Home NRC Library Document Collections Events, Reports Associated with Event Notification Reports 2008

Event Notification Report for May 12, 2008

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
05/09/2008 - 05/12/2008

** EVENT NUMBERS **

40485	40750	40782	40840	40901	41097	41149	41197	41274	41316	41341	41427
41523	41609	41651	41686	41697	41722	41740	41822	41839	41841	41843	42047
42089	42131	42133	42191	42244	42314	42351	42352	42393	42411	42442	42480
42502	42612	42629	42655	42718	42723	42761	42809	43090	43204	43244	43255
43310	43330	43350	43389	43426	43490	43528	43616	43661	43728	44189	44195
44196	44197	44198	44199	44200

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 40485
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: DAVID SPANGLER HQ OPS Officer: CHAUNCEY GOULD	Notification Date: 01/28/2004 Notification Time: 10:29 [ET] Event Date: 01/28/2004 Event Time: 08:00 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 20.1906(d)(2) - EXTERNAL RAD LEVELS > LIMITS	Person (Organization): GEORGE KUZO (R2) JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 40750
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: RANDY SHACKELFORD HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON	Notification Date: 05/14/2004 Notification Time: 17:07 [ET] Event Date: 05/14/2004 Event Time: 09:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: RESPONSE-BULLETIN	Person (Organization): KERRY LANDIS (R2) ROBERT PIERSON (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 40782
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LES DUNCAN HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY	Notification Date: 05/28/2004 Notification Time: 12:48 [ET] Event Date: 05/27/2004 Event Time: 19:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 70.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE	Person (Organization): DAVID AYRES (R2) LINDA PSYK-GERSEY (NMSS)

Event Text

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 40840
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: GILBERT ROSENBERGER HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT	Notification Date: 06/24/2004 Notification Time: 18:52 [ET] Event Date: 06/24/2004 Event Time: 15:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 20.1906(d)(1) - SURFACE CONTAM LEVELS > LIMITS	Person (Organization): ROBERT HAAG (R2) M. WAYNE HODGES (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 40901
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: ANDREW MAXIN HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON	Notification Date: 07/28/2004 Notification Time: 08:58 [ET] Event Date: 07/27/2004 Event Time: 10:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 70.50(b)(4) - FIRE/EXPLOSION	Person (Organization): STEPHEN CAHILL (R2) TOM ESSIG (NMSS) RICHARD WESSMAN (IRD)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41097
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: SCOTT KIRK HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA	Notification Date: 10/06/2004 Notification Time: 10:42 [ET] Event Date: 10/06/2004 Event Time: 09:10 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: OTHER UNSPEC REQMNT	Person (Organization): CHARLES R. OGLE (R2) SCOTT MOORE (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41149
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: SCOTT KIRK HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH	Notification Date: 10/27/2004 Notification Time: 10:37 [ET] Event Date: 10/26/2004 Event Time: 17:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS	Person (Organization): BRIAN BONSER (R2) TOM ESSIG (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41197
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: SCOTT KIRK HQ OPS Officer: JOHN MacKINNON	Notification Date: 11/15/2004 Notification Time: 19:00 [ET] Event Date: 11/15/2004 Event Time: 18:15 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 70.74 APP. A - ADDITIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS	Person (Organization): THOMAS DECKER (R2) JOSEPH HOLONICH (NMSS) MIKE WEBER (NSIR)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41274
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: RANDY SHACKELFORD HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY	Notification Date: 12/21/2004 Notification Time: 12:10 [ET] Event Date: 12/17/2004 Event Time: 22:30 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 70.74 APP. A - ADDITIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS	Person (Organization): JAY HENSON (R2) JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41316
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: RANDY SHACKELFORD HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 01/07/2005 Notification Time: 17:30 [ET] Event Date: 01/07/2005 Event Time: 16:00 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS	Person (Organization): MARK LESSER (R2) ROBERT PIERSON (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41341
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN	Notification Date: 01/17/2005 Notification Time: 16:16 [ET] Event Date: 01/17/2005 Event Time: 05:45 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 70.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE	Person (Organization): KERRY LANDIS (R2) TOM ESSIG (NMSS) PETER WILSON (IRD)

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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LOSS OF FIRE MONITORING CAPABILITY

The following information was received by the licensee via facsimile:

I. Event Description

"On Monday, January 17, 2005, at approximately 0545, Security personnel manning the Central Alarm Station notified the Emergency Team captain [Redacted] that they were unable to detect any information from the facility fire protection system and the system operability was in question. Compensatory measures were put in place: the e-team patrolled the facility with a special emphasis placed on radiologically controlled areas. The system was restored at 0956."

II. Evaluation of the Event

"10 CFR 70.50(b)(2) states that the NRC must be notified of an event within 24 hours followed by a 30-day written report if the following condition is met:

"An event in which equipment that meets all of the following three conditions is disabled or fails to function as designed: [10CFR70.50(b)(2)]

"(1) The equipment is required by regulation or license condition to prevent releases exceeding regulatory limits, to prevent exposures to radiation and radioactive material exceeding regulatory limits, or to mitigate the consequences of an accident; and

"(2) The equipment is required to be available and operable when it is disabled or fails to function; and

"(3) No redundant equipment is available and operable to perform the required safety function.

"License SNM-42, Chapter 1, Section 1.9.2 requires that: "Fire detectors be installed and maintained in controlled areas. These detectors will alarm in the continuously manned NPD security alarm station." The system malfunction in the Central Alarm Station prevented them from being continuously monitored.

"Evaluations have been performed to determine that the system is not an IROFS and that regulatory limits will not be exceeded by [DELETED]. While SARs 15.9, 15.10, and 15.11 currently list the smoke detectors as IROFS, an evaluation was performed in December, 2004 which determined that these systems were not required to be IROFS and they are in the process of being removed from the ISA Summary.

"The equipment was required to be available and operable when it failed to function. Also, redundant equipment was not available; however, compensatory measures were utilized. The emergency team was dispatched to patrol the facility and monitor for local alarms and system activations. Special emphasis was placed on controlled areas. Compensatory measures were in place within 15 minutes of notification of the system loss.

III. Notification Requirements

"The event is reportable due to:

"Although the fire system monitoring is not an IROFS, it is required by the license to mitigate the consequences of an event in a controlled area. Also, it was required to be functional when the communications loss occurred and a redundant system was not available to perform the required safety function. Based on this, notification is required to the NRC within 24 hours followed by a 30-day written report.

IV. Status of Corrective Actions:

"The equipment has been returned to service and is functioning. An investigation of the event is underway."

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY H. Crouch * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41427
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: DAVE SANGLER HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 02/21/2005 Notification Time: 16:35 [ET] Event Date: 02/21/2005 Event Time: 13:45 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 20.1906(d)(2) - EXTERNAL RAD LEVELS > LIMITS	Person (Organization): RUDOLPH BERNHARD (R2) SCOTT MOORE (NMSS) JACK WHITTEN (R4)

Event Text

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41523
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: NICK BROWN HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 03/24/2005 Notification Time: 17:49 [ET] Event Date: 03/24/2005 Event Time: 14:00 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS	Person (Organization): DAVID AYRES (R2) DANIEL GILLEN (NMSS)

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

EQUIPMENT PIECE FOR STORAGE RACK NOT IN PLACE FOR SAFE STORAGE OF SNM

The following information was faxed by Nuclear Fuels Services:

"ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES TO THE WORKERS, THE PUBLIC, AND THE ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING RELEVANT CHEMICAL AND RADIATION DATA FOR ACTUAL PERSONNEL EXPOSURES TO RADIATION OR RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS OR HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS REPRODUCED FROM LICENSED MATERIALS

"There were no actual health and safety consequences to workers, the public, or the environment. There were also no personnel exposures to radiation, radioactive materials, or hazardous chemicals produced from licensed materials. The potential Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) consequences for workers were very low given the actual material storage conditions. No additional containers of SNM above the approved limit were stored in the storage racks and additional containers were specifically evaluated and determined to be subcritical.

"THE SEQUENCE OF OCCURRENCES LEADING TO THE EVENT, INCLUDING DEGRADATION OR FAILURE OF STRUCTURES, SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT, COMPONENTS, AND ACTIVITIES OF PERSONNEL RELIED ON TO PREVENT POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS OR MITIGATE THEIR CONSEQUENCES:
"On March 24, 2005, a Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer (NCSE) inspected a storage rack and observed that a piece of Configuration Controlled Equipment (CCE) was not in place. The piece of equipment is credited for preventing containers of SNM from being stored between approved storage positions. A posted Station Limit Card (SLC) instructs the operations personnel on the number and location where containers of SNM may be stored in the racks.

