ML20059L233

Forwards Draft Info Notice Discussing Failure of Wilco, Lexan-type HN-4-l Fire Hose Nozzles at Plant,For Review & Comments by 931117

ML20059L233
Person / Time
Site:	Robinson
Issue date:	11/04/1993
From:	Marcus G Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Kemp M AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
References
NUDOCS 9311160374
Download: ML20059L233 (3)

Text

a November 4,1993 Mr. Michale Kemp Burks Pump Company _

420 Third Street Piqua, Ohio 45356

SUBJECT:

INFORMATION NOTICE REGARDING WILCO, LEXAN-TYPE HN-4-L FIRE HOSE N0ZZLES The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is planning to issue an information notice (IN) discussing the failure of Wilco, Lexan-type HN-4-L-fire hose nozzles at the H. B. Robinson nuclear power plant. Mr. Pat Madden of the NRC has discussed this issue with you. Please review the enclosed draft IN to ensure that the technical information is correct and return any comments you may have as soon as possible.

Your cooperation is appreciated.

If no comments are received by November 17, 1993, we will assume the technical information in the notice is correct.

If you have any questions regarding this issue, please call T. J. Kim of my staff at (301) 504-2841.

Original signed by Gail H. Marcus, Chief Generic Communications Branch Division of Operating Reactor Support Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Enclosure:

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t UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR RE6ULATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 November XX, 1993 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 93-XX:

POTENTIAL FAILURE OF WILCO, LEXAN-TYPE HN-4-L FIRE HOSE N0ZZLES j

t Addressees All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power reactors.

Purpose:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice to alert the addressees of the potential for failure of Lexan-type HN-4-L fire I m se nozzles.

It is expected that recipients will review the i

information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is required.

j Description of Circumstances:

On August 3, 1992, the licensee for the H.B. Robinson facility experienced a l

failure of a 1 1/2-inch Lexan-type HN-4-L fire hose nozzle during a routine fire hose hydrostatic pressure test. Following the failure, the licensee revised their procedures to require the use of a ball-style shutoff nozzle during future pressurization tests.

On June 17, 1993, the licensee experienced another failure of one of these nozzles during a regularly scheduled fire hose station flush. The nozzle failed when it was pressurized j

to nominal firemain pressure.

Following this event, the licensee replaced all nozzles of this type located outside containment which are used in minimum equipment list applications.

Replacement of the remaining nozzles inside containment was completed during a subsequently scheduled entry into containment.

t Discussion:

1 During a fire hose pressurization test on August 3, 1992, the Lexan-type HN-4-L nozzle attached to a hose being tested was shut to pressurize the

. hose to the final test pressure of 1,756 kPa [254.7 psia). With the hose pressurized to approximately 1,204.5 kPa [174.7 psia), the nozzle failed.

Following a review of the event, the licensee revised their fire hose hydrostatic test procedure to require the use of ball-style shutoff nozzles.

On June 17, 1993, a similar failure occurred during a routine flush of an l

installed fire hose station. With the nozzle shut and the fire hose charged to the nominal system pressure of 1,032.1 kPa [149.7 psia], the nozzle failed.

I 1

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f IN 93-XX November XX, 1993 Page 2 of 2 t

4 The nozzles were both 1 1/2-inch diameter, Lexan (polycarbonate) fog nozzles.

Originally, Wilco (Wilson and Cousins Company) manufactured these nozzles, which are now manufactured by Burks Pump Company. They are designated as Model HN-4-L and are approved by Factory Mutual Insurance Company for fire hose station use.

Though the licensee does not track the installation of fire nozzles, it is estimated that both nozzles had probably been in service for several years. The nozzles consist of a stationary inner casing attached to the fire hose fitting. Onto this inner casing, an outer shell is threaded.

The outer shell is twisted to adjust or start /stop flow.

In both of the failures, the inner casing separated at the third land for the inner casing-outer shell thread. No indications of imminent failure were present in either failure.

An examination of the threaded area on some disassembled nozzles did not reveal indications of cracking.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response.

If you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of f

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Brian K. Grimes, Director Division of Operating Reactor Support Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Technical Contacts:

C. Ogle, RII (803) 383-4571 W. Orders, RII (803) 383-4571 P. Madden, NRR (301) 504-2854

Attachment:

List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices i

.