Information Notice 1996-19, Failure of Tone Alert Radios to Activate When Receiving a Shortened Activation Signal: Difference between revisions

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| issue date = 04/02/1996
| issue date = 04/02/1996
| title = Failure of Tone Alert Radios to Activate When Receiving a Shortened Activation Signal
| title = Failure of Tone Alert Radios to Activate When Receiving a Shortened Activation Signal
| author name = Crutchfield D M
| author name = Crutchfield D
| author affiliation = NRC/NRR
| author affiliation = NRC/NRR
| addressee name =  
| addressee name =  
Line 14: Line 14:
| page count = 7
| page count = 7
}}
}}
{{#Wiki_filter:'SeUNITED STATESNUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONOFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATIONWASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001April 2, 1996NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 96-19: FAILURE OF TONE ALERT RADIOS TO ACTIVATE WHENRECEIVING A SHORTENED ACTIVATION SIGNAL
{{#Wiki_filter:'Se
 
UNITED STATES
 
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
 
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 April 2, 1996 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 96-19:   FAILURE OF TONE ALERT RADIOS TO ACTIVATE WHEN
 
RECEIVING A SHORTENED ACTIVATION SIGNAL


==Addressees==
==Addressees==
All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear powerreactors.PurgoseThe U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this informationnotice to alert addressees to the possibility that tone alert radios may notreliably activate when receiving a shortened activation signal. It isexpected that recipients will review the information for applicability totheir facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similarproblems. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are notNRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response isrequired.
All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power
 
reactors.
 
Purgose
 
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information
 
notice to alert addressees to the possibility that tone alert radios may not
 
reliably activate when receiving a shortened activation signal. It is
 
expected that recipients will review the information for applicability to
 
their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar
 
problems. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not
 
NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is
 
required.


==Description of Circumstances==
==Description of Circumstances==
In a report made pursuant to Section 50.72(b)(1)(v) of Title 10 of the Code oFederal Regulations (10 CFR 50.72(b)(1)(v)), Event Number 29907, datedJanuary 30, 1996, the licensee for the Callaway site reported a problem withtone alert radios. During a test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), a radiostation engineer observed that a tone alert radio receiver did not activate.An investigation by the licensee found that the length of the broadcastactivation signal was insufficient to reliably activate the tone alert radioreceiver model in use at the radio station. The broadcast duration of theactivation signal had been reduced from 20 seconds to 8 seconds as permittedby current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations. The radiostation restored the duration of the activation signal broadcast to theoriginal 20-second length and observed that the tone alert radio receiveractivated as expected.DiscussionSection 50.47(b)(5) of 10 CFR requires emergency response plans for nuclearpower reactors to include a means of providing early notification and clearinstruction to the populace within the plume exposure pathway emergencyplanning zone (EPZ) in the event of an emergency. Many nuclear power reactorsites have integrated tone alert radios into alert and notification systemsused to notify and provide instructions to members of the general public nearthe site during emergency situations.t$DR~~~~ If aeq 0n 9Goc96032701271\ -
In a report made pursuant to Section 50.72(b)(1)(v) of Title 10 of the Code o
% iKY-2 IN 96-19April 2, 1996 These radios may serve as supplements to a siren system by filling in voids insiren coverage, or they can be the principal means of notifying the EPZpopulation. Tone alert radio receivers are used in conjunction with the EAS.On December 28, 1994, the FCC issued a Report and Order (59 FR 67090)concerning the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS). This Report and Orderreplaced the EBS with what is now known as the EAS. This change allowed forthe creation of a new generation of alerting equipment embracing digitaltechnology. The change also modified some of the old EBS requirements. Oneof the changes permits the use of a shorter duration tone activation signal toactivate tone alert radio receivers. This change may have decreased thereliability of some tone alert radios currently in use to activate whenrequired.Before July 1, 1995, the broadcast duration of the signal that activates tonealert radios was required to be between 20 and 25 seconds. After July 1,1995, the broadcast duration of the signal that activates tone alert radioswas permitted to be between 8 and 25 seconds. The FCC encourages the use ofthe longer (up to 25 seconds) tone during emergencies.Tone alert radio receivers are, and have been, available from variousmanufacturers for several years. Depending on the specifications provided bythe purchaser, the threshold for activation has been built into receivers.The signal duration needed for some tone alert radio receiver models may belonger than the currently approved 8-second minimum signal duration nowallowed by FCC regulations.The FCC regulations permit individual radio stations to select the duration ofthe activation signal they broadcast, provided it is within the limits of 8 to25 seconds. To reliably activate a tone alert radio receiver the duration ofthe activation signal broadcast by the radio station must be long enough tomeet the activation threshold built into tone alert radio receivers in servicein a particular reception area. If the duration of the activation signalbroadcast is not compatible with the threshold set in a receiver, thereliability of the receiver response is questionable. Either the duration ofthe activation signal broadcast or the threshold for activation built intoreceivers may need to be modified to ensure compatibility.
 