"DISCUSS WHETHER REMAINING STRUCTURES, SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT COMPONENTS, AND ACTIVITIES RELIED ON TO PREVENT POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS OR MITIGATE THEIR CONSEQUENCES ARE AVAILABLE AND RELIABLE TO PERFORM THEIR FUNCTION:
"The remaining activities relied on to prevent potential accidents are available and reliable to perform their function. The storage requirements are posted via a Station Limit Card on the storage rack and no containers were observed to be stored in unapproved locations.

"ACTIONS TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE EVENT:
"The bottom two storage positions that could be involved were covered by signs instructing the operations personnel to not use them. The process engineer for the area was instructed to install the needed equipment to bring the storage rack into compliance. The event was entered into the PIRCS system (PIRCS ID 4704).

"SAFETY SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EVENT:
"The safety significance was very low for the event given that no violation of container storage was found. Containers of SNM were not stored in unapproved locations in the storage rack. More than one failure would have been necessary to be outside of the normal case configuration modeled in the Nuclear Criticality Safety Evaluation. The risk index could very easily have been written to credit additional limits and requirements that would have made this report unnecessary.

"BRIEF SCENARIO OF HOW A CRITICALITY COULD OCCUR:
"For a criticality to occur, multiple containers (more than two) would have had to have been stored incorrectly.

"WHAT ARE THE CONTROLS OR CONTROL SYSTEMS AND THE FAILURES OR DEFICIENCIES?
"The controls were equipment design to prevent containers of SNM from being stored between approved storage locations in a storage rack. The bottom of the storage rack had not been modified to prevent a container from being stored between approved storage locations.

"WHAT ARE THE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TAKEN AN WHEN WAS EACH IMPLEMENTED?
"The storage positions involved at the bottom of the storage rack were taken out of service immediately on 3/24/2005. The process engineer for the area was immediately notified of the necessary modification to the equipment. The event was entered into the PII2CS system."

There was no exposure to personnel with this event.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. No other notifications were issued.

* * * UPDATE 1030 EDT ON 4/6/05 FROM RANDY SHACKELFORD TO JEFF ROTTON * * *

NFS Erwin is retracting this report based on the following:

"On 3/24/2005, NFS made a 24-hour report to the operations center based on l OCFR70, Appendix A, Paragraph (a)(2). L OCFR70, Appendix A, Paragraph (a)(2) requires a 24hour report for loss or degradation of items relied on for safety (IROFS) that results in failure to meet the performance requirement of Sec. 70.61. The report was made because it was observed that a piece of configuration controlled equipment for a storage rack was not in place that would prevent containers from being stored between approved storage positions.

"The storage of containers between approved storage positions was bounded by the normal case Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) model; and, it was later determined that other IROFS listed in the ISA Summary were in place such that the performance requirements were met. This information was discussed and reviewed with an NRC Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) Inspector during the week of March 28, 2005. Based on this information and discussion with the NRC Inspector, it is requested that this event report be retracted."

Notified R2DO (Rodgers) and NMSS (Burgess).

* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY J KOZAL * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41609
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: WESLEY HELD	Notification Date: 04/18/2005 Notification Time: 16:54 [ET] Event Date: 04/18/2005 Event Time: 16:45 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL	Person (Organization): PAUL FREDRICKSON (R2)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41651
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: RANDY SHACKELFORD HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN	Notification Date: 04/29/2005 Notification Time: 10:37 [ET] Event Date: 04/28/2005 Event Time: 17:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(1) - UNANALYZED CONDITION	Person (Organization): JOEL MUNDAY (R2) JOHN HICKEY (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41686
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEA MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ	Notification Date: 05/10/2005 Notification Time: 15:53 [ET] Event Date: 05/10/2005 Event Time: 13:52 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 20.1906(d)(2) - EXTERNAL RAD LEVELS > LIMITS	Person (Organization): JAMES MOORMAN (R2)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41697
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON	Notification Date: 05/13/2005 Notification Time: 13:51 [ET] Event Date: 05/13/2005 Event Time: 13:45 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL	Person (Organization): JAMES MOORMAN (R2) CHARLIE COX (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41722
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 05/20/2005 Notification Time: 17:55 [ET] Event Date: 05/20/2005 Event Time: 15:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL	Person (Organization): CHARLES R. OGLE (R2) LARRY CAMPER (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41740
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ	Notification Date: 06/01/2005 Notification Time: 16:13 [ET] Event Date: 05/27/2005 Event Time: 14:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL	Person (Organization): ROBERT HAAG (R2) RICHARD CORREIA (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41822
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT	Notification Date: 07/06/2005 Notification Time: 15:09 [ET] Event Date: 07/05/2005 Event Time: 20:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 70.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE	Person (Organization): STEPHEN CAHILL (R2) TOM ESSIG (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41839
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: RANDY SHACKELFORD HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ	Notification Date: 07/13/2005 Notification Time: 17:06 [ET] Event Date: 07/09/2005 Event Time: 09:36 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 70.50(b)(4) - FIRE/EXPLOSION	Person (Organization): PAUL FREDRICKSON (R2) PETER WILSON (IRD) DANIEL GILLEN (NMSS)

Event Text

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41841
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: HOWARD POWELL HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON	Notification Date: 07/13/2005 Notification Time: 22:59 [ET] Event Date: 07/13/2005 Event Time: 22:45 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: ALERT 10 CFR Section: 70.32(i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED	Person (Organization): PAUL FREDRICKSON (R2) DANIEL GILLEN (NMSS) STROSNIDER (NMSS) WILSON (IRD) PLISCO (R2RA) STEVE YORK (DHS) JIM DUNKER (FEMA) STU BAILEY (DOE) ALLISON (EPA) JAMIE WHITE (HHS)

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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EMERGENCY DECLARED DUE TO CRITICALITY ALARMS

At 2230 EDT the facility received multiple Criticality Alarms believed to be due to lightning strikes on site. The Emergency Operations Center has been activated and is in the process of staffing. Most alarms have been reset to normal. The licensee has sent teams to take local radiation readings. Local state and local agencies have been notified. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified and is onsite.

* * * UPDATE FROM POWELL TO ROTTON AT 2330 ON 07/13/05 * * *

BWXT secured Alert based on surveys of affected areas being normal.

* * * UPDATE FROM POWELL TO GOTT AT 0010 ON 07/14/05 * * *

"Emergency has been terminated. EOC will maintain a minimal staffing for follow-up. A Post Incident Review Team has been appointed to assess the incident."

* * * UPDATE AT 0026 ON 17/14/05 * * *

NRC secured monitoring.

Notified R2 IRC (Plisco, D. Collins), R4DO (B. Spitzberg), IRD (Wilson), NMSS (Strosnider, Gillen). Commission Staff (Castleman, Thoma, Hatchett, Piccone), EDO/EDO staff (Virgilio, Dyer, Kane, Miller), IRD (Wilson, Leach, McGinty), PAO (Brenner), DOC (Outlaw), DHS (S. York), FEMA (Dunker), DOE (Bailey), EPA(NRC) (Allison), HHS (White).

* * * RETRACTION AT 0959 ON 07/15/05 FROM L. MORRELL TO W. GOTT * * *

"On Wednesday, July 13, 2005, at 10:45 p.m. BWX Technologies, Inc. declared an Alert per the BWXT Emergency Plan and internal emergency procedures. BWXT contacted the NRC Operations Center to report that an Alert had been declared due to a criticality alarm that resulted from a lightning strike. The decision to declare an Alert was based on the fact that radiation indicator alarms on the criticality panel went into a high alarm and it was not immediately determined that high radiation levels did not exist. EOC personnel conservatively determined that an Alert should be declared and implemented the notification process while an evaluation into the exact cause of the alarm was implemented. Further evaluation of the situation confirmed that the activation of the alarms was not caused by high levels of radiation but by the lightning strike, which caused damage to electronic components within the alarm system. Therefore, the Alert criteria were actually not met. BWXT is requesting that the Alert declaration that was made on July 13, 2005, be withdrawn."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Notified R2DO (P. Fredrickson) and NMSS (S. Moore).

* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY H. Crouch * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 41843
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEA MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ	Notification Date: 07/14/2005 Notification Time: 17:04 [ET] Event Date: 07/13/2005 Event Time: 21:50 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 70.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE	Person (Organization): PAUL FREDRICKSON (R2) DANIEL GILLEN (NMSS)

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

FIRE ALARM COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FAILURE

"On Wednesday, July 13, 2005, at approximately 9:40 pm, NPD established a storm watch for the facility criticality alarm system during a violent thunderstorm. At approximately 9:50 pm, a lightning strike at the Mt. Athos facility activated the criticality monitoring system and damaged the fire alarm system.

