This Morning Report contains reports from the previous day. The previous day's file was corrupted and, as such, some reports were not available. Headquarters Daily report SEPTEMBER 28, 1994 *************************************************************************** REPORT NEGATIVE NO INPUT ATTACHED INPUT RECEIVED RECEIVED HEADQUARTERS X REGION I X REGION II X REGION III X REGION IV X *************************************************************************** PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - HEADQUARTERS SEP. 27, 1994 MR Number: H-94-0088 NRR DAILY REPORT ITEM GENERIC COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH/EVENTS ASSESSMENT BRANCH DIVISION OF OPERATING REACTOR SUPPORT OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Subject: N/A NRC Information Notice 94-68, "Safety-Related Equipment Failures Caused by Faulted Indicating Lamps," to be issued September 27, 1994. The NRC is issuing this information notice to alert addressees to the possibility that indicating lamp failures in safety-related circuits could cause safety-related equipment to become inoperable. Technical contact: D. Nguyen, NRR (301) 504-3202 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION II SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Virginia Power Co. MR Number: 2-94-0082 Surry 1 2 Date: 09/27/94 Surry,Virginia Dockets: 50-280,50-281 PWR/W-3-LP,PWR/W-3-LP Subject: FOREIGN VISITORS Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On September 29, 1994, a group of Russian utility executives will visit the Surry facility. The group, sponsored by the Agency of International Development, is touring U. S. nuclear, fossil and cogeneration plants. Primary areas of interest are training, operations, management structure and employee relations. On October 5, 1994, a group of Taiwanese engineers including representatives from the Department of Energy and various state agencies will tour Surry's independent spent fuel storage installation and meet with the licensee to discuss dry cask storage. A tour of the nuclear plant is also planned. Regional Action: Issued for information only. Contact: L. Garner (404)331-4663 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION III SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Wisconsin Electric Power Co. MR Number: 3-94-0168 Point Beach 2 Date: 09/24/94 Two Rivers,Wisconsin sri Dockets: 50-301 PWR/W-2-LP Subject: UNIT 2 REFUELING SHUTDOWN Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: Unit 2 was shut down for refueling outage number 20 on September 24. Major activities scheduled for this 38-day outage include a complete core offload, tie-in of a new emergency diesel generator, eddy current inspection of both steam generators, installation of a reactor head shield and molded case circuit breaker replacement. Regional Action: Routine resident inspector followup. Contact: M.J. FARBER (708)829-9605 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION III SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Applied Soil Mechanics MR Number: 3-94-0169 Applied Soil Mechanics Date: 09/26/94 Naperville,Illinois TELECON FROM IDNS License No: 86-01473-01 Subject: STOLEN MOISTURE/DENSITY GAUGE Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: The Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety reported that Applied Soil Mechanics, Inc. had a moisture/density gauge stolen when an employee's automobile, containing the gauge, was stolen in Richton Park, Illinois. The gauge is a Campbell-Pacific, Model MC-1, containing 10 millicurie cesium-137 and 50 millicurie americium-241 sealed sources. Several other vehicles were also stolen in the same area. Local and State Police were notified of the incident. Regional Action: The Region 3 State Agreements Officer is monitoring State response to the situation. NMSS and OSP have been notified of this incident. Contact: J.L. LYNCH (708)829-9818 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION III SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Wisconsin Electric Power Co. MR Number: 3-94-0170 Point Beach 2 Date: 09/27/94 Two Rivers,Wisconsin SRI Dockets: 50-301 PWR/W-2-LP Subject: UNIT 2 REFUELING SHUTDOWN Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: Degraded Voltage to Unit 2 Safeguards Buses. At 02:20 a.m. on 9/27/94, a degraded voltage signal on the plant's Unit 2 4160 volt safeguards buses (2A05 and 2A06) caused tripping of the normal supply breakers to these buses. This resulted in the starting of the plant EDG's (G01 and G02) and their supplying power to the Unit's safeguards buses. Unit 2 was in a refueling shutdown (RCS at approximately 110 degrees; atmospheric pressure; and pressurizer level at 6%). Unit 1 remained at power and was not effected by the event. To facilitate electrical modifications of the 2X04 transformer, Unit 2 electrical loads were being transferred from offsite power to the gas turbine generator (G05). When offsite power was intentionally disconnected from Unit 2, degraded voltage was sensed at the safeguards buses. This