Event Notification Report for August 21, 2000
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
Event Reports For
08/18/2000 - 08/21/2000
** EVENT NUMBERS **
37164 37232 37237 37238 37239 37240
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|Other Nuclear Material |Event Number: 37164 |
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| REP ORG: LAW ENG. AND ENV. SERVICES |NOTIFICATION DATE: 07/12/2000|
|LICENSEE: LAW ENG. AND ENV. SERVICES |NOTIFICATION TIME: 12:39[EDT]|
| CITY: ALPHERETTA REGION: 2 |EVENT DATE: 07/11/2000|
| COUNTY: STATE: GA |EVENT TIME: [EDT]|
|LICENSE#: 45-21498-01 AGREEMENT: Y |LAST UPDATE DATE: 08/19/2000|
| DOCKET: |+----------------------------+
| |PERSON ORGANIZATION |
| |THOMAS DECKER R2 |
| |DONALD COOL NMSS |
+------------------------------------------------+ |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: DAVID RUMWILL | |
| HQ OPS OFFICER: BOB STRANSKY | |
+------------------------------------------------+ |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|BAB1 20.2201(a)(1)(i) LOST/STOLEN LNM>1000X | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
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EVENT TEXT
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| MISSING MOISTURE/DENSITY GAUGE |
| |
| The licensee reported that a Troxler Model 3411 nuclear moisture/density |
| gauge containing 8 mCi of Cs-137 and 40 mCi of Am-241/Be (S/N 18561) was |
| missing from the Sterling, VA area. A company employee, who resides in West |
| Virginia, was scheduled to bring the gauge to a job site in the northern VA |
| area on 7/11/2000, but failed to show up. Neither the individual, the |
| company vehicle that he was using, nor the gauge can be located. The company |
| last had contact with the employee on 7/7/2000. The licensee did not believe |
| that the individual was a disgruntled employee. The licensee has contacted |
| local law enforcement agencies regarding the missing individual and gauge. |
| |
| ***** UPDATE AT 1820 ON 08/19/00 BY LEIGH TROCINE ***** |
| |
| The following text is a portion of Preliminary Notification of Event or |
| Unusual Occurrence PNO-II-00-027A dated 08/18/00: |
| |
| "On July 12, 2000, the licensee informed the [NRC] Region II office of a |
| missing Troxler Electronic Laboratories Model 3411 portable gauge. The |
| licensee recovered the portable gauge, vehicle[,] and other stolen equipment |
| on August 15, 2000. The radioactive sources in the gauge have been tested |
| for potential leakage and contamination of radioactive material. There was |
| no evidence of leakage or contamination." |
| |
| "This information is current as of 1045 on August 18, 2000." |
| |
| "The Commonwealth of Virginia and State of West Virginia have been notified |
| [by Region II personnel.] |
| |
| The NRC operations officer notified the R2DO (Fredrickson) and NMSS EO |
| (Ting). |
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!!!!!!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!!!!
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|Power Reactor |Event Number: 37232 |
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| FACILITY: FARLEY REGION: 2 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/16/2000|
| UNIT: [] [2] [] STATE: AL |NOTIFICATION TIME: 17:59[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [1] W-3-LP,[2] W-3-LP |EVENT DATE: 08/16/2000|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 16:25[CDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: G RHODES |LAST UPDATE DATE: 08/18/2000|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: JOHN MacKINNON +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: ALE |PAUL FREDRICKSON R2 |
|10 CFR SECTION: |WILLIAM BECKNER NRR |
| |FRANK CONGEL IRO |
| |BARDEN FEMA |
| |YATES DOE |
| |LORI THOMAS USDA |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
| | |
|2 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation |
| | |
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EVENT TEXT
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| SMOKE SEEN COMING FROM "2C" SERVICE WATER PUMP MOTOR |
| |
| "2C" Service Water Pump (swing) motor was seen having smoke coming from it. |
| On site fire brigade was sent out to the Service Water building and |
| extinguished the fire at 1609 CT. The licensee declared an Alert at 1625 CT |
| due to the potential of the fire affecting ECCS equipment. No offsite |
| assistance was needed and no other equipment onsite was damaged by the fire. |
| Service Water Pumps "2A", "2B", "2D", & "2E" remain in service. All |
| Emergency Core Cooling Systems are fully operable if needed. |
| |
| Fire Alarm for Service Water pump was received in control room at 1548 CT. |
| A person was immediately dispatched to investigate the alarm. Person |
| reported back to control room at 1552 CT that smoke was coming from "2C" |
| Service Water motor. Licensee entered AOP 29 (Plant Fire) at 1552 CT. At |
| 1555 CT "2C" Service Water Pump tripped for unknown reason. Service Water |
| pump flow was degraded for approximately 15 seconds at which time another |
| Service Water pump was placed in service. Lowest service water pressure |
