Headquarters Daily Report SEPTEMBER 06, 1995 *************************************************************************** REPORT NEGATIVE NO INPUT ATTACHED INPUT RECEIVED RECEIVED HEADQUARTERS û REGION I û REGION II û REGION III û REGION IV û PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - HEADQUARTERS SEP. 06, 1995 MR Number: H-95-0118 NRR DAILY REPORT ITEM GENERIC COMMUNICATIONS NRC Information Notice 95-38, "Degradation of Boraflex Neutron Absorber in Spent Fuel Storage Racks," dated September 8, 1995. The NRC is issuing this information notice to alert addressees to a potentially significant problem pertaining to degradation of the Boraflex neutron absorber material in spent fuel storage racks. Technical contacts: Laurence I. Kopp, NRR (301) 415-2879 K. I. Parczewski, NRR (301) 415-2705 NRC Generic Letter 88-20, Supp. 5, "Individual Plant Examination of External Events for Severe Accident Vulnerabilities," dated September 8, 1995. The NRC is issuing this generic letter to (1) notify addressees of modifications in the recommended scope of seismic reviews that are performed as part of individual plant examinations of external events for the focused-scope and full-scope plants and (2) provide guidance to licensees who wish to voluntarily modify their previously committed seismic IPEEE programs. Technical contact: John Chen, RES (301) 415-6549 _ REGION II MORNING REPORT PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 Licensee/Facility: Notification: MR Number: 2-95-0075 Babcock & Wilcox Co. Date: 09/05/95 Lynchburg,Virginia Press Release Dockets: 07000027 License No: SNM-42 URANIUM FUEL FABRICATION Subject: REDUCTION IN PLANT STAFF Discussion: On September 5, Babcock & Wilcox Naval Nuclear Fuel Division announced a reduction in the salaried staff at the facility. The number involved could be approximately 200 of the current 800 total. The initial reduction of 75 will be accomplished by mid-October, with the remainder in 1996. Voluntary attrition and separation requests will be accepted until September 15. The Vice President and General Manager stated that seniority would not be a factor in designating those individuals to be separated. The cause for this reduction was attributed to the need for cost containment in dealing with government contracts. There was considerable local media interest following this announcement. Regional Action: Region II will follow the situation to assure that the reductions do not adversely impact license requirements. Contact: M. P. Elliott (804)847-7343 G. L. Troup (404)331-5566 _ REGION II MORNING REPORT PAGE 3 SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Duke Power Co. MR Number: 2-95-0076 Catawba 1 2 Date: 09/06/95 York,South Carolina Dockets: 50-413,50-414 PWR/W-4-LP,PWR/W-4-LP Subject: MANAGEMENT CHANGE AT CATAWBA Discussion: Effective September 1, 1995, Mr. A. S. Bhatnagar (formerly the Electrical/Systems Equipment Manager at Catawba) replaced Mr. W. H. Miller as Catawba's Operations Superintendent, who stepped down from the position due to medical reasons. Mr. Bhatnagar has held a senior reactor operator license and has worked as a shift manager. Regional Action: FOR INFORMATION ONLY. Contact: Robert Carroll (404)331-5543 _ REGION IV MORNING REPORT PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Entergy Operations, Inc. MR Number: 4-95-0107 River Bend 1 Date: 09/06/95 St Francisville,Louisiana Phone Call From Senior Res. Insp. Dockets: 50-458 BWR/GE-6 Subject: LEAKING WELD ON FEEDWATER ISOLATION VALVE Discussion: On September 2, 1995, during routine steam leakage inspections, the licensee discovered a pinhole leak on the body of 20-inch feedwater isolation Valve B21*F065B at the toe of the weld attaching a penetration valve leakage control system (PVLCS) pipe. The pipe is 1 inch schedule 80 carbon steel. This valve is an ASME Code Class 2 valve and is located immediately upstream of the outboard containment isolation valve. The leak is causing a 12-inch plume of flashing feedwater and is not interfering with plant operation, except that the licensee has declared the Division 1 PVLCS system inoperable, which places the plant in a 30-day shutdown LCO in accordance with Technical Specification 3.6.1.10. The licensee is evaluating what course of action to take. Regional Action: Routine followup. Contact: C. A. VanDenburgh (817)860-8161 _ REGION IV MORNING REPORT PAGE 5 SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Entergy Operations, Inc. MR Number: 4-95-0108 River Bend 1 Date: 09/05/95 St Francisville,Louisiana Phone Call from Senior Res. Insp. Dockets: 50-458 BWR/GE-6 Subject: LOSS OF HIGH PRESSURE CORE SPRAY DUE TO ROOM COOLER FAILURE Discussion: On September 5, at 12:30 a.m., the unit cooler (HVR*UC5) supplying cooling air to the high pressure core spray (HPCS) system pump room tripped off. Upon investigation, the licensee found that the vaneaxial fan had catastrophically failed. The fan hub casting had fractured, allowing the blades to come in contact with the fan casing. Because of inertial forces, the motor broke loose from its supports in the casing and fell to the bottom of the unit cooler. The motor, fan, and casing were all damaged. No damage was sustained outside the unit cooler even though one fan blade came through the outer wall of the unit cooler. The cooling coils were not damaged. With the plant operating at full power, this event placed the plant in a 14-day shutdown LCO as required by Technical Specification 3.5.1. The licensee is searching for suitable parts for repair of the unit cooler and has determined that a spare fan could be obtained from the vendor early next week. The licensee reported this event pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)iii.B in a 4-hour report of loss of safety function of a single train safety system. Regional Action: Routine followup. Contact: C. A. VanDenburgh (817)860-8161 _