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 February 21, 2013

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
02/20/2013 - 02/21/2013

** EVENT NUMBERS **

48749

48770

48772

Agreement State	Event Number: 48749
Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV Licensee: BARD BIOPSY Region: 4 City: NEW IBERIA State: LA County: License #: Agreement: Y Docket: NRC Notified By: JOE NOBLE HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD	Notification Date: 02/13/2013 Notification Time: 14:46 [ET] Event Date: 02/06/2013 Event Time: 17:52 [CST] Last Update Date: 02/13/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: AGREEMENT STATE	Person (Organization): BOB HAGAR (R4DO) ANTHONY DIMITRIADIS (R1DO) FSME EVENTS RESOURSE (E-MA)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - STOLEN SENORX GAMMA FINDER II SURVEY METER RECOVERED

The following information is a synopsis of information received from the State of Louisiana:

On 2/6/2013 at 1752 CST, the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office (IPSO) notified the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) that radioactive material had been found in a vehicle which had been towed and impounded by IPSO. LDEQ personnel conducted an investigation on 2/8/2013 at the IPSO.

A metal briefcase containing a SenoRx Gamma Finder II survey meter and two calibration sources was found in the impounded vehicle by the IPSO. Survey readings done at a local hospital before LDEQ was called read 0.008 mR/hr for the two calibration sources. The briefcase containing the survey meter and calibration sources was then taken to the IPSO.

Description of the first source: Co-57, serial number D-138-21, last calibration date 10/21/2008, activity 11.5242 microCuries. Description of the second source: Co-57, serial number D-139-6, last calibration date 10/22/2008, activity 1.1419 microCuries. The IPSO traced the serial numbers and found that the survey meter and calibration sources belonged to Bard Biopsy Systems in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The IPSO confirmed that Bard Biopsy Systems had reported the survey meter and calibration sources stolen from their location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2009. A report had been filed with the Philadelphia Police Department, District 26, at that time.

LDEQ personnel performed a survey on both calibration sources using a Ludlum 14C survey meter. The first source read 0.05mR/hr on the surface and the second source read 0.03 mR/hr on the surface. A background reading of 0 mR/hr was noted during these readings.

The Philadelphia PD, District 26 is following up on the stolen equipment. The IPSO will ship the survey meter and sources to the Philadelphia PD. Philadelphia PD will return the survey meter and calibration sources to the owner.

Power Reactor	Event Number: 48770
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: BOB MEIXELL HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN	Notification Date: 02/19/2013 Notification Time: 17:45 [ET] Event Date: 02/19/2013 Event Time: 10:54 [EST] Last Update Date: 02/20/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE	Person (Organization): GERALD MCCOY (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

OCONEE ALERT AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM SIRENS OUT OF SERVICE

"Event: At 1400 EST on 2/19/2013, Oconee Nuclear Station (ONS) Emergency Preparedness (EP) was notified that the 65 Oconee Alert and Notification System sirens (65 is the total number of sirens within the ONS 10 mile Emergency Planning Zone) were found to be non-functional at 1054 EST during weekly testing on 2/19/2013. Oconee and Pickens County Emergency Management have been notified and will conduct 'Route Alerting' should ONS experience an emergency event that would normally require siren activation for notifying the public. Route Alerting, a method of backup alerting, is an approved FEMA process and is documented in the Emergency-Plan of both counties.

"Initial Safety Significance: None. A pre-planned alternate process for notifying the public was put in place immediately and will remain in place until siren repair and testing are completed.

"Corrective Action(s): An investigation is in progress to determine the cause of the siren system failure. Appropriate repairs will be made and testing conducted once the cause is determined. ONS will notify the NRC when the sirens are returned to service.

"The ONS NRC Resident Inspector has been notified of this issue."

The licensee has also notified state authorities and the appropriate county authorities as indicated in the event description.

* * * UPDATE AT 1522 EST ON 2/20/12 FROM MEIXELL TO HUFFMAN * * *

"The ONS Siren control systems were recovered and the ONS Alert and Notification System was retested and fully returned to service as of 1040 EST on 2/20/2013. Oconee and Pickens County Emergency Management Division (EMD), South Carolina EMD, and the ONS NRC Senior Resident Inspector were notified of the return of the systems to service. The systems were restored after correcting issues associated with the computer system for the sirens. An investigation is in progress to determine the cause of the event."

R2DO (McCoy) notified.

Power Reactor	Event Number: 48772
Facility: HATCH Region: 2 State: GA Unit: [ ] [2] [ ] RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4 NRC Notified By: JIM ANDERSON HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD	Notification Date: 02/20/2013 Notification Time: 10:21 [ET] Event Date: 02/20/2013 Event Time: 05:28 [EST] Last Update Date: 02/20/2013
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section: 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) - DEGRADED CONDITION	Person (Organization): GERALD MCCOY (R2DO)

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
2	N	N	0	Refueling	0	Refueling

Event Text

DEGRADED CONDITION - FEEDWATER CHECK VALVES FAIL LOCAL LEAK-RATE TESTING

"On February 20, 2013, at 0538 EST, local leak-rate testing (LLRT) of the 'A' feedwater check valves 2B21-F010A and 2B21-F077A revealed that neither valve would pressurize. Based on this information this line would not remain water filled post-LOCA and would result in the 'as found' minimum pathway leakage exceeding the limiting condition of operation (LCO) for Technical Specification 3.6.1.1. The cause for the LLRT failures will be determined and required corrective maintenance will be performed and valves successfully tested during the current refueling outage."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2021