Event Notification Report for June 13, 2000

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING A DAMAGED TROXLER GAUGE

The following information was received via fax (event report #WA-00-022):

This is notification of an event in Washington state as investigated by the WA Department of Health, Division of Radiation Protection.

STATUS: new

Licensee: Washington Department of Transportation
City and state: Seattle, WA
License number: WN-L073-1
Type of license: Portable Gauge

Date of event: 6/13/00
Location of Event: Lynnwood, WA

ABSTRACT: At approximately, 10:30 AM, a construction contractor working for the Washington Department of Transportation (DOT) drove a bulldozer over a Troxler Model 3430 moisture/density gauge adjacent to the northbound off ramp at exit 186 on Interstate 5. The exact cause of the accident is not known at this time. However, an underlying cause seems to be the constant pressure to keep working. This brings huge machinery and tiny testing equipment into the same area at the same time. The gauge was in use at the time with the 8 millicuries Cs-137 source extended from the gauge body which also contains a 40 millicuries Am-241/Be source. A representative from the Division of Radiation Protection (DRP) was on the scene by 11:30 AM. The
local Fire Department, the State Patrol and at least one news crew also responded. The work site was stopped and both off ramps and the overpass were closed by the Fire Department as an additional precaution. The DRP
representative determined that the impact demolished the gauge and jammed the extended source so that it could not be returned to the shielding. The DRP representative assisted the licensee in securing the sources in the transport box and filling it with dirt to provide additional shielding. The sources were transported to the Olympia DOT Materials Lab where proper shields were available. The sources will remain there until the
manufacturer sends an appropriate shipping container. DOT issued a press release and coverage appeared on television and in local and regional newspapers.

What is the notification or reporting criteria involved? WAC 46-221-250 (damaged equipment)

Activity and isotope(s) involved: 8 mCi Cs-137 and 40 mCi Am-241/Be

Overexposures? none

Lost, Stolen or Damaged? Damage to Troxler Model 3430 portable gauge

OFFSITE NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE DISCOVERY OF AN OIL SHEEN ON THE PLANT'S COLD WATER CHANNEL

The following text is a portion of a facsimile received from the licensee:

"The National Spill Response Center was notified at 1210 [CDT] that an oil sheen was discovered on the waters of the U.S. (cold water channel). The oil spilled from cooling tower 2 fan gear boxes. The spilled oil is being contained and removed."

The licensee stated that the oil sheen was discovered at 1050 CDT and that the volume of oil spilled was unknown. The licensee also stated that the outlet of the cooling tower spills into the cold water channel which is an extension of the Tennessee River.

In addition to the National Spill Response Center, the licensee notified the Alabama Environmental Management Association. The licensee also plans to notify the NRC resident inspector.

MORRISON MAIERLE CONSULTING ENGINEERS REPORTED THAT A VEHICLE DAMAGED A TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE IN BELGRADE, MONTANA.

Morrison Maierle Consulting Engineers (located in Kalispell, Montana) reported that a Troxler-3411B gauge was damaged at Gallatin Field (an airport located in Belgrade, Montana, approximately 9 miles west of Bozeman, Montana). Apparently, a vehicle backed into the gauge and damaged the face plate.

The gauge contained 8 mCi (±1%) of cesium-137 and 40 mCi (±10%) of americium-241/beryllium. The highest radiation survey reading was 12 mR/hour at 0 feet (on contact), and it was reported that a normal reading for this gauge was approximately 7 mR/hour at 0 feet (on contact). The sources are currently in the safe position, and the device has been packed and evacuated to a licensee office located in Bozeman, Montana.

The licensee stated that there were no injuries or overexposures associated with this event.

NRC Region 4 plans to notify the state. (Call the NRC operations officer for a licensee telephone number.)

DISCOVERY OF SIXTEEN CORRODED SPRINKLER HEADS (24-HOUR REPORT)

The following text is a portion of a facsimile received from Paducah personnel:

"On 06/13/00 at 1025 CDT, the Plant Shift Superintendent (PSS) was notified that sixteen sprinkler heads were corroded, affecting sprinkler system A-9 in C-333, such that the ability of the sprinklers to flow sufficient water was called into question. Subsequently, this sprinkler system was declared inoperable, and TSR required actions establishing a roving fire patrol [were] initiated. This deficiency was detected during scheduled system inspections conducted by Fire Protection personnel."

"It has been determined that this event is reportable under 10CFR76.120(c)(2) as an event in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed."

Paducah personnel notified the NRC resident inspector.

UNIT OUTSIDE OF DESIGN BASIS

"On 6/13/00, Vermont Yankee (VY) discovered that a turbine building to radwaste hallway door had been breached open for maintenance activities without proper engineering review. The condition has been corrected.

"The door serves as a high energy line break (HELB) barrier such that a HELB in the turbine building would not propagate into the radwaste hallway and cause subsequent failure of masonry block wall between the hallway and the main plant switchgear rooms. Redundant equipment in the switchgear rooms is not qualified for operation in the environment postulated by the TB HELB.

"VY review has determined that a compensatory measure to close the door in the event of a HELB that had been established at the time of the maintenance activities would not have provided adequate protection against the postulated HELB.

"Based on the above, this condition is reportable in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(1)(ii)(B) as a condition found during operation that results in a condition that is outside the design basis of the plant."

The NRC resident inspector has been informed of this event by the licensee.

* * * RETRACTED AT 1831 EDT ON 7/13/00 BY MARK MAGNUSON TO FANGIE JONES * * *

"On June 30, 2000 Vermont Yankee reported that a planned compensatory measure associated with a breached door would not have been adequate to protect plant equipment in the unlikely event of a high energy line break in the turbine building. The condition was reported under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(1)(ii)(B) as a condition that was outside the design basis. The associated NRC event number is 37138.

"Vermont Yankee has since determined that the door had not been tied open for a period of time greater than the 24 hours allowed by VY technical specifications for equipment that may have been affected by the high energy line break. In addition, VY assessment has concluded that redundant equipment would not have been challenged and that the overall risk of the short term event was minimal.

"Based on this information, the 50.72 ENS notification is retracted."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The NRC Operations Officer notified the R1DO (Richard Conte).