ENS 57042
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
04:37 Mar 22, 2024 | |
| Title | Notification of Unusual Event Due to Fire in the Protected Area |
| Event Description | The following information was provided by the licensee:
A Notification of Unusual Event, HU4.4 (see note below) was declared based a fire in the protected area requiring off site assistance to extinguish. The fire was in the main transformer yard. The fire was detected at 2328 CDT on March 21, 2024, and the fire was declared out at 0009 CDT on at March 22, 2024. An automatic reactor trip was initiated due to a loss of offsite power to the "B" train and a failure to automatically transfer from unit auxiliary transformer "B" to startup transformer "B. The licensee notified State and local authorities and the NRC Resident Inspector. The NRC remained in Normal. Notified DHS SWO, FEMA Operations Center, CISA Central, FEMA NWC (email), CWMD Watch Desk (email), DHS NRCC THD Desk (email), and DHS Nuclear SSA (email). NOTE: Due to a typographical error initiating condition HU4.1 was initially recorded for the event. The correct initiating condition is HU4.4 as now shown.
The licensee terminated the Notification of Unusual Event at 0221 CDT on 3/22/24. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R4DO (Gepford), IR-MOC (Grant), NRR-EO (Felts), DHS-SWO, FEMA Operations Center, CISA Central, FEMA NWC (email), CWMD Watch Desk (email), DHS NRCC THD Desk (email), and DHS Nuclear SSA (email).
RPS ACTUATION The following information was provided by the licensee via email: On March 21, 2024, at 2328 CDT, Waterford 3 Steam Electric Station, Unit 3 was operating at 98 percent power when an automatic reactor trip was initiated due to a loss of offsite power to the B train and a failure to automatically transfer from unit auxiliary transformer B to startup transformer B. Emergency feedwater actuation signal 2 (EFAS), safety injection actuation signal (ECCS), containment isolation actuation signal and emergency diesel generators automatically actuated. The unit is currently stable in Mode 3. All control rods fully inserted and all other plant equipment functioned as expected. Forced circulation remains with one reactor coolant pump per loop running. Decay heat removal is via the main condenser. A train safety bus is being supplied by off-site power, and B train safety bus is being supplied by emergency diesel generator B. Following the loss of offsite power to the B train, it was reported that main transformer B and startup transformer B were both on fire. The Emergency Director declared an Unusual Event at time 2337 CDT. The fire was reported extinguished at 0009 CDT on March 22, 2024, and the Unusual Event was terminated at 0221 CDT on March 22, 2024. Offsite assistance was requested. The local fire department responded to the site but the fire was extinguished by the on-shift fire brigade. NRC Region IV management was contacted regarding the emergency plan entry at 0030 CDT on March 22, 2024. This event is being reported as a 4-hour non-emergency notification in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) as an actuation of the reactor protection system (RPS) when the reactor is critical and as an 8-hour non-emergency notification in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) as valid actuation of the EFW system, ECCS, Containment Isolation and Emergency Diesel Generators. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. Notified R4DO (Gepford)
The initial notification in event notice #57042 by Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, reported a Notice Of Unusual Event (NOUE) emergency declaration due to a fire in the protected area requiring off site support to extinguish. The basis for retraction of the initial emergency notification is that this event did not meet the definition of a fire in the protected area that requires off site support to extinguish. Guidance provided in Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) 99-01, Rev. 6 and implemented in Waterfords Emergency Plan procedure, initiating Condition HU4.4 states, The dispatch of an offsite firefighting agency to the site requires an emergency declaration only if it is needed to actively support firefighting efforts because the fire is beyond the capability of the Fire Brigade to extinguish. (NOTE: The Initial Notification Form sent from the Control Room at 2341 CDT on March 21, 2024, requested by and provided to the NRC Headquarter Operations Center via e-mail at 0302 CDT on March 22, 2024, stated that the Emergency Classification had been made on Initiating Condition HU4.4 rather than HU4.1)" When the event occurred on March 21, 2024, the Emergency Director declared an Unusual Event at 2337 CDT and requested offsite support based on the information available at that time including the initial assessment by the fire brigade leader and expected need for offsite support to extinguish the fire. As reported in the 0420 EDT update on March 22, 2024, the fire was reported extinguished at 0009 CDT on March 22, 2024, by the Waterford Fire Brigade without the need of offsite support." Notified R4DO (Kellar).
