05000272/LER-1981-019, Forwards LER 81-019/03X-1.Detailed Event Analysis Encl

Forwards LER 81-019/03X-1.Detailed Event Analysis Encl

ML20063P719
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	09/29/1982
From:	Midura H Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	Haynes R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
Shared Package
ML20063P720	List: 05000272/LER-1981-019, Forwards LER 81-019/03X-1.Detailed Event Analysis Encl
References
NUDOCS 8210150111
Download: ML20063P719 (3)

LER-2081-019, Forwards LER 81-019/03X-1.Detailed Event Analysis Encl

Event date:
Report date:
2722081019R00 - NRC Website

text

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~O PSEG Public Service Electric and Gas Company P.O. Box E Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey 08038 Salem Generating Station September 29, 1982 Mr. R. C. Haynes Regional Administrator USNRC Region 1 631 Park' Avenue King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406 Dear Mr. Haynes LICENSE NO. DPR-70 DOCKET NO. 50-272 REPORTABLE OCCURRENCE 81-19/03X-1 SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT Pursuant to the requirements of Salem Generating Station Unit No. 1 Technical Specifications, Section 6.9.1.9.b, we are submitting supplemental Licensee Event Report for Reportable Occurrence 81-19/03X-1.

Sincerely yours,

/

H. J. Midura General Manager -

Salem Operations RII:ks CC: Distribution i

8210150111 820929 PDR ADOCK 05000272 S _ PDR l

The Energy People g6 Y

% 2389 (17 4 11 81 J

l Report Number: 81-19/03X-1 Report Date: 09-29-82 Occurrence Date: 02-21-81 Facility: Salem Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 Public Service Electric & Gas Company Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey 08038 IDENTIFICATION OF OCCURRENCE:

Loss of Audible Fire Detection Signals.

CONDITIONS PRIOR TO OCCURRENCE:

Unit 1 - Mode 1 - Rx Power 100% - Unit Load 1120 MWe.

Unit 2 - Mode 5 - Rx Power 9% - Unit Load 0 MWe.

DESCRIPTION OF OCCURRENCE:

Du' o normal operations on February 21, 1981, Operations pe.*..'el observed a fire alarm annunciation on Panel 1RP5 for t1 Waste Gas Compressor, but heard no audible alarm.

Investigation revealed that welding was being performed in the area. A test was performed on ancther fire alarm circuit and the audible signal was barely heard. Action Statement 3.3.3.6 was entered at 1445 hours0.0167 days <br />0.401 hours <br />0.00239 weeks <br />5.498225e-4 months <br />. Operators were stationed at the fire alarm panels in both Units 1 and 2 Control Rooms to continually monitor the panels for alarms. This occurrence constituted operation in a degraded mode in accordance with Technical Specification 6.9.1.9.b.

DESIGNATION OF APPARENT CAUSE OF OCCURRENCE:

An engineering evaluation has disclosed that the cause of this occurrence, and a similar occurrence documented in LER 81-06/03L was failure of the Vox Anox amplifier. The amplifier automatically switches from the alarm function to the announcement function when the system'is being used for announcement purposes. At the conclusion of an announcement the amplifier should cut in the alarm function and cut out the announcement function. In both occurrences the amplifier failed to discriminate noise in the line from an announcement function, and remained in the announcement function mode, rendering the alarm function inoperable.

ANALYSIS OF OCCURRENCE:

Operability of the fire detection instrumentation ensures that adequate warning capability is available for the prompt detection of fires. This capability is required in order to detect and locate fires in their early stages. Prompt detection of fires will reduce the potential for damage to safety related equipment and is an integral element in the overall facility fire protection program.

LER 81-19/03X-1 . .

ANALYSIS OF OCCURRENCE: (continued)

The visual fire alarm system and public address system were operable. An operator was stationed to monitor the fire alarm panel and give warning upon receiving visual indication of a fire. Hence, fire detection and warning capability was main-tained. Therefore, this occurrence involved no risk to the health and safety of the general public.

Action Statement 3.3.3.6 requires:

With the number of operable fire detection instruments less than required, within 1 hour1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br /> establish a fire watch patrol to inspect the zone with the inoperable instrument at least once per hour. Restore the inoperable instru-ment to operable status within 14 days or, in lieu of any other report required by Specification 6.9.1, prepare and submit a special report to the Commission pursuant to Specification 6.9.2 within the next 30 days outlining the action taken, the cause of the inoperability and the plans and schedule for restoring the instrument to operable status.

Inoperability of the audible fire detection signals, therefore, constituted operation in a degraded mode as permitted by a limiting condition for operation, and is reportable in accordance with Technical Specification 6.9.1.9.b.

CORRECTIVE ACTION:

The Vox Anox Amplifier in the tone generator unit was adjusted and the system was tested satisfactorily. An engineering evaluation identified failure of the amplifier as the cause of the audible fire alarm system failures on January 15, 1981 and February 21, 1981.

The amplifier was replaced. No further occurrences of failure of the audible fire alarm system have been noted as of this report.

FAILURE DATA:

A similar occurrence took place on January 15, 1981 and was documented in LER 81-06/03L.

Gai-Tronics Corp.

Vox Anox Amplifier Model 360 B Prepared By R. Heller / S p((W Gen'eraV Madager -

Salem Operations SORC Meeting No. 82-87

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