Event Notification Report for September 16, 2009
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
09/15/2009 - 09/16/2009
EVENT NUMBERS
45360453524535345354
Other Nuclear Material
Event Number: 45360
Rep Org: US ARMY
Licensee: US ARMY
Region: 4
City: TRACY State: CA
County:
License #: 21-01222-05
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN MCGUIRE
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Licensee: US ARMY
Region: 4
City: TRACY State: CA
County:
License #: 21-01222-05
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KAREN MCGUIRE
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN KNOKE
Notification Date: 09/17/2009
Notification Time: 17:15 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2009
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 09/17/2009
Notification Time: 17:15 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2009
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 09/17/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Person (Organization):
RICHARD SKOKOWSKI (R3DO)
RICHARD SKOKOWSKI (R3DO)
FOUR DEFECTIVE MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGES
As part of the pre-operational check at the Defense Distribution Depot in Tracy, CA, operators discovered that four of their CPN Model MC-1 Moisture Density Gauges were defective. The 4 moisture density gauges were manufactured approximately 30 years ago and each contains two sources; 10 mCi Cs-137 and 50 mCi Americium-241/Be (nominal). These gauges will not be returned to the manufacturer for evaluation and repair, but rather disposed of at an approved facility. The 4 units are currently locked in their storage containers, and those containers are locked inside another locked cabinet at the Defense Distribution Depot in Tracy, CA.
The four gauges serial number and the reason for being defective are as follows:
1) s/n M17092033 - Locking mechanism does not work.
2) s/n M17112087 - Locking mechanism does not work.
3) s/n M17092041 - Handle broken.
4) s/n M17071988 - Broken guide tube.
The licensee notified NRC Region 3 Office.
As part of the pre-operational check at the Defense Distribution Depot in Tracy, CA, operators discovered that four of their CPN Model MC-1 Moisture Density Gauges were defective. The 4 moisture density gauges were manufactured approximately 30 years ago and each contains two sources; 10 mCi Cs-137 and 50 mCi Americium-241/Be (nominal). These gauges will not be returned to the manufacturer for evaluation and repair, but rather disposed of at an approved facility. The 4 units are currently locked in their storage containers, and those containers are locked inside another locked cabinet at the Defense Distribution Depot in Tracy, CA.
The four gauges serial number and the reason for being defective are as follows:
1) s/n M17092033 - Locking mechanism does not work.
2) s/n M17112087 - Locking mechanism does not work.
3) s/n M17092041 - Handle broken.
4) s/n M17071988 - Broken guide tube.
The licensee notified NRC Region 3 Office.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 45352
Facility: LASALLE
Region: 3 State: IL
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-5,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: JOHN KEENAN
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL
Region: 3 State: IL
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-5,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: JOHN KEENAN
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL
Notification Date: 09/16/2009
Notification Time: 10:09 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2009
Event Time: 01:39 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2009
Notification Time: 10:09 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2009
Event Time: 01:39 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
RICHARD SKOKOWSKI (R3DO)
RICHARD SKOKOWSKI (R3DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
| 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS
"At 0139 on 9/16/2009, LaSalle Main Control Room was contacted by IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency), stating that they have lost contact with LaSalle via the modem from IDNS (Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety) building. It was subsequently discovered that there was a site telephone equipment malfunction. This issue has affected the Emergency Response Data System, Emergency Notification System, Health Physics Network and the ability to receive phone calls from off-site.
"The Emergency Notification System and the Health Physics Network phones are currently not functioning. The NRC has been successfully contacted via commercial line. The NRC has been unable to contact the station directly via the commercial line. The NRC has been capable of contacting the station by relaying the information going through the radio from the Transmission System Operator.
"Repairs to the phone system are currently in progress."
Communications have been established with the site by cell phone. Alternate communications paths exist through the Dresden and Braidwood sites who can use their ENS lines to communicate with the site and also through the Load Dispatcher.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
"At 0139 on 9/16/2009, LaSalle Main Control Room was contacted by IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency), stating that they have lost contact with LaSalle via the modem from IDNS (Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety) building. It was subsequently discovered that there was a site telephone equipment malfunction. This issue has affected the Emergency Response Data System, Emergency Notification System, Health Physics Network and the ability to receive phone calls from off-site.
"The Emergency Notification System and the Health Physics Network phones are currently not functioning. The NRC has been successfully contacted via commercial line. The NRC has been unable to contact the station directly via the commercial line. The NRC has been capable of contacting the station by relaying the information going through the radio from the Transmission System Operator.
"Repairs to the phone system are currently in progress."
