ENS Event | |
|---|---|
05:00 Nov 15, 2013 | |
| Title | Part 21 - Loose Battery Vent Assemblies |
| Event Description | The following (in part) was received via facsimile:
The purpose of this letter is to provide the NRC preliminary notification in general conformity to the requirements of 10CFR Part 21.21 (a)(2). On November 15, 2013 C&D Technologies, Inc. (C&D) was informed by Nuklearna Elelktrarna Krsko (NEK) of Slovenia that the vent assemblies in a lot 66 units of LCY-39 batteries were not engaging properly to form a seal between the vent assembly and the battery cover. This issue was detected and corrected prior to installation and use of the batteries. The vent assembly is a safety related component with the primary function of preventing spark or flame propagation back into the cell from external sources. Lack of engagement or seal between the vent assembly and cover may provide a path for flame or spark propagation. Subsequent evaluation of the design of the cover to vent assembly seal has shown that under certain combinations of assembly, gasket and cover dimensions a clearance fit is formed that may exist in installed batteries. To date no other user of LCY-35, 37, or 39 batteries that use these covers and vent assemblies has reported a similar situation, however, the possibility exists that this issue may exist in products used by US licensees. And may pose a safety hazard. Thus, C&D is submitting this report to the NRC and notifying C&D's customers that use LCY batteries of this report, and actions to be taken to eliminate the possible safety hazard. U.S. Licensees using batteries possibly containing the clearance fit have been notified of the filing of this report with recommendations that they inspect their batteries for any signs of problems. A procedure (attached) will allow users to detect clearance fits between the vent assembly and cover. Replacement parts will be provided by C&D for affected cells that will eliminate the possibility of clearance fits. The affected US facilities are: Oconee Nuclear Station, Indian Point Energy Center, Arkansas Nuclear One, Beaver Valley Nuclear Generating Station, St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant, Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Edwin I. Hatch Power Plant, and Wolf Creek Generating Station. The affected foreign facilities are: Bruce, Laguna Verde, Krsko and Pickering. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Nuklearna Elelktrarna Krsko Blue Bell, Pennsylvania (NRC Region 1) | |
| Organization: | C&D Technologies, Inc. |
| Reporting | |
| 10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+1613.33 h67.222 days <br />9.603 weeks <br />2.21 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Christian Rheault 10:20 Jan 21, 2014 |
| NRC Officer: | Daniel Mills |
| Last Updated: | Jan 21, 2014 |
| 49749 - NRC Website | |
Nuklearna Elelktrarna Krsko with 10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 497492013-11-15T05:00:00015 November 2013 05:00:00
[Table view]10 CFR 21.21(a)(2), Interim Report for Comply or Defect in Component Part 21 - Loose Battery Vent Assemblies 2013-11-15T05:00:00 | |