ML20148E037

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Forwards 780929 Memorandum from Director of NRR to Commissioners Re Results of Fire Protection Research Tests Conducted by Ul for NRC as Part of Fire Protection Research Program
ML20148E037
Person / Time
Site: Black Fox
Issue date: 10/23/1978
From: Woodhead C
NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE LEGAL DIRECTOR (OELD)
To: Purdom P, Shon F, Wolfe S
DREXEL UNIV., PHILADELPHIA, PA, Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel
Shared Package
ML20148E041 List:
References
NUDOCS 7811060083
Download: ML20148E037 (2)


Text

UNITED STATES

%[9s NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

,, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

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/ 001 2 3 u,d Sheldon J. Wolfe, Esq. Mr. Frederick J. Shon, Member Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Atomic Safety and Licensing Board U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Conmission Washington, D. C. 20555 Washington, D. C. 20555 Dr. Paul W. Purdom '

Director, Environmental Studies Group Drexel University p co 32nd and Chestnut Street g Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 In the Matter of 8 O PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF OXLAHOMA, 1 2

ASSOCIATED ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

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WESTERN FARMERS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

(Black Fox Station, Units 1 and 2) J ,

Docket Nos. STN 50-556 #j' STN 50-557' Gentlemen:

Enclosed is a memorandum from the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation to the Commissioners dated September 29, 1978 discussing the results of a recently conducted fire protection research

~ test by the Underwriters Laboratory for the Commission as part c f the NRC's fim protection research program.

Our preliminary analysis of the test results described in the enclosed memorandum do not alter the Staff's conclusion in the Black Fox Station, Unit 1 and 2 SER, Section 9.6.1 that sufficient flexibility exists in ,

the Black Fox Station design to allow inplementation of any design '

changes that may be necessary to assure conpliance with Appendix A to BTP 9.5-1.

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Si cerely,

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Colleen P. Woodhead

-- Counsel for NRC Staff Enclosure as Stated cc (w/encls.): See Page 2 Sheldon J. Wolfe, F.sq.

Mr. Frederick J. Si on M. .? $. UO OD Dr. Paul W. Purdom

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.1 J oseph Gallo, Esq.

Michael I. Miller, Esq. -

l Mrs. Carrie Dickerson  !

Mr. Clyde Wisner Andrew T. Dal ton, Jr. , Esq.

Mrs. Ilene H. Younghein 9 Paul M. Murphy Atomic Safety and Licensing Appeal Board Docketing and Service Section Lawrence Burrell Mr. Gerald F. Diddle Mr. Vaughn L. Conrad Joseph R. Faris, Esq.

Atomic Safety and Licensin'g Board Panel Mr. Maynard Hu' man Mr. T. N. Ewing Dr. M. J. Robinson qO*

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/ September 29, 1978 MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman Hendrie Commissioner Gilinsky Commissioner Kennedy Commissioner Bradford N Commissioner Ahearne y THRU: Executive' Director for Operations h FROM: Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUBJECT:

NRC FIRE PROTECTION RESEARCH TEST On September b,1978, a fire test cf a full-scale vertical cable tray array was conducted at the Underwriters.'. Laboratory near Chicago, Illinois. It was part of the NRC-expedited fire protection research program requested in the Commission's Order of April 13, 1978. The purpose of the test was to demonstrate the effectiveness of area sprinklers and mineral wool blanket type cable tray fire barriers in preventing damage to cables as a result of an exposure fire created by igniting two gallons of heptane.

The configuration of cables and fire protection features in the test did not simulate any particular nuclear power plant. There are plants in operation and under construction for which the electrical cable tray configuration of the test was typical. However, based on the staff.'s ongoing fire protection reviews, we know of no operating plants with the configuration of fire protection features used in the test, although features of this type have been proposed for installation and are currently under review by the staff.

The test resulted in damage to some of the electrical cables. Prelim-inary analysis (see Enclosure 1) indicates that the configuration of fire protection features used in the test would not be acceptable for application in nuclear power plants. In particular, it appears that fire barriers for vertical trays in some configurations may need to be designed to prevent entry of flamable fluids. A wick effect may also need to be considered in the design of fire barriers. The response of the fusible link sprinklers used in the test is also under further study. -

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The Commissioners The test results are still being analyzed and it would be premature to establish firm conclusions at this time; however, the results now available suggest that modifications to certain of the staff's fire protection criteria may be necessary. The staff is continuing its review and will meet with the test contractors (Sandia and UL) on October 3,1978 to further study the preliminary findings and results. A quick look report is expected to be completed by UL within the next several days and will be issued by Sandia shortly thereafter. The schedule and nature of further testing under this program are under review. -

We will keep the Commission informed of significant results and possible impacts on operating reactors as information becomes available.

A circular or bulletin will be issued by IE to inform licensees of the results of the test. Its preparation will follow the October 3 meeting with the contractors. Plants currently in operation remain subject to administrative procedures aimed at minimizing the sources of ignition and continue to maintain manual fire fighting capability.

We will inform the Commission of any action deemed necessary as a result of our continuing review of the test results. The public announcement provided in Enclosure 2 is planned for release by the Office of Public Affairs on October 2. We are in the process of informing the ACRS and Hearing Boards where this information is relevant.

Afh Harold R. Der. ton,. Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Enclosures:

1. Preliminary Analyses
2. Public Announcement cc: (w/encls.)

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