PNO-IV-87-048, on 870920,upper Fuel Pool Partially Drained. Caused by Attempt to Increase Water Level During Refueling. Region Dispatching Supervisor to Site to Coordinate NRC Insp of Licensee Actions.Licensee Also Conducting Indepth Review

PNO-IV-87-048:on 870920,upper Fuel Pool Partially Drained. Caused by Attempt to Increase Water Level During Refueling. Region Dispatching Supervisor to Site to Coordinate NRC Insp of Licensee Actions.Licensee Also Conducting Indepth Review

ML20235B833
Person / Time
Site:	River Bend
Issue date:	09/21/1987
From:	Jaudon J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:
References
PNO-IV-87-048, PNO-IV-87-48, NUDOCS 8709240242
Download: ML20235B833 (2)

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• • Y September 21, 1987 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE -- PN0-IV-87-48

} This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by the Region IV staff on this date.

FACILITY: Gulf States Utilities Licensee Emergency Classification:

River Bend Station Notification of Unusual Event St. Francisville, Louisiana Alert DN: 50-458 Site Area Emergency General Emergency X _ Not Applicable

SUBJECT:

PARTIAL DRAINING 0F THE UPPER FUEL POOL The licensee partially drained the upper fuel pool on September 20, 1987.

Although the reactor was in the refueling mode, no fuel movement had begun. The licensee was attempting to increase the water level in the upper fuel pool. In so doing, a drain (i.e., siphon) path was established between the condensate storage tank and the upper fuel pool. Water level in the upper fuel pool decreased between 5 and 10 feet. The steam dryer, which was stored in the upper fuel pool, was partially uncovered until water level was restored.

Although this incident would not have uncovered fuel stored in the upper fuel pool, it could have uncovered fuel being moved. The region considers that under ,

other circumstances, this could have been a serious incident. Although the J licensee appears to be taking extensive corrective actions, and to be making an indepth review of the occurrence, thc region is dispatching a supervisor to the site to coordinate the NRC inspection of licensee actions. The licensee has placed a hold on fuel movement until the NRC completes its review of licensee corrective action.

The licensee plans to issue a press release.

The state of Louisiana has been informed.

Region IV received notification of this occurrence by telecon from the SRI at 8:00 a.m. (CDT) September 21, 1987. Region IV has informed NRR and EDO.

This information has been confirmed with a licensee representative.

CONTACT: J. P. Jaudon (FTS 728-8140)

Transmitted via 5520 D:DlSP LJCallan:cs RA [hD/

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9/21/87 0 3:17 p.m.

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