| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
05/29/2013 - 05/30/2013 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
 | !!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!! | | Power Reactor | Event Number: 49025 | Facility: GRAND GULF
Region: 4 State: MS
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-6
NRC Notified By: TJ REYNOLDS
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 05/12/2013
Notification Time: 19:15 [ET]
Event Date: 05/12/2013
Event Time: 17:43 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/29/2013 | Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
| Person (Organization):
JAMES DRAKE (R4DO)
ART HOWELL (RA)
JANE MARSHALL (IRD)
DAN DORMAN (NRR)
|
| 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 UNUSUAL EVENT DUE TO FIRE ON AUXILIARY TRANSFORMER INSIDE PROTECTED THE AREA
At 1743 CDT on 05/12/13, Grand Gulf Nuclear Station declared an Unusual Event due to a fire lasting greater than 15 minutes in an auxiliary transformer inside the Protected Area (PA). The transformer was isolated. The plant continues to operate at 100% power. The license remains in a Unusual Event pending further investigation.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector and State and Local Authorities.
Notified DHS SWO, FEMA, and DHS NICC.
* * * UPDATE FROM ROBERT BRINKMAN TO JOHN SHOEMAKER AT 2112 EDT ON 5/12/13 * * *
The Licensee terminated the Unusual Event at 1921 CDT on 5/12/13 based on electrically isolating the auxiliary transformer and termination of smoke coming from the transformer. At no time were flames seen during this event. The transformer is located outside of the turbine building and is used to supply various loads and office space during outages. There was no other impact on the plant.
The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector and State and Local Authorities.
Notified R4DO (Drake), NRR EO (Bahadur), IRD (Marshall), DHS SWO, FEMA, and DHS NICC.
* * * RETRACTION FROM CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON TO JOHN SHOEMAKER AT 1057 EDT ON 5/29/13 * * *
"EN #49025 documents an emergency declaration of Notification of Unusual Event due to a fire lasting greater than 15 minutes within the protected area. The basis for retraction is that this event did not meet the definition of FIRE in NEI 99-01 Rev 5, 'Methodology for the Development of Emergency Action Levels'. This document was endorsed by the NRC on February 22, 2008 (see ADAMS ascension # ML080450149) and is part of the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station's current licensing basis. Per the guidance, a FIRE is defined as:
"Combustion characterized by heat and light. Sources of smoke such as slipping drive belts or overheated electrical equipment do not constitute FIRES. Observation of flame is preferred but is NOT required if large quantities of smoke and heat are observed.
"Grand Gulf performed interviews of operators and personnel responding to the event and subsequently examined photos of the affected auxiliary transformer. According to eyewitness reports from personnel, flames were not observed at any time nor was there any light emanating from the source of smoke. Personnel also reported that at the immediate vicinity of the smoke source, heat was not at a level which would be indicative of a fire. Photos of the affected transformer did not show signs of charring, burns, warping, or deformation as would be expected during a FIRE. Additionally, the definition of a FIRE specifically excludes overheated electrical equipment."
Notified R4DO (Azua), NRR EO (Chernoff), and IRD (Morris). |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 49035 | Rep Org: COLORADO DEPT OF HEALTH
Licensee: UNKNOWN
Region: 4
City: GRAND JUNCTION State: CO
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ED STROUD
HQ OPS Officer: PETE SNYDER | Notification Date: 05/15/2013
Notification Time: 13:49 [ET]
Event Date: 04/24/2013
Event Time: [MDT]
Last Update Date: 05/29/2013 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MICHAEL HAY (R4DO)
FSME EVENT RESOURCE (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FOUND RADIUM 226 SOURCE
"On April 24, 2013, The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment [Department] received notification from the Mesa County Landfill located in Grand Junction, Colorado, that a load of trash had alarmed the gate monitor. The roll-off in question came from a residential spring clean-up event sponsored by the city of Grand Junction.
"That same day, a member of the Department responded to the alarm and the roll-off was moved to a secure location after an initial radiation survey on the outside of the roll-off had been completed.
"On May 7, 2013, members of the Department examined the contents or the roll-off and a small section of plastic pipe (1 foot length) and a small source bound with tape were identified. It appeared that the source had been taped to the side of the plastic pipe at one time, and the word 'source' was written on the pipe. Using an Identifinder multi-channel analyzer, the isotope was identified as Ra-226.
"Dose rates were measured at greater than 200 millirem per hour on contact with the source (the limit of the inspector's instrument), and 10 millirem per hour at 1 foot. The dimensions of the source appeared to be approximately 3 mm by 2 cm. The source is currently stored in a secured location.
