Event Notification Report for December 27, 2004
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
12/26/2004 - 12/27/2004
EVENT NUMBERS
41303412964129741409
General Information or Other
Event Number: 41303
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: N/A
Region: 4
City: WACO State: TX
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: D. RAY JISHA
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY
Licensee: N/A
Region: 4
City: WACO State: TX
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: D. RAY JISHA
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY
Notification Date: 12/31/2004
Notification Time: 10:52 [ET]
Event Date: 12/27/2004
Event Time: 00:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/31/2004
Notification Time: 10:52 [ET]
Event Date: 12/27/2004
Event Time: 00:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 12/31/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
TOM FARNHOLTZ (R4)
ELMO COLLINS (NMSS)
TOM FARNHOLTZ (R4)
ELMO COLLINS (NMSS)
MILITARY RADIO WITH RADIUM-226 FOUND IN SCRAP METAL BIN
On Monday, December 27, 2004 the Agency was contacted by the Emergency Management Coordinator, for Waco-McLennan County with concerns over a metallic box retrieved from a scrap metal recycling bin. This item was first noted as being radioactive by a scrap metal firm under the name of Lipschitz on Elm Street in Waco who purportedly has sensitive scintillation detectors to screen in-coming scrap. Once the item was returned to the City of Waco landfill, the Emergency Management Coordinator confirmed that one end of the two part metal device or container was indeed emitting radiation at a rate of 2mR/hr at an unspecified distance as measured with a yellow CVD meter obtained from the local haz-mat team.
State personnel responded on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 to the landfill and performed extensive surveys of the grounds, personnel, and equipment that may have come in contact with the device. All results were negative as measured with a pancake GM and the surface dose rate of 10mR/hr was recorded. After triple bagging, the device was brought to the State's Austin office.
Trace amounts of removable contamination was noted only on the inside of the cover for the controls of the rad/rec/trans which was labeled with the following data: Type CKB-43069-A, Radio-Transmitter-Receiver, Model Maw-1,Serial #784, NAVSHIPS 91529A. Radium-226 was confirmed as the radionuclide present by spectral analysis on Thursday, December 30, 2004. The State is seeking contact within the Navy who will assist in appropriate disposition.
Texas Incident # I-8194.
On Monday, December 27, 2004 the Agency was contacted by the Emergency Management Coordinator, for Waco-McLennan County with concerns over a metallic box retrieved from a scrap metal recycling bin. This item was first noted as being radioactive by a scrap metal firm under the name of Lipschitz on Elm Street in Waco who purportedly has sensitive scintillation detectors to screen in-coming scrap. Once the item was returned to the City of Waco landfill, the Emergency Management Coordinator confirmed that one end of the two part metal device or container was indeed emitting radiation at a rate of 2mR/hr at an unspecified distance as measured with a yellow CVD meter obtained from the local haz-mat team.
State personnel responded on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 to the landfill and performed extensive surveys of the grounds, personnel, and equipment that may have come in contact with the device. All results were negative as measured with a pancake GM and the surface dose rate of 10mR/hr was recorded. After triple bagging, the device was brought to the State's Austin office.
Trace amounts of removable contamination was noted only on the inside of the cover for the controls of the rad/rec/trans which was labeled with the following data: Type CKB-43069-A, Radio-Transmitter-Receiver, Model Maw-1,Serial #784, NAVSHIPS 91529A. Radium-226 was confirmed as the radionuclide present by spectral analysis on Thursday, December 30, 2004. The State is seeking contact within the Navy who will assist in appropriate disposition.
Texas Incident # I-8194.
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
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
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
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
Person (Organization):
CAUDLE JULIAN (R2)
PETER WILSON (IRD)
MICHAEL JOHNSON (NRR)
STEINDURF
AKERS (DHS)
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 |
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 follow-up 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).
"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 follow-up 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).
Power Reactor
Event Number: 41297
Facility: SAINT LUCIE
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE
NRC Notified By: JOONG KO
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Region: 2 State: FL
Unit: [] [2] []
RX Type: [1] CE,[2] CE
NRC Notified By: JOONG KO
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN
Notification Date: 12/27/2004
Notification Time: 18:49 [ET]
Event Date: 12/27/2004
Event Time: 17:20 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/28/2004
Notification Time: 18:49 [ET]
Event Date: 12/27/2004
Event Time: 17:20 [EST]
Last Update Date: 12/28/2004
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL
Person (Organization):
CAUDLE JULIAN (R2)
CAUDLE JULIAN (R2)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | M/R | Y | 10 | Power Operation | 0 | Hot Standby |
MANUAL REACTOR TRIP FOLLOWING PROBLEM WITH STEAM GENERATOR WATER LEVEL CONTROL
The licensee reported a "manual reactor trip due to low steam generator level caused by feedwater control system malfunction." The licensee stated that it manually tripped the reactor with steam generator water level at approximately 40% and decreasing. Steam generator water level control was restored following the trip using auxiliary feedwater.
