ML19211C423

Responds to IE Bulletin 79-18, Audibility Problems Encountered on Evacuation of Personnel from High Noise Areas. Audibility Verification Testing Performed. Orientation & Vol of Speaker U459 Adjusted

ML19211C423
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim
Issue date:	11/23/1979
From:	Andognini G BOSTON EDISON CO.
To:	Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
References
IEB-79-18, NUDOCS 8001110336
Download: ML19211C423 (4)

Text

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'O' ' YM BOSTON EDISON COMPANY oENERAL omCEs Goo SOvLaTON STREET BOSTON. MAE&ACNUSETTs o2199

o. CAnL ANDOGNJNI suata.NTENoENT November 23, 1979 NUCLEAR OPERATIONE DEPARTMENT BECo Ltr. #7L- 254 Mr. Boyce H. Grier Office of Inspection and Enforcement Region I U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, Pa 19406 License No. DPR-35 Docket No. 50-293 Response to IE Bulletin #79-18

Dear Sir:

In a *.etter dated August 7, 1979, you transmitted IE Eulletin 79-18. Boston Edison Company was requested to take the following actions in a review of the *.larm/ evacuation system at Pilgrim Station.

1. Determine whether current alarm systems and evacuation announcement systems are clearly audible or visibic throughout all areas with emphasis on high-noise areas. Determination in high noise areas must be made with the maximum anticipated noisc level. .

Response

The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station industrial communication system uses public address (PA) speakers for paging and broadcasting. Two evacua-tion alarm signals are generated by a tone generator in the system.

Both are initiated manually from the main control room through a three position selector switch ("UARBLE", "PA" and " SIREN") . The " WARBLE" sound, when selected, is transmitted over the entire paging channel, even if in use, through all PA speakers. In the "PA" position, the paging channel remains connected to all speakers. In the " SIREN" position, the paging channel is divided into four operable PA systems:

(1) reactor building only, (2) the balance of plant, (3) drywell only, (4) torus only. The " SIREN", when selected, is transmitted over the channels even when the PA is in use. Weekly testing is performed on the alarm / evacuation system including audibility verification in diversified areas throughout the station.

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BOSTON EDISDN COMPANY Mr. Boyce H. Grier November 23, 1979 Page 2 In response to this bulletin an audibility survey was initiated to encompass the entire broadcast system, with the exception of inac-cessible and high radiation areas. The inaccessible areas (Attach-ment A) require plant shutdown and will be surveyed during our upcoming January 1980 refueling outage.

Since Pilgrim Station is committed to an affirmative ALARA program for personnel radiation exposure, high radiation areas (Attachment A) were omitted from the initial survey. Instead, audibility veri-fication for those ' sigh radiation areas will be conducted as an on-going process by station personnel involved in maintenance or surveillance activities in the area. The res'ults of this survey will be forwarded to you upon completion.

Of the surveyed areas, the following were identified as areas that were not at all times distinct.

Speaker U459, 2H and cooling system for the thin Generator (Turbine Building, El. 23'-0")

Diesel Engine Bay

2. Determine what corrective action is necessary to assure that areas identified as inaudible areas in (1) above, will receive adequate audible / visual evacuation signals. In areas where adequate audible /

visual evacuation signals cannot be assured by hardware changes, determine what additional administrative measures are necessary to assure personnel evacuation.

Response

The orientation and volume of speaker U459 (H and cooling system for the Main Generator) will be adjusted. If this2 is ineffective, an additional speaker may be required. (Corrective Actions to be completed by December 15, 1979).

The Diesel Engine Bay is a high noise area during system operation only.

Prior to equipment startup for periodic testing or maintenance, an announcement for the intended testing is broadcasted throughout the plant and the presence of those personnel involved in the testing or maintenance is known by the Contral Room. Should evacuation be neces-sary, notification would be made through physical contact.

In the event of an actual emergency and the diesels were activated without a prior test announcement, personnel would clear the area because the diesels are not run under normal operating conditions and the noise level is prohibitive. (No corrective actions required).

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BOSTON EDISO.* COMPANY Mr. Boyce H. Grier November 23, 1979 Page 3 We trust this information is responsive to your concerns as outlined in the subject bulletin. Should you have any further questions on this subject, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Very truly yours f) \ h/*j' b b ~ " e: r

,',i.!l.,, /

jgx,;

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attachment 4

1736 003

ATTACHMENT A

1. Inaccessible areas during power operation. To be surveyed during 1980 refueling outage:

Recombiner Room Steam Tunnel Piping to RHR System Room Drywell Charcoal Vault Room

2. Areas to be surveyed for adequate audible evacuation signals or adequate administrative controls to assure personnel evacuation.

Treated Waste Hold-up HVAC Supply and Exhaust Tanks Room Ple.tums Chem. Waste Receiver Reactir Water Clean-up Tanks Room Co. trol Panel Area Condensate Demineralizer Reactor Water Clean-up Tank Rooms (2) Pump Room Ultrasonic Resin Cleaner Reactor Water Clean-up Room (URC) Filter Demineralizer Clean Waste Receiver Fuel Pool Filter Room Tank Room Fuel Pool Filter Demineralizer Clean Waste Pump Room '

Room Chemical Waste Filter Room 'Old Cement Plant Area Misc. Waste Tank Room Platform Elevation (-) 13'-0" Solidipak Re n Flatbed Filter Rooms Radwaste Demineralizer Room Condensate Demin. Regeneration Room Monitor Tanks Room HVAC Room Sludge Tank Room Reactor Water Clean-up Holding Pump Room Backwash Receiver Tank Room and Pump Room Cond. Demin. Resin Addition Room HPCI Quadrant '

RCIC Quadrant RHR Quadrants 1736 004 CRD Quadrant