caused the emergency diesel generators (EDG) to start and load. As a result of the power interruption, the operating residual heat removal pump (2F-10A) was lost. It was manually restarted approximately 2 minutes later (supplied through the EDG). A temperature increase of approximately 6 degrees F was noted while the RHR pump was secured. Unit 2 safeguards buses remained on EDG power for about 1.5 hours while the licensee was investigating the cause of the degraded voltage trips. The gas turbine generator continued to operate, supplying power to Unit 2 non- vital 4160 volt buses. Offsite power was available from Unit 1 at any time after this event occurred should it have been needed. Unit 2 power from offsite via a Unit 1 cross-tie was established at 04:20 a.m. The cause of the load shed is still under investigation. The licensee states that this condition did not place them into any emergency classification per their Emergency Plan Implementing Procedures. All safety related equipment operated as designed. Regional Action The resident inspector responded to the site and is currently reviewing the licensee's actions. Regional Action: LICENSEE: WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY EVENT NUMBER: N/A FACILITY: POINT BEACH NUCLEAR PLANT EVENT DATE: 09/27/94 CITY: TWO RIVERS STATE: WISCONSIN UNIT: 2 REGION: 3 RX INFO: PWR/W-2-LP LOCATION CODE: POW DOCKETS: 50-301 NOTIFICATION DATE AND METHOD: SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 SRI SUBJECT: UNIT 2 REFUELING SHUTDOWN Contact: M. J. FARBER (708)829-9605 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION IV SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Washington Public Power Supply System MR Number: 4-94-0111 Washington Nuclear 2 Date: 09/26/94 Richland,Washington Resident Inspector Dockets: 50-397 BWR/GE-5 Subject: PRANK BY LICENSEE EMPLOYEES Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On September 24, 1994, the licensee advised the resident inspector of an apparent prank which occurred early on September 23, 1994, inside the Plant Support Facility simulator room following a backshift training session conducted for a management SRO certification class. Four employees attending the simulator portion of the training class remained in the building and hid behind the simulator control panels in order to pull a prank on the incoming simulator training class of licensed operators. An individual from the incoming class noticed someone standing behind the simulator panels. The individual then proceeded to attempt to find out who it was. At that point, all four students involved in the prank left the simulator room without being recognized. The licensee's security force was notified and conducted an investigation. All areas of the building were searched for any unauthorized personnel, but nothing unusual was noted. A security force incident report was generated. On Saturday, September 24, upon returning to training and learning of the security investigation, the four students involved in the prank contacted the assistant managing director to reveal their identity. The licensee stated that three of the four students would receive 5 days off without pay as a part of the disciplinary action. The remaining student, an upper level manager, will receive 7 days off without pay as part of the disciplinary action. Regional Action: The resident inspectors and Regional management are monitoring the licensee's actions in response to this latest prank. A meeting is being scheduled with the licensee and NRC management to discuss the repeated pranks at the WNP-2 site. Contact: D. Kirsch (510)975-0290 D. Proulx (509)377-2627 K. Weaver (509)377-2627 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION IV SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Pacific Gas & Electric Co. MR Number: 4-94-0112 Diablo Canyon 1 2 Date: 09/27/94 Avila Beach,California Resident Inspector Dockets: 50-275,50-323 PWR/W-4-LP,PWR/W-4-LP Subject: LICENSEE WORKER IN INAPPROPRIATE ATTIRE DURING WORK HOURS Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On September 24, 1994, during a tour, the resident inspector noted a worker in a turbine building stairwell in a Superman costume. The inspector informed the shift supervisor of the situation. The shift supervisor took action to determine the identity of the worker. The individual wearing the costume was identified as a helper on the Reactor Disassembly Crew. The costume was worn in front of fellow workers in a trailer which is located on the 140 foot level of the turbine building where workers were awaiting the start of their assigned job. The employee stated that he wore the uniform to boost other employees' morale. The individual has been counseled on his behavior by licensee management. The licensee is taking actions to communicate to others that this type of behavior is contrary to management expectations. Regional Action: The resident inspector and Regional management are monitoring the licensee's action in response to this event. Contact: D. Kirsch (510)975-0290 