Information Notice 1989-52, Potential Fire Damper Operational Problems
| ML031180663 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/08/1989 |
| From: | Rossi C Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| References | |
| IN-89-052, NUDOCS 8506050146 | |
| Download: ML031180663 (9) | |
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 June 8, 1989 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 89-52: POTENTIAL FIRE DAMPER OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS
Addressees
- e
All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power
reactors.
Purpose
This information notice is being provided to alert addressees to potential
problems affecting the closing reliability of curtain-type fire dampers under
ventilation system operational air flow.conditions. It is expected that
recipients will review the information for applicability to their facilities
and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems. However, suggestions contained in this information notice do not constitute NRC require- ments; therefore, no specific action or written response is required.
Description of Circumstances
On November 6, 1984, Ruskin Manufacturing transmitted a 10 CFR Part 21 notifi-
-- cation-to the NRC regarding seven of Its curtain-type fire dampers that failed
to close during ventilation duct air flow tests. The tests were performed at
the Palo Verde nuclear plant and were conducted to determine the ability of the
curtain-type fire dampers to close under operational air flow conditions, as
designed.
On January 18, 1985, Northern States Power Company (NSP) notified the NRC of
several curtain-type fire dampers that failed to fully close under ventilation
system air flow conditions during ventilation duct system operability tests
performed by NSP. The fire damper testing method used remote trip wires in
place of the thermal links and the ventilation ducts were fully closed with
no open duct access panels, thus representing the actual air flow and pressures
that would be present during operating conditions.
On May 14, 1986, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC) notified the NRC
of two curtain-type fire dampers manufactured by Action Air that were tested
and that failed to close completely under normal air flow conditions.
On December 27, 1987, Alabama Power Company notified the NRC that control room
fire dampers at Farley Unit 1 were inoperable because of failure to close
during testing under air flow conditions.
IN 89-52 June 8, 1989 On February 23, 1988, Alabama Power Company reported to NRC that a number of
fire dampers at Farley Unit 2 failed to close when tested under air flow.
Until quite recently, the only Industry standard governing the design, fabri- cation, and testing of fire dampers was Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL)
Standard 555, "Fire Dampers and Ceiling Dampers." The 1979 edition states in
part that "the closing reliability of fire dampers...is evaluated on the basis
that...ventilating systems are automatically shut down when a fire occurs...
therefore, the UL ratings are applicable to fire dampers...installed in systems
where air movement is effectively stopped at the start of a fire...." The
standard does not evaluate whether or not fire dampers will close under air
flow conditions. Therefore, the UL fire damper rating only indicates whether a
fire damper in the closed position will maintain its integrity under fire
conditions for a specific time period, typically rated for 1i or 3 hours3.472222e-5 days <br />8.333333e-4 hours <br />4.960317e-6 weeks <br />1.1415e-6 months <br />.
Discussion:
NRC requirements and guidelines for fire damper configurations are contained in
various documents, including Appendix A to the Branch Technical Position (BTP)
APCSB 9.5-1, "Guidelines for Fire Protection for Nuclear Power Plants Docketed
Prior to July 1, 1976," (NUREG-75/087; NUREG-0800) and Standard Review Plan
(SRP) 9.5.1, "Fire Protection Program' (NUREG-0800). The extent to which these
guidelines apply to a specific plant depends on licensee commitments and license
requirements that are applicable to the fire protection program. The objective
of these guidelines is to provide a fire damper that will close and latch as
required-to ensure-that-those-systems and-components imjprtant to safe shutdown
will be capable of performing their intended functions. - -
Licensees should be aware that fire damper testing methods that do not simulate
the actual total differential pressure at the damper (i.e., visual inspection
or drop testing with duct access panels open) may not show operability under
'air flow conditions. If licensees depend on the UL product listing and do not
sufficiently model air flow during surveillance testing, they cannot be sure
that the dampers will close fully when called upon to do so unless air flow
is stopped first.
Licensees who have adequately addressed this issue have either (1) type tested
"1worse-case" air flow conditions of plant-specific fire damper configurations;
(2) tested all dampers installed in required fire barriers; or (3) administra- tively shut down the ventilation systems to an area upon confirmation of a
fire. The last approach has been incorporated into plant emergency procedures.