"Storm watch procedures were in place and personnel were evacuated to a safe location. After repairs were complete, at approximately 1:00 am, during functional testing of the [DELETED] criticality alarm system, a power surge occurred. Tests indicated that while the [DELETED] facility safety alarms were functional, communications from the alarm panel, which includes the fire alarms to the NPD [DELETED] Alarm Station [DELETED], were lost. It is uncertain whether the lightening strike or the power surge damaged the communications capability.

"By 9:00 am on July 14, 2005 the system was repaired and fire detection was functional."

"Evaluation of the Event:

"10 CFR 70.50(b)(2) states that the NRC must be notified of an event within 24 hours followed by a 30-day written report if the following condition is met. An event in which equipment that meets all of the following three conditions is disabled or fails to function as designed: [10CFR70.50(b)(2)]

"(1) The equipment is required by regulation or license condition to prevent releases exceeding regulatory limits, to prevent exposures to radiation and radioactive material exceeding regulatory limits, or to mitigate the consequences of an accident and

"(2) The equipment is required to be available and operable when it is disabled or fails to function; and

"(3) No redundant equipment is available and operable to perform the required safety function.

"License SNM-42, Chapter 1, Section 1.9.2 requires that: 'Fire detectors be installed and maintained in controlled areas. These detectors will alarm in the continuously manned NPD [DELETED] alarm station.' The system malfunction prevented the [DELETED] controlled area fire detection from alarming in the NPD [DELETED] alarm station.

"Evaluations have been performed to determine that the fire detection system in this area is not an IROFS and that regulatory limits will not be exceeded by a fire.

"The equipment was required to be available and operable when it failed to function. Also, redundant equipment was not available; however, compensatory measures were utilized. Radiation Protection personnel were dispatched to monitor the local alarms and system activations. Compensatory measures [personnel at the local alarm panel] were in place by approximately 1:00 am.

"Notification Requirements

"The event is reportable due to:

"Although the fire system monitoring is not an IROFS, it is required by the license to mitigate the consequences of an event in a controlled area. Also, it was required to be functional when the communications loss occurred and a redundant system was not available to perform the required safety function. Based on this, notification is required to the NRC within 24 hours followed by a 30-day written report.

"Status of Corrective Actions:

"The system has been repaired, tested, and is functioning properly. A new surge protector will be installed on the Honeywell System when it is received."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY H. Crouch * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42047
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: VANESSA JOHNSON HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN	Notification Date: 10/08/2005 Notification Time: 18:33 [ET] Event Date: 10/08/2005 Event Time: 10:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 70.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE	Person (Organization): BRIAN BONSER (R2) E. WILLIAM BRACH (NMSS)

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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CRITICALITY ALARM SYSTEM INOPERABLE IN THE NDA/LOADING DOCK AREA DUE TO DETECTOR FAILURE

"The NDA RMS-3 detector pair had stopped communicating with the RadNet computer in early September. The RadNet program is not required to actuate the criticality alarm, but is used for detector monitoring and diagnostics. This pair of readouts is in a remote location and are not monitored frequently. On 10/8/05 while performing monthly meter checks and semi-annual calibration the following was noted:

1) NDA East background 10-20 µR/hr, NDA West 0.2 - 0.4 Mr/hr; both had green normal lights.
2) Conducted internal source check, NDA West - normal.
3) Conducted internal source check NDA East- only read 1.1 Mr/hr when >10 Mr/hr is expected, source check took much longer than is normal.
4) Attempted to calibrate East detector, when exposed to 20 Mr/hr indicated 200-300 µR/hr, when exposed to 100 Mr/hr indicated 4 Mr/hr. Normal alarm setpoint is 20 Mr/hr.
5) Attempted to communicate with NDA East RMS-3 with a local computer, but it would not communicate.
6) Replaced detector, no change noted.
7) Replaced RMS-3 internals with a spare RMS-3. This RMS-3 started communicating with the RadNet program normally and was calibrated normally. When the NDA East RMS-3 was turned off for replacement, the NDA West also started communicating with the RadNet program.

"NDA East detector was last calibrated on 8/18/05 due to the replacement of NDA West detector. Locally source checked when communications initially failed on 9/9/05."

A valid signal from both detectors is required in order to initiate a criticality alarm. The source check performed on 9/9/05 may not have confirmed detector operability since it utilized a RadNet generated input signal. The licensee noted that no known condition requiring operation of the criticality alarm system had occurred in this portion of the facility, i.e., the [DELETED] corridor of the Bldg. [DELETED] complex, during the interval when the criticality alarm system was inoperable.

At 1800 hours following replacement of the NDA East RMS-3 internals, all recalibrations and tests confirming operability of the entire criticality alarm system had been completed satisfactorily.

The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE 0938 EST ON 11/4/05 FROM RIK DROKE TO S. SANDIN * * *

The licensee is retracting this report based on the following:

"On October 8, 2005, Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (NFS) made a 24-hour telephone notification to the NRC Operations Center based on Title 10 CFR Part 70.50 (b) (2). This section requires a 24-hour report for an event in which equipment is disabled or fails to function as designed when: (1) the equipment is required by regulation or license condition to prevent releases exceeding regulatory limits, to prevent exposure to radiation and radioactive materials exceeding regulatory limits, or to mitigate the consequences of an accident; (2) the equipment is required to be available and operable to perform the required safety function; and (3) no redundant equipment is available and operable when it is disabled or fails to function. The report was made on a Saturday by a maintenance team engaged in repair and calibration of the NFS Criticality Accident Alarm System (CAAS), when it was observed that a single detector in the network did not respond to a calibration check as expected. The detector and read-out meter were immediately removed from service, replaced with a properly calibrated unit, and system operability restored.

"On Monday, October 10, 2005, when the NFS Nuclear Measurements Department staff returned to work, and were able to evaluate the CAAS technical basis documentation, it was determined the SNM process and storage area monitored by the out-of-calibration CAAS detector was monitored as well by several other detectors in adjacent areas. Upon further testing of the subject detector in the laboratory, it was demonstrated a redundant electrical circuit in the unit especially designed for nuclear criticality monitoring purposes (which is independent of detector calibration) would have enabled the unit to initiate an alarm in the event of a criticality event. Therefore, for two entirely separate reasons, redundant equipment was available and operable to perform the required safety function during the period of time the subject detector was out of calibration. This information was discussed and reviewed with the NFS Resident NRC Inspector during the week of October 10, 2005. Based on this information and discussion with the NRC Inspector, it is requested that this event report be retracted."

The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (David Ayres) and NMSS (Trish Holahan).

* * * UPDATE 05/11/08 BY P. SNYDER * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42089
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: RANDY SHACKELFORD HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN	Notification Date: 10/28/2005 Notification Time: 11:25 [ET] Event Date: 10/28/2005 Event Time: 01:15 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 70.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE	Person (Organization): STEPHEN CAHILL (R2) SCOTT MOORE (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42131
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: MIKE TESTER HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 11/09/2005 Notification Time: 15:50 [ET] Event Date: 11/08/2005 Event Time: 16:15 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(1) - UNANALYZED CONDITION	Person (Organization): MIKE ERNSTES (R2) GREG MORELL (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42133
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: RANDY SHACKELFORD HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN	Notification Date: 11/10/2005 Notification Time: 13:56 [ET] Event Date: 10/21/2005 Event Time: 15:30 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS	Person (Organization): MIKE ERNSTES (R2) CHARLIE MILLER (NMSS)

Event Text

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42191
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: RIK DROKE HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER	Notification Date: 12/08/2005 Notification Time: 17:13 [ET] Event Date: 12/07/2005 Event Time: 15:00 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 20.2201(a)(1)(ii) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X	Person (Organization): JAY HENSON (R2) PATTY PELKE (R3) M. WAYNE HODGES (NMSS)

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42244
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: RANDY SHACKELFORD HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT	Notification Date: 01/06/2006 Notification Time: 10:30 [ET] Event Date: 01/05/2006 Event Time: 16:15 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS	Person (Organization): JAMES MOORMAN (R2) SANDRA WASTLER (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42314
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: JOE O'HARA	Notification Date: 02/06/2006 Notification Time: 15:02 [ET] Event Date: 02/06/2006 Event Time: 04:00 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 74.57 - ALARM RESOLUTION	Person (Organization): RUDOLPH BERNHARD (R2) GREG MORELL (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42351
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN	Notification Date: 02/20/2006 Notification Time: 15:43 [ET] Event Date: 02/20/2006 Event Time: 07:00 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 74.57 - ALARM RESOLUTION	Person (Organization): MALCOLM WIDMANN (R2) E. WILLIAM BRACH (NMSS) FUEL CYCLE GRP EMAIL ()

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42352
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA	Notification Date: 02/21/2006 Notification Time: 10:34 [ET] Event Date: 02/20/2006 Event Time: 10:50 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(1) - UNANALYZED CONDITION	Person (Organization): MALCOLM WIDMANN (R2) GREG MORELL (NMSS) FUEL CYCLE GRP EMAIL ()

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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24 HOUR NOTIFICATION - POSSIBLE UNANALYZED CONDITION DUE TO A FIXTURE FAILURE

"At approximately 10:50 on February 20, 2006, a large [DELETED] component was being removed from a vertical cold water rinse tank using a crane. While suspended directly over the tank, the fixture failed and the component was dropped into the tank. There was no significant damage to the tank or the component. Approximately 20 gallons of water was expelled from the tank and the crane was damaged from the 'recoil' of the crane hook.

