ML20151S122

Forwards 880415 Memo from Corporate Fire Protection Group Analyzing fire-related Incidents at Facility in 1987

ML20151S122
Person / Time
Site:	Zion  File:ZionSolutions icon.png
Issue date:	04/20/1988
From:	Reed C COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
To:	Greenman E NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
References
NUDOCS 8804280199
Download: ML20151S122 (8)

Text

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April 20, 1988 Mr. Edward G. Greenman Director of Division of Reactor Projects U.S. Nuclear Regulatory. Commission Region III 799 Roosevelt Road Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Dear Mr. Greenman:

Attached is a memo to me from our corporate Fire Protection Group analyzing fire-related incidents at Zion Station in 1987.

I am satisfied from the memo that'we have analyzed root causes, and there is no reason to be concerned.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.

Sincerely, CJ%d Cordell Reed Senior Vice President h

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April 15, 1988 To:

Mr. C. Reed

SUBJECT:

1987 Fires at Zion

Reference:

P. G. Kuhel letter to C. Reed dated November 5, 1987 Zion Station reported ten fire-related incidents in 1987.

This report expands, analyzes and updates our referenced letter of November 5, 1987.

For the purpose of our analysis, we have separated these incidents into three categories.

These categories are defined in the following way:

Category I - Those events where flames were present and/or some type of extinguishing method was used and the fire brigade was assembled.

Category II - Those events where the fire brigade was assembled and a fire report was issued even though an actual fire was not discovered.

Category III-Those events where a report of smoke was received but upon further investigation it was determined that extinguishing actions or fire brigade response was not required.

The fire brigade responded to category 1 and 2 events and, where applicable, used extinguishing equipment to cool heated surfaces.

In fact, no d

automatic suppression / detection occurred in eight of the ten incidents due to early discovery and quick response.

The following is a analysis or each incident in each category _ including probable cause, corrective action, if any, and estimated dollar loss.

Cateaory I i

i 1.

Event -

On,2/21/87 at approximately 8:30 a.m. smoke was discovered in the Laundry Room on Elevation 617.

Cause -

The timer on the #2 drycleaning machine failed to shutoff as required.

The machine in turn continued to operate thereby causing its heater to overheat and char the paint on an adjacent pipe. No flames were discovered. A CO2 extinguisher was used to cool the pipe.

Est. Dollar loss 0

Corrective Action -

None Required: No dollar loss, minimal threat

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2.

Event -

On 3/2/87 at approximately 8:35 a.m. a guard discovered smoke coming from a small recessed area on Elevation 592 in the Turbine Building.

Cause -

A discarded glove in this space was apparently ignited by a cigarette butt.

Est. Dollar Loss 0

Corrective Action -

See Event 3 3.

Event -

On 3/27/87 at approximately 7:55 a.m. smoke was discovered on Elevation 609 in the Turbine Building.

Cause -

A cardboard box holding insulation material was apparently ignited by a cigarette butt.

The boxes were properly stored under a sprinkler system.

Est. Dollar Loss 0

Corrective Action -

In general, plant cleanliness and housekeeping has improved through the Station painting and clean-up program.

Specific actions taken as a result of the two smoking related incidents are as follows:

1. Station management has issued a memo to all personnel regarding the careless use of smoking materials.

2. Additional ash trays and waste receptacles have been installed.

3. The insulation boxes were removed and placed in the contractor's shop location.

4. The material was removed from the recessed area and housekeeping inspections were revised to include recessed areas.

4.

Event -

On 12/17/87 at approximately 7:45 p.m. a CECO employee discovered smoke coming out of the 1A Rod Drive MG set (generator end).

Cause -

The bearings on the MG set apparently seized and generated smoke.

Est. Dollar Loss -

$15,000.00 Corrective Action -

Production Services requested PHR Engineering to review the smoke detector installation and vent fan installation in this room.

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Cateaorv II 1.

Event -

On 4/28/87 at approximately 1:40 p.m. a Contractor' employee discovered smoke coming out of an emergency light on Elevation 617 in the Auxiliary Building.

Cause -

A transformer in the emergency light circuit overloaded when a Contractor employee plugged his power equipment into the same circuit.