| reached was 70 psi (min pressure is 60 psi). At 1609 CT report received |
| that fire had been extinguished using carbon dioxide. 1616 CT AOP 29 was |
| exited. The licensee notified state and local officials of entering Alert |
| classification. |
| |
| The NRC Resident Inspector was in the control room during the event. |
| |
| NRC Operation Center was notified by Brad Grinstead of the Alabama |
| Department of Public Health and by Kerri Seber of the Florida State Warning |
| Point of the Farley Unit 2 Alert. |
| |
| * * * UPDATE ON 08/16/00 AT 1845 ET BY G RHODES TAKEN BY MACKINNON * * * |
| |
| Alert was terminated at 1736 CT due to fire being out and all systems |
| operating properly. |
| |
| NRC R2DO (Paul Fredrickson), Acting DEDR (Ellis Merschoff), IRO (Frank |
| Congel), NRR EO (Bill Beckner), NRC PAO (Bill Beecher), NRR (Roy |
| Zimmerman), EDO STAFF (Mark Satorius), NRC RCT (John Jolicoeur), FEMA |
| (Belcher), DOE (Yates), USDA (Lori Thomas), EPA Reg IV (Runge), and HHS |
| (Burger), notified. |
| |
| The NRC Resident Inspector was onsite in control room during this event. |
| |
| * * * UPDATE ON 08/16/00 AT 2031 ET BY G. RHODES TAKEN BY MACKINNON * * * |
| |
| "At 1625 [CT] FNP staff declared an Alert Emergency classification based on |
| criteria found in site procedures. The 2C Service Water Pump motor had |
| faulted resulting in a small fire in the Service Water Intake Structure. |
| The Site Fire Brigade responded and the fire was extinguished promptly. No |
| other equipment was damaged. The FNP Unit 2 Service Water system has 5 |
| pumps and requires 2 pumps per train (4 pumps total) to ensure that system |
| design functions are met. The 2C Service Water Pump is a swing pump that |
| can be aligned to either train. The remaining four Unit 2 Service Water |
| pumps are currently operable and in service. |
| |
| "The FNP staff has assessed this event. No plant personnel were injured and |
| only limited damage to plant equipment as described above occurred. There |
| was no affect on the health and safety of the general public and no release |
| of radiation. The Alert was terminated at 1736 [CT]. Both Units are |
| continuing to operate at 100% power." |
| |
| R2DO (Paul Fredrickson) & IRO (Congel) notified. |
| |
| The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of this update by the licensee. |
| |
| ***** UPDATE/RETRACTION AT 1727 ON 08/18/00 FROM CHERI COLLINS TO LEIGH |
| TROCINE ***** |
| |
| The licensee is retracting this event notification. The following text is a |
| portion of a facsimile received from the licensee: |
| |
| "Farley Nuclear Plant ENS Update - Retraction of Alert Emergency due to Fire |
| at the Service Water Intake Structure" |
| |
| "Farley Nuclear Plant [(FNP)] is retracting the Alert Emergency Declaration |
| that occurred at 1625 CDT and was terminated at 1736 CDT on August 16, 2000. |
| FNP Staff personnel made this declaration based on a conservative |
| interpretation of the classification requirements in their internal site |
| procedures. The site procedure requires an Alert Classification to be |
| declared when a fire occurs that potentially affects Emergency Core Cooling |
| Systems (ECCS). The Service Water System supplies cooling water to ECCS |
| components, and therefore, when a 2C Service Water Pump motor fault occurred |
| requiring site fire brigade response, FNP staff felt that the most |
| appropriate and conservative approach was to declare the Alert |
| Classification." |
| |
| "Subsequently, [the] FNP Staff determined that while there was a fire |
| internal to the motor casing of the 2C Service Water Pump, the ECCS was not |
| affected since the required number of Service Water pumps remained available |
| to support ECCS operation. Although a fire in a vital area represents a |
| potential safety hazard, this fire did not rise to the level of safety |
| hazard warranting an Alert Emergency Classification. [The] FNP Staff now |
| believes that no classification should have been declared, and we are |
| retracting this event notification." |
| |
| The licensee notified the Alabama Department of the Emergency Management, |
| Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Florida Division of Emergency |
| Management , and other appropriate local officials. The licensee has also |
| notified the NRC resident inspector. In addition, the licensee plans to |
| issue a press release on Monday (08/21/00). |
| |
| The NRC operations officer notified the R2DO (Fredrickson), NRR EO |
| (Beckner), IRO (Miller), and PAO (Beecher). |
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|Transportation |Event Number: 37237 |
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| REP ORG: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/18/2000|
|LICENSEE: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES |NOTIFICATION TIME: 08:30[EDT]|
| CITY: WILMINGTON REGION: 1 |EVENT DATE: 07/19/2000|
| COUNTY: STATE: DE |EVENT TIME: [EDT]|
|LICENSE#: 07-28762-02G AGREEMENT: N |LAST UPDATE DATE: 08/18/2000|
| DOCKET: |+----------------------------+
| |PERSON ORGANIZATION |
| |CLIFFORD ANDERSON R1 |
| |CHUCK PAULK R4 |
