Information Notice 1986-46, Improper Cleaning and Decontamination of Respiratory Protection Equipment

Improper Cleaning and Decontamination of Respiratory Protection Equipment

ML031220683
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, 05000000, Zimmer, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant, Skagit, Marble Hill
Issue date:	06/12/1986
From:	Jordan E NRC/IE
To:
References
IN-86-046, NUDOCS 8606090354
Download: ML031220683 (3)

SSINS No.: 6835 IN 86-46 UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 June 12, 1986 IE INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 86-46: IMPROPER CLEANING AND DECONTAMINATION OF

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

Addressees

All nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license (OL) or a

construction permit (CP) and fuel fabrication facilities.

Purpose

This notice is being issued to alert recipients of the potential loss of

performance or safety function of respiratory protection devices from improper

cleaning and decontamination techniques. It is expected that recipients will

review the information for applicability to their respiratory protection

program and consider actions, if appropriate, to preclude similar problems at

their facility. However, suggestions contained in this notice do not consti- tute NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is

required.

Description of Circumstances

In November 1985, Point Beach Nuclear Station reported on the Institute of

Nuclear Power Operations' (INPO's) "Note Pad" a cracking problem they noted

with the plastic coupling nut on Mine Safety Appliance (MSA) Ultra-twin Respi- rators. This coupling nut fits over the speaking diaphragm and can be removed

to connect an air hose if needed. Cracks in these coupling nuts lead to

excessive respirator leakage and reduction of protection. In response to the

Point Beach report, MSA initiated an investigation that included a survey of

other Ultra-twin users. MSA concluded that the reported cracking did not

indicate a problem with their product. With the exception of the Susquehanna

station, the investigation found less than a 1% incidence of cracked coupling

nuts. MSA considers this normal for a plastic replacement part. The rela- tively high incidence of cracking found at Susquehanna (17%) was attributed to

the improper use of organic solvents to clean or decontaminate the units. The

cracks noted at Susquehanna were noticeably different from those noted at the

other facilities surveyed. MSA was able to reproduce this type of cracking by

exposing coupling nuts to Freon.

Discussion:

The results of the MSA survey point out the importance of following manufactur- ers recommended cleaning practices. Use of improper or harsh cleaning tech- niques can lead to a degradation of integrity or loss of a safety function.

8606090354

IN 86-46 June 12, 1986 Examples of poor practices, such as stripping the paint from self-contained

breathing apparatus (SCBA) air cylinders to remove fixed contamination, have

been noted. An important safety function can be lost if the cylinders are not

repainted with the proper paint because the manufacturer-applied coating is

designed to indicate excessive heating of the air cylinder by discoloring at

350'F. Also, significant degradation of structural integrity can result if

this decontamination technique is used on composite air cylinders. Commercial

paint stripper will attack the bonding material of the reinforcing fiberglass

wrapping.

Licensees are reminded that proper cleaning and decontamination of respiratory

protection devices is essential to their safe use. Even apparently mild

cleaning techniques can unwittingly cause a loss of safety function. Submer- sion of the BIOPAK-60 rebreather SCBA respirator in soapy water will cause

serious corrosion of the unit's oxygen reserve alarm. Some cases have been

reported in which this type of corrosion was sufficient to defeat the alarm

functions. The manufacturer does not recommend submerging the unit to clean

it. Manufacturers recommendations for cleaning and decontaminating a respirator

are found in the technical literature supplied with the respirator. Additional

information on the appropriateness of a particular cleaning technique can be

obtained by contacting the respective manufacturer.

No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the Regional

Administrator of the appropriate regional office or this office.

Edward L.J rdan, Director

Division of Emergency Preparedness

and Eng heering Response

Office of Inspection and Enforcement

Technical Contacts: Roger L. Pedersen, IE

(301) 492-9425 James E. Wigginton, IE

(301) 492-4967 Attachment: List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices

Attachment 1 IN 86-46 June 12, 1986 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

IE INFORMATION NOTICES

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issue Issued to

86-45 Potential Falsification Of 6/10/86 All power reactor

Test Reports On Flanges facilities holding

Manufactured By Golden Gate an OL or CP and

Forge And Flange, Inc. research and test

facilities

86-44 Failure To Follow Procedures 6/10/86 All power reactor

When Working In High Radiation facilities holding

Areas an OL or CP and

research and test

reactors

86-43 Problems With Silver Zeolite 6/10/86 All power reactor

Sampling Of Airborne Radio- facilities holding

iodine an OL or CP

86-42 Improper Maintenance Of 6/9/86 All power rector

Radiation Monitoring Systems facilities holding

an OL or CP

86-41 Evaluation Of Questionable 6/9/86 All byproduct

Exposure Readings Of Licensee material- licensees

Personnel Dosimeters

86-32 Request For Collection Of 6/6/86 All power reactor

Sup. 1 Licensee Radioactivity facilities holding

Measurements Attributed To an OL or CP

The Chernobyl Nuclear Plant

Accident

86-40 Degraded Ability To Isolate 6/5/86 All power reactor

The Reactor Coolant System facilities holding

From Low-Pressure Coolant an OL or CP

Systems in BWRS

86-39 Failures Of RHR Pump Motors 5/20/86 All power reactor

And Pump Internals facilities holding

an OL or CP

OL = Operating License

CP = Construction Permit