Because all curtain-type fire dampers currently installed at nuclear power
stations are of a similar design, all stations having these fire dampers should
consider the 10 CFR Part 21 report, which specifically references Ruskin dampers, to be applicable to curtain-type fire dampers manufactured by other companies.
This type of fire damper, as installed in nuclear power stations, is typically
used to protect redundant trains of safe shutdown systems and should be capable
of closing and latching under anticipated air flow conditions.
IN 89-52 June 8, 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact one of the techni- cal contacts listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate
regional office.
( Charles E. Rossi, Di rtor
Division of Operational Events Assessment
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contacts: Dennis J. Kub1cki, NRR
(301) 492-0825 Joseph J. Petrosino, NRR
(301) 492-0979 Joseph M. Ulie, Region III
(312) 790-5712 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
- I .. --.--..- ... . -s
. . . .__, .
Atutchmnt
hIN8R-52 June 8, 19SS
Pipe I of I
LIST oF RECENTLY
ISSUED
NRCINFORNATIO. NFTICES
snformetior. Usti of
Notice ho. Subject Issuance Issuedto
89-51 Potential Loss of Required 5/31/89 All holders of OLs
Shutdown Margin During or CPs for nuclear
Refueling Operations power reactors.
88-88 D dation of Westinghouse 5/31/89 All holdersof OLs
Supp. 1 or CPs for nuclar
power reactors.
89-50 Inaodeuete Emergency 5/30/89 All holders of OLs
Diesel Generator Fuel or CPs for nuclear
Supply power reactors.
89-49 Failune to Close Service 5/22/89 All holders o' CLS
WaterCross-Connect or CPs for nuclear
IsolationValves power reactors.
DesignDeficiency i1 the 5/22/it All holders of OLs
Turbine-Driven Auxiliary or COsfor nuclear
Foedwater Pupp Cooling power reactors.
Water System
89-i. Potential Probluns With S/18/89 All holdtrs of' Ohs
Wormor Distorted Hse or ;s for nuclear
clamps on Self-Containe power reactors and
BreathingApparatus full facilities.
89-4e Confidentiality of 5/11/89 All holders *! licenses
Exercise Scenarios for fuel cyclefacilities
and byproduct material
licensees havinran
approvedeergency
response plan.
89-45 Hetalclad. Low-Voltage 5/8/89 All holdersof OLs
Power Circuit breakers or CPs for nuclear
Refurbished with Sub- power reactors.
standard Parts
89-44 hydrogen Storage on the 4/27/es All holders of OLs
Roof of the Control Rooam or Cps for nuclear
power reactors.
- Operatin, License
C'
- Construction Permit
UNITED STATES FIRST CLASS MAIL
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION POSTAGE b FEES PAID
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 USNPRC
PERMIT Ne. 0-t7 OFFICIAL BUSINESS
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, 6300
IN 89-52 June 8, 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact one of the techni- cal contacts listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate
regional office.
Charles E. Rossi, Director
Division of Operational Events Assessment
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contacts: Dennis J. Kubicki, NRR
(301) 492-0825 Joseph J. Petrosino, NRR
(301) 492-0979 Joseph M. Ulie, Region III
(312) 790-5712 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
-
- SEE PREVIOUS (CONC @
D/ *C/OGCB:DOEA:NRR *RPB:ARM *D/DRIS:NRR
CERossi CHBerlinger TechEd BKGrimes
06/g'/89 03/09/89 06/02/89 03/01/89
- ECEB:DEST:NRR *VIB:DRIS:NRR *C/ECEB:DEST:NRR *SC/VIB:DRIS:NRR*C/VIB:DRIS:NRR
DKubicki:gr JPetrosino CMcCracken EBaker EWBrach
02/28/89 03/01/89 03/03/89 03/01/89 03/01/89
IN 89-XX
June XX, 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact one of the techni- cal contacts listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate
regional office.
