ML20027C337
| ML20027C337 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Shoreham File:Long Island Lighting Company icon.png |
| Issue date: | 10/12/1982 |
| From: | Black R, Latham S, Mccleskey K, Mcmurray C, Shapiro R LONG ISLAND LIGHTING CO., NORTH SHORE COMMITTEE AGAINST NUCLEAR & THERMAL POLLU, NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE LEGAL DIRECTOR (OELD), SHOREHAM OPPONENTS COALITION, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20027C313 | List: |
| References | |
| ISSUANCES-OL, NUDOCS 8210150309 | |
| Download: ML20027C337 (6) | |
Text
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October 12, 1982 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board In the Matter of
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LONG ISLAND LIGHTING COMPANY
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Docket No. 50-322 (OL)
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(Emergency Planning (Shoreham Nuclear Power Station,
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Proceeding)
Unit 1)
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RESOLUTION OF SUFFOLK COUNTY CONTENTION EP 1(A) -- EFFECT OF WEATHER ON SIRENS THIS AGREEMENT by and among Long Island Lighting Company ("LILCO"), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Staff
(" Staff"), Suffolk County ("the County" or "SC"), the Shoreham,
Opponents Coalition (" SOC"), and the North Shore Committee
("NSC") (hereinafter collectively the " Parties") resolves Suffolk County Contention EP 1(A) in accordance with the srms stated below, subject to the approval of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (" Licensing Board").
Suffolk County Contention 1(A) concerns the effects of weather on the sound level of the sirens used to notify the public in the event of a radiological emergency at the Shoreham Nuclear Power Station.
Suffolk County has contended in EP 1(A) that weather conditions such as rain, snow, and fog may muffle 1
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{DRADOCK 05000322 PDR
the sirens, and that high winds and thunderstorms may affect the ability of the population to hear the sirens.
Such adverse effects on the sirens would impair a critical aspect of the necessary emergency preparedness for responding to a radiolog-ical emergency at Shoreham.
By this Resolution agreement, LILCO has documented to the County's satisfaction, through the attached document from Wyle Laboratories, that the effects of extreme weather have been taken into consideration in the design of the sirens used for the prompt notification system for the Shoreham Nuclear Power Station.
As indicated by the attachment to this resolu-tion,' LILCO, through its consultant Wyle Laboratories, has represented to the County that the siren ranging criteria, that is, loudness of siren with distance, reflects the conservative extremes of weather across the United States.
In general, in still air, sound is attenuated more in low humidity than in high humidity.
This effect was specifically considered in developing siren range values for LILCO, by examining local weather conditions (temperature and humidity extremes) for the LILCO system.
Additionally, (1) temperature-induced refraction of sound, and (2) ground absorption are factors that do not vary widely from one location to another.
Thus, conservative estimates for these effects were used.
- s While it is not possible to predict siren system per-formance under the ultimate extremes in all possible weather scenarios, and while many extreme weather scenarios have a low probability of occurrence, it is likely that thunder would only momentarily mask a single siren, and that heavy snow would not change the siren design range.
During snow, siren sound propa-gation losses are expected to be comparable to those for normal conditions, and ambient background noise levels are generally lower, resulting in greater detectability of the siren.
In light of the representations made herein, the Ccunty finds that SC Contention EP 1(A) is resolved.
As a result, the Parties jointly urge the Licensing Board to accept this resolu-tion to terminate litigation of SC Contention EP 1(A).
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e WYE LABORATORIES October I,1982
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J/N 39126 Mr. Mark Blauer Chairman, Emergency Planning Task Force Long Island Lighting Company.
175 East Old Country Road Hicksville, N.Y. I 1801
Reference:
Wyle Research Report WR 82 Final Design of Prompt Notification System for Shoreham Nuclear Power Station
Dear Mr. Blauer:
In response to your request for clarification of the environmental considerations l
for the referenced study, we offer the following:
The estimates of siren levels utilized in design of the Long Island Lighting Company (LILCO) prompt notification system are based on a comprehensive analysis of a large number of siren sound propagation studies throughout the world.
The subsequent siren range design values developed reflect a wide range of environmental, topographic, ground cover and housing constructions. Thus, the siren design ranges - i.e., siren sound level with distance -reflect conservative conditions of rain, snow, temperature, humidity throughout the United States, as-well as conservative values for outdoor to indoor acoustic attenuation of siren signals.
In general, sound is attenuated more rapidly in dry than in moist air. This effect was specifically considered in developing siren range values for LILCO by examin-Ing local weather conditions (i.e., temperature and humidity extremes). However, other weather and topography effects in sound propagation, namely wind and temperature-induced refraction of sound and ground absorption, are more significant factors which do not vary widely from one location to another. Thus, conservative estimates for these latter effects were used. Consequently, the siren ranging criteria is conservative for the LILCO design.
It is not possible to predict system performance under the ultimate extremes in all possible weather scenarios which have on extremely low probability of occurrence.
However, *n regard to specific weather conditions, thunder would only momentarily mask a siten signal. Heavy snow would not change the siren design range since siren sound propagation losses are expected to be comparable to those for normal conditions and ambient background noise levels are generally lower with snow on the ground resulting in greater detectability of the siren.
WnE RESEARCH 120 Marytand Street. El Seguado. California 90245 913-322 1763 213 678 4251 TWK 9994444499 Cable WEA8
If you should requi.re further clarification c7 our siren ranging and siting procedures, please call me.
Very truly yours, WYLE LABORATORIES Wyle Research p$
l John R. Stearns Manager, El Segundo Operations JRS:stg cc:
Mr. W. Renz, Long Island Lighting Co.
Ms. K. McClesky, Hunter & Williams o
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