Event Notification Report for November 25, 2014

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

Event Reports For
11/24/2014 - 11/25/2014

** EVENT NUMBERS **


50351 50550 50612 50613 50615 50616 50617 50619 50623 50635

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 50351
Facility: HATCH
Region: 2 State: GA
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4
NRC Notified By: KENNY HUNTER
HQ OPS Officer: HOWIE CROUCH
Notification Date: 08/07/2014
Notification Time: 20:00 [ET]
Event Date: 08/07/2014
Event Time: 17:07 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 11/24/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B) - UNANALYZED CONDITION
Person (Organization):
REBECCA NEASE (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

Event Text

UNANALYZED CONDITION DUE TO DISCOVERY OF DEGRADED FIRE BARRIER WALLS

"During a fire inspection activity involving inspection of fire walls that serve as Appendix R barriers, degradation of some fire walls was identified that was sufficient to prevent these walls from meeting Appendix R requirements as 3-hour fire barriers. In the event of a postulated fire in the affected areas, both safe shutdown paths on the affected unit could be compromised. Given this information, the determination was made that this condition meets the reporting criteria of 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B).

"Compensatory measures were already in place in accordance with the plant's Fire Hazard Analysis (FHA) as a result of previous conditions involving degraded penetrations in these same fire areas. The presence of the compensatory measures in addition to automatic fire detection in these fire areas ensure that the safe shutdown paths are preserved until the degraded conditions can be corrected.

"Condition Reports: 850802, 850819"

In addition to automatic fire protection features, the licensee has posted fire watches as a compensatory measure.

The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.


* * * UPDATE FROM STANLEY STONE TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1814 EST ON 11/24/2014 * * *

"As part of the 'extent of condition' corrective action for the condition identified in EN 50351, an inspection activity is in progress to inspect the remaining fire walls for conditions similar to those reported on 8/7/2014. During this inspection, another condition was identified involving some degradation of the fire wall between Fire Area 1023 - RPS MG Set Room and Fire Area 1015 - Annunciator Room. In the event of a postulated fire in the affected areas both safe shutdown paths on Unit 1 could be compromised. Given this information, the determination was made that this condition meets the reporting criteria of 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B).

"Compensatory measures were already in place in accordance with the plant's Fire Hazard Analysis (FHA) as a result of previous conditions involving degraded penetrations in these same fire areas and will remain in place until the wall is repaired. The presence of the compensatory measures in addition to automatic fire detection in these fire areas ensure that the safe shutdown paths are preserved until the degraded condition is repaired. The inspection activity is continuing, and this and any subsequent similar condition(s) that meets the reporting requirements will be included in an ENS update report and will be documented in a revised LER at the end of the inspection activity.

"Condition Report: 898908."

The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.

Notified R2DO (Ehrhardt).

To top of page
Power Reactor Event Number: 50550
Facility: SALEM
Region: 1 State: NJ
Unit: [1] [ ] [ ]
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP,[2] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: DAN McHUGH
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 10/20/2014
Notification Time: 01:36 [ET]
Event Date: 10/19/2014
Event Time: 20:51 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 11/24/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) - VALID SPECIF SYS ACTUATION
Person (Organization):
WILLIAM COOK (R1DO)

Unit SCRAM Code RX CRIT Initial PWR Initial RX Mode Current PWR Current RX Mode
1 N Y 19 Power Operation 0 Hot Standby

Event Text

MANUAL REACTOR TRIP RESULTING IN AUX FEEDWATER ACTUATION

"This is an 8-hour notification being made to report that a valid ESF [emergency safety features] auxiliary feed water system actuation occurred. Salem Unit 1 was in mode 1 at 19% reactor power and executed a planned manual reactor trip to begin a scheduled refueling outage (1R23). The 11, 12, and 13 AFW [auxiliary feedwater] pumps were not in service prior to the reactor trip and as a result, narrow range levels in 12, 13, and 14 steam generators reached 14% before recovering. This resulted in a valid ESF actuation for low steam generator water level. Steam generator water levels were restored to normal post trip values as part of the procedurally directed response to a reactor trip.

