Alert

Due to a lapse in appropriations, the NRC has ceased normal operations. However, excepted and exempted activities necessary to maintain critical health and safety functions—as well as essential progress on designated critical activities, including those specified in Executive Order 14300—will continue, consistent with the OMB-Approved NRC Lapse Plan.

Event Notification Report for March 12, 2009

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
03/11/2009 - 03/12/2009

** EVENT NUMBERS **

44811

44896

44897

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Power Reactor	Event Number: 44811
Facility: FERMI Region: 3 State: MI Unit: [2] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [2] GE-4 NRC Notified By: GREG MILLER HQ OPS Officer: JASON KOZAL	Notification Date: 01/28/2009 Notification Time: 12:16 [ET] Event Date: 01/28/2009 Event Time: 07:30 [EST] Last Update Date: 03/11/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION	Person (Organization): PATTY PELKE (R3)

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

Event Text

HIGH PRESSURE COOLANT INJECTION SYSTEM INOPERABLE

"On January 28, 2009 at 0730 the Division 2 Emergency Equipment Cooling Water System (EECW) was declared inoperable due to a blown control power fuse in the bucket for the P4400F604 - Div 2 EECW Supply to Control Rod Drive (CRD) pumps. This is a normally open valve and is required to close upon EECW initiation to remove non-essential loads. The blown control power fuse would have prevented this action from occurring. The ECCW System cools various safety related components including the High Pressure Coolant Injection (HPCI) System Area Cooler. An unplanned HPCI inoperability occurred due to the Division 2 EECW inoperability based on a loss of the HPCI System Area Cooler. A 14 day Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO) was entered for HPCI per LCO 3.5.1. The control power fuse was replaced, EECW and HPCI were declared operable, and LCO 3.5.1 exited on January 28, 2009 at 1025. This report is being made pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) as a condition that at the time of discovery could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function needed to mitigate the consequences of an accident, based on loss of a single train safety system.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified."

* * * RETRACTION FROM JIM KONRAD TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1449 ON 3/11/09 * * *

"The As-Found condition of the Division 2 Emergency Equipment Cooling Water (EECW) Control Rod Drive (CRD) Pump Supply Valve and High Pressure Coolant Injection (HPCI) System Room Cooler were evaluated.

"The HPCI System Room Cooler was operable with P4400-F604, Division 2 EECW to the CRD supply valve open. Based on an Engineering evaluation of EECW flow during a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) and Non-LOCA conditions with the valve open, there is adequate flow margin in the EECW system.

"The HPCI Room Cooler had adequate cooling flow to perform its design function. The HPCI room temperature would have been maintained below the HPCI equipment room high temperature isolation setpoint. Additionally, plant procedures provide directions for bypassing the HPCI equipment room high temperature trip. Consequently, there was no loss of HPCI safety function. Declaring HPCI inoperable was conservative and based on initial considerations. Therefore, event notification 44811 is retracted."

The Licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Notified R3DO (Lara).

General Information or Other	Event Number: 44896
Rep Org: ABB INC. Licensee: ABB INC. Region: 1 City: Florence State: SC County: License #: Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: TERRY MALLOY HQ OPS Officer: DAN LIVERMORE	Notification Date: 03/11/2009 Notification Time: 15:52 [ET] Event Date: 03/11/2009 Event Time: [EDT] Last Update Date: 03/11/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 21.21 - UNSPECIFIED PARAGRAPH	Person (Organization): ANTHONY DIMITRIADIS (R1) REBECCA NEASE (R2) JULIO LARA (R3) THOMAS FARNHOLTZ (R4) RX PART 21 GROUP (E-MA)

Event Text

PART 21 NOTIFICATION - DEFECTIVE HK AND K-LINE CIRCUIT BREAKER TENSION SPRINGS

The identification of the subject component is as follows: ABB P/N 716359A00 Tension Spring. These springs are used in both HK (Medium Voltage) and K-Line (Low voltage) circuit breakers. In the HK breaker, the spring is used on the racking mechanism to position the racking mechanism interlocking latch. In the K-Line circuit breaker, the spring resets the prop latch mechanism following a circuit breaker trip. Circuit breakers and spare parts procured from ABB between 04/23/2008 and 02/27/2009 may have suspect springs installed.

Nature of the deviation: Micro-cracks in the base of the hooked end of the springs may result in failure of the springs after repetitive cycles. A broken spring could potentially affect the ability of a K-Line or HK breaker to reset and close after an opening operation. Initial report of the nonconformance was generated on 02/11/2009 (NCR #68999JL), reporting that springs failed during mechanical life testing being performed on a K-Line breaker. These springs failed after approximately 2,800 cycles each.

Given the large number of applications for the affected circuit breakers, ABB (Medium Voltage Service) cannot determine if the potential for a substantial safety hazard exists at any licensee's facility if a similar failure of the tension spring occurs. Licensees are requested to evaluate the history of inspections, maintenance practices, and circuit breaker operating cycles for K-Line breakers, and racking cycles for HK breakers to determine if the circuit breaker spring should be replaced immediately or at the next convenient maintenance opportunity. ABB recommends that any suspect spring with greater than 1,400 operating cycles be replaced as soon as possible.

Currently ABB is determining the affected licensees and will notify them on or about March 30, 2009.

Power Reactor	Event Number: 44897
Facility: SAN ONOFRE Region: 4 State: CA Unit: [ ] [2] [3] RX Type: [1] W-3-LP,[2] CE,[3] CE NRC Notified By: SUSAN GARDNER HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD	Notification Date: 03/11/2009 Notification Time: 19:49 [ET] Event Date: 03/11/2009 Event Time: 11:55 [PDT] Last Update Date: 03/11/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 26.719 - FITNESS FOR DUTY	Person (Organization): THOMAS FARNHOLTZ (R4)

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

Event Text

CONTRACT EMPLOYEE FOUND USING ILLEGAL DRUGS IN PROTECTED AREA

A non-supervisory contract employee was found using illegal drugs in the Protected Area. A for-cause fitness for duty test resulted in a confirmed positive drug test. The contract employee's access to the plant has been terminated. Contact the Headquarters Operations Officer for additional details.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021