"There were no injuries resulting from this event. The final configuration of the component in the tank is an analyzed situation that is currently authorized by the Integrated Safety Analysis (ISA). Under the guidance of Industrial Health and Safety and Criticality Safety, the component was removed from the water tank using a different type of fixture and a different crane. The cranes were then locked out to prevent use. BWXT has suspended all use of this type of fixture for component handling until the cause of the failure is understood.

"In reviewing the ISA, BWXT concluded this event (dropping a large component due to a fixture failure) was not specifically analyzed in the ISA. However, protective clothing evaluations had been performed and documented under OSHA regulations, to ensure that the worker is protected against chemical consequences. It is clearly bounded by the criticality safety and radiological safety analysis and did not result in failure to meet the criticality or radiological performance requirements of 10 CFR 70.61. The potential chemical consequences are not as clear and BWXT is continuing to evaluate whether this type event could have resulted in failure to meet the performance requirements. Further, BWXT does not believe the potential chemical consequences of this event would fall under the definition of Hazardous Chemicals produced from licensed materials in 10 CFR 70.4, however, further discussions with NRC are required to reach consensus on this. Therefore, BWXT is reporting this event under 10 CFR 70, Appendix A(b)(1).

"If it is concluded the potential chemical consequences do not fall under the 10 CFR 70.4 definition, this notification will be withdrawn."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY H. Crouch * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42393
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: ROBERT MAURER HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 03/07/2006 Notification Time: 19:41 [ET] Event Date: 03/07/2006 Event Time: 17:00 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(1) - UNANALYZED CONDITION	Person (Organization): PAUL FREDRICKSON (R2) M. WAYNE HODGES (NMSS) FUELS GROUP Email ()

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42411
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: ROBERT MAURER HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER	Notification Date: 03/13/2006 Notification Time: 12:54 [ET] Event Date: 03/13/2006 Event Time: 11:45 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (a)(4) - ALL SAFETY ITEMS UNAVAILABLE	Person (Organization): STEPHEN CAHILL (R2) MICHELLE BURGESS (NMSS) PETER WILSON (IRD) FUELS GROUP (email) ()

Event Text

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42442
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: JENNIFER WHEELER HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER	Notification Date: 03/22/2006 Notification Time: 17:09 [ET] Event Date: 03/22/2006 Event Time: 13:00 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(1) - UNANALYZED CONDITION	Person (Organization): CAROLYN EVANS (R2) DANIEL GILLEN (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42480
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: KRIS WEIR HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN	Notification Date: 04/06/2006 Notification Time: 09:21 [ET] Event Date: 03/09/2006 Event Time: 23:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 26.73 - FITNESS FOR DUTY	Person (Organization): BRIAN BONSER (R2) MICHELE BURGESS (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42502
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: DAVID HENSON HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ	Notification Date: 04/14/2006 Notification Time: 15:32 [ET] Event Date: 04/14/2006 Event Time: 15:32 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 26.73 - FITNESS FOR DUTY	Person (Organization): ROBERT HAAG (R2) TOM ESSIG (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42612
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: RIK DROKE HQ OPS Officer: MIKE RIPLEY	Notification Date: 06/01/2006 Notification Time: 11:25 [ET] Event Date: 05/31/2006 Event Time: 11:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 70.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE	Person (Organization): CHARLES R. OGLE (R2) GREG MORELL (NMSS) FUEL OUO GROUP ()

Event Text

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

CRITICALITY EVACUATION ALARM FAILURE

On Wednesday, May 31, 2006, at 1130 hours, it was determined that the criticality accident alarm system (CAAS) was not capable of providing a [DELETED] Complex site-wide evacuation alarm in the event of a criticality. There were no indications on the system control panel indicating a problem with the system. Specifically, the power light was on and there were no trouble alarms at the panel. Preliminary troubleshooting indicates a short in one of the cards in the central panel. The local control panels in each of the buildings appear to be operating normally. However, an alarm at the local control panel will not initiate the [DELETED] Complex site-wide evacuation alarm. This condition may have existed since May 1, 2006.

No actual safety consequences occurred as a result of this event; however, there was a risk of potential health and safety consequences to the occupational workforce, involving significant radiation exposure from an accidental criticality event with no warning alarm to initiate prompt [DELETED] Complex site-wide evacuation. The potential risk was significantly lessened after May 15 when all licensed activities at the [DELETED] Complex stopped except for the operation of the Effluent Processing Building, which contains negligible amounts of uranium.

On May 20, 2006, a severe thunderstorm passed over the [DELETED] Complex, and a lightning strike caused some electronic components throughout the plant to stop working or function erratically.

On May 24, 2006, an indication of a communication system failure in the CAAS was identified. There are two circuits in the system, one is for communications between the individual detectors in each of the buildings and the other circuit is for the alarms. There was no indication of the general system failure that was later observed on May 31. The communication system was repaired and tested successfully.

Between May 24 and May 31, instrument technicians were performing regular calibrations of instruments throughout the plant and identified a few instruments that appeared to be affected by the lightning strike. Based on this evidence, and knowledge of the design of the CAAS, the [DELETED] Complex Maintenance Manager recommended to the Plant Manager that the criticality system be tested to ensure it was not affected prior to performing any licensed activities, although there was no direct evidence at that time that the system was affected. It was decided that this testing should take place on May 31.

[DELETED] Complex operations are in safe standby condition and will not be resumed until the CAAS is fully functional.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector and Region 2.

* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY H. Crouch * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42629
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 06/09/2006 Notification Time: 11:14 [ET] Event Date: 06/08/2006 Event Time: 11:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL	Person (Organization): DAVID AYRES (R2) GREG MORELL (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42655
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA	Notification Date: 06/20/2006 Notification Time: 16:45 [ET] Event Date: 06/20/2006 Event Time: 16:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL	Person (Organization): SCOTT SHAEFFER (R2) SCOTT FLANDERS (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42718
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON	Notification Date: 07/20/2006 Notification Time: 17:22 [ET] Event Date: 07/20/2006 Event Time: 17:10 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL	Person (Organization): MIKE ERNSTES (R2) LAWRENCE KOKAJKO (NMSS)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42723
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: BILL GOTT	Notification Date: 07/24/2006 Notification Time: 11:38 [ET] Event Date: 07/21/2006 Event Time: 17:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL	Person (Organization): MIKE ERNSTES (R2) GREG MORELL (NMSS) FUELS OUO GROUP ()

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42761
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: CARL YATES HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL	Notification Date: 08/10/2006 Notification Time: 15:33 [ET] Event Date: 08/09/2006 Event Time: 22:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 74.57 - ALARM RESOLUTION	Person (Organization): KERRY LANDIS (R2) MICHELE BURGESS (NMSS) FUELS OUO (E-MAIL) ()

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 42809
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER	Notification Date: 08/28/2006 Notification Time: 12:59 [ET] Event Date: 08/14/2006 Event Time: [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL	Person (Organization): MALCOLM WIDMANN (R2) CINDY FLANNERY (NMSS) FUELS OUO GROUP ()

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43090
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: NICHOLAS BROWN HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ	Notification Date: 01/11/2007 Notification Time: 12:13 [ET] Event Date: 01/11/2007 Event Time: 11:15 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (a)(5) - ONLY ONE SAFETY ITEM AVAILABLE	Person (Organization): MALCOLM WIDMANN (R2) GREG MORELL (NMSS)

Event Text

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43204
Facility: NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU CONVERSION & SCRAP RECOVERY NAVAL REACTOR FUEL CYCLE LEU SCRAP RECOVERY Region: 2 City: ERWIN State: TN County: UNICOI License #: SNM-124 Agreement: Y Docket: 07000143 NRC Notified By: NICHOLAS BROWN HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL	Notification Date: 03/01/2007 Notification Time: 16:14 [ET] Event Date: 03/01/2007 Event Time: 08:15 [EST] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS	Person (Organization): DEBORAH SEYMOUR (R2) GREG MORELL (FSME) JACK DAVIS (FSME) FUELS OUO ()

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

POTENTIAL DEGRADATION OF SAFETY SYSTEMS

"During the investigation of a suspected operational upset an accumulation of fissile material exceeding the controlled limit was found in an enclosure. The material was placed in a safe geometry container after inspection of the system. Samples were obtained expeditiously to determine the actual mass of the material. This particular operation has been suspended until corrective actions are in place. This is a failure of an Item Relied on for Safety (IROFS) if the mass is determined to be in excess of the limit.

