ML19294A522
| ML19294A522 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Yellow Creek  |
| Issue date: | 11/17/1978 |
| From: | Ketchen E NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE LEGAL DIRECTOR (OELD) |
| To: | Kornblith L, Paris O, Smith I Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7812070262 | |
| Download: ML19294A522 (14) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES g
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION f.
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November 17, 1978 MC PUBLIC Docuy~~m, n.
'Mr ester Kornblith Ivan W. Smith, Esq., Chairman Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Atomic Safety and Licensing Board U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Coanission Washington, D. C.
20555 Washington, D. C.
20555 Dr. Oscar H. Paris Atomic Safety and Licensing Board U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission g,
Or Washington, D. C.
20555 In the Matter of
\\q NNgV TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY 2
A (Yellow Creek Nuclear Plant, Units 1
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Z Docket Nos. 50-566 & 50-567 Io Gentlemen:
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Enclosed is a memorandum from the Director of the Office of Reactor Regulation to the Commissioners dated September 29, 1978 discussing the results of a recently conducted fire protection research test by the Underwriters Laboratory for the Commission as part of the NRC's fire protection research program.
If the Board or the parties wish any additional information, please let us know.
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Sincerely, j
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w Edward G. Ketc e Counsel for NRC taff Enclosures as Stated cc (w/encls.):
Ira L. Myers, M. D.
Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel Atomic Safety and Licensing Appeal Panel Docketing and Service Section Herbert S. Sanger, Jr., Esq.
Honorable A. F. Summer Alton B. Cobb, M. D.
William B. Hubbard, Esq.
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O, NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMtsslON WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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September 29, 1978 S
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman Hendrie
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Y Commissioner Gilinsky
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r Commissioner Kennedy N
Commissioner Bradford Commissioner Ahearne v,
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Executive' Director for Operations h
FROM:
Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
NRC FIRE PROTECTION RESEARCH TEST On September [5,1978, a fire test of a full-scale vertical cable tray array was conducted at the Underwriters.'. Laboratory near Chicago, Illinois.
It was part of the NRC-expedited fire protection research program requested in the Commission's Order of April 13, 1978. The purpose of the test was to demonstrate the effectiveness of area sprinklers and mineral wool blanket type cable tray fire barriers in preventing damage to cables as a result of an exposure fire created by igniting two gallons of heptane.
The configuration of cables and fire protection features in the test did not simulate any particular nuclear power plant. There are plants in operation and under construction for which the electrical cable tray configuration of the test was typical.
However, based on the staff's ongoing fire protection reviews, we know of no operating plants with the configuration of fire protection features used in the test, although features of this type have been proposed for installation and are currently under review by the staff.
The test resulted in damage to some of the electrical cables. Prelim-inary analysis (see Enclosure 1) indicata that the configuration of fire protection features used in the test would not be acceptable for application in nuclear power plants.
In particular, it appears that fire barriers for vertical trays in some configurations may need to be designed to prevent entry of flamable fluids. A wick effect may also need to be considered in the design of fire barriers. The response of the fusible link sprinklers used in the test is also under further study.
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The Commissioners The test results are still being analyzed and it would be premature to establish firm conclusions at this time; however, the results now available suggest that modifications to certain of the staff's fire protection criteria may be necessary.
The staff is continuing its review and will meet with the test contractors (Sandia and UL) on October 3,1978 to further study the preliminary findings and results. A quick look report is expected to be completed by UL within the next several days and will be issued by Sandia shortly thereafter. The schedule and nature of further testing under this p agram are under review. -
We will keep the Commission informed of significant results and possible impacts on operating reactors as information becomes available.
A circular or bulletin will be issued by IE to inform licensees of the results of the test.
Its preparation will follow the October 3 meeting with the c
- ractors. Plants currently in operation remain subsect to administrative procedures aimed at minimizing the sources of ignition and continue to maintain manual fire fighting capability.
We will inform the Commission of any action deemed necessary as a result of our continuing review of the test results. The public announcement provided in Enclosure 2 is planned for release by the Office of Public Affairs on October 2.
We are in the process of informing the ACRS and Hearing Boards where this information is relevant.
N Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
1.
Preliminary Analyses 2.