+------------------------------------------------+JOHN HICKEY NMSS |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: DAVID BENNETT |DOE, DOT via fax |
| HQ OPS OFFICER: STEVE SANDIN | |
+------------------------------------------------+ |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|BAB2 20.2201(a)(1)(ii) LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
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EVENT TEXT
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| MISSING Ni-63 SOURCE |
| |
| In early May 2000, Agilent Technologies shipped two(2) 15 mCi Ni-63 sources |
| to Sandia Lab located in Albuquerque, NM. The Lab had only ordered one(1) |
| source. When the second source arrived the Sandia shipping department |
| notified their accounting staff who directed that they return the item to |
| Agilent. Agilent was not informed of the error nor was a return |
| authorization or FEDEX tracking number obtained. Agilent has no record of |
| receiving the returned source. The missing source is an electron capture |
| detector Model #G2397A, S/N U2216 [general license]. The RSO was informed |
| of the incident on 7/19 and determined that the error occurred due to a |
| problem with the FEDEX labeling system. Agilent shipping department |
| prepared a separate label for the first shipment since their FEDEX labeling |
| system was not available that morning. When the labeler was restored, a |
| label was prepared which resulted in a second shipment to Sandia. FEDEX was |
| informed of the missing shipment by Sandia personnel. |
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|Other Nuclear Material |Event Number: 37238 |
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| REP ORG: KEEGAN TECHNOLOGY AND TESTING |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/18/2000|
|LICENSEE: KEEGAN TECHNOLOGY AND TESTING |NOTIFICATION TIME: 13:53[EDT]|
| CITY: KEYPORT REGION: 1 |EVENT DATE: 08/18/2000|
| COUNTY: MONMOUTH STATE: NJ |EVENT TIME: 13:00[EDT]|
|LICENSE#: 29-19282-01 AGREEMENT: N |LAST UPDATE DATE: 08/18/2000|
| DOCKET: |+----------------------------+
| |PERSON ORGANIZATION |
| |CLIFFORD ANDERSON R1 |
| |BRIAN SMITH NMSS |
+------------------------------------------------+ |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: BILL BOEHLER | |
| HQ OPS OFFICER: LEIGH TROCINE | |
+------------------------------------------------+ |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A | |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|BAB2 20.2201(a)(1)(ii) LOST/STOLEN LNM>10X | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
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EVENT TEXT
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| HUMBOLT NUCLEAR DENSITY GAUGE STOLEN FROM A JOBSITE LOCATED IN HILLSIDE, NEW |
| JERSEY. |
| |
| At approximately 1300 on 08/18/00, a Humbolt soil moisture density gauge |
| (model #5001C, serial number 1852) was stolen from a jobsite located in |
| Hillside, New Jersey. Apparently, the gauge was locked inside its case, and |
| the case was located inside an unlocked truck. It was reported that the |
| gauge user entered and exited a trailer and discovered the gauge to be |
| missing after exiting the trailer. |
| |
| The gauge contained cesium-137 and americium-241/beryllium sources. The |
| activity levels of the sources were not known at the time of this |
| notification. |
| |
| The licensee notified both the Hillside New Jersey Police Department and the |
| NRC Region 3 office (John McGrath). |
| |
| (Contact the NRC operations officer for the licensee's contact telephone |
| number and address as well as the contact name, telephone number, and case |
| number for the Hillside New Jersey Police Department.) |
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|Power Reactor |Event Number: 37239 |
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| FACILITY: HARRIS REGION: 2 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/19/2000|
| UNIT: [1] [] [] STATE: NC |NOTIFICATION TIME: 00:09[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [1] W-3-LP |EVENT DATE: 08/18/2000|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 19:35[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: DAVIS |LAST UPDATE DATE: 08/19/2000|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: CHAUNCEY GOULD +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |PAUL FREDRICKSON R2 |
|10 CFR SECTION: | |
|AESS 50.72(b)(1)(v) EMERGENCY SIREN INOP | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|1 N Y 100 Power Operation |100 Power Operation |
| | |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
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| PLANT HAD GREATER THAN 20% OF THEIR WARNING SIRENS OUT OF SERVICE. |
| |
| More than 17 of the 81 warning sirens became out of service due to power |
| outages. This represents greater than 20% of the warning sirens, therefore |
| making it reportable. The number of warning sirens available was back |
| within acceptable limits at 2035 on 8/18/00. Currently only 8 warning |
| sirens are out of service. This information was obtained at 2320 and |
| determined reportable at 2327. |
| |
