Event Notification Report for December 27, 2004

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
12/24/2004 - 12/27/2004

** EVENT NUMBERS **


41271 41272 41273 41279 41282 41283 41290 41291 41292 41293 41295 41296

To top of page
General Information or Other Event Number: 41271
Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV
Licensee: CARDINAL HEALTH
Region: 4
City: LAFAYETTE State: LA
County:
License #: LA-5115-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: SCOTT BLACKWELL
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 12/21/2004
Notification Time: 09:45 [ET]
Event Date: 10/25/2004
Event Time: 14:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/21/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4)
SANDRA WASTLER (NMSS)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE MEDICAL EVENT

The following information was received via facsimile:

"At 2:00PM on October 25, 2004, Saint Mary's Diagnostic Center reported that a Myoview dose was not showing the heart, but the sternum was viewable, indicating that the dose may have been MDP (bone agent). The syringe was retrieved from the customer and test confirmed the dose was MDP. The cause of the error was improper drug selection when filling the prescription. An in-service was conducted for the importance of detail when filling prescriptions and dispensing doses to correct the problem. The written notification was not received until December 13, 2004."

LA Event Report ID - LA040014

To top of page
General Information or Other Event Number: 41272
Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV
Licensee: BAYOU TESTERS
Region: 4
City: AMEILA State: LA
County:
License #: LA-7112-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: SCOTT BLACKWELL
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 12/21/2004
Notification Time: 09:45 [ET]
Event Date: 11/29/2004
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/21/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4)
SANDRA WASTLER (NMSS)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE EQUIPMENT FAILURE

The following report was received via facsimile:

"A INC IR-100 camera with serial number 4475 with 55 Curies of IR-192 was involved in an equipment failure. The exposure device locked before the pigtail was completely retracted into the locked position. The camera was surveyed and found no high or unusual readings. The radiographer was unable to unlock the camera to pull the source completely back so the device was sent to SPEC. SPEC removed and cleaned the lock assembly. SPEC stated that the malfunction was probably due to sand and dirt in the locking mechanism. The written notification was received on December 10, 2004."

LA Event Report ID- LA040015

To top of page
General Information or Other Event Number: 41273
Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV
Licensee: CENTRAL TESTING
Region: 4
City: SULPHUR State: LA
County:
License #: LA-2293-L01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: SCOTT BLACKWELL
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON
Notification Date: 12/21/2004
Notification Time: 09:45 [ET]
Event Date: 11/17/2004
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/21/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4)
SANDRA WASTLER (NMSS)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION

The following report was received via facsimile:

"Central Testing Company had a camera malfunction on November 17, 2004. When the radiographer tried to crank out the source to make his first exposure he realized that the camera would not allow him to. He notified Central Testing of the problem. The camera was returned to SPEC and they replaced the locking mechanism on the camera. The camera is now functioning properly."

LA Event Report ID - LA040013

To top of page
General Information or Other Event Number: 41279
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: GEOTECHNICS INCORPORATED
Region: 4
City: RIVERSIDE State: CA
County:
License #: 5744-37
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ROBERT GREGOR
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY
Notification Date: 12/22/2004
Notification Time: 13:53 [ET]
Event Date: 12/22/2004
Event Time: 04:55 [PST]
Last Update Date: 12/23/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4)
SANDRA WASTLER (NMSS)
JOE FOSTER (TAS)
MEXICO (CNS)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE

The following information was received via Email:

"Licensee called to report one of their Troxler 3430 gauges (serial number 23691- 8 mCi Cs-137 / 40 mCi Am 241/Be) had been stolen along with the vehicle it was in. The gauge was reported to be locked in the enclosed SUV which was parked outside of the Riverside office this morning [12/22/04]. The gauge user came out to his vehicle at about 0445, shortly after transferring the gauge from the storage facility to his vehicle, and discovered the vehicle had been stolen. A report was filed with the Riverside Police Department (P304357039)."

* * * UPDATE FROM R GREGER TO W GOTT AT 1419 ON 12/23/04 * * *

"This gauge was recovered approximately noon yesterday [12/22/04], the same day it was stolen, when the stolen truck was recovered. The gauge was still in its transportation case in the truck and apparently had not been accessed."

Notified NMSS (T Essig), R4DO (Spitzberg), TAS (J Foster) (email), and faxed to Mexico.