"All safety related equipment was operational before the reactor trip and AFW actuation and responded as required. There were no equipment failures that contributed to this event. There were no personnel injuries as a result of' this event.

"The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed."

A transformer alarm caused the operators to trip the reactor prior to reaching the step in the procedure to start the AFW pumps.


* * * UPDATE FROM JOHN OSBORNE TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1555 EST ON 11/24/2014 * * *

"On October 20, 2014 at 0136 EDT, Salem Unit 1 reported an 8 hour notification of a valid ESF Auxiliary Feed Water System actuation following a manual reactor trip at the start of the S1R23 refueling outage. After additional review it was determined that the manual reactor trip met the criteria for a four hour report in accordance with 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), 'Any event or condition that results in actuation of the reactor protection system (RPS) when the reactor is critical...'."

The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.

Notified R1DO (Noggle).

To top of page
Agreement State Event Number: 50612
Rep Org: TENNESSEE DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: TOXCO, INC
Region: 1
City: OAK RIDGE State: TN
County:
License #: R-01037-E16
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ANDREW HOLCOMB
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Notification Date: 11/14/2014
Notification Time: 10:52 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2014
Event Time: 09:00 [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/14/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
BLAKE WELLING (R1DO)
NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICA (EMAI)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FIRE IMPACTING LICENSABLE MATERIAL

The following report was received from the State of Tennessee via email:

"[Tennessee Department of Environment Conservation] TDEC was notified on 11/13/14, by a representative of [Toxco, Inc. d/b/a Toxco Materials Management Center] TMMC that a fire had occurred [at approximately 0900 EST] in an area in Building B where evaporation of liquid radioactive wastes was being conducted. Four employees attempted to extinguish the fire but were unsuccessful. The City of Oak Ridge fire department responded to the site and extinguished the fire. Four TMMC employees were sent to the local hospital for smoke inhalation related symptoms and are being evaluated for potential intake of radioactive materials. Air sampling of the building and area were performed during the event. The samples are being evaluated for results and consideration of potential impacts. [Tennessee] State inspectors are onsite investigating. The quantity of mixed fission product involved is unknown at this time. [Tennessee Department of Health] DRH inspectors are onsite and detailed information will be forthcoming."

State Event Report ID NO: TN-14-211

To top of page
Agreement State Event Number: 50613
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL
Region: 4
City: HOUSTON State: TX
County:
License #: L00747
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ROBERT FREE
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS
Notification Date: 11/14/2014
Notification Time: 12:01 [ET]
Event Date: 11/13/2014
Event Time: [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/14/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
WAYNE WALKER (R4DO)
NMSS EVENT NOTIFICAT (EMAI)
MEXICO (FAX)

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material.

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST CHECK SOURCE

The following was received from the State of Texas via email:

"On November 14, 2014, the agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by the licensee, Weatherford International, that a 10 microCurie Americium-241 source [Serial # A1-531] was lost from its R&D facility in Houston, TX. The source was identified as missing during an inventory on 11/10/2014. After searching the company's R&D facility, the loss was reported to the [Texas] Department of State Health Services. The licensee's RSO suggested the source may have been swept out with trash. The source was last verified to be in its storage location December of last year [2013]. The company keeps a log of source usage and searched each use location in the building. The source is only used in the same building where it is stored."

Texas incident # I-9252

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

To top of page
Non-Agreement State Event Number: 50615
Rep Org: QAL-TEK ASSOCIATES, LLC
Licensee: QAL-TEK ASSOCIATES, LLC
Region: 4
City: IDAHO FALLS State: ID
County:
License #: 11-27610-01
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GLENN SAWTELLE
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS
Notification Date: 11/14/2014
Notification Time: 15:56 [ET]
Event Date: 11/14/2014
Event Time: 12:50 [MST]
Last Update Date: 11/17/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
20.2201(a)(1)(ii) - LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X
Person (Organization):
GREG WERNER (R4DO)
NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICA (EMAI)
CANADA (FAX)

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material.