"The Department is conducting an investigation, and a press release is being issued to encourage anyone with information about the source to contact the Department."
* * * UPDATE FROM ED STROUD TO VINCE KLCO ON 5/29/13 AT 1459 EDT * * *
The following information was received by email:
"Following the initial event notification on 5/15/13 regarding a found Ra-226 source in Grand Junction, CO, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a press release that requested anyone with additional information to please contact the DOH. Several days later a member of the public contacted DOH with a possible lead. Using that information, inspectors were able to trace the source back to a private residence in Grand Junction. On 5/24/13, inspectors visited a house in a residential neighborhood and found additional radioactive materials in the attached garage. However, the inspectors were not permitted to enter the residence. Radioactive materials found included 2 more Ra-226 sources and a half dozen small jars containing an unknown radioactive powder, which appeared to be uranium mill tailings. The radioactive materials were removed by the inspectors and taken to a secure storage location where additional measurements/analysis can be conducted. The elderly female resident at the house told inspectors that her late husband and his business associates manufactured Geiger counters during the uranium boom years.
"Additional information will follow as it is obtained."
Notified R4DO (Azua) and FSME Resources via email.
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: 49057 | Rep Org: WA DIVISION OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: MORAVEK BIOCHEMICALS, INC.
Region: 4
City: RICHLAND State: WA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: MIKE ELSEN
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH | Notification Date: 05/22/2013
Notification Time: 11:13 [ET]
Event Date: 05/13/2013
Event Time: [PDT]
Last Update Date: 05/22/2013 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
NEIL OKEEFE (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
| Event Text SHIPPING DRUM EXCEEDED NON-REMOVABLE CONTAMINATION LIMITS
The following information was obtained from the State of Washington via email:
"Surface contamination levels exceeded limits for package. PermaFix Northwest received a shipment from Moravek Biochemicals [based in Brea, CA] that consisted of (14) 55 gallon drums, and was shipped as an exclusive use shipment. Upon receipt, the drums were surveyed and 1 drum was found to exceed the 49 CFR 173.443 non-removable contamination limit of 2,200 dpm/cm2 for an exclusive use shipment. The drum survey results were reported as 35,538 dpm/100 cm2 H-3 and 1391 dpm/100 cm2 C-14. Taking into account the 10% wipe efficiency, the contamination levels on this drum exceeded the DOT contamination limits for packages. This drum was manifested with only H-3 and C-14. "
Washington Incident Number: WA-13-028 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 49060 | Rep Org: COLORADO DEPT OF HEALTH
Licensee: CHAIR RENTAL
Region: 4
City: SHERIDAN State: CO
County:
License #: UNKNOWN
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: LINDA BARTISH
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 05/22/2013
Notification Time: 16:03 [ET]
Event Date: 05/20/2013
Event Time: [MDT]
Last Update Date: 05/22/2013 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
NEIL OKEEFE (R4DO)
FSME EVENTS RESOURCE (EMAI)
|
| This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text LOST TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS
The following information was obtained from the State of Colorado via email:
"A representative from Chair Rental, reported receiving the documentation for 2013 Self Certification, Registration, and Inventory report from the [Colorado State] Radioactive Materials Unit's annual General License notifications. The report requires the company to verify the use and location of the exit signs at the site noted within the reports.
"[The company representative] contacted the [State's] Radioactive Materials Unit - General License section to report two exit signs were not located during the inventory check on May 20, 2013. The signs are kept in a storage room within a warehouse. Further details are being investigated.
"During the investigation, Chair Rental was asked to complete a corrective action plan and was made aware of the importance of accounting for exits signs within their business. The following information is provided for compliance.
Maker of sign: Forever-Lite, Inc.
Model Number: SLXTU16U10
Serial Number: 228,338 and 228,340
Date of Manufacture: May, 2010
Date of Loss: Unsure
Location of Sign: When Lost: Unsure
"Other Details: Signs are kept in a storage room for use in larger tents. When letter was received, [the company] went to do an inventory and two [signs] were missing. [The company is] unsure if they are lost in the building or if they are lost on a job site.
"Corrective Action Plan: [The company has] briefed our employees to check certain job sites in the hope that we may recover them. [The company] will also be using a sign out sheet for the signs that will include where they are going to and who is checking them out."