To top of page
General Information or Other Event Number: 41282
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: POMONA VALLEY HOSPITAL
Region: 4
City: POMONA State: CA
County: LOS ANGELES
License #: 0764-19
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KATHLEEN KAUFMAN
HQ OPS Officer: CHAUNCEY GOULD
Notification Date: 12/22/2004
Notification Time: 17:41 [ET]
Event Date: 09/30/2004
Event Time: [PST]
Last Update Date: 12/22/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4)
SCOTT FLANDERS (NMSS)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE EVENT

Pomona Valley Hospital reported in a December 9, 2004 letter to the State that seven I-125 seeds had been lost. The State received this letter December 14, 2004, & LA County received the letter December 21, 2004. Pomona reported that on October 14, 2004 while packaging excess I-125 seeds for return to the manufacturer, the dosimetrist discovered a shortage of seven seeds from a prostate implant done on Sept 30, 2004. They resurveyed the operating room & waste containers, but could not find the sources. They think the seeds were accidentally washed down the drain when the top part of the Mick Applicator cartridge was washed.

They are obtaining additional information, such as the activity of the seeds. However, these seeds are normally about 0.3-0.4 mCi each, so seven seeds would be more than the one mCi I-125 that requires immediate reporting.

They are reporting this as a loss that required immediate notification, but based on the information currently available, it appears unlikely that the loss could have resulted in exposure to persons in unrestricted areas.

CA 5010 Number: 122204

To top of page
General Information or Other Event Number: 41283
Rep Org: NV DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: BARRICK GOLDSTRIKE MINES
Region: 4
City: ELKO State: NV
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: STAN MARSHALL
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY
Notification Date: 12/22/2004
Notification Time: 18:22 [ET]
Event Date: 12/16/2004
Event Time: [PST]
Last Update Date: 12/22/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4)
SCOTT FLANDERS (NMSS)
JOE FOSTER (TAS)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MISSING POLONIUM-210 SOURCES

"During the semi-annual inventory of General License radioactive material at Barrick Goldstrike Mines it was found that two NRD 2U500 sources with original activity of 500 micro-curies of Polonium 210 per source were not located where they are supposed to be. These sources are used in analytical laboratory as static eliminators on balance scales. They were installed in April 2004 and were accounted for during the semi-annual inventory conducted in June 2004. An investigation is being conducted by the licensee in an attempt to locate the missing sources and to determine how they were lost.

"Notification [from licensee] received in writing [letter dated 12/16/04] on December 22, 2004.

"Consequences: These are generally licensed static eliminators with no public health impact anticipated."

Nevada Event Report ID No. NV-04-010

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 41290
Facility: PERRY
Region: 3 State: OH
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: JIM CASE
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 12/24/2004
Notification Time: 03:07 [ET]
Event Date: 12/23/2004
Event Time: 23:54 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/24/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
Person (Organization):
LAURA KOZAK (R3)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 A/R Y 44 Power Operation 0 Hot Shutdown

Event Text

REACTOR SCRAM FOLLOWING DOWN SHIFT OF BOTH RECIRC PUMPS FROM FAST TO SLOW SPEED

"At 2345 on 12/23/04 both reactor recirc pumps down shifted from fast to slow speed which resulted in reactor power reducing from 100% to 44%. At 2354 an automatic scram occurred from the activation of the Oscillation Power Range Monitor (OPRM) instrumentation. After the scram all safety systems responded as designed. Cause of the reactor recirc pump downshift is still under discovery."

All rods fully inserted. No safety relief valves lifted during the transient. The licensee was in no major LCO at the time. Pressure control is via the steam bypass valves.

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 41291
Facility: CALLAWAY
Region: 4 State: MO
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: KEITH DUNCAN
HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT
Notification Date: 12/24/2004
Notification Time: 13:49 [ET]
Event Date: 12/24/2004
Event Time: 09:27 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/24/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
BLAIR SPITZBERG (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

LOSS OF RESPONSE CAPABILITY - EMERGENCY OFFSITE FACILITY

"On 12/24/04 at 9:27 CST the Callaway Plant declared the Emergency Offsite Facility (EOF) Inoperable due to the ventilation system not operating in the Filtration Mode. This was discovered during normal watchstation rounds and followup evaluation of the capabilities of the ventilation system. The HVAC system was initially discovered to not be operating, subsequent evaluation indicated that the HVAC system would not operate with the unit in the Filtration Mode.

"The Backup Emergency Offsite Facility (EOF) is still available to support the Emergency Plan."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 41292
Facility: TURKEY POINT
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [ ] [4] [ ]
RX Type: [3] W-3-LP,[4] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: BRIAN STAMP
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 12/25/2004
Notification Time: 08:50 [ET]
Event Date: 12/25/2004
Event Time: 07:36 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/25/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
Person (Organization):
CAUDLE JULIAN (R2)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
4 M/R Y 100 Power Operation 0 Hot Standby

Event Text

UNIT4 MANUALLY TRIPPED DUE TO LOWERING CONDENSER VACUUM

"Manual reactor trip at 21.5" Hg and lowering. AFW initiated and operated as designed."