Event Text

MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE LOST IN TRANSIT

Qal-Tek Associates, LLC reported that a Troxler Model 3450 Moisture/Density Gauge (Serial # 355) was lost in transit by the shipper. The device was being shipped from the owner, Simon Contracting in North Platte, NE, to Qal-Tek for repair. The device contains 8mCi Cs-137 and 40 mCi Am/Be.

This is the same incident as NRC Event # 50619.

* * * UPDATE ON 11/17/14 AT 1703 EST FROM GLENN SAWTELLE TO DONG PARK * * *

The following was received from the licensee via email:

"The event 50615 initiated last Friday, November 14th has been resolved. The shipping company YRC Freight notified Qal-Tek Associates and Simon Consultants today, November 17th, that the Troxler nuclear density gauge reported 'lost' in this event was located in a YRC Hazardous Materials storage trailer. Apparently, the shipping information had separated from the device case. The NDG [Nuclear Density Gauge] was not damaged in any way and has all other Radioactive Materials labels intact. The NDG will be shipped to the Qal-Tek office in Idaho Falls, ID, for previously anticipated service. The Nebraska state Radiation Protection authorities have been informed."

Notified R1DO (Jackson), ILTAB and NMSS Events Notification via email. Notified Canada via facsimile.

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

To top of page
Agreement State Event Number: 50616
Rep Org: LOUISIANA RADIATION PROTECTION DIV
Licensee: IRISNDT, INC.
Region: 4
City: NEW ORLEANS State: LA
County:
License #: LA12236-L01,A
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JOE NOBLE
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS
Notification Date: 11/14/2014
Notification Time: 18:12 [ET]
Event Date: 11/14/2014
Event Time: 10:45 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/14/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
GREG WERNER (R4DO)
NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICA (EMAI)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - TRUCK CARRYING RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

The following was received from the State of Louisiana via email:

"IRISNDT-LA was transporting a SPEC Model 300 exposure device, S/N 004, loaded with Co-60 greater than Cat. 2 concerns, S/N C 60-49. The exposure device and source were being returned to IRISNDT, 905 GA Ave., Deer Park, TX. Texas License TX L0 6435. They were driving in the flow of traffic when the utility trailer, loaded with the exposure device was rear-ended by a pick-up truck at 1030 [CST]. The LSP [Louisiana State Police] and LDEQ [Louisiana department of Environmental Quality] responded as well as the LA RSO and the CRSO who was in town on other business. A field assessment was conducted at the site and then the device was transported to the New Orleans, LA office. Additional evaluations and wipe test were performed and sent for evaluation. It appears that no shielding or radiation containment was compromised. The exposure device is being transported to Source Production & Equipment, the manufacturer, for a more extensive evaluation. All personnel involved with the radioactive source during this incident were T&Red by IRISNDT under their IC security procedures. LA and TX Licenses and other documents were with the device. All radioactive sources are secured at the New Orleans office. No radioactive material was released or determined to be leaking at the time of this preliminary report. The radiography equipment will be transported to a location where an extensive evaluation of the equipment will be conducted. The outward appearance does not indicate there is severe or excessive damage to the exposure device resulting in a radioactive material release. The two carded radiographers involved in the traffic accident were taken for a medical evaluation and released with no serious injuries. Updates will be provided when 'new' information is available."

