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 November 2, 2009

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
10/30/2009 - 11/02/2009

** EVENT NUMBERS **

45316

45470

!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Power Reactor	Event Number: 45316
Facility: GRAND GULF Region: 4 State: MS Unit: [1] [ ] [ ] RX Type: [1] GE-6 NRC Notified By: TERRY HOLCOMBE HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN	Notification Date: 08/31/2009 Notification Time: 18:16 [ET] Event Date: 08/31/2009 Event Time: 10:14 [CDT] Last Update Date: 10/30/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) - POT UNCNTRL RAD REL	Person (Organization): THOMAS FARNHOLTZ (R4DO)

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

SECONDARY CONTAINMENT BOUNDARY DOOR INOPERABLE

"During normal entry / exit through secondary containment boundary door 1A401, it was discovered that the door would not latch closed due to interferences between the door and its frame. The door was unable to be latched closed for approximately 5 minutes which represented a possible path for uncontrolled release of radioactive material. No release of radioactive material occurred as a result of this event.

"The time during which the door would not latch was spent diligently troubleshooting to determine why the door would not secure. When discovered, the interference was immediately removed and the door was secured (latched). Door 1A401 is now operable as a secondary containment boundary but is currently deactivated and posted by security to prevent use as a conservative measure until further inspection and maintenance can be preformed on the door to prevent this issue from reoccurring.

"At this time secondary containment is operable with boundary door 1A401 closed and latched."

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

* * * UPDATE FROM MICHAEL J. LARSON TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1042 EDT ON 10/30/09 * * *

"Retraction of Notification EN# 45316.

"The event was reported by Grand Gulf Nuclear Station on 08/31/2009 at 1014 CDT. This update is being provided for the purpose of retracting that notification.

"On August 31, 2009, during normal entry/exit through secondary containment boundary door 1A401, it was discovered that the door would not latch closed due to interferences between the door and its frame. The door was unable to be latched closed for approximately 5 minutes which represented a possible loss of safety function since it could have provided a path for uncontrolled release of radioactive material. No release of radioactive material occurred as a result of this event.

"As part of the event investigation, the malfunction (inability to close and latch) of door 1A401 was simulated under controlled conditions. Data was obtained under normal ventilation conditions and under the condition with one train of Standby Gas Treatment System (SGT) operating. Analysis of the data determined that the SGT system was able to drawdown the secondary containment enclosure building pressure to greater than 0.311 inch of vacuum water gauge (for no assumed failures) which is above the Technical Specification (TS) 3.6.4.1 surveillance minimum requirement of 0.266 inch of vacuum water gauge (following a postulated accident with assumed failures) using one SGT subsystem.

"Therefore, this event did not constitute a loss of the safety function of secondary containment and this event is not reportable."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R4DO (Powers).

General Information or Other	Event Number: 45470
Rep Org: SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Licensee: F&ME CONSULTANTS Region: 1 City: COLUMBIA State: SC County: License #: 293 Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: MELINDA BRADSHAW HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL	Notification Date: 10/28/2009 Notification Time: 11:20 [ET] Event Date: 10/27/2009 Event Time: 14:00 [EDT] Last Update Date: 10/28/2009
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): JOHN CARUSO (R1DO) GLENDA VILLAMAR (FSME)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE - MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE DAMAGED AT CONSTRUCTION SITE

The following was received from the state via fax:

"The SC [South Carolina] Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) was notified Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 2:10 p.m. that a Humboldt Model 5001 portable moisture density gauge had been damaged on a job site in North Charleston, SC. The gauge contained 11 milliCurie maximum of Cesium 137 and 44 milliCuries maximum of Americium 241/Be. [The] F&ME employee notified the department (SCDHEC) that a gauge technician had been in the process of performing a standardization test with the gauge when it was hit by a motor grader. [The company representative] was present at the job site when the event occurred. [The company representative] informed SCDHEC that the area had been secured with both the gauge and motor grader within the perimeter. [The company representative] was advised to maintain surveillance of the gauge until SCDHEC personnel could respond.

"Once on site, SCDHEC personnel determined there was no release of radioactive material and that the Cesium 137 source was still in the locked position. The gauge was placed in its storage container and secured. The licensee informed SCDHEC that he would transport the damaged gauge back to the home office in Columbia, SC that same evening and secure it until the manufacturer could be contacted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. The licensee would then follow the manufacturer's instructions for the disposition of the device. As more information is available, this notice will be updated. The licensee was advised that a written report detailing this event must be submitted to the department (SCDHEC) within 30 days. The event is open and pending further investigation by the licensee and the department (SCDHEC). Updates will be made through the NMED (Nuclear Materials Event Database) system."

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