Event Notification Report for March 29, 2012
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
03/28/2012 - 03/29/2012
EVENT NUMBERS
4778647787477884778947975
Power Reactor
Event Number: 47786
Facility: PEACH BOTTOM
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [2] [3] []
RX Type: [2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: JEREMY HITE
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [2] [3] []
RX Type: [2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: JEREMY HITE
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Notification Date: 03/29/2012
Notification Time: 04:04 [ET]
Event Date: 03/29/2012
Event Time: 04:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/29/2012
Notification Time: 04:04 [ET]
Event Date: 03/29/2012
Event Time: 04:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/29/2012
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):
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (R1DO)
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (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 |
TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTER VENTILATION SYSTEM OUTAGE
"At 0400 (EDT) on Thursday March 29th, the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station (PBAPS) Technical Support Center (TSC) supply and exhaust fans will be removed from service for planned preventative maintenance activities on the exhaust fan. This maintenance is scheduled to be worked continuously until completion to minimize out of service time. The planned TSC ventilation outage is scheduled to be completed within 14 hours. If TSC staffing is required, it will take a maximum of 4 hours to return the ventilation system back to an operable status."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE FROM JEREMY HITE TO CHARLES TEAL ON 3/29/12 AT 1949 EDT * * *
The planned maintenance is complete and the TSC was restored back to service at 1530 EDT. The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed.
Notified R1DO (Newport).
"At 0400 (EDT) on Thursday March 29th, the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station (PBAPS) Technical Support Center (TSC) supply and exhaust fans will be removed from service for planned preventative maintenance activities on the exhaust fan. This maintenance is scheduled to be worked continuously until completion to minimize out of service time. The planned TSC ventilation outage is scheduled to be completed within 14 hours. If TSC staffing is required, it will take a maximum of 4 hours to return the ventilation system back to an operable status."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
* * * UPDATE FROM JEREMY HITE TO CHARLES TEAL ON 3/29/12 AT 1949 EDT * * *
The planned maintenance is complete and the TSC was restored back to service at 1530 EDT. The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed.
Notified R1DO (Newport).
Power Reactor
Event Number: 47787
Facility: BROWNS FERRY
Region: 2 State: AL
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: DAVID HAL
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL
Region: 2 State: AL
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: DAVID HAL
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL
Notification Date: 03/29/2012
Notification Time: 21:20 [ET]
Event Date: 03/29/2012
Event Time: 17:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 03/29/2012
Notification Time: 21:20 [ET]
Event Date: 03/29/2012
Event Time: 17:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 03/29/2012
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B) - UNANALYZED CONDITION
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B) - UNANALYZED CONDITION
Person (Organization):
MARK LESSER (R2DO)
MARK LESSER (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 |
| 3 | N | Y | 95 | Power Operation | 95 | Power Operation |
UNANALYZED CONDITION IMPACTING APPENDIX R SEPARATION REQUIREMENTS
"At the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant (BFN), exclusion 'Red Zones' are established for compliance with the 20-foot separation requirements of Appendix R section III.G.2.b as modified by the associated NRC approved exemption for BFN issued on March 29, 2007. On March 28, 2012, it was determined that intervening combustible materials, i.e., cables, found in exclusion 'Red Zones' were not in conformance with Appendix R Section III.G.2.b and the associated NRC approved exemption issued for BFN. As a result of the intervening combustible material found in the exclusion 'Red Zones,' the degree of separation for redundant Appendix R safe shutdown trains is lacking.
"This condition is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B). Any event or condition that results in the nuclear power plant being in an unanalyzed condition that significantly degrades plant safety."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed.
"At the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant (BFN), exclusion 'Red Zones' are established for compliance with the 20-foot separation requirements of Appendix R section III.G.2.b as modified by the associated NRC approved exemption for BFN issued on March 29, 2007. On March 28, 2012, it was determined that intervening combustible materials, i.e., cables, found in exclusion 'Red Zones' were not in conformance with Appendix R Section III.G.2.b and the associated NRC approved exemption issued for BFN. As a result of the intervening combustible material found in the exclusion 'Red Zones,' the degree of separation for redundant Appendix R safe shutdown trains is lacking.
