ENS 43531
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
20:30 Jul 26, 2007 | |
| Title | Fire in the Pelleting Area |
| Event Description | On 7/26/07, an attempt to extinguish a small grease fire with water was observed by a Westinghouse engineer. This is a violation of IROFS-PELFIRE-902 (also identified as IROFS-BWR-107), which restricts the use of water for fire suppression in pellet/rod areas. The fire observed was located beneath the Line 4 polypak lift. The fire was estimated to be approximately three feet by three feet in area and approximately 2 inches in height. Three polypaks with an unknown quantity of material were observed on the lift at the time the fire occurred.
The fire was believed to have been started by weld sparks originating from overhead work being performed by construction workers. The water used to extinguish the fire was delivered to the fire in hardhats and welding masks that the construction personnel had at their immediate disposal from a nearby hand-wash basin. The total quantity of water involved was estimated to be a maximum of one gallon. Notification is being made based on the potential for 'Any natural phenomenon or other external event, including fires internal and external to the facility, that has affected or may have affected the intended safety function or availability or reliability of one or more items relied on for safety', reference Appendix A, Section (b)(4) to Part 70 of 10CFR70. Safety Basis: At no time was the integrity of nearby special nuclear material (SNM) containers challenged. No SNM was involved with the fire. None of the water involved in putting out the fire came into contact with SNM. Even if fissile material had been present during the fire, and that water had contacted and mixed with the fissile material, the quantity of water was limited to approximately one gallon. The minimum quantity of water necessary to challenge the normal case conditions involving homogenous SNM is 3.8 gallons. It should also be pointed out that the quantity of water was limited by the ability of the construction personnel to apply the water using their improvised method and further limited by the source of the water. (The intention of PELFIRE 902 is to prevent the large, uncontrolled addition of water as with firefighters wielding fire hoses attached to an effectively infinite source.) Summary of Activity: All construction work has been halted pending a stand-down meeting with personnel. The event was documented in the plant Corrective Action Process (CAPs #07-208-C007). Conclusions: Problem was self identified by Westinghouse Operations personnel. The fire was put out immediately and there was no challenge to the integrity of nearby special nuclear material containers. At no time was the health or safety to any employee or member of the public in jeopardy. No exposure to hazardous material was involved. A causal analysis will be performed. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Westinghouse Electric Corporation Columbia, South Carolina (NRC Region 2) | |
| License number: | SNM-1107 |
| Reporting | |
| Part 70 App A (B)(4) | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+19.95 h0.831 days <br />0.119 weeks <br />0.0273 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Ralph Winiarski 16:27 Jul 27, 2007 |
| NRC Officer: | Joe O'Hara |
| Last Updated: | Jul 27, 2007 |
| 43531 - NRC Website | |
Westinghouse Electric Corporation with Part 70 App A (B)(4) | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 435312007-07-26T20:30:00026 July 2007 20:30:00
[Table view]Part 70 App A (B)(4) Fire in the Pelleting Area 2007-07-26T20:30:00 | |