +------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION | |EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |JIM GAVULA R3 | |10 CFR SECTION: | | |ADAS 50.72(b)(2)(i) DEG/UNANALYZED COND | | |AINA 50.72(b)(2)(iii)(A) POT UNABLE TO SAFE SD | | | | | | | | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE | +-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+ |1 N N 0 Cold Shutdown |0 Cold Shutdown | |2 N N 0 Cold Shutdown |0 Cold Shutdown | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ EVENT TEXT +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | SAFETY RELATED RELAYS MAY NOT BE SEISMICALLY QUALIFIED | | | | "General Electric HFA safety related relays may be inoperable due to | | inadequate seismic qualification. Several hundred relays are now being | | evaluated to determine which ones need to be checked for qualification. The | | HFA relays are supplied with normally open contacts. If contacts are changed | | to normally closed, the contacts must be checked to verify contact | | synchronization and wipe. There is no evidence that the verification has | | been performed. Therefore all relays are considered suspect and all four | | emergency diesel generators were declared inoperable at 1628 hours on | | January 11, 1999. | | | | "Evaluation of this condition is continuing. An initial list of relays that | | require checking is being compiled and action requests are being written to | | perform the required checks. Both Units are currently in Mode 5." | | | | The NRC resident inspector will be informed of this notification by the | | licensee. | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021