The initial notification in EN 57042 by Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, reported an emergency declaration of an Unusual Event due to a fire in the protected area requiring off site support to extinguish. The basis for the update to the initial notification is that this event did not meet the definition of a Fire in the Protected Area that requires offsite support to extinguish. As provided in NEI 99-01, Rev. 6 and implemented in Waterfords emergency plan procedure, initiating condition HU4.4 states, The dispatch of an offsite firefighting agency to the site requires an emergency declaration only if it is needed to actively support firefighting efforts because the fire is beyond the capability of the Fire Brigade to extinguish. Additionally, EAL 4.1 for a fire not extinguished within 15 minutes of detection in any Table H-1 fire area was not applicable because the fire did not occur in a Table H-1 fire area. When the event occurred on March 21, 2024, the Emergency Director declared an Unusual Event at 2337 CDT and requested offsite support based on the information available at that time including the initial assessment by the fire brigade leader and expected need for offsite support to extinguish the fire. As reported in the 0420 EDT update on March 22, 2024, the fire was reported extinguished at 0009 CDT on March 22, 2024, by the Waterford Fire Brigade without the need of offsite support. (NOTE: The Initial Notification Form sent from the Control Room at 2341 CDT on March 21, 2024, requested by and provided to the Headquarters Operation Center via e-mail at 0302 CDT on March 22, 2024, stated that the emergency classification had been made on initiating condition HU4.4 rather than HU4.1) In accordance with NRC Approved guidance in FAQ 21-02 (ML21117A104), Waterford 3 is retracting the initial event notification made at 0117 EDT on March 22, 2024. The remaining events that were reported in EN 57042 as a 4-hour non-emergency notification in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) as an actuation of the reactor protection system (RPS) when the reactor is critical and as an 8-hour non-emergency notification in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) as valid actuation of the EFW (emergency feedwater) system, ECCS (emergency core cooling system), containment isolation and emergency diesel generators are still applicable and require no additional update at this time. The licensee also provided a site map. Notified R4DO (Kellar) |
| Where | |
|---|---|
Waterford  Louisiana (NRC Region 4) | |
| Reporting | |
| Emergency class: | Unusual Event |
| 10 CFR 50.72(a) (1) (i), Emergency Class Declaration 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS Actuation 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation | |
| LER: | 05000382/LER-2024-002 Automatic Reactor Trip Due to Transformer Failure |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+-3.33 h-0.139 days <br />-0.0198 weeks <br />-0.00456 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Nathan Marsh 01:17 Mar 22, 2024 |
| NRC Officer: | Bill Gott |
| Last Updated: | Mar 27, 2024 |
| 57042 - NRC Website
Loading map... | |
Unit 3 | |
|---|---|
| Reactor critical | Critical |
| Scram | A/R |
| Before | Power Operation (98 %) |
| After | Hot Standby (0 %) |
Waterford with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation, 10 CFR 50.72(a)(1)(i), Emergency Class Declaration, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 571752024-06-16T17:33:00016 June 2024 17:33:00
[Table view]10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Automatic Reactor Trip ENS 571222024-05-11T21:55:00011 May 2024 21:55:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Actuation of Reactor Protection System and Emergency Feedwater System ENS 570422024-03-22T04:37:00022 March 2024 04:37:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation, 10 CFR 50.72(a)(1)(i), Emergency Class Declaration, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Notification of Unusual Event Due to Fire in the Protected Area ENS 570322024-03-16T19:49:00016 March 2024 19:49:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Manual Reactor Trip Due to Main Feedwater and Main Steam Isolations ENS 559632022-06-25T01:12:00025 June 2022 01:12:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Automatic Reactor Trip Due to Main Steam Isolation Valve Closure ENS 554352021-08-29T23:12:00029 August 2021 23:12:00 10 CFR 50.72(a)(1)(i), Emergency Class Declaration Notification of Unusual Event Due to Loss of Offsite Power ENS 554362021-08-29T23:04:00029 August 2021 23:04:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Safety System Actuation ENS 549782020-11-02T10:19:0002 November 2020 10:19:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation Automatic Reactor Trip Due to Control Element Drive Mechanism Control System Timer Failure ENS 540682019-05-16T18:48:00016 May 2019 18:48:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Automatic Reactor Trip Due to Turbine Trip ENS 528632017-07-17T21:17:00017 July 2017 21:17:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(A), Loss of Safety Function - Shutdown the Reactor, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation, 10 CFR 50.72(a)(1)(i), Emergency Class Declaration, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Unusual Event Declared Due to Loss of Offsite Power ENS 514472015-10-04T04:07:0004 October 2015 04:07:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Automatic Reactor Trip ENS 511162015-06-03T22:05:0003 June 2015 22:05:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Manual Reactor Trip Due to Loss of Main Feedwater Pump ENS 486872013-01-21T21:51:00021 January 2013 21:51:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Automatic Reactor Trip Due to Low Steam Generator Level ENS 454452009-10-19T14:44:00019 October 2009 14:44:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Manual Reactor Trip Following Stuck Open Moisture Separator Heater Relief Valve ENS 444542008-09-01T04:00:0001 September 2008 04:00:00 10 CFR 50.72(a)(1)(i), Emergency Class Declaration Notification of Unusual Event Due to Hurricane Warning Onsite ENS 421382005-11-12T02:34:00012 November 2005 02:34:00 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation, 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation Manual Reactor Trip After Loss of All Condenser Circulating Water Pumps ENS 419542005-08-28T03:04:00028 August 2005 03:04:00 10 CFR 50.72(a)(1)(i), Emergency Class Declaration Unusual Event Declared Due to Hurricane Warning ENS 410402004-09-14T21:04:00014 September 2004 21:04:00 10 CFR 50.72(a)(1)(i), Emergency Class Declaration Unusual Event Declared Due to Hurricane Watch in St. Charles Parish 2024-06-16T17:33:00 | |