ML19256F738
| ML19256F738 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Surry  |
| Issue date: | 05/08/1979 |
| From: | Howard E, Mccormick R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNS-79-042, NUDOCS 7912200489 | |
| Download: ML19256F738 (1) | |
Text
!W e-L PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION May 8, 1979 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF SAFEGUARDS EVENT--
PNS-79-42 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE national security or public interest significance.
The information presented is as initially received without verification or evaluation and is basically all that is known by IE staff as of this date.
FACILITY:
Virginia Electric and Power Company Surry, Unit Nos. I and 2 Docket Nos. 50-280 and 50-281 Surry County, Virginia
SUBJECT:
APPARENT DAMAGE TO NEW FUEL ASSEMBLIES At 2:30 p.m. on May 7, while conducting inspections in the Fuel Building of new fuel for Unit 2, the licensee determined that one assembly was partially coated with a honey-like substance.
Further inspection determined that 62 of 64 assembles were also partially coated. Based on a prompt site analysis, VEPC0 determined that the solution is sodium hydroxide which is not stored in the Fuel Building but is available on-site.
The substance dripped down the assemblies to the base and the quantity is estimated as two quarts to one gallon per assembly. The licr:nsee inspected all assemblies in March 1979 with no adverse findings.
On April 18, a routine inspection was conducted on several assemblies with no adverse findings.
Westinghouse, the fuel vendor, is on-site to assist in evaluation of the damage.
The fuel building is a vital area with three personnel portals and one rollup door all of which are locked and alarmed.
The licensee determined that there has been no intrusions or non-explained alarms.
Coded key card access records are being analyzed.
VEPC0 and contractor personnel have coded key cards which permit access to vital area.
Media interest is expected. The licensee issue a news release on May 8.
A news release is not planned by the NRC.
The FBI was notified by the licensee and Region II.
FBI is on-site conducting an investigation.
An IE Safeguards Inspector is on-site to assist, as is the Resident Inspector.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has been informed.
The IAT has been notified.
Region II (Atlanta) received notification of this occurrence by telephone from the Resident Inspector at 8:30 p.m.
on May 7, 1979.
This information is current as of 3:00 p.m. on May 8, 1979.
Contact:
RGMcCormick, IE x28080 EMHoward, IE x27650 Distribution:
Transmitted H St [ ~ f('
Chairman Hendrie Commissioner Bradford S. J. Chilk, SECY Commissioner Kennedy Commissioner Ahearne C. C. Kammerer, CA (For Distribution)'
Commissioner Gilinskv i
Transmitted: MNBB(hilO e.Bldgk'14 J. G. Davis,(0 2f$
1E Region 1 L. V. Gossick, EDO H. R. Denton, NRR 1
H. L. Ornstein, EDO R. C. DeYoung, NRR J. J. Fouchard, PA R. J. Mattson, NRR N. M. Haller, MPA V. Stello, NRR (MAIL)
R. G. Ryan, OSP R.S. Boy [d,$2(2 NRR J. J. Cummings, OIA SS Bldg p '.
R. Minogue, SD H. K. Shapar, ELD W. J. Dircks, NMSS jgg7 p S. Levine, RES IUUJ U PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION 7 0122 00 $/Sy' .}}