ML20085E508
| ML20085E508 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | LaSalle  |
| Issue date: | 06/09/1995 |
| From: | Querio R COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO. |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9506160560 | |
| Download: ML20085E508 (3) | |
Text
Ormnuinwealth Edivin Q>mpany fasalle Generating Stat.on 5-e 2tdl North 21st Road Wrwilles, IL 61341-9757 TelHl535No6l June 9,1995 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 Attention:
Document Control Desk
Subject:
LaSalle County Station Units 1 and 2 LaSalle Fire Brigade Response Evaluation NRC Docket Numbers 50-373 and 50-374.
Reference:
- 1. J.J. Harrison letter to Cordell Reed transmitting NRC Inspection Report Nos. 50-373/87027 (DRS) and 50-374/87026 (DRS) dated September 11,1987,
- 2. L.D. Butterfield letter to A. Bert Davis dated October 13,1987 transmitting response to Notice of Violation.in Reference I letter.
- 3. W. Morgan letter to A. Bert Davis dated April 28,1989, transmitting Response to NRC Inspection Report Nos. 50-373/8 '027 (DRS) and 50-374/87026 (DRS) Fire Brigade Responsc Time
- 4. W. Morgan letter to A. Bert Davis dated July 11,1989, transmitting supplemental Response to NRC Inspection Report Nos.
50-373/87027 (DRS) and 50-374/87026 (DRS)
Fire Brigade Response Time
- 5. J. Bradfute letter to T. Kovach dated November 6,1989, transmitting safety evaluation for Fire Brigade Response Issue - Lasalle Units 1 and 2 (TAC Nos. 73786 and 73787)
Enclosed is Comed's supplemental response to the Notice of Violation (NOV) that was transmitted with the Reference I letter and NRC Inspection Report 50-373/87026; I
50-374/87026 In 1987 Commonwealth Edison (Comed) received a violation regarding the Fire Brigade response procedure at LaSalle County Station (Reference 1). The violation was
\\l 0 950616o56o 9506o9 PDR ADOCK c5000373 0
PDR 3
A l'nimm nimpany
O issued because LaSalle sent an operator to confirm the presence of fire prior to assembling and dispatching the entire brigade. Comed disagreed with the violation and the matter was referred to NRR for further guidance (References 2). Comed personnel met with NRR to discuss resolution of this issue. Comed agreed to perform an evaluation to identify when a fire zone or sub-zone at LaSalle is " vulnerable," and to immediately dispatch the entire fire brigade when such conditions existed. A zone was determined to be vulnerable when the alternate safe shutdown equipment independent of the zone is unavailable (Reference 3). The safety esaluation report issued to close the violation stated that "The licensee's proposals. as contained in the July 11,1989 letter (Reference 4),
represent a distinct improvement over over past practice in that areas defined as being vulnerable (due to unexpectedly inoperable systems) will receive immediate brigade response." (Reference 5). This fire alarm response policy agreed upon with NRR has been implemented at LaSalle since 1989.
The safety evaluation report issued to close the violation also stated that:
" Historically, however, the staff has tacitly accepted sending an operator to an area to confirm the presence of a fire before the Fire Brigade is sent. To take a different position at this time would represent a backfit" (Reference 5). LaSalle, therefore will be making a change to their Fire Brigade response policy to initially dispatch a qualified fire brigade member to the area upon receipt of a fire detection alarm in the control room during all plant operating conditions rather than dispatching the entire Fire Brigade. This is consistent with other Comed stations and consistent with the rest of the industry.
Early warning detection systems are strategically provided throughout the plant to detect fires in their incipient stage. Areas where rapidly developing fires are expected to occur have been protected with automatic suppression systems Redundant safe shutdown systems and components have been adequately separated from fire damage in accordance with accepted NRC requirements and guidelines.
Upon arriving at the scene of a fire, the initial fire brigade responder can size up the situation and act accordingly. Ile may extinguish the fire with a portable extinguisher (if within his capacity to do so), or report his assessment back to the control room and request additional support, Control room personnel would then dispatch the remaining fire brigade members. While the brigade members are preparing to respond (ie., donning their turnout gear), the initial responder can continue to assess the situation, lay out attack hose, and ensure important fire barriers are maintained.
The new fire brigade response policy along with the fire protection system design at LaSalle will ensure that the fire brigade response to all plant areas is completed in a safe and more timely manner.
2
4 1l If there are any questions or comments concerning this letter, please refer them to me at (815) 357-6761, extension 3600.
- FyMy, R. E. Querio Site Vice President LaSalle County Station cc:
J. B. Martin, Regional Administrator, Region III W. D. Reckley, Project Manager, NRR P. G. Brochman, Senior Resident Inspector, LaSalle D. L. Farrar, Nuclear Regulatory Services Manager, NORS Central file 1
3
. _. -