"This condition is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B). Any event or condition that results in the nuclear power plant being in an unanalyzed condition that significantly degrades plant safety."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 47788
Facility: NINE MILE POINT
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-2,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: JAMES VAUGHN
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [2] []
RX Type: [1] GE-2,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: JAMES VAUGHN
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Notification Date: 03/30/2012
Notification Time: 00:59 [ET]
Event Date: 03/29/2012
Event Time: 22:42 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/30/2012
Notification Time: 00:59 [ET]
Event Date: 03/29/2012
Event Time: 22:42 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/30/2012
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):
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (R1DO)
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (R1DO)
| 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 | 97 | Power Operation | 97 | Power Operation |
LOSS OF TONE ALERT SYSTEM
"On Thursday, March 29, 2012, at 2242 EDT, Oswego County notified Nine Mile Point (NMP) via the land line of a loss of the Tone Alert System as of 2105 (EDT). Site Emergency Procedures define a loss of Tone Alert System for greater than one hour as a significant loss of Emergency Communications (EPIP-EPP-30).
"This impacts the ability to readily notify a portion of the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) Population for the NMP and (James A. FitzPatrick) JAF Nuclear Power Plants. This failure meets NRC 8-Hour reporting criteria 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"Compensatory measures were verified to be available should the Prompt Notification System be needed. This consists of utilizing the Hyper-Reach system, which is a reverse 911 feature available from the county 911 center.
"The County Alert Sirens, which also function as part of the Public Prompt Notification System, remain operable.
"At 2300 EDT, Nine Mile Point received notification from Oswego County 911 that the Tone Alert System has been restored and is fully functional as of 2245 EDT."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The cause of the loss is still being investigated.
* * * UPDATE AT 1035 EDT ON 3/30/2012 FROM RYAN HAMILTON TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
"At 03:33 [EDT] on 3/30/12, Nine Mile Point was notified by the Oswego County Emergency Management Office (OGEMO) that the Tone Alert System had been out of service for greater than one (1) hour. This condition is considered a significant loss of offsite communication capability and is therefore a 50.72 8-hour non-emergency reportable condition per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"The Tone Alert System failed at 0211 on 3/30/12 and was subsequently restored to service at 0328 on 3/30/12. This failure was the second such failure in a 24 hour period. The first failure occurred at 2105 on 3/29/12 and was restored at 2245 on 3/29/12. The first failure was reported to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center at 0059 on 3/30/12.
"The cause of the Tone Alert System loss is being investigated by the OCEMO. Oswego County reported that the National Weather Service had verified the system was broadcasting as designed at 0540 on 3/30/12. During the time the Tone Alert System was unavailable, the county emergency sirens, the Hyper-Reach system which is a reverse 911 feature available from the county 911 center, and 'Route Alerting' where Local Law Enforcement personnel are able to assist in alerting affected areas of the Emergency Planning Zone were available as alternate mechanisms to provide emergency offsite notifications."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified the R1DO (Newport).
"On Thursday, March 29, 2012, at 2242 EDT, Oswego County notified Nine Mile Point (NMP) via the land line of a loss of the Tone Alert System as of 2105 (EDT). Site Emergency Procedures define a loss of Tone Alert System for greater than one hour as a significant loss of Emergency Communications (EPIP-EPP-30).
"This impacts the ability to readily notify a portion of the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) Population for the NMP and (James A. FitzPatrick) JAF Nuclear Power Plants. This failure meets NRC 8-Hour reporting criteria 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"Compensatory measures were verified to be available should the Prompt Notification System be needed. This consists of utilizing the Hyper-Reach system, which is a reverse 911 feature available from the county 911 center.
"The County Alert Sirens, which also function as part of the Public Prompt Notification System, remain operable.
"At 2300 EDT, Nine Mile Point received notification from Oswego County 911 that the Tone Alert System has been restored and is fully functional as of 2245 EDT."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The cause of the loss is still being investigated.
* * * UPDATE AT 1035 EDT ON 3/30/2012 FROM RYAN HAMILTON TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
"At 03:33 [EDT] on 3/30/12, Nine Mile Point was notified by the Oswego County Emergency Management Office (OGEMO) that the Tone Alert System had been out of service for greater than one (1) hour. This condition is considered a significant loss of offsite communication capability and is therefore a 50.72 8-hour non-emergency reportable condition per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"The Tone Alert System failed at 0211 on 3/30/12 and was subsequently restored to service at 0328 on 3/30/12. This failure was the second such failure in a 24 hour period. The first failure occurred at 2105 on 3/29/12 and was restored at 2245 on 3/29/12. The first failure was reported to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center at 0059 on 3/30/12.
"The cause of the Tone Alert System loss is being investigated by the OCEMO. Oswego County reported that the National Weather Service had verified the system was broadcasting as designed at 0540 on 3/30/12. During the time the Tone Alert System was unavailable, the county emergency sirens, the Hyper-Reach system which is a reverse 911 feature available from the county 911 center, and 'Route Alerting' where Local Law Enforcement personnel are able to assist in alerting affected areas of the Emergency Planning Zone were available as alternate mechanisms to provide emergency offsite notifications."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified the R1DO (Newport).
