ML20150B738
| ML20150B738 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/27/1978 |
| From: | James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Keck J MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIV., HOUGHTON, MI |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7811080240 | |
| Download: ML20150B738 (5) | |
Text
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3
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' Michigan Technical University License No. 21-00278-02 l-ATTN:
J. W. Keck License No. 21-00278-03 Houghton, Michigan 49932 License No. 21-00278-04 I
Centlemen:
4 The enclosed Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) IE Bulletin No. 78-13 requires action by you with respect to certain gauging deviceo in your possession. Records show that you have received one or more of these gauges which are' manufactured by Kay-Ray, Incorporated. These gauges j
contain radioactive material regulated by the NRC. The possession and use of the radioactive material contained in the gauges is governed by j
i either a specific NRC license issued to you or under the general license provisions of NRC regulation 10 CFR Part 31, Section 31.5.
A copy of
(
10 CFR 31.5. is provided for your information. If you possess gauges
'under a general license, you should have received a copy of this regula-4
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tion from the gauge vendor when you received the gauges.
f Should you have any questions regarding this Bulletin or the actions required of you, please contact this office.
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' Sincerely, e
es G. Keppler Director I
Enclosures:
1.
List of: IE Bulle tins Issued in 1978 3
cc w/encis, w/o Attachments to Bulletin:
Central Files Reproduction Unit NRC 2Cb PDR NSIC.
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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT REGION III october 27, 1978 IE Bulletin No. 78-13 FAILURE IN SOURCE HEADS OF KAY-RAY, INC., GAUGES MODELS 7050, 70503, 7051, 7051B, 7060, 7060B, 7061, AND 7061B Description of Circumstances:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received information that on three occasions in the past year fractures have occurred at the weld between the dome and the box of source heads used in the subject gauges manufactured by Kay-Ray, It, These gauges contain radioactive material regulated by the NRC.
L. possession and use of the radio-active material in the gauges is governed by either a specific NRC license or under the general license provisions of NRC regulation 10 CFR 31, Section 31.5. A copy of 10 CFR 31.5 is enclosed.
These incidents of weld fractures in the gauges have caused the dome to separate from the box, exposing the 500 millicurie cesium-137 sealed i
source.
In one case, the radioactive source itt, elf fell loose from the dome and was completely exposed. ' The separation of the dome from the i
box could result in a radiation overexposure if an individual actually handled the radioactive source or worked in close pro::imity to a gauge where the lead dome had separated from the box.
j In order to correct this potential radiation hazard, Kay-Ray has developed a support bracket which they will supply free of charge to prevent the dome separation if a fracture does occur. In a June 30, 1978 letter (copy enclosed) Kay-Ray advised you of the availability of the support bracket and requested you to return a card confirming the specific source heads in your possession. A number of companies have not returned a card to Kay-Ray, Inc.
j In order to assure correction of this potential hazard, you should complete the following actions.
Actions to be taken by you as a licensee of the NRC:
1.
On the enclosed form, enter your company's name, address and telephone number, complete the other actions according to the instructions, and sign the preaddressed form and return it to the NRC after completing all the required actions.
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1 2-October 27, 1978 IE Bulletin No. 78-13 If you have transferred or otherwise disposed of any Kay-Ray gauges, take the action in iteu number 2, following:
2 '.
Complete item 1 of the enclosed form, and (a) if you possessed the gauge under a general license of 10 CFR 31.5 include with the form a statement of how you have complied, or information which does comply, with the requirements of 10 CFR 31.5(c)(8) or (9) and pro-vide the name and address of the persons or organizations to whe=
the gauge was transferred, or (b) if you possessed the gauge under a specific license include with the form a statement of how you complied with the requirements of 10 CTR 30.41 and provide the name and address of the persons or organizations to whom the gauge was transferred.
If you have any of the specified Kay-Ray gauges in your possession, take the actions in item numbers 3 through 5, following:
3.
Within two (2) days of receipt of this Bulletin, visually inspect the source head on models 7050, 7050B, 7051, 7051B, 7060, 70603, 7061, and 7061B of Kay-Ray gauges in your possession for evidence If cracks are found, of weld cracks between the dome and box.
take the following actions:
(a) contact Kay-Ray immediately at (312) 259-9244 and inform them, and (b) file a report with this office as required by 10 CFR 31.5(a)(5).
(A copy of 10 CTR 31.5 is enclosed.)
4.
Within ten (10) days af ter receiving the support bracket (s) fro =
Kay-Ray, install a support bracket on each Kay-Ray gauge model (identified in item 3 above) in your possession.
5.
Within twelve (12) days af ter receiving the support bracket (s) frem Kay-Ray, report the completion of the above actions to this office.
The report should be submitted by completing and returning the enclosed preprinted, preaddressed form to the NRC.
i In addition to the above specific actions, we recommend that you read-f and become thoroughly familiar with the conditions of either the specific NRC license or the general license of 10 CTR 31.5 whichever authorices your use and possession of the gauge devices.
Approved by GAO, B180225 (R0072); clearance expires 7-31-80.
Approval was given under a blanket clearance specifically for identified generic problems.
Attachments:
1.
Report Form i
2.
10 CFR 31 (extract) 3.
Kay-2ay Letter dated 6/30/78 4.
Kay-Ray Card S
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e IE Bulletin No. 78-13 October 27,.1078
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LISTING OF IE BULLETINS ISSUED IN 1978 Date Issued Issued To Bulletin Subject No.
78-01 Flammable Contact -
1/16/78 All Power Reactor Arm Retainers in G.E.
Facilities with an CR120A Relays OL or CP 78-02 Terminal Block 1/30/78 All Power Reat.cor Qualification Facilities with an OL or CP 78-03 Potential Explosive 2/8/78 All BWR Power Gas Mixture Accumula-Reactor Facilities tions Associated with with an OL or CP BWR Off6as System Operations 78-04 Environmental Quali-2/21/78 All Power Reactor fication of Certain Facilities with an Stem Mounted Limit OL or CP Switches Inside Reactor Containment 78-05 Malfunctioning of 4/14/78 All Power Reactor Circuit Breaker Facilities with an Auxiliary Contact OL or CP Mechanism-General Model CR105X 78-06 Defective Cutler-5/31/78 All Power Reactor Hammer, Type M Relays Facilities with an With DC Coils OL or CP 78-07 Protection afforded-6/12/78 All Power Reactor by Air-Line Respirators Facilities with an and Supplied-Air Hoods OL, all class E and F Research Reactors with an OL, all Fuel Cycle Facilities with an OL, and all Priority 1 Material Licensees
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October 27, 1978 LISTING OF IE BULLETINS ISSUED IN 1978 Date Issued Issued To Bulletin Subject No.
78-08 Radiation Levels from 6/12/78 All.
and Fuel Element Transfer Resee.
tor Tubes Facil1*a.
ha Fuel Elemer.
transfer tube and an OL.
78-09 BWR Drywell Leakage 6/14/78 All BWR Power Paths Associated with Recetor Facilities Inadequate Drywell with an OL or CP Closures 78-10 Bergen-Paterson 6/27/78 All BWR Power Hydraulic Shock Reactor Facilities Suppressor Accumulator with an OL or CP Spring Coils 78-11 Examination of Mark I 7/21/78 BWR Power Reactor Containment Torus Facilities for Welds action: Peach Bottom 2 and 3, Quad Cities 1 and 2 Hatch 1, Monti-cello and Verment Yankee 78-12 Atypf cal Weld Material 9/29/78 All Power Reactor in Reactor Pressure Facilities with an Vessel Welds OL or CP e
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