Event Notification Report for August 30, 2000

                    U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
                              Operations Center

                              Event Reports For
                           08/29/2000 - 08/30/2000

                              ** EVENT NUMBERS **

37268  37269  37270  37271  37272  

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|Fuel Cycle Facility                              |Event Number:   37268       |
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| FACILITY: PORTSMOUTH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT   |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/29/2000|
|   RXTYPE: URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY          |NOTIFICATION TIME: 01:36[EDT]|
| COMMENTS: 2 DEMOCRACY CENTER                   |EVENT DATE:        08/28/2000|
|           6903 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE                 |EVENT TIME:        15:29[EDT]|
|           BETHESDA, MD 20817    (301)564-3200  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  08/29/2000|
|    CITY:  PIKETON                  REGION:  3  +-----------------------------+
|  COUNTY:  PIKE                      STATE:  OH |PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|LICENSE#:  GDP-2                 AGREEMENT:  N  |MELVYN LEACH         R3      |
|  DOCKET:  0707002                              |JOSEPHINE PICCONE    NMSS    |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  RICK LARSON                  |                             |
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  BOB STRANSKY                 |                             |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          N/A                   |                             |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|NBNL                     RESPONSE-BULLETIN      |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
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                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
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| 24-HOUR NRC BULLETIN 91-01 REPORT                                            |
|                                                                              |
| "On 8/28/00 at 1529, during implementation of NCSA 0705_076 (Inadvertent     |
| Containers) a concern was raised about the maximum distance of spray from a  |
| leak from a pressurized pipe. Calculations were reevaluated and the          |
| corrected spray distance for the system in question resulted in a distance   |
| of 106 feet. This new distance for the system in question is greater than    |
| the original implementation distance of 15 feet, which the NCSA had          |
| previously predicted for the entire X-705. This is considered a loss of one  |
| control. The control considered lost is control #2 which states in part,     |
| 'When unattended all potential inadvertent containers shall be:              |
| -modified to prevent unsafe accumulation                                     |
| -covered to prevent the in-leakage of spilled materials                      |
| -oriented to prevent an unsafe accumulation                                  |
|                                                                              |
| "The PSS(Plant Shift Superintendent) directed the facility custodian to      |
| enter an anomalous condition. The system in question was previously shut     |
| down prior to recalculation of the spray distance. The same equipment        |
| remains shutdown until compliance with NCSA 0705_076 can be determined.      |
|                                                                              |
| "SAFETY SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS:                                              |
|                                                                              |
| "Safety significance is low. The resulting situation is conservatively being |
| identified as a violation of one control contained in NCSA 0705_076 which    |
| requires that all potential inadvertent containers utilized in the X-705 be  |
| modified, covered, or oriented to prevent an unsafe accumulation. However,   |
| since the system in question maintained its physical integrity and thus no   |
| uranium bearing material was involved the safety significance of this event  |
| is low.                                                                      |
|                                                                              |
| "POTENTIAL CRITICALITY PATHWAYS INVOLVED (BRIEF SCENARIO[S] OF HOW           |
| CRITICALITY COULD OCCUR):                                                    |
|                                                                              |
| "If a sufficient amount of uranium bearing material had leaked, spilled,     |
| splashed from the micro filtration system and the resuming material          |
| accumulated on/in an inadvertent container, an unsafe geometry could have    |
| resulted. If the leaking solution had contained a sufficient amount of       |
| uranium, the resulting configuration could have been sufficient for a        |
| criticality to occur. it should be noted that the allowed safe geometry and  |
| volume limits established in NCSA 0705-076 are based on optimally moderated  |
| solution which contains uranium enriched to 100 wt% U235.                    |
|                                                                              |
| "CONTROLLED PARAMETERS (MASS, MODERATION, GEOMETRY, CONCENTRATION, ETC):     |
|                                                                              |
| "The parameter which was violated during this upset was maintaining          |
| geometry/volume controls regarding potential accumulation points available   |
| on/in nearby inadvertent containers.                                         |