"[The event is of] very minimal safety significance. No actual safety consequences [occurred] due to the always safe mass of fissile material for the as-found conditions. Two additional IROFS were available and reliable to perform their safety function.

"There were no actual safety consequences to the workers, the public, or the environment. The quantity of fissile material was below the always safe mass for the conditions. Also, the fissile material was contained in an enclosure used for normal operations."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATED AT 1242 EST ON 3/2/07 FROM NICHOLAS W. BROWN TO J. KOZAL * * *

The licensee is retracting this event based on the following:

"On 3/1/2007, NFS made a 24-hour report to the operations center based on 10CFR70, Appendix A, Paragraph (a)(2). 10CFR70, Appendix A, Paragraph (a)(2) requires a 24-hour report for loss or degradation of items relied on for safety (IROFS) that results in failure to meet the performance requirement of Sec. 70.61. The report was made because an accumulation of fissile material potentially exceeding the allowed mass was discovered in an enclosure.

"Samples of the material were obtained and analyzed. The results demonstrated that the mass limit was not exceeded; therefore, the documented safety basis including the Item Relied On For Safety (IROFS) in question remained intact. Based on this information it is requested that this event report be retracted."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Notified R2DO (Seymour), FSME EO (Wastler), and Fuels OUO group.

* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY H. Crouch * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43244
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: BARRY COLE HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN	Notification Date: 03/17/2007 Notification Time: 13:20 [ET] Event Date: 03/16/2007 Event Time: 21:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 74.57 - ALARM RESOLUTION	Person (Organization): JOSEPH GIITTER (FSME) JAMES MOORMAN (R2) FUEL-OUO GROUP EMAIL ()

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43255
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 03/23/2007 Notification Time: 08:22 [ET] Event Date: 03/22/2007 Event Time: 08:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(1) - UNANALYZED CONDITION	Person (Organization): MARK LESSER (R2) GREG MORELL (FSME) FUEL OUO EMAIL ()

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43310
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEA MORELL HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER	Notification Date: 04/19/2007 Notification Time: 09:16 [ET] Event Date: 04/18/2007 Event Time: 13:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS PART 70 APP A (a)(5) - ONLY ONE SAFETY ITEM AVAILABLE	Person (Organization): JOEL MUNDAY (R2) GREG MORELL (FSME) FUEL OUO GRP (EMAIL) ()

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

UNFAVORABLE GEOMETRY CONTAINER BELOW LIMIT IN URANIUM RECOVERY GENERAL PURPOSE AREA

"I. Event Description

"On Wednesday April 18, 2007, at approximately 1330, Uranium Processing and Research Reactors (UPRR) personnel notified Nuclear Criticality Safety that a procedural deviation had occurred during the transfer of solution from favorable geometry columns to an unfavorable waste container. The event occurred in the General Purpose Area of the Uranium Recovery Facility where used organic solution from the solvent extraction system is purified for re-use or disposal. The General Purpose Area is physically segregated from the Dissolution and Solvent Extraction Processing Areas of Uranium Recovery, is not part of the Container Controlled Area, and consequently carefully controlled use of unfavorable geometry containers is part of the approved process.

"Dual, independent sampling of the organic solution's uranium concentration is performed according to procedure to verify Nuclear Criticality Safety limits are met prior to bringing the solution into the General Purpose Area. The solution is then processed in favorable geometry columns to remove uranium in accordance with procedural requirements. After processing, the solution can be returned to the extraction process by performing dual sampling and subsequent transfer to a borosilicate glass Raschig ring filled (critically safe, neutron poisoned) container. If however, the material is to be disposed of, then an additional dual sampling by Nuclear Materials Control personnel is required prior to transfer to an unpoisoned, unfavorable geometry waste container through an inline monitor.

"In this event, approximately 60 liters of solution required processing. The operator performed the initial dual, independent sampling of the solution for entry to the process. The results of sampling [DELETED], well below the operating limit of [DELETED]. The operator then processed the solution according to procedure to remove the majority of the uranium. He then obtained two samples of the remaining low concentration solution and verified acceptability of the solution for transfer. These results were [DELETED], respectively. At this point the operator transferred the solution to an unfavorable geometry waste container without the required NMC samples or inline monitor.

"II. Evaluation of the Event

"10 CFR 70 Appendix A states that the NRC must be notified of an event within 24 hours followed by a 30-day written report if the following condition is met:

"(b) Twenty-four hour reports. Events to be reported to the NRC Operations Center within 24 hours of discovery, supplemented with the information in 10 CFR 70.50(c)(1) as it becomes available, followed by a written report within 30 days;

"(2) Loss or degradation of items relied on for safety that results in failure to meet the performance requirement of §70.61.

"An evaluation has determined that this event resulted in loss or degradation of items relied on for safety (IROFS's) resulting in failure to meet the performance requirement of §70.61 in that the risk of a credible high-consequence event (i.e., a criticality accident) was no longer limited such that its likelihood was highly unlikely. However, multiple other IROFS's as noted above (dual input sampling, uranium removal processing, and dual sampling prior to transfer) were in place and functioning to prevent a criticality accident.

"The documented ISA scenarios were reviewed. The evaluated scenario for this operation identified multiple IROFS to prevent transfer of an unsafe mass of uranium to an unfavorable geometry waste drum.

"1. First and foremost, the concentration limit of [DELETED] grams [DELETED]/liter verified by two independent samples ensures the mass of material in the process is limited.

"2. Second, dual independent sampling is performed by two different organizational groups to ensure an acceptable mass prior to transfer from the column system to unfavorable geometry.

"3. Third, the solution is transferred through an active in-line monitoring system that terminates the transfer (i.e., shuts off the flow) if an unacceptable concentration is detected.

"Of these controls, the first was executed properly in this event. Part, but not all, of the second control set was also executed. The third control was not used.

"Criticality safety calculations supporting the ISA demonstrate that even if the solution was at the upper limit for entry to the area, no Uranium was removed during processing, and the material was transferred to unfavorable geometry without verification, that a criticality could still not occur.

"III. Notification Requirements

"The event is reportable under 10 CFR 70 Appendix A (b) (2) Loss or degradation of items relied on for safety that results in failure to meet the performance requirement of §70.61.

"IV. Status of Corrective Actions:

"The solution has been returned to the favorable geometry columns using the approved procedures, and the concentration was confirmed by sampling to be less than [DELETED] grams [DELETED]/liter. Operations in the Uranium Recovery Facility General Purpose Area, where this process is performed, have been suspended. An investigation of the event is underway."

A facility representative notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE AT 1107 ON 4/20/07 FROM L. MORELL TO P. SNYDER * * *

"BWXTs investigation of this issue is ongoing. Based on our investigation and associated time lines, BWXT believes that notification may also have been required under 10CFR70, Appendix A:(a)(5). This determination was made at approximately 10:30 am on April 20, 2007.

"This reporting criteria states:
"Loss of controls such that only one item relied on for safety, as documented in the ISA Summary, remains available and reliable to prevent a nuclear criticality accident, and has been in this state for greater than 8 hours.

"Therefore, BWXT is providing this update to the notification report and a corrected page 1 of the original Event Notification that includes identification of 10CFR70, Appendix A: (a)(5). The facts of the issue as described in the initial report remain as stated."

The coversheet of the original event notification has been revised to include the additional notification requirement as a result of this report.

The facility will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO (Munday), FSME EO (Morell) and Fuels OUO Group (via e-mail).

* * * UPDATE 05/11/08 BY P. SNYDER * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43330
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER	Notification Date: 04/30/2007 Notification Time: 18:39 [ET] Event Date: 04/30/2007 Event Time: 07:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS	Person (Organization): CHARLIE PAYNE (R2) ROBERT PIERSON (FSME) FUELS OUO (email) ()

Event Text

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43350
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: PATRICIA STEVENS HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER	Notification Date: 05/08/2007 Notification Time: 10:09 [ET] Event Date: 05/08/2007 Event Time: 09:59 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: ALERT 10 CFR Section: 70.32(i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED	Person (Organization): CAROLYN EVANS (R2) WILLIAM TRAVERS (R2) ROBERT PIERSON (NMSS) JEFFREY CRUZ (IRD) VICTOR MCCREE (R2) GREG MORELL (FSME) CASSANDRA MCKENTRY (DHS) JULIA MUSE (DOE) DWIGHT FULLER (FEMA)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43389
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: STEVE SCHILTHELM HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN	Notification Date: 05/25/2007 Notification Time: 09:41 [ET] Event Date: 05/24/2007 Event Time: 16:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS	Person (Organization): BRIAN BONSER (R2) SANDRA WASTLER (FSME) FUELS FOUO (email) ()

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

24-HOUR REPORT INVOLVING AN ITEM RELIED ON FOR SAFETY (IROFS)

"BWXT operates a multiple-component acid cleaning operation for SNM [DELETED] components. One of the potential accident scenarios specifically evaluated in the Integrated Safety Analysis (ISA) is for the multiple components to be dislodged from the fixture and fall into the acid solution. If the components were to remain in the acid for a sufficient time, the acid could dissolve the [DELETED] releasing the SNM into unfavorable geometry acid tank. Dissolving through the [DELETED] and dissolving sufficient quantities of SNM to result in a potential safety issue would take about an hour.