Louisiana incident # LA1400011

To top of page
!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!
Agreement State Event Number: 50617
Rep Org: CALIFORNIA RADIATION CONTROL PRGM
Licensee: US NAVY
Region: 4
City: SAN FRANCISCO State: CA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GENE FORRER
HQ OPS Officer: MARK ABRAMOVITZ
Notification Date: 11/14/2014
Notification Time: 23:17 [ET]
Event Date: 11/05/2014
Event Time: 07:29 [PST]
Last Update Date: 11/17/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
GREG WERNER (R4DO)
NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICA (EMAI)
BLAKE WELLING (R1DO)

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - NON-CONSERVATIVE RADIOLOGICAL SCAN FOR BUILDINGS RELEASED FOR USE

The following report was received via e-mail:

"The Department of the Navy has provided the California Department of Public Health with a cover letter and report dealing with nonconservative scan speeds being used for the release of buildings on the Hunters Point Naval Facility. Some of the buildings involved are under NRC jurisdiction and some under State of California jurisdiction. The buildings involved that are NRC jurisdiction are Parcel B (103, 113, 113A, 130, 140, 146), Parcel C (203, 214, 241, 271, 272), Parcel E (half of Bldg 439, half of Bldg 810), and Parcel G (351, 351A, 365, 366, 401, 411). We are informing NRC of this issue so you can independently review this report and take whatever action they deem necessary.

The buildings that are under State jurisdiction are all in Parcel E (406, 414, 521, half of Bldg 439, and half of Bldg 810). RHB will schedule additional surveys as required to verify the safety of release of these buildings. RHB does not perceive any particular threat to the public or workers from these buildings but an evaluation should be done just to be sure."

California Event #: 111414

* * * RETRACTION FROM JOHN FASSELL TO DANIEL MILLS AT 1308 EST ON 11/17/14 * * *

This event is being retracted, because it has been determined that it is not a 24-hr reportable event.

Notified R1DO (Jackson), R4DO (Hagar), NMSS Events Notification (Email).

To top of page
Agreement State Event Number: 50619
Rep Org: NE DIV OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
Licensee: SIMON CONTRACTORS, INC.
Region: 4
City: NORTH PLATTE State: NE
County:
License #: 15-02-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JIM DEFRAIN
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS
Notification Date: 11/17/2014
Notification Time: 13:16 [ET]
Event Date: 11/14/2014
Event Time: 16:00 [CST]
Last Update Date: 11/18/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
Person (Organization):
BOB HAGAR (R4DO)
NMSS EVENTS NOTIFICA (EMAI)

This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3 " level of radioactive material.

Event Text

AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE LOST DURING SHIPPING

The following was received from the State of Nebraska via fax:

"On November 4, 2014 Simon Contractors, a Nebraska licensee, shipped a Troxler model 3450, s/n 355 containing 8 mCi of Cs-137 (s/n 750-5840) and 40 mCi of Am-241:Be (s/n 47-3188) to Qal-Tek Associates by YRC Freight. Qal-Tek is located in Idaho Falls, ID. YRC Freight picked up the gauge from Simon Contractors in North Platte, NE on November 4, 2014. YRC transported the gauge to their terminal in Kansas City, MO. The gauge was expected to arrive at Qal-Tek on November 11. Since the gauge was not delivered, Qal-Tek contacted YRC on November 13. On November 14, YRC contacted Qal-Tek and YRC considered the gauge as lost. At 1630 [CST] on the 14th, Qal-Tek contacted Simon Contractors and notified them of the status of the gauge. Qal-Tek also contacted the NRC of the event. On Monday, November 17 at 0815 [CST], Simon called the Nebraska Health and Human Services, Office of Radiological Health to report the missing gauge."

This is the same incident as NRC Event # 50615 (reported by Qal-Tek).

* * * UPDATE FROM JIM DEFRAIN TO CHARLES TEAL AT 0920 EST ON 11/18/14 * * *

The gauge has been located by YRC Freight.

