| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
01/21/2004 - 01/22/2004 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 40385 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: WASTE CONTROL SPECIALIST
Region: 4
City: Andrews State: TX
County:
License #: L04971
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: HELEN WATKINS
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 12/11/2003
Notification Time: 11:30 [ET]
Event Date: 12/09/2003
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 01/22/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
DAVID GRAVES (R4)
ROBERTO TORRES (NMSS)
| Event Text TEXAS AGREEMENT STATE REPORT INVOLVING FIRE WITH RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
"On December 10, 2003, [the licensee's RSO at] Waste Control Specialist reported a fire involving radioactive material that occurred on December 9, 2003. There was no excessive exposure to individuals nor was there any off-site airborne release.
"The waste processing company believes reactive metals (lithium, sodium, potassium) oxidized in water to start the fire. Packing materials were placed in a shredder that feeds into a hopper containing mixed waste. The system is closed with HEPA filters in place. Vibrations from the hopper may have resulted in the ignition. The material burned for about 20 seconds and was extinguished. When more materials were poured into a mix pan, the fire reignited and again was quickly extinguished.
"According to the Licensee's preliminary calculations, the affected or burned radioactive material exceeded the reportable quantity of five times an ALI [annual limit on intake]. The total radioactive material in the mix pan was under 50 microcuries. The shredder contained about 2.4 microcuries. There were 12 to 14 radionuclides involved. The Licensee will send a detailed written report within 30 days to include specifics on radionuclides and activities.
"The most serious consequence was the unplanned fire. The building is pressurized and the smoke from the fire was pulled through HEPA filters and a monitored exhaust system. The workers wear PPE [personal protective equipment) and airlines with protection factors of 1000."
Texas Incident # I-8024.
* * * * UPDATE ON 1/21/4 AT 1651 EST TO M. RIPLEY FROM HELEN WATKINS VIA FACSIMILE * * * *
The following information was provided in a letter dated 1/6/2004 from Waste Control Specialists (WCS) to the Texas Department of Health:
"On December 9, 2003 at approximately 1400 hrs a small fire occurred in the Permacon building at our facility located 30 miles West of Andrews, Texas. This fire occurred in the hopper beneath the waste shredder. There was a small quantity of untreated water reactive radioactive waste (WP-019224) that caught fire after passing through the shredder above. Two employees at the scene quickly extinguished the fire within the hopper using hand-held halon fire extinguishers. The hopper was pulled from underneath the shredder and then the waste was put into the mix pan where it re-ignited. It was extinguished by dropping water on the materials using the prentice arm.
"The personnel who were in the immediate area were wearing anti-contamination clothing and respiratory protection equipment in accordance with the Radiation Work Permit. The air sample that was being collected at the time of the incident indicated approximately 85% of the DAC for Th-228. The respiratory protection equipment used has a protection factor of 1000. There was no significant internal or external radiological exposure to personnel."
"The radioactive distribution of the material involved is enclosed."
Additionally, the licensee provided the following information to the State in response to a question about any action the licensee may have taken to prevent a reoccurrence of a fire. The licensee stated the following in an email to the State:
"WCS issued a Stop Work Order on December 9, 2003. The Stop Order included a corrective action of 'Evaluate the treatment methodology for reactive metals prior to receipt of new shipments of reactive metals for processing.' WCS will not receive any new shipments of reactive metals for processing until such time that a different treatment methodology is developed to process these wastes without subsequent ignition of waste materials."
Notified R4DO (L. Howell) and NMSS EO (L. Kokajko) |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 40462 | Facility: CALLAWAY
Region: 4 State: MO
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: E. HENSON
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY | Notification Date: 01/21/2004
Notification Time: 17:03 [ET]
Event Date: 01/21/2004
Event Time: 12:30 [CST]
Last Update Date: 01/21/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
LINDA HOWELL (R4)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SIREN TEMPERATURE SENSITIVITY
"On 1/14/04 a problem with emergency notification sirens was identified and traced to a manufacturing defect in components supplied by Federal Signal Corporation.
"Investigations were initiated to determine if this situation was applicable to Callaway. At 1230, 1/21/04, Federal Signal Corporation notified Callaway Plant that there was a potential for siren inoperability due to a temperature sensitive piece of equipment. It was determined that 19 out of 29 emergency sirens were subject to this potential failure if ambient temperatures fall below approximately 20 degrees F. The model number of the questionable sirens is EOWS612. Callaway conducted a "quiet test" of the questionable sirens and 4 of the sirens indicated a problem. At present the ambient temperature is above 32 degree F and it is believed that the four questionable sirens are not experiencing the temperature related failure. A field test of the four sirens is being conducted this evening to determine their operability. Alternate methods of public notification have been established.
"The failure mechanism has been identified by the vendor and temporary repairs will begin by 1/22/04."
The licensee notified State and local agencies, FEMA, and the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Other Nuclear Material | Event Number: 40463 | Rep Org: CT DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Licensee: PEPPERIDGE FARMS
Region: 1
City: NORWALK State: CT
County:
License #:
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MIKE FIRSICK
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY | Notification Date: 01/21/2004
Notification Time: 18:10 [ET]
Event Date: 12/21/2003
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 01/21/2004 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(i) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X
| Person (Organization):
CLIFFORD ANDERSON (R1)
LAWRENCE KOKAJKO (NMSS)
| Event Text MISSING DOUGH DENSITY GAUGE
The State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection reported that the Pepperidge Farm bakery facility in Norwalk, CT reported that a generally-licensed Kay-Ray (now Thermo Measure Tech, Inc) Model 7060BP density gauge used to measure bakery dough density is missing and presumed sent to a scrap recycler in South Norwalk, CT sometime within the last 4 weeks. Pepperidge Farm is in the process of relocating their facility and the gauge will no longer be used. The gauge contains a 50 millicurie (as of August 1983) Cs-137 source. The State plans on notifying recipients of processed scrap shipped by the scrap recycler. In addition, the State will be conducting a radiation survey of the Pepperidge Farm facility to help confirm that the gauge is no longer at the facility. | |