Federal Regulations (10 CFR 50.72(b)(1)(v)), Event Number 29907, dated
 
January 30, 1996, the licensee for the Callaway site reported a problem with
 
tone alert radios. During a test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), a radio
 
station engineer observed that a tone alert radio receiver did not activate.
 
An investigation by the licensee found that the length of the broadcast
 
activation signal was insufficient to reliably activate the tone alert radio
 
receiver model in use at the radio station. The broadcast duration of the
 
activation signal had been reduced from 20 seconds to 8 seconds as permitted
 
by current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations. The radio
 
station restored the duration of the activation signal broadcast to the
 
original 20-second length and observed that the tone alert radio receiver
 
activated as expected.
 
Discussion
 
Section 50.47(b)(5) of 10 CFR requires emergency response plans for nuclear
 
power reactors to include a means of providing early notification and clear
 
instruction to the populace within the plume exposure pathway emergency
 
planning zone (EPZ) in the event of an emergency. Many nuclear power reactor
 
sites have integrated tone alert radios into alert and notification systems


i N' '' IN 96-19April 2, 1996 This Information notice requires no specific action or written response. Ifyou have any questions about the information in this notice, please contactone of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office ofNuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.Den4 o. Cru e , DirectorDivision of Reactor Project ManagementOffice of Nuclear Reactor RegulationTechnical contacts:D. M. Barss, NRR(301) 415-2922Internet:dmbl~nrc.govJ. L. Birmingham, NRR(301) 415-2829Internet:lb4@nrc.govAttachment: List ofA b1~f;ilivJ-Recently Issued NRC Information Notices%b eo
used to notify and provide instructions to members of the general public near


AttachmentIN 96-19April 2, 1996 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUEDNRC INFORMATION NOTICESInformation Date ofNotice No. Subject Issuance Issued to96-1895-03Supp. 196-1796-16Compliance with 10 CFRPart 20 for AirborneThoriumLoss of Reactor CoolantInventory and PotentialLoss of Emergency Mitiga-tion Functions While in aShutdown ConditionReactor Operation Incon-sistent with the UpdatedFinal Safety AnalysisReportBWR Operation withIndicated Flow Less ThanNatural CirculationUnexpected Plant Perform-ance During Performanceof New Surveillance TestsDegradation of RadwasteFacility Equipment atMillstone Nuclear PowerStation, Unit 1Potential ContainmentLeak Paths ThroughHydrogen AnalyzersControl Rod InsertionProblems03/25/9603/25/9603/18/9603/14/9603/08/9603/01/9602/26/9602/15/96All material licenseesauthorized to possess anduse thorium in unsealedformAll holders of OLs or CPsfor PWR power plantsAll holders of OLs or CPsfor nuclear power reactorsAll holders of OLs or CPsfor boiling-water reactorsAll holders of OLs or CPsfor nuclear power reactorsAll holders of OLs or CPsfor nuclear power reactorsAll holders of OLs or CPsfor nuclear power reactorsAll holders of OLs or CPsfor nuclear power reactors96-1596-1496-1396-12OL = Operating LicenseCP = Construction Permit
the site during emergency situations.


