ML15113A057
| ML15113A057 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oconee  |
| Issue date: | 02/02/1982 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML15113A059 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8202220386 | |
| Download: ML15113A057 (3) | |
Text
7590-01 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION In the Matter of
)
DUKE POWER COMPANY
)
Dockets Nos. 50-269, 50-270
)
and 50-287 (Oconee Nuclear Station, Units 1,
)
2 and 3)
)
EXEMPTION The Duke Power Company (the licensee) is the holder of Facility Operating Licenses Nos. DPR-38, DPR-47 and DPR-55 which authorize operation of the Oconee Nuclear Station, Units 1, 2 and 3 (Oconee or the facilities). These licenses provide, among other things, that they are subject to all rules, regulations and Orders of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) now or hereafter in effect.
The facilities are pressurized water reactors located at the licensee's site in Oconee-County, South Carolina.
II.
Section III.G.3 of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50 requires that a fixed fire suppression system be installed in an area, room or zone under considera tion for alternative safe shutdown modifications. In the case of Oconee, under this provision a fixed fire suppression system would be required in the control room.
The licensee indicated in its April 30, 1981 letter, that the fire pro
--tection features currently installed in the-control room-provide adequate
-fire fighting capability in the control room and constitute an adequate fixed fire'suppression system for the area.
However, inasmuch as the term "fixed suppression" has been used to connote sprinklers or gas suppression 8202220386 820202 PDR ADOCK 05000259 PD__
7590-01 systems, the licensee has requested an exemption from the requirements of III.G.3 to provide a fixed suppression system.
The licensee's exemption request is based on the following:
-.An alternate shutdown system is being provided remote.from the control room.
This alternate shutdown system provides remote control capabilities for those systems needed to maintain hot shutdown.
A fire detection system has been installed in the control room.
A hose station and fire extinguishers have been installed inside the control room.
The modifications which the licensee's exemption request is based on are required by Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50. Therefore, the above modifications alone do not justify an exemption from the requirement to install a fixed fire suppression system in areas where redundant divisions are located.
- However, the control room is a unique area of the plant that is required to be con tinually occupied by the operators.
In the event of a fire, manual fire sup pression would be effective.and prompt.
Because the operators provide a con tinuous fire watch in the control room, a fixed suppression system is not necessary to achieve adequate fire protection in the control room. This is similar to the concept reflected in the NRC staff's acceptance, on a short term basis, of a continuous fire watch as an alternative to fixed suppression systems when such systems become unavailable per the Oconee Technical Speci fications.
Based on our evaluation, we conclude that the licensee's fire protection features for the control room meet the objectives of Section III.G, "Fire Protection of Safe Shutdown Capability", of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50, and,
-7590-01
. therefore, the licensee's request to be exempted from the requirement to pro vide a fixed fire suppression system in the control room should be granted.
III.
Accordingly, the Commission has determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, an exemption is authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security, is otherwise in the public interest, and is hereby granted.
The Commission has determined that the granting of this exemption will not result in any significant environmental impact and that pursuant to 10 CFR 51.5(d)(4) an environmental impact statement or negative declaration and environmental impact appraisal need not be prepared in connection with this action.
This exemption is effective upon issuance.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Dated at Bethesda, Maryland, this 2nd day of February 1982.