M. Tschiltz (805)595-2354 G. Johnston (510)975-0304 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION IV SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Texas Utilities Electric Co. MR Number: 4-94-0113 Comanche Peak 1 2 Date: 09/26/94 Glen Rose,Texas Senior Resident Inspector Dockets: 50-445,50-446 PWR/W-4-LP,PWR/W-4-LP Subject: CONTAMINATION SPILL Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On September 26, 1994, at approximately 12:45 p.m., radiation protection workers were preparing to replace a leaking gasket from a filter carousel located in the fuel building. The licensee was removing a plate at the bottom of the filter carousel, which fell on rags that were located directly below the plate that had been in place to catch gasket leakage. During this evolution, the licensee measured hundreds of millirad from loose contamination at the bottom of the filter carousel. The licensee determined that contamination had spread in the fuel building to a maximum level of about 40,000 dpm and the licensee stopped the work and isolated the area. Two levels in the fuel building were contaminated. There were no personnel contaminated and no uptakes received. The licensee has conducted some clean up and the fuel building is now accessible. The licensee is investigating the cause of the event. Regional Action: Region IV is reviewing licensee actions for additional followup actions as needed. Contact: D. D. Chamberlain (817)860-8249 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION III SEPTEMBER 28, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Commonwealth Edison Co. MR Number: 3-94-0171 Byron 1 Date: 09/28/94 Byron,Illinois E-MAIL Dockets: 50-454 PWR/W-4-LP Subject: UNKNOWN VEHICLE ENTERING SHUTDOWN UNIT 1 COOLING TOWER Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: On September 24, 1994, an unidentified automobile was seen entering the Unit 1 cooling tower. Unit 1 was shut down for its scheduled refueling outage on September 8, 1994. Following the shutdown, the Unit 1 cooling tower had been drained and opened to perform extensive modifications. During this outage, major work involves setting heavy support columns inside the tower. The cooling towers are located outside the station protected area, but inside the owner controlled area. The owner controlled area is enclosed by chain linked fence with posted restricted area signs. However, entry into the owner controlled area is not monitored, (e.g., no posted security guards monitor cars entering the station access parking area). To facilitate work in the cooling tower, a separate owner controlled area entry was opened near the cooling tower to allow for easier access to contractor heavy equipment. The licensee's security organization has initiated an investigation to identify the vehicle. The identity of the vehicle and its occupants is still unknown. The licensee is concerned about this unauthorized entry into the construction area for personnel safety and security reasons, and has initiated extra measures to further control access near the cooling towers. A contractor is now monitoring the access for the south gate, and the licensee has initiated action to install a temporary gate on the cooling tower access road to prevent any further unauthorized vehicle entry. Regional Action: The senior resident inspector was informed of the September 24 incident during the licensee's outage meeting on September 27, 1994. The inspector expressed concern about the situation to the licensee, and informed the regional office. The inspectors will continue to monitor the licensee's actions. Contact: L.F. MILLER (708)829-9629 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION III SEPTEMBER 28, 1994 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Cometco Inc. MR Number: 3-94-0172 Date: 09/27/94 Chicago,Illinois TELECON FROM IL DEPT NUCLEAR SAFETY License No: GENERAL LIC. Subject: RECOVERED THICKNESS GUAGE AT METAL SCRAP FACILITY Reportable Event Number: N/A Discussion: The Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety (IDNS) reported a radiation monitor trip at Cometco, Inc. on September 27, 1994. A shipment of scrap metal from Precision Plastics, Inc., Wheeling, Illinois, contained a large krypton-85 thickness gauge which caused the monitor trip. The gauge was manufactured by LFE Corporation with a 1,200 millicurie krypton-85 source (decayed to approximately 300 millicuries). It was intact and had radiation and identification labels in legible condition. An IDNS inspector responded to the scene and assisted with segregation of the device. Surveys of the gauge identified a maximum contact reading of 9.0 mR/hour. The remaining scrap, truck and personnel surveys identified only background radiation levels. An LFE Corporation representative will prepare the gauge for transfer to an authorized location for reuse or disposal. Regional Action: The Region III State Agreements Officer is monitoring State response to the situation. NMSS and OSP have been notified of this incident. Contact: J.L. LYNCH (708)829-9818