IN 96-xxMarch xx, 1996 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. Ifyou have any questions about the information in this notice, please contactone of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office ofNuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.Dennis M. Crutchfield, DirectorDivision of Reactor Project ManagementOffice of Nuclear Reactor RegulationTechnical contacts:D. M. Barss, NRR(301) 415-2922Internet:dmbl~nrc.govJ. L. Birmingham, NRR(301) 415-2829Internet:jlb4@nrc.govAttachment:List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices* See previous concurrenceOFFICE PERB:DRPM:NRR SC/PERB:DRPM I C/PERB:DRPM:NRRNAME DMBarss* THEssig* CLMiller*IDATE03/18/9603/18/96I03/18/96OFFICE TECHED:RPB PECB:DRPM:NRR C/PECT.VPM.?NRR D/DRPM:HRRNAME BCalure* l JBirmingham* AEChaffJ DMCrutchfieldDATE I03/ /96 03/21/96 03/a2/96 V0! 03/ /96.rrt -t~~s e rserl swur 1.w -ntn^ *a.PlrIULAL WULUiILFI wAML: b: JLL1 I\UNLALKI.1N
t$DR~~~~
                    If              aeq              0n        9Goc


IN 96-xxMarch xx, 1996 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. Ifyou have any questions about the information in this notice, please contactone of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office ofNuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.Dennis M. Crutchfield, DirectorDivision of Reactor Project ManagementOffice of Nuclear Reactor RegulationTechnical contacts:D. M. Barss, NRR(301) 415-2922Internet:dmbl@nrc.govJ. L. Birmingham, NRR(301) 415-2829Internet:jlb4@nrc.govAttachment:List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices11 5 ?ee-e a 4jo&5 Cti4et- A4J-t.OFFICE PERB:DRPM:NRR SC/PERB:DQPM C/PERB:DRPNRRNAME DMBarss Z&N 6 THEssig 1& J MWller l_ _ _ are __ _= .. .-_I_ .DATE 03/IJ/96 j 03/0TV/96 l 03I%'iI96 JOFFICE TECHED:RPB PECB:DRPM:NRR C/PECB:DRPM:NRR D/DRPM:NRRNAME 1 JBirmingham -AEChaffee DLCrutchfieldDATE I03/'t /96 1031&'196/4 03/ /96 103/ A96O DUMT N--E: : _ _ -._. ..OFFICIAL DOCUMENT NAME:G:.\MLMUS\1UNLALK1.1N
9603270127
                                                                        1\      -


OFFICE PERB:DRPM:NRR SC/PERB:DRPM C/PERB:DRPM:NRRNAME DMBarss THEssig CLMiller.DATE03/ /9603//9603/ /96OFFICE TECH PECB:DRPM:NRR C/PECB:DRPM:NRR D/DRPM:NRRNAME 4 JBirmningham AEChaffee DLCrutchfieldDATE 03//P96 03/ /96 03/ /96 03/ /96-.r .I .rl., , nu n ... uuS e -t. * .lr 4- AI .t ValUrlWlAL UULUMtNI NAML:b: FILMUZO\ I URALK I. I *
%    i                          KY
}}
 
-2                                    IN 96-19 April 2, 1996 These radios may serve as supplements to a siren system by filling in voids in
 
siren coverage, or they can be the principal means of notifying the EPZ
 
population. Tone alert radio receivers are used in conjunction with the EAS.
 
On December 28, 1994, the FCC issued a Report and Order (59 FR 67090)
concerning the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS). This Report and Order
 
replaced the EBS with what is now known as the EAS. This change allowed for
 
the creation of a new generation of alerting equipment embracing digital
 
technology. The change also modified some of the old EBS requirements. One
 
of the changes permits the use of a shorter duration tone activation signal to
 
activate tone alert radio receivers. This change may have decreased the
 
reliability of some tone alert radios currently in use to activate when
 
required.
 
