| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
03/29/2012 - 03/30/2012 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Agreement State | Event Number: 47761 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: PROBE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Region: 4
City: FORT WORTH State: TX
County:
License #: 05112
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ART TUCKER
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 03/22/2012
Notification Time: 17:29 [ET]
Event Date: 03/14/2012
Event Time: [CDT]
Last Update Date: 03/29/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MICHAEL HAY (R4DO)
CHRISTIAN EINBERG (FSME)
ILTAB (EMAI)
MEXICO (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - SOURCE LOST DURING TRANSPORT
The State of Texas provided the following information via email:
"On March 22, 2012, the Agency was notified by a licensee that a 350 millicurie (13 GBq) Americium 241-Beryllium source was lost during shipment. The source was picked up in Fort Worth, Texas by a common carrier for delivery to Houston, TX on March 14, 2012. When the source arrived in Houston, TX it was discovered that the source should have been delivered to the company's Corpus Christi, TX location. The common carrier contacted the licensee in Fort Worth and they agreed to have the source sent to the Corpus Christi location. On March 20, 2012, the licensee in Corpus Christi contacted the licensee in Fort Worth and stated that they had not received the source. The licensee in Fort Worth contacted the common carrier and was informed by them that they could not locate the source, but they were looking for it. On March 22, 2012, at 1420 hours the Fort Worth licensee contacted this Agency to report that they had decided to report the source as lost.
"The Agency contacted the carrier and they confirmed that the package was loaded on the truck going from Houston to Corpus Christi. They stated that the truck stopped in San Antonio, TX prior to going to Houston. The common carrier is still looking for the source. They stated that all of their transportation centers have been notified of the lost package. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance with SA-300.
Texas Incident #: I-8941.
* * * UPDATE ON 3/29/12 AT 0918 EDT FROM ART TUCKER TO MARK ABRAMOVITZ * * *
The following information was received via fax:
The report should have stated "that the truck stopped in San Antonio,TX prior to going to Corpus Christi."
Notified the R4DO (Farnholtz) and FSME (McIntosh) via e-mail.
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. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 47768 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION CORPORATION
Region: 4
City: LAKE JACKSON State: TX
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket: L02712
NRC Notified By: ROBERT FREE
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 03/25/2012
Notification Time: 09:20 [ET]
Event Date: 03/24/2012
Event Time: 16:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 03/30/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
THOMAS FARNHOLTZ (R4DO)
ANGELA MCINTOSH (FSME)
| Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - OVEREXPOSURE TO RADIOGRAPHER WHEN CAMERA SOURCE BECAME DISCONNECTED
The following information was received by facsimile:
"On March 24, 2012, the licensee notified the Agency that it one of its radiography teams had experienced a disconnect of a 65 curie iridium-192 on a QSA Delta 880 radiography camera at a temporary work site in Pasadena, Texas. The crank out drive cable had broken and the source had completely disconnected. After an authorized individual performed the source retrieval, the licensee's RSO learned that the radiographer trainer disconnected the source tube from the camera and had carried the source tube around his neck while he climbed down the ladder of the scaffold. The source was in the tube at this time, but it is uncertain at this time the source's location within the tube. When the radiographer trainer reached the platform he removed the source tube from his neck. The licensee's initial dose estimates for the radiographer trainer are a whole body dose of at least 56 rem and an extremity limit that may exceed 100 rem. The radiographer's film badge is being sent for immediate reading. The licensee is conducting an investigation.
"NOTE: During the licensee's initial phone call to the Agency, the Agency understood the whole body dose estimate to be 6 rem and considered the event to be a 24-hour report (the Agency did report to the NRC HOO within 24 hours). However, when the Agency received the written initial report this morning, March 26, 2012, it was discovered that the estimate is 56 rem, which requires immediate notification. This report is being submitted to update and upgrade the event. More information will be provided as it is obtained.
The State also corrected the source strength to 65 curie Ir-192 source. REAC/TS was notified on 03/26/12 and the licensee has made contact with them.
Texas Incident: I-8942
* * * UPDATE FROM KAREN BLANCHARD TO CHARLES TEAL ON 3/29/12 AT 1712 EDT * * *
"The radiographer's badge was processed on March 28, 2012. The badge reading was 812 mrem whole body (deep dose equivalent). Dose reconstruction continues as the investigation continues. More information will be provided as it is obtained."
Notified R4DO (Farnholtz) and FSME (McKenney). |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 47785 | Facility: OCONEE
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [1] [2] [3]
RX Type: [1] B&W-L-LP,[2] B&W-L-LP,[3] B&W-L-LP
NRC Notified By: SANDRA LOSKOSKI
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ | Notification Date: 03/29/2012
Notification Time: 00:02 [ET]
Event Date: 03/24/2012
Event Time: 18:10 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 03/29/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
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 | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text SEWAGE SPILL IN THE TURBINE BUILDING THAT DISCHARGES TO THE KEOWEE RIVER
"On 3/24/12 at 1810 hrs EDT, a four inch sewage line in the turbine building failed. This allowed sanitary wastewater to spill into the turbine building basement. An estimated 100 gallon entered into trench drains and then to the station sump which discharges into the conventional wastewater system. This conventional wastewater system is discharged to the Keowee River from NPDES [National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System] outfall 002. The discharge of outfall 002 is into the Keowee River below the Keowee River Hydro Station. The normal discharge path for sanitary wastewater is to the City of Seneca. South Carolina DHEC [Department of Health and Environmental Control] was notified of the spill on 3/24/12 at 2259 hrs EDT. After further review, this was determined to be reportable under 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi)."
This event was determined to be reportable at 2150 EDT on 3/28/2012. The event was entered into the corrective action program. There was no impact on plant operations and the cleanup has been completed. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| 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 | 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 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
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 | Event Text 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). |
| 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 | 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 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B) - UNANALYZED CONDITION
| Person (Organization):
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 | Event Text 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. |
| 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 | 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 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
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 | Event Text 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. |
| 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 | 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 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
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 | Event Text 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. | |