Power Reactor
Event Number: 47789
Facility: FITZPATRICK
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: JOHN A WALKOWIAK
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: JOHN A WALKOWIAK
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Notification Date: 03/30/2012
Notification Time: 01:11 [ET]
Event Date: 03/29/2012
Event Time: 21:05 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/30/2012
Notification Time: 01:11 [ET]
Event Date: 03/29/2012
Event Time: 21:05 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/30/2012
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):
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (R1DO)
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (R1DO)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
LOSS OF TONE ALERT SYSTEM
"At 2235 (EDT) on 3/29/12, James A. FitzPatrick (Power Station) was notified by the Oswego County Emergency Management Office (OCEMO) that the Tone Alert System had been out-of-service for greater than one (1) hour. This condition is considered a significant loss of offsite communication capability and is therefore a 50.72 8-hour non-emergency reportable condition per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"The Tone Alert System failed at 2105 (EDT) on 3/29/12, and was subsequently restored to service at 2245 (EDT) on 3/29/12. The cause of the system loss is still being investigated by the OCEMO.
"During the time the Tone Alert System was unavailable the county emergency sirens, the Hyper-Reach system which is a reverse 911 feature was available from the county 911 center, and 'Route Alerting' where Local Law Enforcement Personnel are able to assist in alerting affected areas of an (Emergency Planning Zone) EPZ were available as alternate mechanisms to provide emergency offsite notifications."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. This Tone Alert System also services the Nine Mile Point Power Station.
* * * UPDATE FROM RICHARD SULLIVAN TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ AT 1023 EDT ON 3/30/2012 * * *
"At 0335 [EDT] on 3/30/12, James A. FitzPatrick was notified by the Oswego County Emergency Management Office (OCEMO) that the Tone Alert System had been out of service for greater than one (1) hour. This condition is considered a significant loss of offsite communication capability and is therefore a 50.72 8-hour non-emergency reportable condition per 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"The Tone Alert System failed at 0211 on 3/30/12 and was subsequently restored to service at 0328 on 3/30/12. This failure was the second such failure in a 24 hour period. The first failure occurred at 2105 on 3/29/12 and was restored at 2245 on 3/29/12. The first failure was reported to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center at 0111 on 3/30/12.
"The cause of the Tone Alert System loss is being investigated by the OCEMO. Oswego County reported that the National Weather Service had verified the system was broadcasting as designed at 0540 on 3/30/12.
"During the time the Tone Alert System was unavailable, the county emergency sirens, the Hyper-Reach system which is a reverse 911 feature available from the county 911 center, and 'Route Alerting' where Local Law Enforcement personnel are able to assist in alerting affected areas of the EPZ were available as alternate mechanisms to provide emergency offsite notifications."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified the R1DO (Newport).
"At 2235 (EDT) on 3/29/12, James A. FitzPatrick (Power Station) was notified by the Oswego County Emergency Management Office (OCEMO) that the Tone Alert System had been out-of-service for greater than one (1) hour. This condition is considered a significant loss of offsite communication capability and is therefore a 50.72 8-hour non-emergency reportable condition per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"The Tone Alert System failed at 2105 (EDT) on 3/29/12, and was subsequently restored to service at 2245 (EDT) on 3/29/12. The cause of the system loss is still being investigated by the OCEMO.
"During the time the Tone Alert System was unavailable the county emergency sirens, the Hyper-Reach system which is a reverse 911 feature was available from the county 911 center, and 'Route Alerting' where Local Law Enforcement Personnel are able to assist in alerting affected areas of an (Emergency Planning Zone) EPZ were available as alternate mechanisms to provide emergency offsite notifications."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. This Tone Alert System also services the Nine Mile Point Power Station.
* * * UPDATE FROM RICHARD SULLIVAN TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ AT 1023 EDT ON 3/30/2012 * * *
"At 0335 [EDT] on 3/30/12, James A. FitzPatrick was notified by the Oswego County Emergency Management Office (OCEMO) that the Tone Alert System had been out of service for greater than one (1) hour. This condition is considered a significant loss of offsite communication capability and is therefore a 50.72 8-hour non-emergency reportable condition per 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"The Tone Alert System failed at 0211 on 3/30/12 and was subsequently restored to service at 0328 on 3/30/12. This failure was the second such failure in a 24 hour period. The first failure occurred at 2105 on 3/29/12 and was restored at 2245 on 3/29/12. The first failure was reported to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Operations Center at 0111 on 3/30/12.
"The cause of the Tone Alert System loss is being investigated by the OCEMO. Oswego County reported that the National Weather Service had verified the system was broadcasting as designed at 0540 on 3/30/12.