Before July 1, 1995, the broadcast duration of the signal that activates tone
 
alert radios was required to be between 20 and 25 seconds. After July 1,
1995, the broadcast duration of the signal that activates tone alert radios
 
was permitted to be between 8 and 25 seconds. The FCC encourages the use of
 
the longer (up to 25 seconds) tone during emergencies.
 
Tone alert radio receivers are, and have been, available from various
 
manufacturers for several years. Depending on the specifications provided by
 
the purchaser, the threshold for activation has been built into receivers.
 
The signal duration needed for some tone alert radio receiver models may be
 
longer than the currently approved 8-second minimum signal duration now
 
allowed by FCC regulations.
 
The FCC regulations permit individual radio stations to select the duration of
 
the activation signal they broadcast, provided it is within the limits of 8 to
 
25 seconds. To reliably activate a tone alert radio receiver the duration of
 
the activation signal broadcast by the radio station must be long enough to
 
meet the activation threshold built into tone alert radio receivers in service
 
in a particular reception area. If the duration of the activation signal
 
broadcast is not compatible with the threshold set in a receiver, the
 
reliability of the receiver response is questionable. Either the duration of
 
the activation signal broadcast or the threshold for activation built into
 
receivers may need to be modified to ensure compatibility.
 
i        N'                                ''    IN 96-19 April 2, 1996 This Information notice requires no specific action or written response. If
 
you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact
 
one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of
 
Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.
 
Den4      Cru    e , Director
 
o.
 
Division of Reactor Project Management
 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
 
Technical contacts:    D. M. Barss, NRR
 
(301) 415-2922 Internet:dmbl~nrc.gov
 
J. L. Birmingham, NRR
 
(301) 415-2829 Internet:lb4@nrc.gov
 
Attachment:  List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
 
A b1~f;ilivJ-          eo
 
%b
 
Attachment
 
IN 96-19 April 2, 1996 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
 
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES
 
Information                                    Date of
 
Notice No.              Subject                Issuance    Issued to
 
96-18          Compliance with 10 CFR        03/25/96    All material licensees
 
Part 20 for Airborne                      authorized to possess and
 
Thorium                                    use thorium in unsealed
 
form
 
95-03            Loss of Reactor Coolant        03/25/96    All holders of OLs or CPs
 
Supp. 1          Inventory and Potential                    for PWR power plants
 
Loss of Emergency Mitiga- tion Functions While in a
 
Shutdown Condition
 
96-17          Reactor Operation Incon-      03/18/96    All holders of OLs or CPs
 
sistent with the Updated                    for nuclear power reactors
 
Final Safety Analysis
 
Report
 
96-16          BWR Operation with            03/14/96    All holders of OLs or CPs
 
Indicated Flow Less Than                  for boiling-water reactors
 
Natural Circulation
 
96-15            Unexpected Plant Perform-      03/08/96    All holders of OLs or CPs
 
ance During Performance                    for nuclear power reactors
 
of New Surveillance Tests
 
96-14          Degradation of Radwaste        03/01/96    All holders of OLs or CPs
 
Facility Equipment at                      for nuclear power reactors
 
Millstone Nuclear Power
 
Station, Unit 1
96-13          Potential Containment          02/26/96    All holders of OLs or CPs
 
Leak Paths Through                          for nuclear power reactors
 
Hydrogen Analyzers
 
96-12          Control Rod Insertion          02/15/96    All holders of OLs or CPs
 
Problems                                    for nuclear power reactors
 
OL  = Operating License
 
CP  = Construction Permit
 
IN 96-xx
 
March xx, 1996 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If
 
you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact
 
one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of
 
Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.
 