Communications have been established with the site by cell phone. Alternate communications paths exist through the Dresden and Braidwood sites who can use their ENS lines to communicate with the site and also through the Load Dispatcher.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 45353
Facility: SEQUOYAH
Region: 2 State: TN
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: CALVIN FIELDS
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Region: 2 State: TN
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: CALVIN FIELDS
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Notification Date: 09/16/2009
Notification Time: 15:59 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2009
Event Time: 12:20 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2009
Notification Time: 15:59 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2009
Event Time: 12:20 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/16/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
Person (Organization):
BRIAN BONSER (R2DO)
BRIAN BONSER (R2DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
| 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
OFFSITE NOTIFICATION MADE AFTER DISCOVERY OF AN OIL SHEEN
"A voluntary notification to the National Response Center was made on Sept. 16, 2009 at 1220. The purpose of the notification was to inform the National Response Center of an oil sheen on a concrete pad at the inlet of the diffuser pond. The diffuser pond is classified as waters of the U.S. There was no observable oil sheen on the pond."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
"A voluntary notification to the National Response Center was made on Sept. 16, 2009 at 1220. The purpose of the notification was to inform the National Response Center of an oil sheen on a concrete pad at the inlet of the diffuser pond. The diffuser pond is classified as waters of the U.S. There was no observable oil sheen on the pond."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 45354
Facility: INDIAN POINT
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [2] [3] []
RX Type: [2] W-4-LP,[3] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: BRIAN ROKES
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [2] [3] []
RX Type: [2] W-4-LP,[3] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: BRIAN ROKES
HQ OPS Officer: DONG HWA PARK
Notification Date: 09/16/2009
Notification Time: 17:10 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2009
Event Time: 10:36 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/17/2009
Notification Time: 17:10 [ET]
Event Date: 09/16/2009
Event Time: 10:36 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 09/17/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
DON JACKSON (R1DO)
DON JACKSON (R1DO)
| 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 |
EMERGENCY SIRENS OUT OF SERVICE
"On September 16, 2009, at approximately 1036 hours, as a result of a regularly scheduled test of the Indian Point Energy Center (IPEC) Alert Notification System (ANS) 18 of 172 sirens did not pass the test. The sirens were not tested and declared as functional within one hour and in accordance with the reporting guidelines the event is reportable under 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii) as a major loss of offsite response capability (i.e., a loss of 10% or more of the total number of sirens for more than one hour).
"Preliminary investigations and troubleshooting determined 14 sirens failed to indicate via the ANS computer system successful siren activation due to an incorrect software data adjustment for these 14 sirens. ANS technicians corrected the software error for these 14 sirens and are continuing to investigate the cause of the failure of the remaining 4 sirens to activate. To validate that the software error for the 14 sirens was corrected, a functional test of 1 of the 14 sirens was conducted. The test indicated the siren was functional but investigation and troubleshooting is continuing to validate this.
"Reverse 911 has been and remains available to alert the public should there be an actual event requiring the ANS. The condition was recorded in the IPEC corrective action program. The event remains under investigation."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE FROM BRIAN ROKES TO JOHN KNOKE AT 1435 ON 09/17/09 * * *
Two sirens were repaired making a total of 156 sirens operable. No further reporting is forthcoming.
Licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The R1DO (Don Jackson) was notified.
"On September 16, 2009, at approximately 1036 hours, as a result of a regularly scheduled test of the Indian Point Energy Center (IPEC) Alert Notification System (ANS) 18 of 172 sirens did not pass the test. The sirens were not tested and declared as functional within one hour and in accordance with the reporting guidelines the event is reportable under 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii) as a major loss of offsite response capability (i.e., a loss of 10% or more of the total number of sirens for more than one hour).
"Preliminary investigations and troubleshooting determined 14 sirens failed to indicate via the ANS computer system successful siren activation due to an incorrect software data adjustment for these 14 sirens. ANS technicians corrected the software error for these 14 sirens and are continuing to investigate the cause of the failure of the remaining 4 sirens to activate. To validate that the software error for the 14 sirens was corrected, a functional test of 1 of the 14 sirens was conducted. The test indicated the siren was functional but investigation and troubleshooting is continuing to validate this.
"Reverse 911 has been and remains available to alert the public should there be an actual event requiring the ANS. The condition was recorded in the IPEC corrective action program. The event remains under investigation."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE FROM BRIAN ROKES TO JOHN KNOKE AT 1435 ON 09/17/09 * * *
Two sirens were repaired making a total of 156 sirens operable. No further reporting is forthcoming.
Licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The R1DO (Don Jackson) was notified.