On 12/25/04 Unit 4 at Turkey Point experienced a declining vacuum in the main condenser. When the condenser vacuum reached 21.5 Hg, manual trip criteria was reached and the plant was manually shut down. Decay heat is being removed via the Atmospheric Steam Dumps. There is no known primary to secondary tube leakage. The AFW system started as expected. All rods inserted correctly and all systems functioned as designed.

The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 41293
Facility: SAINT LUCIE
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE
NRC Notified By: PATRICK KINNE
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 12/25/2004
Notification Time: 08:55 [ET]
Event Date: 12/25/2004
Event Time: 06:52 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/25/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
Person (Organization):
CAUDLE JULIAN (R2)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
2 M/R Y 100 Power Operation 0 Hot Standby

Event Text

UNIT2 MANUALLY TRIPPED TO REMOVE FAILING CONDENSATE PUMP FROM SERVICE

"Manual reactor trip due to condensate pump failure. All systems functioned as required post trip. The plant is currently stable in Mode 3."

On 12/25/04 Unit 2 at St. Lucie experienced a high amperage reading on a condensate pump. Visual observation of the pump indicated blistering paint at the electrical connections. The condensate pump was taken out of service and Unit 2 was manually shut down. Decay heat is being removed via normal means to the condenser. The AFW system started as expected. All rods inserted correctly and all systems functioned as designed.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 41295
Facility: ROBINSON
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [2] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [2] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: HENRY CURRY
HQ OPS Officer: JANELLE BATTISTE
Notification Date: 12/26/2004
Notification Time: 12:48 [ET]
Event Date: 12/26/2004
Event Time: 09:04 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/26/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
CAUDLE JULIAN (R2)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS/RESPONSE CAPABILITY

"At 0804 hours EST, on December 26, 2004, at the H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant (HBRSEP), Unit No. 2, a partial loss of non-vital offsite power occurred causing the inoperability of the Emergency Response Facility Information (ERFIS) computer system for greater than one hour. The ERFIS computer system provides monitoring and communications capability for plant data systems including the Emergency Response Data System (ERDS), among others. At 0852, the remaining non-vital offsite power was lost resulting in the disabling of the primary Emergency Operating Facility (EOF). The off-site alternate EOF remained operational. Power to the primary EOF was restored at 0913 and the ERFIS computer system was restored to operable status at 1010 hours on December 26, 2004.

"As required by plant procedures, appropriate assessment of plant conditions, notifications, and communications could still have been made through alternate methods during the time that the ERFIS computer system was inoperable. This report is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), which is any event that results in a major loss of emergency assessment capability, offsite response capability, or offsite communications capability. As previously stated, alternate means remained available to assess plant conditions, make notifications, and accomplish required communications, as necessary."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 41296
Facility: ROBINSON
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [2] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [2] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: BILL STOVER
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 12/27/2004
Notification Time: 01:02 [ET]
Event Date: 12/27/2004
Event Time: 00:31 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/27/2004
Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
Person (Organization):
CAUDLE JULIAN (R2)
PETER WILSON (IRD)
MICHAEL JOHNSON (NRR)
STEINDURF ()
AKERS (DHS)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
2 N Y 100 Power Operation 100 Power Operation

Event Text

UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO FIRE INSIDE PROTECTED AREA LASTING GREATER THAN 10 MINUTES

"Fire within the Protected Area lasting more than ten minutes. The Unusual Event was declared at 00:31 EST. The fire was located in the small arms locker in an out-building within the Protected Area. The fire was extinguished at 00:49 EST. Darlington County Fire Department responded."

Onsite security detected smoke and heard ammunition rounds discharging from a locked door small arms locker located in the Protected Area. Security reported the fire and onsite fire personnel responded. At 00:49 EST the fire was declared extinguished and a fire watch was set. No personnel were injured in this event. Darlington Fire Department was called and responded to the site, however, by the time they arrived the fire was put out and they, therefore, did not enter the Protected Area. Security believes this to be an isolated event with no evidence of malevolent actions.

The Licensee notified state and local agencies and the NRC Resident Inspector.


* * * UPDATE ON 12/27/04 AT 02:03 EST FROM B. STOVER TO J. KNOKE * * *

At 01:30 on 12/27/04 the Licensee terminated the Unusual Event. The Licensee indicated the fire has been out for 41 minutes. All on site small arms lockers were inspected by security and no evidence of any damage or tampering was found. The LLEA was not called for this event, however, they did respond when the Darlington Fire Department responded. The LLEA did not enter the Protected Area. As a precautionary followup measure the Licensee requested the Darlington County Sheriff's office send an arson investigator to the scene.

The Licensee notified state and local agencies and the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (Julian), NRR
(Johnson), IRD (Wilson), FEMA (Steindurf), and DHS (Akers).

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021