Public Announcement cc:
(w/encls.)
Union of Concerned Scientists Office of the Secretary NRC Public Document Room
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SEP 2 71978 MEMORANDUM FOR: Robert L. Tedesco, Assistant Director for Plant Systems Division of Systems Safety FROM:
Gregory A. Harrison Auxiliary Systems Branch Division of Systems Safety
' Philip R. Matthews, Section Leader Auxiliary Systems Branch i
Division of Systems Safety L
THRU:
Victor Benaroya, Chief
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Division of Systems Safety
SUBJECT:
UL FIRE PROTECTION TESTS On September 15, 1978, Underwriters Laboratory conducted a full scale vertical cable tray fire test including fire barriers and sprinklers.
The source of the fire was two gallons of heptane liquid.
This test was part of the expedited fire protection research program as requested in the Ccmmission's order of April 13, 1978. The purpose of the test was to demonstrate the effectiveness of area sprinklers and cable tray fire barriers in preventing damage of safety significance to the cable circuits due to exposure fire conditions.
The configuration of the fire test was selected to simulate a section of a plant area with vertical cable trays containing redundant safety divisions arranged such that the redundant divisions could be simul-taneously exposed to a potential fire resulting from an inadvertent spill of flamable liquid in the ' area. The arrangement of the cable trays and the designation of the redundant tray divisions is shown in Figure 1 taken from the Fi ure 2 shows the location of the fire de Each of the five cable tra blanket fire barrier from DUPLICATE DOCUMENT facturers specifications c The sprinker and detector Entire document previously entered into system under:
~fkfQQfQ} ANO User Request Memorandum to S. Levine, RES
4 UNITED STATES k pg 7, S NLICLEAR REGULATORY COMMisslON - j WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 ), 4, f OCT 2 1978 +...+ MEMORANDUM FOR.--> Thomas F. Engelhardt, Acting Hearing Division Director and Chief Counsel, OELD FROM: D. B. Vassallo, Assistant Director for Light Water Reactors Division of Project Management, NRR
SUBJECT:
BOARD NOTIFICATION - UL FIRE TEST (BN-78-20) The two enclosed staff memoranda concerning UL Fire Protection Tests are self-explanatory. I recommend that these be sent to all Boards since the matter is generic and could be applicable to all nuclear facilities. A D. B. Vassallo, Assistant Director for Light Water Reactors Division of Project Management
Enclosures:
1. Memo, H. Denton to Commissioners 9/29/78 w/ enclosures 2. Memo, R. Tedesco to D. Vassallo 1/2/78 cc w/ enclosures: H. Denton V. Benaroya D. Case G. Lainas J. Davis R. Tedesco R. Boyd R. Mattson V. Stello R. DeYa"'7 D. Eisem.at L. Nichols B. Grimes J. Stn'z R. Baer
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fo r r chere.N C Q. / 9 UNIT E D STATES yN t NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMisslON 3 ..I. I 1.',.h WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 fi Nh o,g o,[ OCT 0 21978 MEMORAf4DUM FOR: Domenic B. Vassallo, Assistant Director for Light Water Reactors, DPM FROM: Robert L. Tedesco, Assistant Director for Plant Systems, DSS
SUBJECT:
UL FIRE TEST On September 15, 1978, a fire test of a full-scale vertical cable tray array with cable protected by fire barriers and sprinklers was conducted at the Underwriters' Laboratory near Chicago, Illinois. It was part of the fiRC-expedited fire protection research program requested in the Commission's Order of April 13, 1978. Ihe purpose of the test was to demonstrate the effectiveness of area sprinklers and mineral wool blanket type cable tray fire barriers in preventing damage to cables as a result of an exposure tire created by igniting two gallons of heptane. The Commissioners have been informed by the enclosed separate memorandum. It is appropriate that the ACRS and Boards also be notified where this issue is relevant. We will continue our evaluation of the test results and considerations of new additional tests to be conducted. AL<1 d Robert L. Tedesco, Assistant Director for Plant Systems Division of Systems Safety
Enclosure:
As stated cc: R. J. Mattson R. S. Bo/d V. Stello
- 9 V. Benaroya G. Lainas L
D. Eisenhut 5' B. Grimes 'l yp-}}