Notified R4DO (Hagar) and NMSS Events Notification 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

To top of page
Part 21 Event Number: 50623
Rep Org: TECHNOLOGY FOR ENERGY CORP.
Licensee: TECHNOLOGY FOR ENERGY CORP.
Region: 1
City: KNOXVILLE State: TN
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: DONNA MULLALY
HQ OPS Officer: DANIEL MILLS
Notification Date: 11/18/2014
Notification Time: 15:09 [ET]
Event Date: 11/18/2014
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/24/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
21.21(d)(3)(i) - DEFECTS AND NONCOMPLIANCE
Person (Organization):
TODD JACKSON (R1DO)
FRANK EHRHARDT (R2DO)
HIRONORI PETERSON (R3DO)
BOB HAGAR (R4DO)
PART 21 GROUP (EMAI)

Event Text

PART 21 - LACK OF PROPER POWER SUPPLY INDICATION

The following information was summarized from the report obtained from the vendor via facsimile:

Technology for Energy Corporation [TEC] has determined that the Model 1414 Valve Flow Monitoring Systems power supply may not provide proper output voltage contrary to power supply status indicators on the rack. This may result in the power supply not providing necessary power to its associated input sensor. A subsequent loss of the sensor output would result in the inability of the system to indicate any valve flow. Depending on the specific configuration, signals from more than one sensor could be lost on a single failure.

This Model 1414 system design dates back to 1979. TEC has not been made aware of any instances of the described failure mode in the 35 year history of the product design, suggesting that the robustness of power supply design and the users periodic maintenance of the system has provided for acceptable continued operation.

The potentially affected plants include Clinton Unit 1; Comanche Peak Units 1 & 2; Nine Mile Point Unit 2; Palo Verde Units 1, 2, & 3; River Bend Unit 1; Susquehanna Units 1 & 2; Watts Bar Units 1 & 2.


* * * UPDATED FROM DONNA MULLALY TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1329 EST ON 11/24/2014 * * *

After submitting the original Part 21 notification, TEC discovered that Columbia Generating Station had been omitted from the list of affected plants.

"The following correction should be applied: The potentially affected plants include Clinton Unit 1; Columbia Generating Station, Comanche Peak Units 1 & 2; Nine Mile Point Unit 2; Palo Verde Units 1, 2, & 3; River Bend Unit 1; Susquehanna Units 1 & 2; and Watts Bar Units 1 & 2."

Notified R4DO (Campbell). Notified via E-mail R1DO (Noggle), R2DO (Ehrhardt), R3DO (Duncan) and Part 21 Group.

To top of page
Part 21 Event Number: 50635
Rep Org: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT
Licensee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Region: 1
City: COLUMBIA State: SC
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GUY SCAGGS
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKER
Notification Date: 11/24/2014
Notification Time: 07:58 [ET]
Event Date: 10/06/2014
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/24/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
21.21(d)(3)(i) - DEFECTS AND NONCOMPLIANCE
Person (Organization):
VIVIAN CAMPBELL (R4DO)
PART 21 GROUP (EMAI)

Event Text

PART 21 - TYPE 67 AFR REGULATORS WITH IMPROPERLY DEDICATED DIAPHRAGM VALVE SEATS

The following information was summarized from the report obtained from the vendor via facsimile:

"The purpose of this Fisher Information Notice is to alert CPNPP [Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant], that as of October 6, 2014, Fisher Controls International LLC (Fisher) became aware of a situation which may affect the performance of the Equipment, including their safety-related function.

"Fisher is informing CPNPP of this circumstance in accordance with Section 21.21 (b) of 10 CFR 21.

"Fisher has determined that parts kits for the Equipment were provided with improperly dedicated parts that had not been properly processed per active valve requirements. Specifically, Fisher provided diaphragm assemblies for the Type 67 AFR regulator with improperly dedicated diaphragm valve seats."

If there are any technical questions or concerns, please contact:

Guy Scaggs
Quality Manager
Emerson Process Management
Instrument & Valve Services Company
757 Old Clemson Road
Columbia, SC 29229
Fax: (803) 736-3105
Phone: (803) 736-3105
guy.scaggs@emerson.com

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021