| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
07/13/2012 - 07/16/2012 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | Power Reactor | Event Number: 48070 | Facility: CATAWBA
Region: 2 State: SC
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: STEVEN ANDREWS
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 07/05/2012
Notification Time: 14:06 [ET]
Event Date: 06/21/2012
Event Time: 16:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/05/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(ii) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X
| Person (Organization):
BRIAN BONSER (R2DO)
MARK KING (NRR)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
ILTAB VIA EMAIL ()
| | This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. |
| 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 |
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text TWO INCORE DETECTORS CONTAINING U-235 UNACCOUNTED FOR DURING INVENTORY
"This is a non-emergency notification regarding an extremely small amount of Special Nuclear Material (SNM) which is unaccounted for. On 6/21/2012, it was determined that two nuclear instrumentation incore detectors could not be accounted for at Catawba. Detectors of this type are used to measure incore neutron flux (intensity of neutron radiation) inside the reactor vessel. This determination was made following the completion of a scheduled inventory of nuclear instrumentation incore detectors in storage. This is being reported under 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(ii) (reports of theft or loss of licensed material).
"According to Catawba documentation, there should be 54 such detectors in storage. Only 52 detectors could be physically located on site. There is no evidence of theft or diversion of these detectors. According to site documentation, one or both of the detectors may have been shipped to Barnwell in 1986. Detectors of this type contain very small amounts of Uranium-235 (0.0041 grams/detector), which qualifies them as SNM. The most likely location for the detectors is either in one bunker located on site and within the radiological controlled area or at Barnwell via a low level radioactive waste shipment. The search for these detectors was suspended based on a determination that the additional dose to plant workers involved in the search was not justified by an equivalent offsetting safety benefit. It is unlikely that these detectors could have left the site other than in a radioactive waste shipment as the radiation monitoring equipment in place would likely have identified the presence of the detectors.
"This event had no effect on plant operations and no impact on public health and safety has been identified. A written report will be made in accordance with 10 CFR 20.2201(b)(1)(i-vi). The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector."
Usually, spent incore detectors are stored in a locked high radiation area at the facility. This was the first physical inventory of sources performed by the licensee.
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
This source is not amongst those sources or devices identified by the IAEA Code of Conduct for the Safety & Security of Radioactive Sources to be of concern from a radiological standpoint. Therefore is it being categorized as a less than Category 3 source |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48102 | Facility: OYSTER CREEK
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-2
NRC Notified By: THOMAS BUSK
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL | Notification Date: 07/13/2012
Notification Time: 14:20 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2012
Event Time: 12:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/14/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
LAWRENCE DOERFLEIN (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 INTERMITTENT SIGNAL INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY SIRENS
" At 12:00 on July 13, 2012 it was determined, during a conference call with the Exelon siren vendor, that Oyster Creek emergency planning zone (EPZ) sirens may be unreliable. The unreliability is being caused by an intermittent signal on the frequency used to activate the sirens. Therefore, an 8-hour report is required under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) due to a potential 'Loss of Emergency Preparedness Capabilities.'
"Additionally, Exelon is contacting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for troubleshooting and reporting purposes, as well as, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJ OEM) and the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management to institute compensatory actions. Due to contacting other government agencies a 4-hour report is required per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi).
"Exelon will notify the NRC Operations Center upon full-restoration of the Oyster Creek EPZ siren system."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed.
* * * UPDATE AT 2110 EDT ON 7/14/12 FROM CLARK TO HUFFMAN * * *
As of 2058 EDT on July 14, the licensee has declared that all 42 sirens have been restored to a reliable status. The siren vendor has shifted the activation frequency to avoid the interference. The vendor is still working with the FCC to determine the cause of the interference signal at the original frequency.
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. R1DO (Doerflein) notified. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48103 | Facility: LASALLE
Region: 3 State: IL
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-5,[2] GE-5
NRC Notified By: MICHAEL FITZPATRICK
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 07/13/2012
Notification Time: 15:37 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2012
Event Time: 10:50 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/13/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
ERIC DUNCAN (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 | Event Text TSC OUT OF SERVICE DUE TO FAILED FAN BELT
"This telephone notification is provided in accordance with Exelon reportability manual SAF 1.10, 'Major Loss of Emergency Preparedness Capabilities', and 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii).
"On July 13, 2012 at 1050 CDT, it was determined that the onsite Technical Support Center (TSC) ventilation system supply fan belts had failed, resulting in loss of ventilation for the facility. Repairs have been completed, and the TSC ventilation system was returned to service July 13, 2012 at 1225 CDT; however repairs were not completed within the time required had the TSC needed to be staffed. During this time, there was no emergency event in progress requiring TSC staffing. The Main Control Room remained fully available as a backup facility, should an event have occurred requiring emergency facilities to be staffed.
"The licensee has notified the NRC Senior Resident Inspector of the issue." |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48104 | Facility: FITZPATRICK
Region: 1 State: NY
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4
NRC Notified By: STEVE DEFILLIPPO
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 07/13/2012
Notification Time: 20:39 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2012
Event Time: 17:40 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/13/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
LAWRENCE DOERFLEIN (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 OFFSITE NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY SIREN ACTIVATION
"The purpose of this report is to provide a telephone notification under 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi) to notify the NRC of the inadvertent actuation of Oswego County emergency notification siren number 34 at approximately 17:40 EDT on 7/13/12. Personnel have been dispatched to the siren location and it has been deactivated pending further investigation. Backup measures are in place to notify residents if an actual emergency were to occur while the siren is out of service.