Charles E. Rossi, Director
Division of Operational Events Assessment
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contacts: Dennis J. Kubicki, NRR
(301) 492-0825 Joseph J. Petrosino, NRR
(301) 492-0979 Joseph M. Ulie, Region III
(312) 790-5712 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
- SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES
D/DOEA:NRR *C/OGCB: DOEA:NRR AM VA *D/DRIS:NRR
CERossi CHBerlinger chEd BKGrimes
03/ /89 03/09/89 "%ft G03/01/89 ohvf
f
- ECEB:DEST:NRR *VIB:DRIS:NRR *C/ECEB:DEST:NRR *SC/VIB:DRIS:NRR*C/VIB:DRIS:NRR
DKubicki:gr JPetrosino CMcCracken EBaker EWBrach
02/28/89 03/01/89 03/03/89 03/01/89 03/01/89
IN 89-XX
March XX, 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact one of the techni- cal contacts listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate
regional office.
Charles E. Rossi, Director
Division of Operational Events Assessment
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contacts: Dennis J. Kubicki, NRR
(301) 492-0825 Joseph J. Petrosino, NRR
t301) 492-0979 Joseph M. Ulie, Region III
(312) 790-5712 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
- SEE PREVIOUS I CONCURRENCES
D/DOEA:NRR RPB:ARM *D/DRIS:NRR
CERossi TechEd BKGrimes
03/ /89 03/ /89 03/01/89
- ECEB:DEST:NRR *VIB:DRIS:NRR *SC/VIB:DRIS:NRR*C/VIB:DRIS:NRR
DKubicki:gr JPetrosino EBaker EBrach
02/28/89 03/01/89 03/01/89 03/01/89
IN 89-XX
March XX, 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact one of the technical
contacts listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional
office.
Charles E. Rossi, Director
Division of Operational Events Assessment
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contacts: Dennis J. Kubicki, NRR
(301) 492-0825 Joseph J. Petrosino, NRR
(301) 492-0979 Joseph M. Ulie, Region III
(312) 790-5712 Attachment:
List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
DISTRIBUTION:
Central Files
ECEB R/F
ECEB S/F
B. Grimes
E. W. Brach
E. Baker
D. Notley
R. Wescott
J. Ulie, Region III DIR:DOEA
ERossi
03/ /89
- SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE
OFC :ECEB:DEST* :VIB:DRIS* :ECEB:DE T :SC:VIB:DRIS* :BC:VIB:DRIS*:DIR:DRIS* :BC:GCB
n____.___________-_____________ -:. -:----------:------------___--__-----___--_________
NAME :DKubicki:gr :JPetrosino :CMCraken :EBaker :EBrach :BGrimes :CBerlinger
n____-_____ _____ -_____ _____ -8----------
3: 89
- ------------:- ------ __3___-89
_:03/01/89
- 0
- 03/01/89 :03/3S /89 :03/01189 :03/01/89 :03/01/89- :03/ _/89 DATE :02/28/89 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
IN 89-XX
February XX, 1989 No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact one of the technical
contacts listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional
office.
Charles E. Rossi, Director
Division of Operational Events Assessment
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contacts: Dennis J. Kubicki, NRR
(301) 492-0825 Joseph J. Petrosino, NRR
(301) 492-0979 Joseph M. Ulie, Region III
(312) 790-5712
1*
Attachment:
List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
DISTRIBUTION:
entral Fles
ECEB R/F
ECEB S/F
B. Grimes
E. W. Brach
E. Baker
D. Notley
R. Wescott
(\)
J. Ulie, Region III D] IR:DOEA
EF tossi
2/ /89 OFC :ECEB:DEST-4~l:Dli :ECEB:DEST :SC:YIB:DI :B$>pRSQRDI BC:GCB
DATE: A-IL - ,----: R ---:----:B---
NAME :DKubicki: r :JP o :CMcCracken :EBaker : ch mes :CBerlinger
:------------ ------ ------------ -------- e -#----l ------------
DATE :02/ e 89 : /89 :02/ /89 /89 /8 /89 :02/ /89 OFFICIAL REC D COPY
3B//85