Headquarters Daily Report DECEMBER 20, 1996 *************************************************************************** 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 DEC. 20, 1996 MR Number: H-96-0094 NRR DAILY REPORT ITEM GENERIC COMMUNICATIONS NRC Information Notice 96-70, "Year 2000 Effect on Computer System Software," dated December 24, 1996. The NRC is issuing this information notice to alert addressees to the potential problems their computer systems and software may encounter as a result of the change to the new century. Technical contacts: Mark Sitek, NMSS (301) 415-6155 Michael Kaltman, NRR (301) 415-2905 _ REGION I MORNING REPORT PAGE 2 DECEMBER 20, 1996 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Public Service Electric & Gas Co. MR Number: 1-96-0109 Salem 2 Date: 12/20/96 Hancocks Bridge,New Jersey Branch Chief Dockets: 50-311 PWR/W-4-LP Subject: Salem Unit 2 Loss of Containment Closure During Refueling Operation Discussion: On December 19, 1996, during fuel reload operation, the NRC resident inspector identified that the removal of a service water supply valve to containment constituted a breach of containment closure as required by technical specifications. Refueling operation was stopped and all work is being reviewed for other impacts on containment. Approximately three quarters of the fuel has been reloaded. Regional Action: Resident inspectors will continue their followup. Contact: Larry Nicholson (610)337-5128 _ REGION II MORNING REPORT PAGE 3 DECEMBER 20, 1996 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Babcock And Wilcox MR Number: 2-96-0124 Naval Nuclear Fuel Division Date: 12/20/96 Lynchburg,Virginia Dockets: 07000027 License No: SNM-42 Subject: B&W NNFD INCIDENT THAT IS REPORTABLE UNDER BULLETIN 91-01 Discussion: On December 19, 1996, the licensee reported that a nuclear criticality safety mass limit in the Compact Reactor Fuel Vault had been violated. The incident occurred when two containers were placed in the Compact Reactor Fuel (CRF) vault on November 21, but was not detected until 9:00 a.m. on December 19 when a nuclear criticality safety engineer performing a quarterly audit observed the discrepancy. The vault is a 50 unit array and one of the units exceeded the allowable mass limit. Since the material in the CRF vault can contain beryllium which is a super moderator, the licensee had reduced the limit for uranium bearing solids from 350 to 275 grams Uranium-235 (U-235). The situation discovered on the morning of December 19 was that one of the 50 units contained 315 grams U-235 in two poly-bottles with 147 and 168 grams respectively. In addition to exceeding the storage limit, the poly-bottles were not authorized for that type of material in that location. Rather, only metal and cardboard cartons were authorized as containers of uranium bearing solids in the CRF vault. The two bottles were removed from the vault and stored in authorized locations. The licensee and NRC determined there was adequate safety margin for the as found condition; however, the incident raises questions regarding the licensee's program. The licensee's audit of the remainder of the vault did not detect any other safety violations. The licensee will charter an investigation team to determine the root cause and corrective actions. Regional Action: The Senior Resident Inspector (SRI) will monitor the licensee's actions. The SRI validated the licensee's audit observations by inspecting the vault. Region II inspectors in conjuction with the SRI will evaluate the causes of the incorrect storage and verify the licensee's corrective actions are adequate. Contact: Ed McAlpine (404)331-5547 _ REGION II MORNING REPORT PAGE 4 DECEMBER 20, 1996 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Virginia Power Co. MR Number: 2-96-0125 Surry 1 2 Date: 12/20/96 Surry,Virginia Dockets: 50-280,50-281 PWR/W-3-LP,PWR/W-3-LP Subject: WELD DEFECT IN FUEL STORAGE CASK Discussion: On December 19, 1996, licensee personnel noticed small bubbles coming from a welded area in a Trans Nuclear (TN) 32 fuel storage cask that had been shipped to the onsite ISFSI. The apparent weld defect is on the skin material which contains the shielding material. The shielding material is contained in an annulus which is separate from and surrounds the fuel cannister. Samples of the gas determined that there was no particulate or gaseous activity being emitted from the cask. There was no contamination on the cask. A gaseous sample identified that the bubbles contained 77 percent nitrogen and 20 percent oxygen. There was no hydrogen gas detected. The licensee is consulting with the vendor and is developing a repair plan. Regional Action: The resident inspector and the fuel facility branch are following the licensee's evaluation. Contact: G. BELISLE (404)331-4196 _ REGION II MORNING REPORT PAGE 5 DECEMBER 20, 1996 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Carolina Power & Light Co. MR Number: 2-96-0126 Harris 1 Date: 12/20/96 Raleigh,North Carolina Dockets: 50-400 PWR/W-3-LP Subject: SHUTDOWN TO REPAIR STEAM LEAK IN THE TURBINE BUILDING Discussion: On December 19, 1996, at 9:15 p.m. the Harris Unit was taken off-line to repair a small thru-wall steam leak in the 1A moisture separator reheater drain line in the turbine building. This 1-1/2 line, normally operates at approximately 600 psi. The unit is presently in MODE 2 with the main steam isolation valves closed. The licensee has completed repairs to the affected section of pipe and an additional section of pipe of similar configuration. The licensee estimates that the unit will be restarted on the afternoon of December 20, 1996. Regional Action: Resident Inspectors observed the plant shutdown and will observe the plant startup. Contact: M. SHYMLOCK (404)331-5535 _