| The NRC Resident Inspector, the State and local agencies will be informed. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
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|Power Reactor |Event Number: 37240 |
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| FACILITY: INDIAN POINT REGION: 1 |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/19/2000|
| UNIT: [2] [] [] STATE: NY |NOTIFICATION TIME: 16:10[EDT]|
| RXTYPE: [2] W-4-LP,[3] W-4-LP |EVENT DATE: 08/19/2000|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME: 11:05[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY: DENNIS CORNAX |LAST UPDATE DATE: 08/19/2000|
| HQ OPS OFFICER: LEIGH TROCINE +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS: N/A |CLIFFORD ANDERSON R1 |
|10 CFR SECTION: |PHILIP TING NMSS |
|NONR OTHER UNSPEC REQMNT |WILLIAM BECKNER NRR |
| |CHARLES MILLER IRO |
| | |
| | |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR| INIT RX MODE |CURR PWR| CURR RX MODE |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|2 N N 0 Refueling |0 Refueling |
| | |
| | |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
EVENT TEXT
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| FAILURE OF A 35-CURIE IRIDIUM-192 SOURCE TO RETRACT TO ITS SHIELDED POSITION |
| WITHIN A RADIOGRAPHY CAMERA OPERATED BY RAYTHEON PERSONNEL (48-HOUR REPORT |
| BASED ON MANAGEMENT DISCRETION) |
| |
| The following text is a portion of a facsimile received from the licensee: |
| |
| "CONDITION DESCRIPTION:" |
| |
| "[A] radiography source would not return to shielded container of camera. |
| On 19 August 2000, Washington Group (Raytheon) was conducting radiography on |
| welder test coupons in the CSB Hallway, 53' elevation. The radiography was |
| being conducted under [Radiation Work Permit (RWP)] 491 utilizing a 35-curie |
| [Iridium]-192 source, license number L02662. The task had continuous |
| [Health Physics (HP)] coverage assigned. The following is a synopsis of the |
| event:" |
| |
| "1. All notifications and announcements for radiography were completed." |
| "2. The first shot was a scheduled 45-second shot and commenced at 1105." |
| "3. Following the exposure period, the source was retracted. The |
| radiographer noted that he had not heard the |
| characteristic 'snap' signifying full retraction." |
| "4. By operating guidance, the radiographer ran out the source and |
| attempted retraction. This effort was |
| unsuccessful." |
| "5. [The] radiographer noted that the emergency procedure was with the |
| camera, thus unavailable. [The] |
| radiographer obtained an additional copy of the procedure from [the] onsite |
| office." |
| "6. The source was run out again to full exposure and again retracted. |
| Indication on the camera was that both |
| the red and green [lights] were lit, indicating the source was in an |
| intermediate reaction." |
| "7. At approximately 1127, the radiographer informed the HP Technician that |
| they were entering their emergency |
| procedure. The HP technician notified the ConEd HP supervisor of the |
| event." |
| "8. The ConEd HP supervisor reported to the scene at 1135 and notified SGR |
| HP staff of the event." |
| "9. At 1140, the source was fully retracted following two more attempts." |
| "10. The camera was surveyed to confirm full retraction." |
| "11. The camera was secured in the 53' NSB source vault, and RWP 491 was |
| placed on hold pending |
| investigation of the event." |
| |
| "Subsequent to the event, the radiographer met with SGR HP management and |
| [committed] that this camera [would] not be utilized and [would be] tagged |
| as such. The radiographer stated that the camera [would] have to be |
| transported to their home office for maintenance/repair. Written statements |
| were obtained from the principal parties[,] and relative documentation for |
| the event [has] been gathered [...] ." |
| |
| "IMMEDIATE ACTION:" |
| |
| "The following actions were taken:" |
| |
| "1. ConEd Hp management [was] notified of the event." |
| "2. Personnel that were involved in the event were assembled, and the |
| sequence of events [was] ascertained." |
| "3. The camera was locked in the 53' NSB source vault." |
| "4. RWP 491 was placed in an on hold status." |
| "5. The radiographer assured SGR HP management that the camera would not be |
| returned to service and |
| would be tagged as such." |
| "6. SGR and SGT project management were notified." |
| |
| The licensee stated the no one was exposed and that everything was properly |
| shielded and monitored by HP personnel. The work was being performed in a |
| hallway located in a support facility. The hallway was not used for |
| traffic, and it was shielded with heavy concrete. The brand name of the |
| radiography camera was not available at the time of this report. |
| |
| The licensee decided to notify the state of this event, and the control room |
| was informed of this decision at 1358. The decision to notify the NRC was |
| made as a 48-hour report per procedure based on management discretion. At |
| the time of the licensee's notification to the NRC, the licensee had |
| notified the state and planned to notify the NRC resident inspector. |
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