PPL nuclear: Stack Monitors Out of service

Power Reactor	Event Number: 49753
Facility: SUSQUEHANNA Region: 1 State: PA Unit: [1] [2] [ ] RX Type: [1] GE-4,[2] GE-4 NRC Notified By: MARTIN J. LICHTNER HQ OPS Officer: VINCE KLCO	Notification Date: 01/21/2014 Notification Time: 21:14 [ET] Event Date: 01/21/2014 Event Time: 13:40 [EST] Last Update Date: 01/21/2014
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY 10 CFR Section:  50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE	Person (Organization):  HAROLD GRAY (R1DO)

 

Unit	SCRAM Code	RX CRIT	Initial PWR	Initial RX Mode	Current PWR	Current RX Mode
1	N	Y	99	Power Operation	99	Power Operation
2	N	Y	99	Power Operation	99	Power Operation

Event Text

VENT STACK RADIATION MONITORS OUT OF SERVICE  "At 1340 [EST] on 1/21/2014, Susquehanna Control Room Operators received an alarm due to the lockup of a monitoring panel utilized for Vent Stack Radiation Monitors (known as SPINGs - System Particulate, Iodine, and Noble Gas). There are two monitor panels, one in the control room and one in the Technical Support Center (TSC). Both panels are fully redundant. At the time, the control room panel was out of service for maintenance.  "This event rendered all five SPINGs inoperable. Additionally, control room alarm capability was not available. The associated Technical Requirement (TROs) were entered for this inoperability. In order to clear the lockup, the TSC terminal needed to be powered down and rebooted.  "The TSC monitoring terminal was restored to operable status at 1352 and the associated TROs were cleared. The SPING function and control room alarm functions were inoperable for a total of 12 minutes.  "In accordance with the guidance of NUREG 1022, Revision 3, Item 3.2.13, this event is being reported as an 8 hour ENS notification due to a loss of emergency assessment capability. The loss of the Stack Monitoring System was not part of a pre-planned evolution. This equipment is relied upon by control room operators and emergency response personnel to implement procedures addressing classification, assessment, and protective actions associated with the emergency plan."  The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.