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 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 49076 | Facility: HARRIS
Region: 2 State: NC
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-3-LP
NRC Notified By: RAYMOND MOORE
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER | Notification Date: 05/29/2013
Notification Time: 09:59 [ET]
Event Date: 05/29/2013
Event Time: 09:34 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 05/29/2013 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
OTHER UNSPEC REQMNT
| Person (Organization):
BRIAN BONSER (R2DO)
|
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX CRIT | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | N | 0 | Refueling | 0 | Refueling | Event Text LOSS OF REDUNDANT ASSESSMENT CAPABILITY
"Loss of one of two National Weather Service (NOAA) Tone Alert Radio Transmitters.
"This is a non-emergency notification.
"At 09:34 AM EDT on May 29, 2013, the National Weather Service reported that they plan to remove the National Weather Service (NOAA) Tone Alert Radio Transmitter, WXL-58 located in Chapel Hill, NC., serving the northeast piedmont on 162.550 MHZ, from service for maintenance. The maintenance is expected to last 4 hours. The purpose of the National Weather Service (NOAA) Tone Alert Radio transmitters is a redundant means to the 83 Harris Nuclear Plant Emergency Sirens to warn the public within the 5 mile radius of the plant of an actual event. The 83 Harris Nuclear Plant Emergency Sirens are in service and fully functional to alert the public within the 5 mile radius of the plant of an actual event should an event occur.
"Compensatory Measure is in place as a back-up route alert to the public within the 5 miles radius (affected counties; Wake, Chatham, Harnett) upon declaration of an event.
"There is no impact to public health and safety due to this condition.
"The NRC Resident has been notified."
This is the same NOAA Tone Alert Radio Transmitter as reported in NRC Event #49074.
* * * UPDATE FROM RAYMOND MOORE TO VINCE KLCO ON 5/29/13 AT 1618 EDT * * *
The NOAA Tone Alert Radio Transmitter was returned to service on 5/29/13 at 1538 EDT.
The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified the R2DO (Bonser). |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 49077 | Facility: BROWNS FERRY
Region: 2 State: AL
Unit: [ ] [2] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: BRAIN MAZE
HQ OPS Officer: BILL HUFFMAN | Notification Date: 05/29/2013
Notification Time: 11:06 [ET]
Event Date: 04/09/2013
Event Time: 05:06 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 05/29/2013 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION
| Person (Organization):
BRIAN BONSER (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 60 DAY REPORT OF AN INVALID PRIMARY CONTAINMENT SYSTEM ISOLATION SIGNAL
"This 60-day telephone notification is being made per the reporting requirements specified by 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A) and 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1) to describe an invalid actuation of a general containment isolation signal affecting more than one system.
"On April 9, 2013, at 0506 hours Central Daylight Time (CDT), during placement of clearance 2-TO-2013-0003, section 2-099-0001, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFN), Unit 2, received Primary Containment Isolation System (PCIS) Groups 2, 3, 6, and 8 isolation signals. The PCIS Groups 2, 3, 6, and 8 isolations caused the initiation of all three trains of the Standby Gas Treatment (SBGT) system and Control Room Emergency Ventilation (CREV) subsystem 'A', and isolations of the BFN, Unit 2, Reactor Zone ventilation and BFN, Units 1, 2, and 3, Refuel Zone ventilation. Operations personnel responded to the PCIS initiation, ensured all equipment operated as designed, and stopped the clearance placement.
"Plant conditions which initiate PCIS Group 2 actuations are Reactor Vessel Low Water Level (Level 3) or High Drywell Pressure. The PCIS Group 3 actuations are initiated by Reactor Vessel Low Water Level (Level 3) or Reactor Water Cleanup Area High Temperature. The PCIS Group 6 actuations are initiated by Reactor Vessel Low Water Level (Level 3), High Drywell Pressure, or Reactor Building Ventilation Exhaust High Radiation (Reactor Zone or Refuel Zone). The PCIS Group 8 actuations are initiated by Low Reactor Vessel Water Level (Level 3) or High Drywell Pressure. At the time of the event, these conditions did not exist; therefore, the actuation of the PCIS was invalid.
"The apparent cause for this condition was the outage tagging personnel did not prepare clearance 2-TO-2013-0003 section 2-099-0001 as a stand alone clearance, detail the effect on PCIS initiation on cover placement instructions, place clearance 2-TO-2013-0003 in the right sequence, and perform a thorough review of clearance 2-TO-2013-0003 section 2-099-0001 to identify the missing detail related to PCIS initiation. Personnel performance issues are being addressed in accordance with the Tennessee Valley Authority policies and processes.
"There were no safety consequences or impact to the health and safety of the public as a result of this event.
"This event was entered into the Corrective Action Program as Problem Evaluation Report 711266.
"The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified of this event." | |