ML030660319
| ML030660319 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Saint Lucie  |
| Issue date: | 03/06/2003 |
| From: | Hannon J Division of Systems Safety and Analysis |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML030660319 (3) | |
Text
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NFPA Formal interretationReauest Form Projects)
(This information is requested In Section 6 of the Regulations Governing Committee Name IJohn N. Hannon, Chief, Plant Systems Branch " "
Companyl United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission I I
Address I I City I Washington I [StateD.C. I [i 20555-0001 Telephonel 301 415-2873 I Fax 301 415-2300 1
I NFPA Document No. [2A Editio Paragraph Reference[I -5A Did this question arise from an actual field situation? Yes X No 0 Please state your business interest in the matter and identify other parties involved:
On June 20,2002, the NRC held an open regulatory conference with Florida Power &
Light Company (FPL) to discuss FPL's position in response to NRC's Draft Apparent Violation concerning the adequacy of their Total Flooding Halon 1301 Fire ExtinguishinE ystem installed in St. Lucie Unit 1 Cable Spreading Room. This Formal Interpretation request is a result of information presented by a member of the 12A Technical Committee consulting to FP&L) that differs from the NRC Staff Fire Protection Engineers nderstanding of the 12A Standard.
Question: (Should be worded so that it can be answered with a yes or a no.)
Is it the intent of the Technical Committee that if the design concentration and hold time of a Total Flooding Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing System (single primary discharge with no reserve supply) is inadequate to extinguish the fire hazard present, that the system be considered a fire control system in compliance with NFPA 12A Halon 1301 FireExtinguishingSystems 1980 edition,?
SignatureI Pate I I NFPA Fax (617)7707O3500 Mail to- Secretary. Standards Council e National Fire Protection Association Signature[ I Batterymarch Park
- PO Box 9101
- Quincy, MA 02269-9101
[]j il S12A-8 1ALO. 1301 SYMSr.MS 1-5.3 Use and Limitations.
1-5.3.1 Halon 1301 fire extinguishing systems are useful within the limits of this standard in extinguishing fires in specific hazards or equipment. and in occupancies where an electrically nonconductive medium is essential or desirable, where cleanup of other media presents a problem. or where weight vs. extinguishing potential is a factor.
1-5.3.2 Some of the more important types 6f hazards and equip ment that Halon 1301 systems may satisfactorily protect include.
(a) Gaseous and liquid flammable materials.
(b) Electrical hazards such as transformers, oil switches and cir cuit breakers, and rotating equipment.
(c) Engines utilizing gasoline and other flaririrable fuels.
(d) Ordinary combustibles such as paper. wood, and textiles.
(e) Hazardous solids.
(f) Electronic computers, data processing equipment and control rooms.
1-5.3.3 Halon 1301 has not been found effective on the following:
(a) Certain chemicals or mixtures of chemicals such as cellulose nitrate and gunpowder which are capable of rapid oxidation in the absence of air.
(b) Reactive metals such as sodium, potassium. magnesium, titanium, zirconium, uranium, and plutonium.
(c) Metal hydrides.
(d) Chemicals capable of undergoing autotherrnal decomposition.
such as certain organic peroxides and hydrazine.
1-5.3.4 Specific limitations are placed on Halon 1301 total flooding systems. (See 2-1.1.3 and 2-1.1.4.)
1-5.3.5 Electrostatic charging of nongrounded conductors may oc cur during the discharge of liquefied gases. These conductors may discharge to other objects, causing an electric arc of sufficient energy to initiate an explosion. (See NFPA 77, Recommended Practice on Static Electricity.)
1-5.4 Duration of Protection. It is important that an effective agent concentration not only be achieved but that it be maintained for a sufficient period of time to allow effective emergency action by trained personnel. This is equally important in all classes of fires since a persistent ignition source (e.g., an arc. heat source, oxy acetylene torch or "deep-seated" fire) can lead to a recurrence of the 1415 E-1
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1t2 A- 9 initial event once the agent has dissipated. Ha,.in 1301 extinguishing systems normally provide protection for a perioa of minutes but are exceptionally effective for certain applications. Water suppliCs for standard sprinklers. on the other hand. are normally designed to provide protection for one.half to 4 hrs duration but sprinklers may be less effective in controlling many fires. The designer. the buyer and the emergency force in particular shall be full" aware of the ad.
vantages and limitations of each, the residual risks being assumed and the proper emergency procedures 1-5.5 Types of Systems.
1-5.5.1 There are two types of systems recognized in this standard:
Total Flooding Systems and Local Application Systems.
1-5.5.2 A Total Flooding System consists of a supply of Halon 1301 arranged to discharge into. and fill to the proper concentration, an enclosed space or enclosure about the hazard.
1-5.5.3 A Local Application System consists of a supply of Halon 1301 arranged to discharge directly on the burning material.
1-5.6 Halon 1301 System. A Halon 1301 system may be used to protect one or more hazards or groups of hazards by means of direc tional valves. Where two or more hazards may be simultaneously in volved in fire by reason of their proximity. each hazard shall be pro tected with an individual system with the combination arranged to operate simultaneously or be protected with a single system that shall be sized and arranged to discharge on all potitially involved hazards simultaneously.
1-6 Safety.
1-6.1* Hazards to Personnel. I 1-6.1.1 Personnel may be exposed to Halon 1301 vapors in low con centrations for brief periods without serious risk. (See 2.2.1.3 and 2-1.1.4 ) Exposure- to high concentrations or for prolonged periods may produce dizziness, impaired coordination and disturbances in cardiac rhythm. Following the extinguishment of a fire by Halon 1301, the atmosphere may also contain combustion and decomposi tion products in quantities which may be hazardous to personnel. In addition, the effects of the noise, turbulence, high velocity and low temperature associated with the discharge of the agent shall be con sidered.
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