| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
04/30/2008 - 05/01/2008 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | General Information or Other | Event Number: 44150 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: WALMART
Region: 4
City: CYPRESS State: TX
County:
License #: GLA
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: LATISCHA HANSON
HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL | Notification Date: 04/18/2008
Notification Time: 11:50 [ET]
Event Date: 03/13/2008
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/30/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JEFFREY CLARK (R4)
MICHELLE BURGESS (FSME)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE - BROKEN TRITIUM EXIT SIGN
The State provided the following information via email:
"On April 17, 2008, the agency received written notification from the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), reporting that during their routine inventory check they, accompanied by two of their health physics consultants, found the one tritium (H-3) exit signs in a non-public receiving area in their Cypress, Texas store, had a missing face plate, frame and label, red 'EXIT' cover and several H-3 tubes. The RSO reported that the remaining H-3 tubes were intact.
"The RSO reported that they conducted informal interviews with store managers and associates that revealed no additional information as to the date or circumstances of the damage to the sign. The RSO and their consultants stated that because available information does not suggest that the H-3 exit sign (TES) was recently damaged, Wal-Mart believes that no significant contamination currently exists at the site. Additionally, he stated that Wal-Mart reached this conclusion in consultation with consultant Certified Health Physicists (CHPs).
"The RSO stated that their long term corrective actions included: implementing protocols, which have been communicated to employees, for the proper handling of TES to ensure public health and safety and the protection of its employees. They report that they are in the process of inventorying all of the TES at its sites across the country to re-establish the accuracy of its records and to track the current locations of the TES, with the intent of ensuring that all TES are accounted for and handled properly.
"The RSO stated that the damaged TES will be packaged for shipment according to protocols established by their consultants and consistent with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) guidelines. Wal-Mart anticipates shipping the remnants of the damaged TES to a specific licensee or arranging for a waste broker to ship the TES to a specific licensee authorized to receive it within thirty-days of their report to the agency, which was dated April 10, 2008."
Texas report I-8507
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY LATISCHA HANSON VIA E-MAIL TO JASON KOZAL ON 04/23/08 AT 1449 * * *
"On 04/22/08:
"The agency received written notifications each dated April 17, 2008 that three more exit signs were found damaged at the following locations:
"1) 4700 East Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, Texas 78665-2580; Store # 5480
- Damaged exit sign discovered on 03/19/08
- approximately 11.5 Ci; Serial # unknown
- one damaged exit sign with the tubes in the letter "T" broken.
"2) 620 S IH-35, Georgetown, Texas 78628-4157; Store # 1303
- Damaged exit sign discovered on 03/18/08
- 20 Ci; Serial #289930
- one damaged exit sign uninstalled and stored in the manager's office, missing it's face plate, it's red "EXIT" cover and all H-3 tubes.
"3) 1030 Norwood Park Blvd., Austin, Texas 78753-6600; Store # 1185
- Damaged exit sign discovered on 03/19/08
- 20.0 Ci; Serial #274828
- one damaged exit sign with broken tubes, installed in the non-public receiving section of the store."
Notified R4DO (Cain), FSME EO (Hsueh).
* * * UPDATE PROVIDED BY ART TUCKER TO JASON KOZAL ON 4/30/08 AT 1029 * * *
The State provided the following information via email:
"The State of Texas received notification of nine additional exit signs which had either damaged (4) or missing (5) vials containing tritium (H-3.) The RSO for Wal-Mart stated that the information gather in the inspections conducted throughout the United States was being entered into a database and that they would supply the State of Texas with the results of their inspections conducted in Texas as soon as it was available. No estimate of the number of vials involved or the total activity released has been determined as of today's date. He also stated that he had been in contact with the NRC. "
Notified R4DO (Pick), FSME (Burgess).
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks.
This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 44164 | Rep Org: SC DIV OF HEALTH & ENV CONTROL
Licensee: F&ME CONSULTANTS
Region: 1
City: NORTH AUGUSTA State: SC
County:
License #: 293
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MARK WINDHAM
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE | Notification Date: 04/25/2008
Notification Time: 10:03 [ET]
Event Date: 04/24/2008
Event Time: 13:45 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/25/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JOHN WHITE (R1)
RON ZELAC (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - DAMAGED MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
"The SC Department of Health and Environmental was notified on Thursday, April 24, 2008, at 1425 hrs, that a Humboldt Model EZ 5001, s/n 1931, containing 10 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241:Be, had been damaged at 1345 hrs on April 24, 2008. The Construction Services Manger [licensee] stated that a gauge had been damaged by the authorized user's vehicle. [State] Duty Officer responded to the scene and arrived at 1611 hrs. The area around the gauge had been properly roped off and the source rod was locked in its shielded position. The gauge handle and rod had been snapped off at the top of the gauge. The gauge was secured in the transport container and the inspector advised licensee to return the gauge to the permanent storage location, secure it from further use, and to contact the gauge manufacturer for further instruction regarding disposal.
