On September 5, 2017 at 1111 EDT, with the reactor at 100 percent core thermal power and steady state conditions, plant personnel identified that both doors of the emergency personnel airlock of the equipment hatch were open simultaneously due to failure of the interlock. Personnel were at both the outside and inside doors, personnel heard air movement through the air lock. Immediate action was taken to close the inner containment personnel airlock door and it was verified closed. Both doors of the emergency personnel airlock of the equipment hatch were open for less than one minute. There was no radioactive release as a result of the event. The cause of the interlock failure is under investigation.
This condition requires an 8-hour non-emergency notification in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A), the condition of the nuclear power plant, including its principal safety barriers (primary containment), being seriously degraded. This condition is also reportable under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) as an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function needed to control the release of radioactive material.
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