"The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified.
"Oswego County Emergency Management Office has issued a press release as follows:
"EMERGENCY SIREN SOUNDS INADVERTENTLY
"Fulton - One of the emergency notification sirens surrounding the nuclear power plants in Scriba inadvertently sounded at about 5:40 p.m. today, July 13, due to a malfunction. There is NO emergency at the three nuclear power plants in Oswego County.
"[The] Director of the Oswego County Emergency Management Office, said siren repair personnel from Constellation Energy and Entergy responded to the site near the intersection of Middle Road and Route 104 in Scriba as soon as they were notified the siren was sounding. The cause for the sounding is under investigation. The other sirens in the system are functioning properly.
"While the siren system is being repaired, backup measures are in place to notify residents if an actual emergency occurs at one of the plants.
"The siren is one of 37 located within a 10-mile radius of the nuclear power plants in Scriba. A system of sirens and tone-alert weather radios is in place to alert residents in the event of an emergency.
"In the event of an emergency at one of the plants that would require protective actions for the public, the sirens would be sounded for three minutes to alert residents of the area to turn their AM/FM radios or televisions to local Emergency Alert System (EAS) stations for further information and instructions. EAS stations are listed in the Emergency Public Information Calendar mailed to residents of the Emergency Planning Zone surrounding the plants and in local telephone books. The calendar can be viewed online at www.oswegocounty.com/emo."
See related event notification from Nine Mile Point - EN #48105 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48105 | 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: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 07/13/2012
Notification Time: 21:05 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2012
Event Time: 17:40 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/13/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(2)(xi) - OFFSITE NOTIFICATION
| Person (Organization):
LAWRENCE DOERFLEIN (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 | N | 0 | Hot Shutdown | 0 | Hot Shutdown | Event Text OFFSITE NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY SIREN ACTIVATION
"On Friday, July 13, 2012 at approximately 17:40 EDT, Oswego County Emergency Management Office notified Nine Mile Point via the Radiological Emergency Communications System (RECS) line of a false activation of Siren 34. The Oswego County Emergency Management Office has issued a press release.
"Currently, the siren has been silenced and is inoperable. Technicians are dispatched and investigating. Backup measures are in place to notify residents if an actual emergency were to occur while the siren is out of service."
The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector and the State.
See related event notification from FitzPatrick - EN #48104 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48106 | Facility: FERMI
Region: 3 State: MI
Unit: [2] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: PATRICK FALLON
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 07/14/2012
Notification Time: 08:59 [ET]
Event Date: 07/14/2012
Event Time: 02:06 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/14/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
| Person (Organization):
ERIC DUNCAN (R3DO)
CAT TEAM (EMAI)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 2 | N | N | 0 | Cold Shutdown | 0 | Cold Shutdown | Event Text UNEXPECTED INTEGRATED PLANT COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILURE
"At approximately 0206 EDT on July 14, 2012, the Femi 2 Integrated Plant Computer System (IPCS) failed. The Safety Parameters Display System (SPDS) and Emergency Response Data System (ERDS) reside on the IPCS platform.
"At 0525 EDT, plant personnel were able to reboot IPCS and restore the system to normal with prime and backup CPUs. Emergency assessment capabilities have been restored to all onsite emergency response facilitates.
"This notification is being made per the requirements of 8 hour non-emergency notification 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), any event that results in a major loss of emergency assessment capability."
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48107 | Facility: LIMERICK
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [1] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: THOMAS INGRAM
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL | Notification Date: 07/14/2012
Notification Time: 16:52 [ET]
Event Date: 07/14/2012
Event Time: 10:06 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 07/14/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
26.719 - FITNESS FOR DUTY
| Person (Organization):
LAWRENCE DOERFLEIN (R1DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 60 | Power Operation | 60 | Power Operation | | 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text FITNESS FOR DUTY
A licensed operator employee had a confirmed positive during a random fitness-for-duty test. The employee's unescorted access has been suspended. Contact the Headquarters Operations Officer for additional details.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 48108 | Facility: QUAD CITIES
Region: 3 State: IL
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-3,[2] GE-3
NRC Notified By: JOE BELLISH
HQ OPS Officer: CHARLES TEAL | Notification Date: 07/15/2012
Notification Time: 16:05 [ET]
Event Date: 07/15/2012
Event Time: 10:30 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 07/15/2012 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) - ACCIDENT MITIGATION
| Person (Organization):
ERIC DUNCAN (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 | Event Text UNIT 1 HIGH PRESSURE COOLANT INJECTION (HPCI) INOPERABLE DUE TO VALVE LEAK
"On July 15, 2012, at 1030 hours, a defect (pinhole through-wall leak) was identified on the 1-2301-29 valve (HPCI Steam Line to Main Condenser Isolation Valve). The defect was identified during a routine system walkdown. The 1-2301-29 valve (1" valve downstream of the HPCI drain pot) is normally open during HPCI standby operation and closes upon system initiation. Due to the location of the defect, the 1-2301-29 valve would not have completely isolated the steam line as designed. As a result, HPCI was declared inoperable. Given that HPCI is a single train system, this notification is being made in accordance with 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(D). HPCI will remain inoperable until system repairs are complete."
The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed. | |