|                                                                              |
| "ESTIMATED AMOUNT, ENRICHMENT, FORM OF LICENSED MATERIAL (INCLUDE PROCESS    |
| LIMIT AND % WORST CASE OF CRITICAL MASS):                                    |
|                                                                              |
| "No uranium-bearing material was actually involved in the upset.             |
|                                                                              |
| "NUCLEAR CRITICALITY SAFETY CONTROL(S) OR CONTROL SYSTEM(S) AND DESCRIPTION  |
| OF THE FAILURES OR DEFICIENCIES:                                             |
|                                                                              |
| "NCSA 0705_076 takes credit for the physical integrity of systems which      |
| contain uranium bearing materials. NCSA 0705_076 also takes Credit that      |
| unsafe volume/geometry containers are either modified, covered or oriented   |
| while in areas where uranium bearing material can leak, spill or spray to    |
| prevent an unsafe configuration from resulting in the event of a leak. The   |
| administrative control #2 was not being followed for the new area identified |
| where uranium bearing materials can leak, spill or spray. The resulting      |
| situation is conservatively being identified as a violation of the           |
| administrative control in NCSA 0705_076.                                     |
|                                                                              |
| "CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TO RESTORE SAFETY SYSTEM AND WHEN EACH WAS IMPLEMENTED:  |
|                                                                              |
| "The PSS (Plant Shift Superintendent) directed the facility custodian to     |
| enter an anomalous condition. The system in question was previously shut     |
| down prior to recalculation of the spray distance. The same equipment will   |
| remain shutdown until NCS (Nuclear Criticality Safety) can assist in         |
| determination of operability of that system and compliance with NCSA         |
| 0705_076."                                                                   |
|                                                                              |
| The NRC resident inspector has been informed of this event.                  |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor                                    |Event Number:   37269       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: LIMERICK                 REGION:  1  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/29/2000|
|    UNIT:  [] [2] []                 STATE:  PA |NOTIFICATION TIME: 06:37[EDT]|
|   RXTYPE: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4                    |EVENT DATE:        08/29/2000|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME:        03:15[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  CRAIG HOFFMAN                |LAST UPDATE DATE:  08/29/2000|
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  BOB STRANSKY                 +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          N/A                   |PETE ESELGROTH       R1      |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|AIND 50.72(b)(2)(iii)(D) ACCIDENT MITIGATION    |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|UNIT |SCRAM CODE|RX CRIT|INIT PWR|   INIT RX MODE  |CURR PWR|  CURR RX MODE   |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|                                                   |                          |
|2     N          N       0                         |0                         |
|                                                   |                          |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| HPCI SYSTEM DECLARED INOPERABLE                                              |
|                                                                              |
| "While performing valve strokes for a normally scheduled High Pressure       |
| Coolant Injection (HPCI) surveillance test, the outboard suppression pool    |
| suction Primary Containment Isolation Valve (PCIV) to HPCI failed to stroke  |
| open. HPCI was declared inoperable. Investigation as to why the valve failed |
| to stroke is in progress."                                                   |
|                                                                              |
| The NRC resident inspector has been informed of this event by the licensee.  |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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|General Information or Other                     |Event Number:   37270       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
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| REP ORG:  OHIO BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/29/2000|
|LICENSEE:  GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTANTS, INC.       |NOTIFICATION TIME: 10:57[EDT]|
|    CITY:  COLUMBUS                 REGION:  3  |EVENT DATE:        08/28/2000|
|  COUNTY:                            STATE:  OH |EVENT TIME:        11:00[EDT]|
|LICENSE#:  31210-25-0023         AGREEMENT:  Y  |LAST UPDATE DATE:  08/29/2000|
|  DOCKET:                                       |+----------------------------+
|                                                |PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|                                                |MELVYN LEACH         R3      |
|                                                |BRIAN SMITH          NMSS    |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  MIKE SNEE                    |                             |
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  BOB STRANSKY                 |                             |
+------------------------------------------------+                             |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          N/A                   |                             |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|NAGR                     AGREEMENT STATE        |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