Est. Dollar Loss -

$25.00 Corrective Action -

The employee was told to use only those receptacles which were rated for his equipment.

2.&3. Event -

Two events involved the discovery of smoke near the Boric Acid Auger Motor and the Containment Vent Stack Vacuum Pump.

Cause -

Both incidents are related to loose, worn or damaged belts creating friction with the pulleys.

Est. Dollar Loss -

$100.00 Corrective Action -

None Required: Hinimal dollar loss, minimal threat Citegory III 1.

Event -

On 6/16/87 at approximately 1:37 a.m. smoke was discovered coming cut of a contractor vehicle.

Cause -

It n s reported that an electrical wiring problem had caused a short in the circuit.

No flames were discovered.

Est. Dollar loss Unknown - Cor, tractor's Vehicle Corrective Action -

None Required: Minimal dollar loss, minimal threat 2.&3. Event -

Two events involved the discovery of smoke in the Non Essential Switch Gear Room and in the lift Station.

Cause -

Both events are related to loose, worn or damaged belts creating friction with the pulleys.

Est. Dollar loss 0

Corrective Action -

None Required: No dollar loss, minimal threat Assessment The only trend indicated by our analysis was the two incidents involving discarded smoking material.

This trend was promptly curbed by the corrective actions described in event 3 on page two.

No negative trend or programmatic weakness can be inferred at Zion for the following reasons:

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. 1.

Number of fires is small. (See Figure 1)-

2.

The analysis indicates that fire incidents are detected in the early stages before major fire damage can occur. (See Figure 2) 3.

Negative trends are interrupted by corrective action.

4.

Dollar losses were due not to fire damage but to equipment failure.

Comoarison to Other Facilities Commonwealth Edison Nuclear Stations averaged slightly more than 6 fires per station during 1987.

Zion experienced 5 fires in 1986 and 7 fires in 1987.

Zion's fire experience is therefore typical. (See Figure 1)

All fire reports generated by Commonwealth Edison ruclear plants are-sent to the Production Services Department Fire Protection Group.

This group reviews these reports for trends or lessons to be learned.

Information on the number and causes of fires is transmitted to upper management in the annual hsfessment report issued by the Fire Protection Group. (See Figure 3)

Five of Zion's 1987 incidents occurred during the first quarter.

This is not indicative of a long term trend for the following reasons.

The two incidents involving cigarettes received corrective action as described above.

During the remainder of the year only two fire incidents occurred.

(See Figure 2)

Data on minor fire incidents such as those at Zion are not available industry wide. Only large dollar fires, such as the bus duct fire at LaSalle, are reported to the EEI Fire Protection Committee and Nuclear Hutual Limited.

These reports are made available to member utilities for the purpose of lessons learned, trending, etc.

There were no major fires at Zion to report to these groups.

Carlps'J. Dia(

Fire Protection Engineer sucn t2/t

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Thomas G. Hausheer Qualified Fire Protection Engineer h,

la P. G. Kuhel Supervisor of Station Support Services PGK/ bah /2887H/32-35 cc:

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FIGURE 2 ZION STATION

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i FIRE LOSS IN COLLARS PER CUAATER CUMULATIVE ciRE REPCRTS l

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SUMMARY

FIRE t OSS IN DOLLARS PER CUARTER OJMULATIVE FIRE REF' ORTS se eo 150 50 4e

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+;e 7 906 OJAaTER 9 07 CAUSE OF FIRES E L ECTRIC AL - 19 UNKNOWf J - 5 EQUIPMENT FAILURE - 8 SMOKING - 3 i

DE F ECTIVE BE LT - 2 G AS L E AK - 1 CUT TING / WELDING - 4 SPARKS FROM GRINDING - 4 L ADDER IN CONTACT WITH LIGHT BULB 1

l WOOD IN CONTACT WITH HOT PIPES

-2 TAPE HOLDING HE ATING ELEMENT - 1 COMBUSTIBLES IGNITED BY STRIP HE ATER - 1 HOT LE AKING OIL - 1 Oil SOAKED INSUL ATION - 1 UN AT TENDED PROPANE BURNER - 1

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