"Licensee was advised by state Duty Officer to submit a written report detailing this event to the Department within 30 days. The event is open and pending the licensee's investigation and report to the Department, updates will be made through the national NMED system." |
| General Information or Other | Event Number: 44167 | Rep Org: PA BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: APPLIED TESTING AND GEOTESTING
Region: 1
City: BRIDGEPORT State: PA
County:
License #: 37-30701-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DAVID ALLARD
HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON | Notification Date: 04/25/2008
Notification Time: 10:55 [ET]
Event Date: 04/25/2008
Event Time: [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/25/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
JOHN WHITE (R1)
RON ZELAC (FSME)
ILTAB via email ()
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text PENNSYLVANIA AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
The State provided the following information via email:
"The RSO for Applied Testing and Authorities (37-30701-01), Bridgeport, [PA] reported [to the State of PA] that their Troxler Model 3411 portable moisture-density gauge, containing about Cs-137 (44mCi) and Am-241 (9 mCi), was stolen from a street outside an employee's home at 502 Dickinson Street in Philadelphia. It was stolen between 8:30 last night and 6:45 this morning. The RSO indicated that the gauge was stolen from a locked box which was double-chained to a flat-bed truck. It was noticed that the gauge was missing this morning.
"The Philadelphia Police Department was notified of the incident by the licensee and has responded to the area.
"[State of PA] will be doing an inspection of the licensee this afternoon."
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks.
This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 44179 | Facility: BRUNSWICK
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: DAVID JESTER
HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL | Notification Date: 04/30/2008
Notification Time: 05:21 [ET]
Event Date: 04/29/2008
Event Time: 23:13 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/30/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
| Person (Organization):
CAROLYN EVANS (R2)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 32 | Power Operation | 32 | Power Operation | Event Text HIGH PRESSURE COOLANT INJECTION (HPCI) SYSTEM INOPERABLE DUE TO SEAL LEAK
"On 04/29/08 at approximately 2313 during testing of the Unit 1 HPCI system, a main pump seal developed a leak requiring the HPCI system to be secured. HPCI testing was in progress per OPT 09.2, HPCI System Operability Test, following recent Unit 1 refueling outage. At the time of discovery, the Unit 1 HPCI system had been declared inoperable due to surveillance testing activities which removed HPCI from the standby lineup. When the pump seal leak developed, operators secured HPCI and isolated the leak by closing the pump suction isolation valves and the keep fill supply valves. Investigation into the cause of the pump seal leakage is underway and the Unit 1 HPCI system will be placed under clearance for repair.
"The initial safety significance of this condition is considered to be minimal. The Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) system as well as the other Unit 1 ECCS systems are operable at this time. Actions have been taken to protect redundant safety systems.
"The Unit 1 HPCI system has been removed from service and secured. Investigation is underway to determine the cause of the HPCI main pump leakage. The HPCI system will be placed under clearance for repair."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 44181 | Facility: FERMI
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [2] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: JIM KONRAD
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 04/30/2008
Notification Time: 18:41 [ET]
Event Date: 04/30/2008
Event Time: 15:55 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/30/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
MONTE PHILLIPS (R3)
|
| 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 CALCIUM CHLORIDE SPILLED ON SITE
"Environmental received a call regarding an unknown substance spilled in the south east corner of the site. Environmental personnel responded and discovered approximately 300 pounds of calcium chloride, commonly known as 'Ice Melt.' The Ice Melt was on the side of the road with approximately 25% of the substance in the water of the wetlands. Clean up efforts are underway. The following local government agencies were notified: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality District Office (MDEQ), National Response Center, 911 Local Emergency Planning Committee, Pollution Emergency Alert System (PEAS)."
The Ice Melt had been emptied from a facility truck onto the side of the road. The wetland empties into Lake Erie.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 44182 | Facility: KEWAUNEE
Region: 3 State: WI
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-2-LP
NRC Notified By: ANDREW SMOLINSKI
HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA | Notification Date: 04/30/2008
Notification Time: 22:52 [ET]
Event Date: 04/30/2008
Event Time: 16:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 04/30/2008 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B) - UNANALYZED CONDITION
50.72(b)(3)(v)(B) - POT RHR INOP
| Person (Organization):
MONTE PHILLIPS (R3)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling | Event Text TWO EMERGENCY DIESEL GENERATORS INOPERABLE
"Two emergency diesel generators found inoperable while two trains of residual heat removal are required to be Operable for core cooling.
"On 4/30 at 1600 it was discovered that the level in Emergency Diesel Generator Fuel Oil Storage tanks were not trending together. The two underground fuel oil tanks have a capacity of 35,000 gallons each (useable volume of 34,674 gallons). The tanks are connected with a siphon line between the tanks to ensure a passive means of transfer so one emergency diesel can use both tanks. The siphon line does not appear to be transferring fuel oil.
"KPS is in a refueling outage and in REFUELING SHUTDOWN mode with the vessel drained to 6" below the flange for reactor vessel reassembly. Both trains of RHR are required to be OPERABLE per TS 3.1.a.2.B.
"Technical Specification 3.7.c states that when its normal or emergency power source is inoperable, a system, train or component may be considered OPERABLE for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of its applicable LCO provided:
1. Its corresponding normal and emergency power source is OPERABLE; and
2. Its redundant system, train, or component is OPERABLE.
"Kewaunee Power Station (KPS) Technical Specifications Section 3.7.a.7 states that the reactor shall not be made critical unless both diesel generators are operable. The two underground storage tanks combine to supply at least 35000 gallons of fuel oil for either diesel generator and the day tanks for each diesel generator contain at least 1,000 gallons of fuel oil. The current volume is 29,700 gallons in Tank A and 21,500 gallons in Tank B.
Based on two trains found inoperable, this is reportable under:
10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii) (8-Hr)
10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(B) (8-hr)
"Per TS 3.1.a.2.B the condition must be fixed immediately. Troubleshooting/investigation is in progress to determine repairs. Cause is being investigated."
Condition was found during engineering review of logs taken during operator rounds.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | |