ML20133F554
| ML20133F554 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 10/08/1985 |
| From: | Capstick R VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP. |
| To: | Vassallo D Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| FVY-85-90, NUDOCS 8510110097 | |
| Download: ML20133F554 (2) | |
Text
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' VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION RD 5, Box 169, Ferry Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301
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y ENGINEERING OFFICE 1671 WORCESTER ROAD FRAMINGHAM, M ASSACHUSETTS 01701 October 8, 1985 tete rsoNe sir-era-sioo FVY 85-90 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 Attention:
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Mr. Domenic B. Vassallo, Chief Operating Reactors Branch No. 2 Division of Licensing
References:
(a) License No. DPR-28 (Docket No. 50-271)
/
Subject:
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station Control Room Upgrade -
Installation of Carpeting
Dear Sir:
This letter is in response to information requested by the Vermont Yankee NRC Project Manager during a September 18, 1985, teleconference. Vermont Yankee plans to install carpet over the existing vinyl-asbestos tile floor in the Control Room. The primary reason for this change is to reduce o*rerall background noise in the interest of improving communications between Control Room personnel.
The NRC Regulatory Guide 1.120, Revision 1, specifies that material used in the construction of nuclear power plants must have a flame spread of 25 or less and a smoke development of 50 or less per ASTM E-84.
Prior to 1981, the Steiner Tunnel Test (ASTM E-84) was used to measure flame spread and optical smoke density for carpet.
Since 1981, carpet is no longer tested under ASTM E-84.
Flame criteria 'or carpet have been developed using the " Standard Method of Test for Critical Radiant Flux of Floor Covering Systems Using a Radiant Heat Source" (ASTM E-648).
Vermont Yankee has reviewed the installation of the carpet from the standpoint of overall flammability and the potential for smoke production, if ignited. The results obtained from the fire tests on the proposed carpet demonstrate that it represents no greater fire hazard than the previously approved vinyl-aibestos tile that it will cover. Specifically, the critical Radiant Flux was determined to be 0.65 watts per square centimeter as determined by the test method in ASTM E-648, which enables the carpet to be considered as a Class I interior finish. We conclude that the installation of the carpet maintains the level of fire safety in the Control Room and, therefore, represents an acceptable deviation from Section G.7.b of BTP CHEB 9.5-1.
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United States Duclear Regulatory Commission October 8, 1985 Attention:
Mr. Domenic B. Vassallo Page 2 FVY 85-90 The addition of carpet in the Control Room represents a human factors enhancement. Control Rooms in other nuclear facilities have been carpeted, and as noted at a September 26, 1984, Fire Protection Subcommittee ACRS meeting, the NRC has allowed carpet in Control Rooms as a human factors enhancement.
Because the carpet will improve communications between Control Room personnel and does not significantly increase the fire hazard in the room, we are proceeding with the installation of this change. We expect that the carpet will be installed prior to restart from our 1985/1986 scheduled outage.
Should you require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Very truly yours, J 0 R. W. Capstick Licensing Engineer RWC/gms l
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