"To protect against this accident scenario, the fixture is designed to handle the components while maintaining the required spacing (IROFS). In addition, there is an engineered feature consisting of a timer and automatic acid dump valve (IROFS). This system will dump the entire acid bath from the tank well before the [DELETED] material is breached.

"On May 24 2007, at approximately 4:30 p.m., an operator was placing a fixture holding 9 components on a 10 position fixture into the acid solution tank. The fixture hung up on the tank. The resulting impact caused 7 of the components dislodge from the fixture and fall into the tank. The fixture maintaining the spacing between components is an IROFS. The operator immediately initiated a manual dump of the acid solution and opened the water valve to rinse any residual acid off the components in the tank. The second IROFS, automated timer that activates the dump valve, was not challenged since the operator manually dumped the tank.

"BWXT is making this 24 hour report in accordance with 10CFR70.61, Appendix A, (b)(2).

"The component acid bath operation has been suspended and the failed fixture was tagged and taken out of service. The components which fell into the tank were inspected and found to have no loss of [DELETED] integrity.

"The operator involved in the incident was FFD tested.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified and an investigation team has been established to perform a thorough review of the incident."

* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY H. Crouch * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43426
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: BARRY ANTHONY HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON	Notification Date: 06/15/2007 Notification Time: 11:19 [ET] Event Date: 06/13/2007 Event Time: 23:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: INFORMATION ONLY	Person (Organization): SCOTT SHAEFFER (R2) CINDY FLANNERY (FSME)

Event Text

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43490
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ	Notification Date: 07/13/2007 Notification Time: 16:33 [ET] Event Date: 07/13/2007 Event Time: 08:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS	Person (Organization): GEORGE HOPPER (R2) JOSEPH HOLONICH (FSME) FUELS OUO (E-MAIL) ()

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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UNATTENDED VACUUM CLEANER IROFS

"On July 13, 2007 at approximately 8:00 a.m., in the Recovery Area Specialty Fuels Facility (SFF), a concern regarding an unattended Raschig ring vacuum cleaner with no top and hose attached was brought to the attention of the SFF foreman. The vacuum cleaner was in the Conversion Area which is part of the Container Control Area (CCA). The vacuum cleaner is used to collect spills and for general cleaning purposes. The vacuum cleaner was filled with Raschig rings to the level of the side mounted hose connection in accordance with procedure. Removal of the top created a free space of approximately [DELETED] in diameter by [DELETED] deep above the hose connection that contained no Raschig rings. With the hose connected and in an upright position, a volume of approximately [DELETED] was created, in violation of the NCS Posting. Solution could have collected in the vacuum cleaner, filling the Raschig ring portion of the vacuum cleaner and the free space above the rings before spilling onto the floor. The foreman immediately removed the hose from the vacuum cleaner and subsequently notified Safety Management. The top was placed back on the vacuum cleaner.

"Evaluation of the Event

"Although the configuration of the unattended vacuum cleaner (no top with hose attached) created a potential unfavorable geometry in the CCA, there was no immediate safety concern. Uranium [DELETED] materials were not being processed in the area at the time and have not been processed in the area for approximately 2 years. Although there is a sprinkler system overhead, there are no other lines containing uranium [DELETED] solutions in the immediate area. The vacuum cleaner drum was sampled and found to contain [DELETED] of liquid with a concentration of less than [DELETED] grams 235U per liter. Considering that the vacuum cleaner was partially full, an additional [DELETED] liters of solution would have been necessary to fill the vacuum cleaner above the Raschig rings, which is a significant accumulation that would likely have been identified by area personnel. The liquid in the drum would also have served to dilute any solution added to the vacuum cleaner. The combined effect of these as found conditions was such that a criticality was highly unlikely.

"This event is bounded by existing scenarios in our ISA. The scenario deals with an [DELETED] Recovery Container Entry Requirements. Specifically, the scenario addresses [DELETED liters that is filled with uranium [DELETED] solution. The scenario credits the following controls as IROFS [Item Relied On For Safety].

"1. [DELETED].
"2. [DELETED].

"The first IROFS was degraded for this event to occur. The second IROFS was not compromised. As a result double contingency was lost."

The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY H. Crouch * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43528
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: BARRY COLE HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 07/27/2007 Notification Time: 09:42 [ET] Event Date: 07/26/2007 Event Time: 10:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(1) - UNANALYZED CONDITION	Person (Organization): JOEL MUNDAY (R2) CINDY FLANNERY (FSME) FUELS OUO GROUP ()

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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UNANAYLZED CONDITION - UNFAVORABLE GEOMETRY CONTAINER

"On 7/26/07 at approximately 10:30 AM, an unusual condition occurred in the outside alley west of [DELETED]. During movement of a portable Raschig ring vessel from the Recovery [DELETED] to the Central Storage [DELETED], the vessel tipped over, spilling its contents. The vessel contained uranium-[DELETED] waste solution at less than [DELETED] gram U-235 per liter.

"In order to transfer the portable Raschig ring vessel outside of a radiologically controlled area, the vessel was covered by two 55-gallon plastic bags in order to contain contamination within the vessel as it was being transferred outside the radiologically controlled area. The vessel overturned creating an unfavorable geometry container via the outer 55 gallon plastic bag that collected solution from the spill separately from the Raschig rings.

"The solution from the portable Raschig ring vessel was sampled and found to have a concentration of [DELETED] grams U235 per liter. The solution that collected in the outer bag was held at a [DELETED] height approximately [DELETED]. The inner bag also contained some solution, but it also contained Raschig rings, and therefore was not of immediate concern. Although the configuration of the tipped over vessel created an unfavorable geometry, due to the low concentration of the solution and the [DELETED] height, there was little risk of a criticality accident. The vessel was outside the process area when it tipped over, so there was no opportunity that additional uranium-[DELETED] solution could have been collected in the bags or the vessel.

"Previous safety analyses considered the issue of whether a spilled vessel could preferentially separate high concentration solution from the Raschig rings in a Raschig Ring vessel, leaving solution in the vessel without the poisoning effect of the rings and concluded that event was not credible. In this event, however, the spilled solution was preferentially separated from the Raschig rings though the concentration remained low. Based on these facts, this condition that was not fully analyzed in the Integrated Safety Analysis (ISA).

"The immediate corrective action was to suspend operations associated with the vessel, isolate the spilled material, and clean up the spill. Corrective actions to prevent recurrence are being developed. Since this event was not fully analyzed in the ISA, transfer of bagged Raschig ring vessels containing uranium-[DELETED] solutions shall not occur until appropriate evaluations are performed.

"The operators involved in the event were Fitness For Duty tested. BWXT is making this 24 hour report in accordance with 10 CFR 70.61, Appendix A, (b)(1).

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY H. Crouch * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43616
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORRELL HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE	Notification Date: 09/06/2007 Notification Time: 11:08 [ET] Event Date: 09/05/2007 Event Time: 11:15 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (b)(2) - LOSS OR DEGRADED SAFETY ITEMS	Person (Organization): MIKE ERNSTES (R2) RON ZELAC (FSME) FUEL OUO GRP email ()

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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DEGRADATION OF ITEM RELIED ON FOR SAFETY

"I. EVENT DESCRIPTION
On August 22, 2007, in accordance with operational procedures, a pre-filter was removed from the saw enclosure ventilation in the [DELETED]. The filter was constructed with a paper core and metal housing, approximately [DELETED] high with a [DELETED] diameter. The calculated volume approached 23 liters. The weight gain measured on the filter at the time of removal was about [DELETED] grams.

"Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) was notified because the weight gain was more than expected. Net weight difference is often used as a conservative U-235 mass until acceptable accountability measurements are completed. Preliminary ESP-2 counting showed the filter was less than the standard for containers of this size. An RWP was approved to transport the filter to drum count in order to perform NDA counting. NMC [Nuclear Materials Control] subsequently provided a U-235 value of approximately [DELETED] grams based on the greater of two counts.

