ML072530826

Accidental Alarm Malfunction - NRC Response to Email from James Rogers

ML072530826
Person / Time
Site:	Seabrook
Issue date:	09/10/2007
From:	Leonard Cline Reactor Projects Branch 3
To:	- No Known Affiliation
BURRITT, AL
References
Download: ML072530826 (3)

Text

Margaret Thompson - Seabrook Station Accidental Alarm Malfunction Page 1 From: Leonard Cline To: rogers68@comcast.net Date: 09/10/2007 9:17:55 AM

Subject:

Seabrook Station Accidental Alarm Malfunction This email responds to your August 11, 2007, email that described your concerns with the malfunction of a single siren of the Seabrook Station Alert and Notification System. The malfunction you described occurred on the night of July 13, 2007, in Amesbury, Mass.

Seabrook Station was aware of the problem and has repaired the failed siren. FPL, the plants operator, is examining the cause of the malfunction and plans to make any changes necessary to reduce the likelihood of similar malfunctions in the future. In accordance with the requirements of the NRC Reactor Oversight Process, and in support of the NRCs mission to protect the people and the environment, the NRCs Resident Inspectors at Seabrook are following these actions as part of their normal inspection activities.

We fully understand and can appreciate the distress you felt upon hearing an emergency siren in the middle of the night and your desire for additional information. We have been informed that one of the changes that will be implemented by both the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and Seabrook Station as a result of this issue is to immediately issue a media informational message following inadvertent siren activations.

The Alert and Notification System allows for prompt notification of the public of the need to take protective actions in the event of an emergency involving the plant. The reliability of the system is paramount to assuring that timely action can be taken to protect the public health and safety in the unlikely event of an emergency. To facilitate NRC monitoring of the performance of this essential system, Seabrook Station reports system reliability information to the NRC each quarter, and NRC inspectors independently verify the accuracy of the reported information. Additionally, NRC emergency preparedness specialists perform inspections every other year to evaluate the adequacy of Seabrook Stations Alert and Notification System testing and maintenance programs, system procedures, and effectiveness in correcting siren system problems. The quarterly reliability information, combined with the inspection results, provide the NRC with the information needed to assess the overall functionality of the system and currently provide the NRC assurance that the Seabrook Station system will operate as required.

Should you have any additional questions or if the NRC can be of further assistance in this matter, please call me at 610-337-5373.

Sincerely, Leonard M. Cline L. Cline NRC Region I Projects Branch 3 Senior Project Engineer 610-337-5373 lmc1@nrc.gov The information contained in this e-mail, including any attachment(s), is intended solely for use by the named addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient, you are not authorized to disclose, copy, distribute or retain this message, in whole or in part, without written consent from the sender. This e-mail may contain confidential or privileged information. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately.

Margaret Thompson - Seabrook Station Accidental Alarm Malfunction Page 2 CC: Arthur Burritt; Margaret Thompson

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Seabrook Station Accidental Alarm Malfunction Creation Date 09/10/2007 9:17:55 AM From: Leonard Cline Created By: LMC1@nrc.gov Recipients comcast.net rogers68 (rogers68@comcast.net) nrc.gov kp1_po.KP_DO ALB1 CC (Arthur Burritt)

MMT1 CC (Margaret Thompson)

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