All rods fully inserted on the trip. No safety or relief valves lifted. Auxiliary feedwater was manually actuated and decay heat is currently being discharged via the atmospheric dump valves. Unit 1 is at full power and unaffected and the grid is stable. The plant was in no major LCOs at the time. All systems functioned as required. The licensee is still investigating the feedwater control system malfunction.
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
* * * UPDATE FROM LICENSEE (WILLIAMS) TO NRC (HUFFMAN) AT 1818 ON 12/28/04 * * *
"The original notification stated that decay heat was being discharged via the atmospheric dump valves post-trip when the decay heat removal mechanism being used was steam dump to the condenser via the steam bypass control system. Additionally, although the auxiliary feedwater system was used to deliver water to the steam generators post-trip, the main feedwater system was available for this function. The investigation into the feedwater malfunction is still in progress."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed. R2DO (Moorman) notified.
The licensee reported a "manual reactor trip due to low steam generator level caused by feedwater control system malfunction." The licensee stated that it manually tripped the reactor with steam generator water level at approximately 40% and decreasing. Steam generator water level control was restored following the trip using auxiliary feedwater.
All rods fully inserted on the trip. No safety or relief valves lifted. Auxiliary feedwater was manually actuated and decay heat is currently being discharged via the atmospheric dump valves. Unit 1 is at full power and unaffected and the grid is stable. The plant was in no major LCOs at the time. All systems functioned as required. The licensee is still investigating the feedwater control system malfunction.
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
* * * UPDATE FROM LICENSEE (WILLIAMS) TO NRC (HUFFMAN) AT 1818 ON 12/28/04 * * *
"The original notification stated that decay heat was being discharged via the atmospheric dump valves post-trip when the decay heat removal mechanism being used was steam dump to the condenser via the steam bypass control system. Additionally, although the auxiliary feedwater system was used to deliver water to the steam generators post-trip, the main feedwater system was available for this function. The investigation into the feedwater malfunction is still in progress."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed. R2DO (Moorman) notified.
General Information or Other
Event Number: 41409
Rep Org: GEORGIA RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL PGM
Licensee: SHAW INDUSTRIES
Region: 1
City: DALTON State: GA
County:
License #: GENERAL
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: LIZ SEALE
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY
Licensee: SHAW INDUSTRIES
Region: 1
City: DALTON State: GA
County:
License #: GENERAL
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: LIZ SEALE
HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY
Notification Date: 02/14/2005
Notification Time: 15:13 [ET]
Event Date: 12/27/2004
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/18/2005
Notification Time: 15:13 [ET]
Event Date: 12/27/2004
Event Time: 00:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 02/18/2005
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
RAYMOND LORSON (R1)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
RAYMOND LORSON (R1)
TOM ESSIG (NMSS)
GEORGIA AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MISSING RADIOACTIVE SOURCE
The following information was received from the State via facsimile:
"Description of Event: On December 27, 2004, Shaw Industries, a general licensee, contracted with Graves & Phillips Engineering & Maintenance (Alabama License Number 1291) to have four sources removed and returned to the supplier, Omhart. Upon arrival at Omhart on February 4, 2005, the package contained only three sources and one detector. Shaw Industries reported that the fourth source was possibly left on the line where it was used to measure thickness of carpet and that line was sent to a scrap metal yard on January 11, 2005. However, it is still undetermined what has happened to the missing source.
"The Environmental Radiation Staff and representatives from Shaw Industries have been dispatched to the scrap metal yard to investigate the incident. The source holder was Omhart Vega Model BAL and serial number 3781 BC. Isotope: Sr-90. Amount of activity: 25 milliCuries."
Georgia Event Report ID GA-05-05.
* * * UPDATE FROM C. SANDERS TO J. ROTTON AT 1549 ON 02/15/05 * * *
2 personnel from the Georgia Environmental Radiation Staff, 5 representatives from Shaw Industries, and 5 representatives from Regional Recycle are scheduled to physically dismantle the trash pile on 02/16/05 where the missing source is believed to be located and conduct a thorough search for the source. The pile is approximately 40' high, 35 yards wide, and 85 yards long.
Notified R1DO (Cobey) and NMSS EO (Moore).
* * * UPDATE FROM L. SEALE TO J. KNOKE AT 11:18 ON 02/16/05 * * *
"February 14, 2005
The Radioactive Materials Program notified the NRC Operations Center of the event. Attempts to find the source by Shaw Industries' representatives and Environmental Radiation Staff were unsuccessful. The scrap pile that may contain the source is approximately 75-100 yards long, 30-40 yards wide, and 40' to 50' high. Regional Recycling stated that there was a 99% chance that the material was destined for the steel mill across the street from their facility, that is, a 1% chance that the material would be sent to a scrap yard in Kentucky.
"February 15, 2005
Environmental Radiation Staff notified the state of Alabama of the event and ongoing investigation due to Graves & Phillips Engineering & Maintenance, an Alabama licensee. Shaw Industries forwarded to the Environmental Radiation Program dose profiles and pictures of the source device received from Ohmart. Regional Recycling reviewed its records and no shipments had been sent to the Kentucky facility since November 2004. All facilities were notified of the event and pictures and descriptions of the device were sent to the facilities that may receive scrap metal from Shaw Industries.