"During the time the Tone Alert System was unavailable, the county emergency sirens, the Hyper-Reach system which is a reverse 911 feature available from the county 911 center, and 'Route Alerting' where Local Law Enforcement personnel are able to assist in alerting affected areas of the EPZ were available as alternate mechanisms to provide emergency offsite notifications."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Notified the R1DO (Newport).
Part 21
Event Number: 47975
Rep Org: ABB INC
Licensee: ABB INC
Region: 1
City: CORAL SPRINGS State: FL
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DENNIS BATOVSKY
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Licensee: ABB INC
Region: 1
City: CORAL SPRINGS State: FL
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DENNIS BATOVSKY
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 05/29/2012
Notification Time: 17:07 [ET]
Event Date: 03/29/2012
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/01/2013
Notification Time: 17:07 [ET]
Event Date: 03/29/2012
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/01/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
21.21(a)(2) - INTERIM EVAL OF DEVIATION
10 CFR Section:
21.21(a)(2) - INTERIM EVAL OF DEVIATION
Person (Organization):
HIRONORI PETERSON (R3DO)
PART 21 GROUP
HIRONORI PETERSON (R3DO)
PART 21 GROUP
PART 21 NOTIFICATION - PROTECTIVE RELAYS MAY NOT BE QUALIFIED FOR HARSH ENVIRONMENTS
The following report was received via fax:
"During the commercial grade dedication process for a unit that was returned for repair, the unit was found to be in nonconformance with ABB specifications. The ABB specifications require that two (2) particular components, integrated circuits (ICs) of plastic construction, are replaced with 2 ICs of ceramic construction during the assembly process. The chips found on the harmonic filter circuit board (HF Board) of the relays were of plastic construction. While plastic ICs are approved for use in commercial relays, they have not been qualified for safety-related applications. Relays in this condition will function normally in mild environments, but have not been qualified for harsh environments, or for elevated radiation environments."
The affected solid state relays are 27N and 59G shipped between August 1, 2010 and October 15, 2010.
"Eighteen (18) Relays (Material number: 211T4175-HF-1E) were sold to ABB Florence who in turn shipped the same to Detroit Edison's Fermi 2 Power Plant."
* * * UPDATE FROM TAUZER TO SNYDER AT 1730 EDT ON 4/1/13 * * *
The supplier has concluded that the solid state relays with the plastic encapsulate are qualified for Class 1E applications.
"ABB Coral Springs is providing this letter to close the interim report and notice of deviation from specification requirements associated with Solid State Relays 27N and 59G dated May 29, 2012 (Event ML12153A030).
"As stated in the interim report, one of the actions to be completed was the qualification and testing of representative plastic ICs to confirm acceptability and use in safety-related applications.
"This letter is a follow-up notification that the plastic IC qualification and testing is complete, and based upon the results, we have concluded that the ICs with the plastic encapsulate are qualified for Class 1E applications specific to the subject relays.
"Affected customers have been notified."
Notified R3DO (Daley) and Part 21 Reactors (Email).
The following report was received via fax:
"During the commercial grade dedication process for a unit that was returned for repair, the unit was found to be in nonconformance with ABB specifications. The ABB specifications require that two (2) particular components, integrated circuits (ICs) of plastic construction, are replaced with 2 ICs of ceramic construction during the assembly process. The chips found on the harmonic filter circuit board (HF Board) of the relays were of plastic construction. While plastic ICs are approved for use in commercial relays, they have not been qualified for safety-related applications. Relays in this condition will function normally in mild environments, but have not been qualified for harsh environments, or for elevated radiation environments."
The affected solid state relays are 27N and 59G shipped between August 1, 2010 and October 15, 2010.
"Eighteen (18) Relays (Material number: 211T4175-HF-1E) were sold to ABB Florence who in turn shipped the same to Detroit Edison's Fermi 2 Power Plant."
* * * UPDATE FROM TAUZER TO SNYDER AT 1730 EDT ON 4/1/13 * * *
The supplier has concluded that the solid state relays with the plastic encapsulate are qualified for Class 1E applications.
"ABB Coral Springs is providing this letter to close the interim report and notice of deviation from specification requirements associated with Solid State Relays 27N and 59G dated May 29, 2012 (Event ML12153A030).
"As stated in the interim report, one of the actions to be completed was the qualification and testing of representative plastic ICs to confirm acceptability and use in safety-related applications.
"This letter is a follow-up notification that the plastic IC qualification and testing is complete, and based upon the results, we have concluded that the ICs with the plastic encapsulate are qualified for Class 1E applications specific to the subject relays.
"Affected customers have been notified."
Notified R3DO (Daley) and Part 21 Reactors (Email).