Dennis M. Crutchfield, Director
 
Division of Reactor Project Management
 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
 
Technical contacts:      D. M. Barss, NRR
 
(301) 415-2922 Internet:dmbl~nrc.gov
 
J. L. Birmingham, NRR
 
(301) 415-2829 Internet:jlb4@nrc.gov
 
Attachment:
 
===List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices===
* See previous concurrence
 
OFFICE
 
NAME
 
DATE
 
OFFICE
 
NAME
 
PERB:DRPM:NRR
 
DMBarss*
              03/18/96 TECHED:RPB
 
BCalure*
                                SC/PERB:DRPM
 
THEssig*
                                03/18/96 PECB:DRPM:NRR
 
lJBirmingham*
                                                IC/PERB:DRPM:NRR
 
CLMiller*
                                                I 03/18/96 C/PECT.VPM.?NRR
 
AEChaffJ
 
ID/DRPM:HRR
 
DMCrutchfield
 
DATE        I03/
              - t~~s
 
.rrterserl
 
/96 swur
 
03/21/96
                                  1.wntn^
                                    -
                                                03/a2/96
                                                *a.
 
V0! 03/ /96 PlrIULAL  WULUiILFI wAML:  b:  JLL1 I\UNLALKI.1N
 
IN 96-xx
 
March xx, 1996 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If
 
you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact
 
one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of
 
Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.
 
Dennis M. Crutchfield, Director
 
Division of Reactor Project Management
 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
 
Technical contacts:            D. M. Barss, NRR
 
(301) 415-2922 Internet:dmbl@nrc.gov
 
J. L. Birmingham, NRR
 
(301) 415-2829 Internet:jlb4@nrc.gov
 
Attachment:
List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
 
115    ?ee-    e a        Cti4et-      A4J-t.
 
4jo&5 OFFICE    PERB:DRPM:NRR          SC/PERB:DQPM      C/PERB:DRPNRR
 
NAME      DMBarss Z&N 6          THEssig 1&      J MWller l
 
_ _ _ are __ _              _ .
 
= ..  .- _  I
 
DATE      03/IJ/96              j03/0TV/96    l    03I%'iI96      J
 
OFFICE    TECHED:RPB            PECB:DRPM:NRR      C/PECB:DRPM:NRR  D/DRPM:NRR
 
NAME    1                      JBirmingham    - AEChaffee
 
03/    /96 DLCrutchfield
 
103/    A96 DATE    I03/'t      /96        1031&'196/4        _. ..
 
O DUMT N--E:        _      : _-      .
 
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT NAME:            G:.\MLMUS\1UNLALK1.1N
 
OFFICE      PERB:DRPM:NRR          SC/PERB:DRPM          C/PERB:DRPM:NRR
 
NAME        DMBarss                THEssig              CLMiller
 
.
 
DATE        03/       /96          03/ /96              03/   /96 OFFICE      TECH                 PECB:DRPM:NRR         C/PECB:DRPM:NRR D/DRPM:NRR
 
NAME        4                     JBirmningham         AEChaffee       DLCrutchfield
 
DATE        03//P96               03/     /96           03/   /96       03/ /96 r -.   I .       .rl., , nun . ..
 
* t.
 
- uuS   e .lr AI
 
4- .t   Val
 
UrlWlAL UULUMtNI NAML:             b: FILMUZO\ I URALK I.* I}}


{{Information notice-Nav}}
{{Information notice-Nav}}

Latest revision as of 04:35, 24 November 2019

Failure of Tone Alert Radios to Activate When Receiving a Shortened Activation Signal
ML031060187
Person / Time
Site: Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant  Entergy icon.png
Issue date: 04/02/1996
From: Crutchfield D
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
IN-96-019, NUDOCS 9603270127
Download: ML031060187 (7)
v • d • e


'Se

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 April 2, 1996 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 96-19: FAILURE OF TONE ALERT RADIOS TO ACTIVATE WHEN

RECEIVING A SHORTENED ACTIVATION SIGNAL

Addressees

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power

reactors.

