Information Notice 2001-10, Failure of Central Sprinkler Company'S Model Gb Series Fire Sprinkler Heads
| ML011790352 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/28/2001 |
| From: | Leach M, Marsh L NRC/NMSS/FCSS/FCLB, Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs |
| To: | |
| References | |
| IN-01-010 | |
| Download: ML011790352 (7) | |
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 June 28, 2001 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2001-10: FAILURE OF CENTRAL SPRINKLER COMPANY
MODEL GB SERIES FIRE SPRINKLER HEADS
Addressees
All holders of licenses for nuclear power, research, and test reactors and fuel cycle facilities.
Purpose
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice to warn
addressees that certain Model GB series sprinkler heads manufactured by Central Sprinkler
Co. of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, have a potential for failure. It is expected that recipients will
review the information for applicability and consider actions, as appropriate, to ensure safety at
their facilities. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not NRC
requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is required.
Description of Circumstances
On April 24, 2001, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) issued a news release on the failures
of field samples of certain Model GB series sprinkler heads during operational testing. UL
tested over 1800 GB series heads from over 100 different locations and found that 26 percent
of the sprinkler heads needed higher water pressure than the 5 psi required for UL listing.
Seven percent needed over 40 psi to operate and some did not operate at 60 psi. This is of
great concern because the sprinkler systems are relied upon to protect structures, systems, or
components important to safety against fire.
The sprinkler heads have O-ring water seals and were introduced in 1988. The following
models are of concern: GB, GB-ALPHA, GB-J, GB-QR, GB-EC, GB-RS, GB-20, GB-20QR,
GBR, GB-R1, GB-R2, GBR-LF, GB4, GB4-EC, GB4-FR, GB4-QREC, BB1, BB2, BB3, SD1, SD2, SD3, HIP, ROC, LF, and WS. Because of design changes, some of these models may
have O-ring water seals and some may have disc spring water seals. Only the sprinkler head
models with the O ring seal are of concern, not the models with the disc spring water seals.
ULs Web site at: www.ul.com/about/newsrel/nr042401.html has pictures and descriptions of
the water seals of different models.
Licensees who have GB series sprinkler heads installed in their facility may consider having
some of the heads tested. UL will test heads submitted at no additional cost beyond the
expense of removal, packaging, handling, and postage. Instructions for selecting, removing, and packaging the heads can be obtained from Central Sprinkling Co. at 1-800-523-6512.
Related Generic Communications
! IN 99-28, Recall of Star Brand Fire Protection Sprinkler Heads, September 30, 1999
! IN 97-72, Potential for Failure of the Omega Series Sprinkler Heads, September 22,
1997 This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts
listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) or Office of Nuclear
Material and Safeguards (NMSS) project manager.
/RA/J. Tappert for /RA/L. Roche for
Ledyard B. Marsh, Chief Melvyn N. Leach, Acting Chief
Events Assessment, Generic Communications Fuel Cycle Licensing Branch
and Non-Power Reactors Branch Division of Fuel Cycle Safety
Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs and Safeguards
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Office of Nuclear Material Safety
and Safeguards
Technical Contacts: Paul Lain Peter Lee
NRR/DSSA/SPLB NMSS/FCSS/FCLB
(301) 415-2346 (301) 415-8111 E-Mail: pwl@nrc.gov E-mail: psl1@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
2. List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices
ML011790352 OFFICE REXB: Tech Editor DSSA: NMSS NMSS NMSS
NAME CPetrone* PKleene* PLain EWeiss PLee LRoche
DATE 06/07/2001 06/13/2001 6/25/2001 6/28/2001 6/272001 6/272001 NMSS REXB C:REXB
MLeach JTappert LMarsh
6/28/2001 6/282001 6/28/2001
Attachment 1 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Information Date of
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to
______________________________________________________________________________________
2001-09 Main Feedwater System 06/12/01 All holders of operating licenses
Degradation in Safety-Related for pressurized water nuclear
ASME Code Class 2 Piping power reactors, except those who
Inside the Containment of a have permanently ceased
Pressurized Water Reactor operations and have certified that
fuel has been permanently
removed from the reactor vessel
2001-08 Update on the Investigation of 06/06/01 All Medical Licensees
Supplement 1 Patient Deaths in Panama, Following Radiation Therapy
2001-08 Treatment Planning System 06/01/01 All medical licensees
Errors Result in Deaths of
Overseas Radiation Therapy
Patients
2001-07 Unescorted Access Granted 05/11/01 All holders of nuclear reactor
Based on Incomplete and/or operating licenses who are
Inaccurate Information subject to Section 73.56 of Title
10, of the Code of Federal
Regulations (10 CFR 73.56),
Personnel Access Authorization
Requirements of Nuclear Power
Plants.
2001-06 Centrifugal Charging Pump 05/11/01 All holders of operating licenses
Thrust Bearing Damage not for nuclear power reactors, Detected Due to Inadequate except those who have
Assessment of Oil Analysis permanently ceased operations
Results and Selection of Pump and have certified that fuel has
Surveillance Points been permanently removed from
the reactor vessel
2001-05 Through-Wall Circumferential 04/30/01 All holders of operating licenses
Cracking of Reactor Pressure for pressurized water nuclear
Vessel Head Control Rod Drive power reactors except those who
Mechanism Penetration have ceased operations and have
Nozzles at Oconee Nuclear certified that fuel has been
Station, Unit 3 permanently removed from the
reactor vessel
______________________________________________________________________________________
OL = Operating License
CP = Construction Permit
Attachment 2 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NMSS INFORMATION NOTICES
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Information Date of
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2001-08, Update on the Investigation of 06/06/01 All medical licensees.
Supplement 1 Patient Deaths in Panama, Following Radiation Therapy
2001-08 Treatment Planning System 06/01/01 All medical licensees.
Errors Result in Deaths of
Overseas Radiation Therapy
Patients
2001-03 Incident Reporting 04/06/01 All industrial radiography
Requirements for Radiography licensees.
Licensees
2001-01 The Importance of Accurate 03/26/01 All material licensees.
Inventory Controls to Prevent
the Unauthorized Possession
of Radioactive Material
2000-22 Medical Misadministrations 12/18/00 All medical use licensees
Caused by Human Errors authorized to conduct gamma
Involving Gamma Stereotactic stereotactic radiosurgery
Radiosurgery (GAMMA KNIFE) treatments.
2000-19 Implementation of Human Use 12/05/2000 All medical use licensees.
Research Protocols Involving
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission Regulated
Materials
2000-18 Substandard Material Supplied 11/29/2000 All 10 CFR Part 50 licensees and
by Chicago Bullet Proof applicants.
Systems All category 1 fuel facilities.
All 10 CFR Part 72 licensees and
applicants.
2000-16 Potential Hazards Due to 10/5/2000 All licensees that process
Volatilization of Radionuclides unsealed byproduct material.
2000-15 Recent Events Resulting in 9/29/2000 All radiography licensees.
Whole Body Exposures
Exceeding Regulatory Limits