Information Notice 2007-19, Fire Protection Equipment Recalls and Counterfeit Notices
| ML071090170 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/21/2007 |
| From: | Michael Case, Pierson R NRC/NMSS/FCSS, NRC/NRR/ADRA/DPR |
| To: | |
| Andrukat, Dennis, NRR/DRA, 301 415-1391 | |
| References | |
| IN-07-019 | |
| Download: ML071090170 (4) | |
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
WASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001
May 21, 2007
NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2007-19:
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT RECALLS
AND COUNTERFEIT NOTICES
ADDRESSEES
All holders of operating licenses for nuclear power reactors and fuel cycle facilities; except
those licensees for reactors that have permanently ceased operations and who have certified
that fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor vessel; and except those licensees
for decommissioned fuel cycle facilities.
PURPOSE
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to alert
licensees about recent fire protection equipment recalls and counterfeit notices that have been
issued by various manufacturers. It is expected that recipients of this IN will review the
information for applicability to their facilities and consider taking actions as appropriate.
However, suggestions contained in this IN are not NRC requirements; therefore, no specific
action or written response is required.
DESCRIPTION OF CIRCUMSTANCES
The following equipment recalls and counterfeit notices have recently been issued or noticed.
Counterfeit Fire Sprinklers
Underwriters Laboratory, Inc. (UL), has issued a notification dated July 14, 2006 regarding
chrome-plated automatic sprinklers that bear a counterfeit UL Mark for the United States and
Canada. (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No.
Although marked with the word GLOBE, these sprinklers were not manufactured by the Globe
Fire Sprinkler Corporation and have not been evaluated for safety by UL. These sprinklers are
pendent type and are marked with SSP, cULus (US and Canada), GL 5651, 2005, and
155 F/68 C on the deflector. The counterfeit sprinklers were manufactured with a slot-head
screw instead of a hex-head screw.
In addition, UL has issued a notification dated September 21, 2006 (ADAMS Accession No.
ML063630362) regarding chrome-plated automatic sprinklers that bear a counterfeit UL Mark
for the United States. Although marked with the word TYCO, these sprinklers were not
manufactured by Tyco Fire Products and have not been evaluated for safety by UL. These
sprinklers are pendent type and are marked with SSP, UL (US), and 155 F/68 C on the
deflector. The counterfeit sprinklers were manufactured without a date code molded into the
frame or an identification number stamped on the deflector.
Pressure Maintenance (Jockey) Pump Recall
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued news releases06-244 dated
August 23, 2006 and 07-018 dated October 25, 2006 on the safety recall of jockey pumps
installed on fire-water supply systems. (ADAMS Accession No. ML063380280)
The recall affects approximately 21,300 jockey pumps that were manufactured by Water
Technology, Inc., of Auburn, New York. A mechanical part on these pumps was not fully
tightened, which can cause the pump to fail to start. The pumps were sold under the Goulds
Pumps, Bell & Gossett, and Red Jacket Water Products brands. The pumps can be
identified by the inclusion of the model identifier NPE, NPO, MCC, MCS, or SM or
Series 3530 on the nameplate. The jockey pumps were manufactured between December
2005 and September 7, 2006. They have the date code M05, A06, B06, C06, D06, E06, F06, G06, H06, or J06. The date code is the first three digits of the serial number
on the pump nameplate. The jockey pumps were sold at pump distributors nationwide from
December 2005 through September 2006.
Portable Fire Extinguisher Recall
CPSC issued a recall alert (Alert 07-507) dated November 13, 2006 on the voluntary recall of
ANSUL fire extinguishers. (ADAMS Accession No. ML070030547)
Approximately 154,000 fire extinguishers manufactured by Ansul Incorporated of Marinette, Wisconsin, are part of a voluntary replacement program. If the fire extinguisher is dropped
horizontally from a height of approximately 2 to 3 feet, the pick-up tube could crack at
the threads between the pick-up tube adaptor and the stainless steel tube. If a pick-up tube is
cracked, the extinguisher can fail to discharge properly when activated, which can put users at
risk during a fire. The affected fire extinguishers involves K-GUARD Wet Chemical, FLAG
FIRE KITCHEN ONE Wet Chemical, FLAG FIRE Water, and SENTRY Water Fire
Extinguishers manufactured and shipped between May 2003 and September 9, 2005.