Purgose

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information

notice to alert addressees to the possibility that tone alert radios may not

reliably activate when receiving a shortened activation signal. It is

expected that recipients will review the information for applicability to

their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar

problems. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not

NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is

required.

Description of Circumstances

In a report made pursuant to Section 50.72(b)(1)(v) of Title 10 of the Code o

Federal Regulations (10 CFR 50.72(b)(1)(v)), Event Number 29907, dated

January 30, 1996, the licensee for the Callaway site reported a problem with

tone alert radios. During a test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), a radio

station engineer observed that a tone alert radio receiver did not activate.

An investigation by the licensee found that the length of the broadcast

activation signal was insufficient to reliably activate the tone alert radio

receiver model in use at the radio station. The broadcast duration of the

activation signal had been reduced from 20 seconds to 8 seconds as permitted

by current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations. The radio

station restored the duration of the activation signal broadcast to the

original 20-second length and observed that the tone alert radio receiver

activated as expected.

Discussion

Section 50.47(b)(5) of 10 CFR requires emergency response plans for nuclear

power reactors to include a means of providing early notification and clear

instruction to the populace within the plume exposure pathway emergency

planning zone (EPZ) in the event of an emergency. Many nuclear power reactor

sites have integrated tone alert radios into alert and notification systems

used to notify and provide instructions to members of the general public near

the site during emergency situations.

t$DR~~~~

If aeq 0n 9Goc

9603270127

1\ -

% i KY

-2 IN 96-19 April 2, 1996 These radios may serve as supplements to a siren system by filling in voids in

siren coverage, or they can be the principal means of notifying the EPZ

population. Tone alert radio receivers are used in conjunction with the EAS.

On December 28, 1994, the FCC issued a Report and Order (59 FR 67090)

concerning the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS). This Report and Order

replaced the EBS with what is now known as the EAS. This change allowed for

the creation of a new generation of alerting equipment embracing digital

technology. The change also modified some of the old EBS requirements. One

of the changes permits the use of a shorter duration tone activation signal to

activate tone alert radio receivers. This change may have decreased the

reliability of some tone alert radios currently in use to activate when

required.

Before July 1, 1995, the broadcast duration of the signal that activates tone

alert radios was required to be between 20 and 25 seconds. After July 1,

1995, the broadcast duration of the signal that activates tone alert radios

was permitted to be between 8 and 25 seconds. The FCC encourages the use of

the longer (up to 25 seconds) tone during emergencies.

Tone alert radio receivers are, and have been, available from various

manufacturers for several years. Depending on the specifications provided by

the purchaser, the threshold for activation has been built into receivers.

The signal duration needed for some tone alert radio receiver models may be

longer than the currently approved 8-second minimum signal duration now

allowed by FCC regulations.

The FCC regulations permit individual radio stations to select the duration of

the activation signal they broadcast, provided it is within the limits of 8 to

25 seconds. To reliably activate a tone alert radio receiver the duration of

the activation signal broadcast by the radio station must be long enough to

meet the activation threshold built into tone alert radio receivers in service

in a particular reception area. If the duration of the activation signal

broadcast is not compatible with the threshold set in a receiver, the

reliability of the receiver response is questionable. Either the duration of

the activation signal broadcast or the threshold for activation built into

receivers may need to be modified to ensure compatibility.

i N' IN 96-19 April 2, 1996 This Information notice requires no specific action or written response. If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Den4 Cru e , Director

o.

Division of Reactor Project Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: D. M. Barss, NRR

(301) 415-2922 Internet:dmbl~nrc.gov

J. L. Birmingham, NRR

(301) 415-2829 Internet:lb4@nrc.gov

Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

A b1~f;ilivJ- eo

%b

Attachment

IN 96-19 April 2, 1996 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NRC INFORMATION NOTICES