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                                   EVENT TEXT                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| STOLEN MOISTURE/DENSITY GAUGE                                                |
|                                                                              |
| A CPM brand moisture/density gauge, model MC1DR, serial #MD9119207, was      |
| stolen from the back of a pickup truck in Columbus, Ohio. The gauge contains |
| one 10 mCi Cs-137 source and one 50 mCi Am-241/Be source. The gauge and      |
| overpack were chained to the bed of the truck, but the chain was cut. The    |
| licensee has filed a report with the Columbus Police Department.             |
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+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor                                    |Event Number:   37271       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
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| FACILITY: HARRIS                   REGION:  2  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/29/2000|
|    UNIT:  [1] [] []                 STATE:  NC |NOTIFICATION TIME: 11:34[EDT]|
|   RXTYPE: [1] W-3-LP                           |EVENT DATE:        08/29/2000|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME:        11:00[EDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  JAMES ABRAHAM                |LAST UPDATE DATE:  08/29/2000|
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  BOB STRANSKY                 +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          N/A                   |ROBERT HAAG          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                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| EMERGENCY SIRENS INOPERABLE                                                  |
|                                                                              |
| "Loss of Offsite siren capability in Harnett County NC for greater than one  |
| hour for planned maintenance. On August 29, 2000, Harnett County was         |
| performing planned maintenance on the county primary repeater tower. This    |
| repeater is used to activate the Harris Plant offsite notification sirens in |
| Harnett County. The primary repeater was taken out of service at 10:00 a.m.  |
| on August 29, 2000, and as of 11:00 a.m. had not been returned to service.   |
| The primary repeater is expected to be returned to service at approximately  |
| 1:00 p.m. on August 29, 2000. In case of an emergency occurring while the    |
| outage is ongoing, Harnett County is prepared to perform backup route        |
| alerting as necessary."                                                      |
|                                                                              |
| The NRC resident inspector has been informed of this notification by the     |
| licensee.                                                                    |
|                                                                              |
| * * * UPDATE ON 08/29/00 AT 1519 ET BY JAMES ABRAHAM TAKEN BY MACKINNON * *  |
| *                                                                            |
|                                                                              |
| Harnett County Emergency Sirens were returned to service at 1510 ET.  NRC    |
| R2DO (Haag) notified.                                                        |
|                                                                              |
| The NRC Resident Inspector will be informed of this notification by the      |
| licensee.                                                                    |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Power Reactor                                    |Event Number:   37272       |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| FACILITY: COOPER                   REGION:  4  |NOTIFICATION DATE: 08/29/2000|
|    UNIT:  [1] [] []                 STATE:  NE |NOTIFICATION TIME: 13:28[EDT]|
|   RXTYPE: [1] GE-4                             |EVENT DATE:        08/29/2000|
+------------------------------------------------+EVENT TIME:        10:40[CDT]|
| NRC NOTIFIED BY:  STEVE WHEELER                |LAST UPDATE DATE:  08/29/2000|
|  HQ OPS OFFICER:  JOHN MacKINNON               +-----------------------------+
+------------------------------------------------+PERSON          ORGANIZATION |
|EMERGENCY CLASS:          N/A                   |CHUCK PAULK          R4      |
|10 CFR SECTION:                                 |                             |
|APRE 50.72(b)(2)(vi)     OFFSITE NOTIFICATION   |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
|                                                |                             |
+-----+----------+-------+--------+-----------------+--------+-----------------+
|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                                   
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| OFFSITE EMERGENCY SIRENS INADVERTENTLY ACTUATED                              |
|                                                                              |
| "At 1040 Central Daylight time the Atchison County Missouri emergency sirens |
| were inadvertently actuated by State/Local officials during an Emergency     |
| Preparedness Drill.  Local radio Stations were verbally notified of the      |
| false alarm, however an official press release is not planned at this time." |
| State and Local officials were notified by the licensee of this event.       |
|                                                                              |
| The NRC Resident Inspector was notified of this event by the licensee.       |
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