Fragile Heat Detector
Chemetronics (a Kidde-Fenwal brand) issued a field bulletin (04-080-T) dated January 9,
2007, reporting the separation of the wire terminal plates from the backs of Chemetronics
heat detectors, Series 500 and 600. (ADAMS Accession No. ML070400411)
The wire terminal plate can separate from the back of the detector as a result of a faulty rivet, causing a loss of connection to the fire alarm circuit. The affected detectors include those with
manufacturing lot codes ranging from W01-Y02 (week 1, 2002) to W25-Y06 (week 25, 2006).
Smoke Detector Recall
CPSC issued release 07-136, dated March 22,2007, on the voluntary recall of Digital Security
Controls photoelectric smoke detectors, series FSA and FSB. (ADAMS Accession No.
ML070940238.) These detectors could fail to detect smoke during a fire. The affected detectors include about
32,000 units sold nationwide by commercial and residential installers from October 2006 through December 2006.
BACKGROUND
Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.48, Fire Protection, states
that each operating nuclear power plant must have a fire protection plan that satisfies Criterion
3, "Fire Protection," in Appendix A, "General Design Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants," to
10 CFR Part 50, "Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities," and that this plan
must describe specific features necessary to implement the program such as automatic and
manually operated fire detection and suppression systems. Additionally, 10 CFR 70.61, Performance Requirements, states that the fire protection systems of certain licensees who
are authorized to possess a critical mass of special nuclear material must meet performance
requirements against all credible high- or intermediate-consequence events, including
radiological or hazardous chemical releases as a result of a fire.
DISCUSSION
Fire protection suppression and detection system reliability and performance capabilities are a
primary feature of defense-in-depth and must be maintained to achieve effectiveness in
preventing fire damage to structures, systems, and components important to safety.
The recalled and counterfeit fire protection equipment discussed in this IN may not be able to
perform its intended function. It is important for licensees to determine whether they have
received this equipment and preclude its use in fire detection and suppression systems credited
in the fire protection plan.
CONTACT
This information notice does not require any specific action or written response. Please direct
any questions about this matter to the technical contacts listed below or to the appropriate
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) or Office of Nuclear Material Safety and
Safeguards project manager.
/RA/
/RA/
Michael J. Case, Director
Robert C. Pierson, Director
Division of Policy and Rulemaking
Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
Technical Contacts: Naeem Iqbal, NRR
Dennis Andrukat, NRR
(301) 415-3346
(301) 415-1391 E-mail: nxi@nrc.gov
E-mail: dwa1@nrc.gov Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public Web site, http://www.nrc.gov, under Electronic Reading Room/Document Collections.
/RA/
/RA/
Michael J. Case, Director
Robert C. Pierson, Director
Division of Policy and Rulemaking
Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
Technical Contacts: Naeem Iqbal, NRR
Dennis Andrukat, NRR
(301) 415-3346
(301) 415-1391 E-mail: nxi@nrc.gov
E-mail: dwa1@nrc.gov
Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public Web site, http://www.nrc.gov, under Electronic Reading Room/Document Collections.
ADAMS ACCESSION NUMBER: ML071090170
OFFICE
TECH EDITOR
AFPB:DRA
BC:AFPB:DRA
D:DRA
NAME
HChang
NIqbal
SDWeerakkody
CHolden
DATE
04/24/2007
04/20/2007
04/23/2007
04/24/2007 OFFICE
BC:PGCB:DPR
D:DPR
D:FCSS:NMSS
LA:PGCB
NAME
CJackson
MCase
RLPierson
CHawes
DATE
05/18/2007
05/21/2007
04/27/2007
04/24/2007 Official Record Copy