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

96-18 Compliance with 10 CFR 03/25/96 All material licensees

Part 20 for Airborne authorized to possess and

Thorium use thorium in unsealed

form

95-03 Loss of Reactor Coolant 03/25/96 All holders of OLs or CPs

Supp. 1 Inventory and Potential for PWR power plants

Loss of Emergency Mitiga- tion Functions While in a

Shutdown Condition

96-17 Reactor Operation Incon- 03/18/96 All holders of OLs or CPs

sistent with the Updated for nuclear power reactors

Final Safety Analysis

Report

96-16 BWR Operation with 03/14/96 All holders of OLs or CPs

Indicated Flow Less Than for boiling-water reactors

Natural Circulation

96-15 Unexpected Plant Perform- 03/08/96 All holders of OLs or CPs

ance During Performance for nuclear power reactors

of New Surveillance Tests

96-14 Degradation of Radwaste 03/01/96 All holders of OLs or CPs

Facility Equipment at for nuclear power reactors

Millstone Nuclear Power

Station, Unit 1

96-13 Potential Containment 02/26/96 All holders of OLs or CPs

Leak Paths Through for nuclear power reactors

Hydrogen Analyzers

96-12 Control Rod Insertion 02/15/96 All holders of OLs or CPs

Problems for nuclear power reactors

OL = Operating License

CP = Construction Permit

IN 96-xx

March xx, 1996 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Dennis M. Crutchfield, Director

Division of Reactor Project Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: D. M. Barss, NRR

(301) 415-2922 Internet:dmbl~nrc.gov

J. L. Birmingham, NRR

(301) 415-2829 Internet:jlb4@nrc.gov

Attachment:

List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

  • See previous concurrence

OFFICE

NAME

DATE

OFFICE

NAME

PERB:DRPM:NRR

DMBarss*

03/18/96 TECHED:RPB

BCalure*

SC/PERB:DRPM

THEssig*

03/18/96 PECB:DRPM:NRR

lJBirmingham*

IC/PERB:DRPM:NRR

CLMiller*

I 03/18/96 C/PECT.VPM.?NRR

AEChaffJ

ID/DRPM:HRR

DMCrutchfield

DATE I03/

- t~~s

.rrterserl

/96 swur

03/21/96

1.wntn^

-

03/a2/96

  • a.

V0! 03/ /96 PlrIULAL WULUiILFI wAML: b: JLL1 I\UNLALKI.1N

IN 96-xx

March xx, 1996 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Dennis M. Crutchfield, Director

Division of Reactor Project Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: D. M. Barss, NRR

(301) 415-2922 Internet:dmbl@nrc.gov

J. L. Birmingham, NRR

(301) 415-2829 Internet:jlb4@nrc.gov

Attachment:

List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

115 ?ee- e a Cti4et- A4J-t.

4jo&5 OFFICE PERB:DRPM:NRR SC/PERB:DQPM C/PERB:DRPNRR

NAME DMBarss Z&N 6 THEssig 1& J MWller l

_ _ _ are __ _ _ .

= .. .- _ I

DATE 03/IJ/96 j03/0TV/96 l 03I%'iI96 J

OFFICE TECHED:RPB PECB:DRPM:NRR C/PECB:DRPM:NRR D/DRPM:NRR

NAME 1 JBirmingham - AEChaffee

03/ /96 DLCrutchfield

103/ A96 DATE I03/'t /96 1031&'196/4 _. ..

O DUMT N--E: _  : _- .

OFFICIAL DOCUMENT NAME: G:.\MLMUS\1UNLALK1.1N

OFFICE PERB:DRPM:NRR SC/PERB:DRPM C/PERB:DRPM:NRR

NAME DMBarss THEssig CLMiller

.

DATE 03/ /96 03/ /96 03/ /96 OFFICE TECH PECB:DRPM:NRR C/PECB:DRPM:NRR D/DRPM:NRR

NAME 4 JBirmningham AEChaffee DLCrutchfield

DATE 03//P96 03/ /96 03/ /96 03/ /96 r -. I . .rl., , nun . ..

  • t.

- uuS e .lr AI

4- .t Val

UrlWlAL UULUMtNI NAML: b: FILMUZO\ I URALK I.* I


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