"II. EVALUATION OF THE EVENT
It was determined that the existing NCS analysis for fuel accumulation in glove box pre-filters defined a limit of [DELETED] in a glove box pre-filter with the requirement that filters be changed out at a documented frequency determined by specific operations performed in the glove box. There was an operational requirement to check the enclosure manometer to determine if the exhaust filters need to be changed, no minimum change frequency had been specified. It is unlikely that a large fuel quantity could collect on this filter - the saw cuts only a few grams from each element, most of the cut material is zirconium, and much of the fines are collected in the coolant which is changed whenever throughput approaches [DELETED]. It is probable that the filter would clog, as indicated by the manometer check, before accumulation approached the limit.

"On September 5, 2007, it was determined the requirement of the NCS analysis to implement a minimum change frequency for the saw enclosure filter had not been completed nor the ISA [Integrated Safety Analysis] been updated. Although there was no immediate safety concern and controls were in place, IROFS [Items Relied On For Safety] had not been fully implemented. The operation of the saw was suspended on 9/5/07 at 11:15 am until the procedures and ISA are revised to include the IROFS.

"III. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
BWXT is making this 24 hour report in accordance with 10 CFR 70.61, Appendix A, (b)(2) - Loss or degradation of IROFS that results in the failure to meet the performance requirements of 70.61.

"IV. STATUS OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
The operation has been suspended pending further investigation."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY H. Crouch * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43661
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: LEAH MORREL HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL	Notification Date: 09/24/2007 Notification Time: 17:18 [ET] Event Date: 09/23/2007 Event Time: 06:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL	Person (Organization): BRIAN BONSER (R2) E. WILLIAM BRACH (FSME) FUELS OUO (E-MAIL) ()

Event Text

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THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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NOTIFICATION TO DEQ OF POTENTIAL AIR POLLUTION LIMIT VIOLATION

"At or around 6:30 am on Sunday, September 23 the main ventilator fan on the [DELETED] exhaust system in the [DELETED] Area ceased operation and the back-up ventilator was activated. It was determined that a breaker tripped on the main ventilator and power was lost. The breaker was reset and the main fan reactivated. At this time, it is not known how long the main fan was inactive.

"At approximately 9:30 am the breaker on the main fan tripped again and the back-up fan was activated. The main fan was inactive for approximately 30 minutes before the breaker was reset.

"The BWXT Title V Air Permit requires that if air pollution control equipment fails or malfunctions such that excess emissions occur for more than one hour, the DEQ must be notified as soon as practicable, but in no case later than four daytime business hours after the malfunction is discovered. Once Environmental Engineering was notified on Monday morning, September 24, it could not be ascertained with 100% certainty that excess emissions had occurred for more than one hour. To ensure compliance with the permit, BWXT notified DEQ within the four business hour permit limitation that an event had occurred. Should it be determined during our evaluation that an exceedance did not occur, BWXT will withdraw both the DEQ and NRC notifications.

"BWXT is making this concurrent notification in accordance with 10 CFR 70 Appendix A (c)."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE AT 1429 EDT ON 09/27/07 FROM LEAH MORRELL TO S. SANDIN * * *

This report is retracted based on the following:

"Upon further investigation, the following was determined:

"Per area operating procedures the components being [DELETED] were removed from the acid baths, and heat/agitation to the spacer component [DELETED] baths was turned-off. Following the 6:30 am fan failure it was determined that no [DELETED] activities were occurring and hence there were no excess emissions. Following the 9:30 am fan failure, the breaker was reset and the main ventilator was re-activated in approximately 30 minutes. Since the main ventilator was restarted within approximately 30 minutes, it was concluded that no excess emissions were possible for more than one hour and hence no notification was required. BWXT, therefore, has withdrawn the Title V Air Permit notification and is also withdrawing the concurrent 10 CFR 70 Appendix A (c) notification."

The licensee will inform the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R2DO(Widmann), FSME (Burgess) and Fuels OUO Gp via email.

* * * UPDATE ON 05/11/08 BY H. Crouch * * *

THIS IS NOT A NEW REPORT.

This event report was originally withheld from public release under the NRC's policy for protecting sensitive unclassified information. The NRC has reevaluated this policy and is now making this event report available to the public with suitable redactions.
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Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 43728
Facility: BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC. RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: HEU FABRICATION & SCRAP Region: 2 City: LYNCHBURG State: VA County: CAMPBELL License #: SNM-42 Agreement: N Docket: 070-27 NRC Notified By: BARRY COLE HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER	Notification Date: 10/17/2007 Notification Time: 13:53 [ET] Event Date: 10/16/2007 Event Time: 22:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: PART 70 APP A (c) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION/NEWS REL	Person (Organization): EUGENE GUTHRIE (R2) GREG MORELL (FSME) J. PAULEY (DOE) J. CREWS (EPA) P. SHAFOVALOFF (USDA) M. DALZIEL (HHS) D. SULIVAN (FEMA) FUELS OUO (EMAIL) ()

Event Text

REPORTABLE QUANTITY OF WASTE ACID RELEASED ONSITE

"A second-shift Waste Treatment operator discovered acidic wastewater (a mixture of nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid and water) discharging from a sump on the Bay 5A Pickle Acid Scrubber pad at approximately 10:30 PM on 10/16/2007. The acidic wastewater ran downhill onto the roadway to the north and eventually onto a concrete pad near the bottom of the hill. By the time of the discovery, or very shortly thereafter, the overflow stopped. The operator notified area supervision and verified that all valves and pumps at the Waste Treatment facility were functioning normally and wastewater was being received in the equalization tanks.

"Estimates on 10/17/2007 by Environmental Engineering of the amount of flow discharged to the line versus the amount received at Waste Treatment, combined with visual observation of the spill area, suggest that approximately 275 gallons of acidic wastewater were released from the trench, of this amount, approximately 25 gallons potentially reached uncovered surfaces adjacent to the road (gravel/grass). This was deemed to be a Reportable Quantity of a hazardous substance and appropriate notifications were made to the National Response Center (Notification #851841), the EPA Region 11 Consent Order Coordinator and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

"The spill area was neutralized with soda ash and thoroughly rinsed. The small gravel/grass areas that may have been impacted are being assessed for additional remediation as necessary."

BWXT will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.

General Information or Other	Event Number: 44189
Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV Licensee: ACCURATE NDE AND INSPECTION LLC Region: 4 City: State: LA County: License #: LA-10207-L01 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: RICHARD PENROD HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL	Notification Date: 05/06/2008 Notification Time: 11:42 [ET] Event Date: 12/31/2007 Event Time: [CDT] Last Update Date: 05/06/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): GREG PICK (R4) MICHELE BURGESS (FSME)

Event Text

LOUISIANA AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - PERSONNEL OVEREXPOSURE

The State provided the following information via facsimile:

"An overexposure was discovered during a routine compliance inspection of Accurate NDE & Inspection on March 25, 2008. This overexposure was not reported to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. An industrial radiographer received a dose of 7819 mrem for the calendar year 2007. The licensee has been cited for the overexposure and for not reporting the overexposure. This overexposure is being investigated by the LA Department of Environmental Quality."

LA Report ID No.: LA08009

Power Reactor	Event Number: 44195
Facility: SALEM Region: 1 State: NJ Unit: [ ] [2] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: JACK OSBORNE HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON	Notification Date: 05/09/2008 Notification Time: 13:15 [ET] Event Date: 05/09/2008 Event Time: 10:59 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/09/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) - RPS ACTUATION - CRITICAL 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION	Person (Organization): ART BURRITT (R1)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
2	M/R	Y	47	Power Operation	0	Hot Standby

Event Text

MANUAL REACTOR TRIP DUE TO HIGH STEAM GENERATOR LEVEL

"A manual trip of Salem Unit 2 was initiated due to a high water level in 23 Steam Generator. The high water level in 23 Steam Generator occurred while reducing power in accordance with the abnormal operating procedure for loss of circulating water. The operators had entered the abnormal operating procedure for circulating water due to loss of the electrical bus supplying power to the screens. The main supply breaker had tripped open due to the panel being wet from heavy rain. With the screens out of service, TWS [traveling water screen] DP's rose to a value where the circulators were removed from service per procedure. The restoration of the supply breaker is currently in progress. The cause of the high level in 23 Steam Generator during the power reduction is currently under investigation. Following the trip, 2N43, power range nuclear instrumentation channel 3, was declared inoperable due to inaccurate indication and is currently under investigation.

"The crew entered EOP-TRIP-1, appropriately transitioned to EOP-TRIP-2 and stabilized the plant at no load conditions. All rods fully inserted on the trip and all systems responded as designed with decay heat being removed via the 21 -24MS10's, the atmosphere relief valves.