"Shaw Industries and the Radiation Program were informed by Regional Recycling (scrap yard) that they wanted to dismantle the scrap pile to try to locate the source. Shaw Industries, Regional Recycling and the Environmental Program will provide staff to facilitate the search. The search is to begin on February 16, 2005. Regional Recycling has halted their operations until the search is completed. The Radioactive Materials Program updated the NRC Operation Center on the status of the event.
"February 16, 2005
Shaw Industries and the Environmental Program are currently at Regional Recycling and are visually inspecting the scrap as it is sorted by a crane. The Radioactive Materials Program updated the NRC Operation Center on the status of the event."
Notified R1DO (Cobey) and NMSS EO (Essig).
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY J. HARDEMAN TO JEFF ROTTON AT 1423 EST ON 02/18/05 * * *
At 1000 EST on 02/18/05, the missing source was located at the Regional Recycling facility in a different scrap pile from the original search. The source is in the possession of Shaw Industries as of 1410 EST on 02/18/05. A representative from Ohmart will arrive at the Shaw Industries facility on 02/23/05 to perform a source inspection and leak test.
Notified R1DO (Lorson) and NMSS EO (Essig).
The following information was received from the State via facsimile:
"Description of Event: On December 27, 2004, Shaw Industries, a general licensee, contracted with Graves & Phillips Engineering & Maintenance (Alabama License Number 1291) to have four sources removed and returned to the supplier, Omhart. Upon arrival at Omhart on February 4, 2005, the package contained only three sources and one detector. Shaw Industries reported that the fourth source was possibly left on the line where it was used to measure thickness of carpet and that line was sent to a scrap metal yard on January 11, 2005. However, it is still undetermined what has happened to the missing source.
"The Environmental Radiation Staff and representatives from Shaw Industries have been dispatched to the scrap metal yard to investigate the incident. The source holder was Omhart Vega Model BAL and serial number 3781 BC. Isotope: Sr-90. Amount of activity: 25 milliCuries."
Georgia Event Report ID GA-05-05.
* * * UPDATE FROM C. SANDERS TO J. ROTTON AT 1549 ON 02/15/05 * * *
2 personnel from the Georgia Environmental Radiation Staff, 5 representatives from Shaw Industries, and 5 representatives from Regional Recycle are scheduled to physically dismantle the trash pile on 02/16/05 where the missing source is believed to be located and conduct a thorough search for the source. The pile is approximately 40' high, 35 yards wide, and 85 yards long.
Notified R1DO (Cobey) and NMSS EO (Moore).
* * * UPDATE FROM L. SEALE TO J. KNOKE AT 11:18 ON 02/16/05 * * *
"February 14, 2005
The Radioactive Materials Program notified the NRC Operations Center of the event. Attempts to find the source by Shaw Industries' representatives and Environmental Radiation Staff were unsuccessful. The scrap pile that may contain the source is approximately 75-100 yards long, 30-40 yards wide, and 40' to 50' high. Regional Recycling stated that there was a 99% chance that the material was destined for the steel mill across the street from their facility, that is, a 1% chance that the material would be sent to a scrap yard in Kentucky.
"February 15, 2005
Environmental Radiation Staff notified the state of Alabama of the event and ongoing investigation due to Graves & Phillips Engineering & Maintenance, an Alabama licensee. Shaw Industries forwarded to the Environmental Radiation Program dose profiles and pictures of the source device received from Ohmart. Regional Recycling reviewed its records and no shipments had been sent to the Kentucky facility since November 2004. All facilities were notified of the event and pictures and descriptions of the device were sent to the facilities that may receive scrap metal from Shaw Industries.
"Shaw Industries and the Radiation Program were informed by Regional Recycling (scrap yard) that they wanted to dismantle the scrap pile to try to locate the source. Shaw Industries, Regional Recycling and the Environmental Program will provide staff to facilitate the search. The search is to begin on February 16, 2005. Regional Recycling has halted their operations until the search is completed. The Radioactive Materials Program updated the NRC Operation Center on the status of the event.
"February 16, 2005
Shaw Industries and the Environmental Program are currently at Regional Recycling and are visually inspecting the scrap as it is sorted by a crane. The Radioactive Materials Program updated the NRC Operation Center on the status of the event."
Notified R1DO (Cobey) and NMSS EO (Essig).
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY J. HARDEMAN TO JEFF ROTTON AT 1423 EST ON 02/18/05 * * *
At 1000 EST on 02/18/05, the missing source was located at the Regional Recycling facility in a different scrap pile from the original search. The source is in the possession of Shaw Industries as of 1410 EST on 02/18/05. A representative from Ohmart will arrive at the Shaw Industries facility on 02/23/05 to perform a source inspection and leak test.
Notified R1DO (Lorson) and NMSS EO (Essig).