ML20082P189
| ML20082P189 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Bellefonte  |
| Issue date: | 12/01/1983 |
| From: | Mills L TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY |
| To: | James O'Reilly NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| References | |
| 10CFR-050.55E, 10CFR-50.55E, NUDOCS 8312080124 | |
| Download: ML20082P189 (2) | |
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TENNESSEEnVALLEY,. AUTHORITY CH TTANOOGd. TENNES E!374ot 400 Chestnut Street Tower II BLRD-50-438/82-73 BLRD-50-439/82-67 l
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission l
Region II l
Attn:
Mr. James P. O'Reilly, Regional Administrator i
101 Marietta Street, NW, Suite 2900 l
-Atlanta, Georgia 30303 I
Dear Mr. O'Reilly:
BELLEFCNTE NUCLEAR PLANT UNITS 1 AND 2 - FINS AND HSADS ON STAR MODEL QE OPRINKLER HEADS - FINAL REPORT The subject deficiency was initially reported to NRC-0IE Inspector R. V. Celenjak on October 26, 1982 in accordance with 10 CFR 50.55(e) as NCR BLN MEB 8208. This was followed by our interim reports dated November 29, 1982 and April 1, 1983 Enclosed is our final report.
Please note that TVA does not now consider the subject nonconforming condition adverse to the safe operation of the plant.' Therefore, we will amend our records to delete the subject nonconformance as a 10 CFR 50.55(e) item.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please get in touch with R. H. Shell at FTS 858-2688.
Very truly your$
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
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L. M. Mills, Manager Nuclear Licensing Enclosure cc:
Mr. Richard C. DeYoung, Director (Enclosure)
Office of Inspection and Enforcement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555 Records Center (Enclosure)
Institute of Nuclear Power Operations 1100 circle 75 Parkway, Suite 1500 Atlanta, Georgia 30339 8312080124 831201 PDR ADOCK 05000438 OFFICI AL COFV F
S PDR 1983-TVA SOTH ANNIVERSARY An Equal Opportunity Employer
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ENCLOSURE BELLFFONTE NUCLEAR PLANT UNITS 1 AND 2 FINS AND HEADS ON STAR MODEL QE SPRINKLER HEADS NCR BLN MEB 8208 BLRD-50-438/82-73, BLRD-50-439/82-67 10 CFR 50.55(e)
FINAL REPORT Description of Deficiency Star Model QE sprinkler heads have been used in fire suppression systems located in various areas of the plant. Two problems associated with the heat collecting fins on these heads have been brought to TVA's attention by Factory Mutual Research Corporation. First, the fins can be easily bent preventing the heads from opening during a fire. The upright sprinkler heads are more susceptible to this type of failure than pendant heads.
Second, the center strut on the heads corrode at the mounting point for the heat collecting fins. This produces an insulating effect which can change the head's temperature setpoint and operating time.
Factory Mutual Research Corporation has also retracted their approval of the Star Model QE sprinkler heads on the basis of these paoblems and has recommended that they be replaced.
Safety Implications TVA previously identified the cited nonconformance (NCR) to be a concern at Watts Bar (WBN) as well as at Bellefonte (BLN). The WBN NCR was reported to the NRC as NCR WBN MEB 8204 (WBRD-50-390/82-112, WBRD-50-391/62-105).
Since sprinkler head installation at WBN was essentially complete and rework would have been extensive and possibly have delayed fuel load, TVA initiated a contract with Factory Mutual (FM) to run a series of tests to determine the actual severity of the deficiencies. FM has concluded the testing program and submitted the results to TVA. FM concluded that the corrosion potential at the fin mounting point is negligible since the fins and center strut are of similar copper composition. FM also concluded that the heads would function properly for all fin configurations except when the fins are wrapped around the head's support arms. TVA believes that it is not possible for the fins to be bent into this configuration except through deliberate vandalism. Since no sprinkler head can be designed against such deliberate acts, head replacement is not considered necessary.
However, at Bellefonte, TVA intends to replace the Star model QE sprinkler heads with Star model R sprinkler heads. This action is being taken since few of the original heads have been installed, the new heads have already been purchased and delivered to the site, design drawings have been revised
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and issued, and the installation of the new heads has been started.
Consequently, even though TVA is proceeding with sprinkler head replacement at BLN, TVA contends that the original model QE heads were adequate to perform their intended function and, therefore, no safety concern exists.
Accordingly, TVA no longer considers the condition reportable under the provisions of 10 CFR 50.55(e).