"The AFW Pumps were manually started as required to maintain steam generator levels.

"Salem Unit-2 is currently in mode 3. Reactor Coolant System temperature is 547°F with pressure at 2235 psig. All ECCS and ESF Systems are available.

"No personnel injuries have occurred as a result of the Trip. No radiological release due to this event."

No Primary relief valves or PORVs lifted during the trip. There are no known fuel or steam generator tube leaks. Unit 2 is in a normal shutdown electrical lineup. Unit 1 was not affected by the transient.

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The licensee will be notifying the Lower Alloways Township.

* * *UPDATE PROVIDED AT 1647 EDT ON 05/09/08 FROM JOHN OSBORNE TO JEFF ROTTON * * *

The licensee called to correct the original report that stated the AFW pumps were started manually to maintain SG level. The AFW pumps started automatically due to manually tripping the 21 and 22 SGFPs. The licensee also added notification of the 8 hour Non-Emergency 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A)-Specified System Actuation due to the automatic start of the motor driven AFW pumps.

The licensee will be notifying the NRC Resident Inspector and the Lower Alloways Creek Township.

Notified R1DO (Burritt)

Other Nuclear Material	Event Number: 44196
Rep Org: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY Licensee: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY Region: 3 City: MIDLAND State: MI County: License #: 21-00265-06 Agreement: N Docket: NRC Notified By: JAMES WELDY HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON	Notification Date: 05/09/2008 Notification Time: 13:23 [ET] Event Date: 04/11/2008 Event Time: [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/09/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 20.2201(a)(1)(ii) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X	Person (Organization): STEVE ORTH (R3) TERRANCE REIS (FSME) ILTAB (e-mail) ()

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material.

Event Text

LOST C-14 SOURCES

While conducting the annual physical inventory of radioactive materials on 04/11/08, 2 samples containing a total of 10.1 milliCuries of C-14 were not able to be located. The samples were: (1) RMR 631- Methylene Bisphenyl Isocyanate (MDI) 1.1 mCi of C-14, and (2) RMR 652 - Dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 9.0 mCi of C-14. The samples had been present in their approved storage location during the 2007 physical inventory.

All authorized users were interviewed to identify location or usage within the last year. A detailed search of all storage areas and radioisotope-approved labs was performed. Conducted a review of facility waste disposal records, and no information related to the sources location was found.

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.

Fuel Cycle Facility	Event Number: 44197
Facility: AREVA NP INC RICHLAND RX Type: URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Comments: LEU CONVERSION FABRICATION & SCRAP COMMERCIAL LWR FUEL Region: 2 City: RICHLAND State: WA County: PENTON License #: SNM-1227 Agreement: Y Docket: 07001257 NRC Notified By: ROBERT LINK HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON	Notification Date: 05/09/2008 Notification Time: 14:26 [ET] Event Date: 05/09/2008 Event Time: 05:25 [PDT] Last Update Date: 05/09/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 70.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE	Person (Organization): DEBORAH SEYMOUR (R2) JOSEPH GIITTER (NMSS)

Event Text

LOSS OF NUCLEAR CRITICALITY DETECTION SYSTEM FOR TWO AREAS CAUSED DURING MAINTENANCE

"On 05/09/2008 at 0525 PDT during a maintenance activity, a fuse in a Nuclear Criticality Detection System cabinet failed open which caused two of the nine Nuclear Criticality Accident Alarm system coverage areas to go offline. About 5 minutes later, Security personnel made a plant wide PA announcement to suspend all movement of fissile material. The alarm horns were placed in manual mode and manual monitoring of the NCD comparator panel was established at this time and continued until the system was restored to full operation.

"The safety significance is very low. Accidental nuclear criticality is highly unlikely. The system was only degraded for about 5 minutes before Security personnel made a plant wide announcement to suspend all fissile material movement. NCD coverage for the entire plant was reestablished within about 35 minutes.

"Corrective Actions to Restore the Safety System and when each was implemented:
- Manual monitoring of the NCD comparator panels was established at 0530
- The NCD panel fuse was replaced by 0605 restoring NCD coverage to all areas of the plant.
- The alarm horns were placed back in automatic mode at 0720 and the system continued to be monitored by maintenance personnel.
- Complete system operability was declared at 0730.
- A plant wide PA announcement that the suspension of fissile material movement had been lifted was made at 0745."

The licensee will be notifying NRC Region 2 and the State of Washington Department of Health.

Power Reactor	Event Number: 44198
Facility: WOLF CREEK Region: 4 State: KS Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: TERRY DAMASHEK HQ OPS Officer: JEFF ROTTON	Notification Date: 05/09/2008 Notification Time: 19:12 [ET] Event Date: 05/09/2008 Event Time: 14:20 [CDT] Last Update Date: 05/09/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(v)(B) - POT RHR INOP	Person (Organization): BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
1	N	N	0	Hot Shutdown	0	Hot Shutdown

Event Text

BOTH TRAINS OF RHR DECLARED INOPERABLE

"On 05/09/2008, at 14:20 CDT, Technical Specification 3.5.3, Condition A, was entered when the 'A' Residual Heat Removal (RHR) Train was declared inoperable due to a gap in one of the 'A' Train Containment Recirculation Sump Strainer modules greater than 1/8 inch. At the time this condition was discovered, the 'B' RHR train was already inoperable for maintenance.

"The Unit is in the process of being returned to service following completion of a Refueling Outage. The unit remained stable, in Mode 4, with the 'A' RHR Train inservice providing cooling for decay heat removal. Efforts to correct the gap in the 'A' Train Containment Recirculation Sump Strainer were commenced shortly after identification of this condition, and the condition was corrected and 'A' Train RHR returned to Operable status at 17:45 CDT. 'B' Train RHR is currently being restored following completion of maintenance. The Unit will remain in Mode 4 until the 'B' RHR train is restored to Operable status.

"Technical Specification 3.5.3 requires one Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) Train to be operable while in Mode 4. An operable ECCS train includes both an RHR Subsystem, and a Centrifugal Charging Pump (CCP) subsystem. The 'A' Train CCP Subsystem remained operable."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Power Reactor	Event Number: 44199
Facility: WATTS BAR Region: 2 State: TN Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: RON CREWS HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER	Notification Date: 05/09/2008 Notification Time: 23:30 [ET] Event Date: 05/09/2008 Event Time: 21:30 [EDT] Last Update Date: 05/09/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION	Person (Organization): DEBORAH SEYMOUR (R2)

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 SIREN OUT OF SERVICE

"On March 9, 2008, Watts Bars Security staff was notified by the Rhea County Sheriff's Department that a single emergency preparedness siren had spuriously activated due to inclement weather and possible lightning strike. The county subsequently notified the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) who, in turn, contacted the Tennessee Valley Authority Operations Duty Specialist in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The siren has been deactivated and repairs will be initiated. Due to the interaction with the county and TEMA (State and local government agencies), this report is being made as a four hour notification under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi)."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Power Reactor	Event Number: 44200
Facility: WOLF CREEK Region: 4 State: KS Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] W-4-LP NRC Notified By: DAVID DEES HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN	Notification Date: 05/11/2008 Notification Time: 06:36 [ET] Event Date: 05/11/2008 Event Time: 03:00 [CDT] Last Update Date: 05/11/2008
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(v)(B) - POT RHR INOP	Person (Organization): BLAIR SPITZBERG (R4)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
1	N	N	0	Hot Standby	0	Hot Standby

Event Text

LOSS OF SAFETY FUNCTION DUE TO BOTH RHR TRAINS BEING INOPERABLE DURING MODE 3

"On 05/11/2008, at 0300 CDT, Technical Specification 3.0.3 was entered when excessive leakage was identified on EJ8842 RHR to hot leg injection relief valve. Due to the location in the system this leak adversely affected the operability of both RHR trains. EJHV8716A and EJHV8716B RHR Hot Leg Injection cross tie valves were closed to isolate the leak path. Technical Specification 3.5.2 does not have a CONDITION statement that addresses both RHR trains being out of service in Mode 3.

"At the time of discovery the RCS was being heated towards NOP/NOT. RCS pressure was 1340 psig and temperature 504F.

"The Unit is being cooled down to reenter Mode 4 at this time. When the Unit enters Mode 4 Technical Specification 3.5.3 will be in effect. Technical Specification 3.5.3 requires one Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) Train to be operable while in Mode 4. An operable ECCS train includes both an RHR Subsystem, and a Centrifugal Charging Pump (CCP) subsystem. The requirement to have EJHV8716A and EJHV8716B open is not applicable to Technical Specification 3.5.3.

"The Unit will remain in Mode 4 until EJ8842 is restored to Operable status.

"The Resident Inspector has been notified."

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021