ML20154S183

Special Report 86-1:on 860215,fire Barrier Penetration Door 121-1 Found Inoperable.Caused by Excessive Differential Pressure from Ventilation Sys.Door Will Be Replaced.Review of Problem Underway

ML20154S183
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	03/21/1986
From:	Zupko J Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION (ADM)
References
86-1, NUDOCS 8603310387
Download: ML20154S183 (3)

Text

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O PSEG Public Service Electric and Gas Company P O. Box E Hancocks Brid1L New Jersey 08038 Salem Generating Station March 21, 1986 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555

Dear Sir:

SALEM GENERATING STATION LICENSE NO. DPR-70 DOCKET NO. 50-272 UNIT NO. 1 REPORT NO. 86-1 SPECIAL REPORT l

l This Special Report, describing the circumstances surrounding a degraded fire barrier due to an inoperable fire door, is being l l submitted pursuant to the requirements of Technical Specification {

Action Statement 3.7.11.a. This report is required within thirty '

(30) days following the inoperability of a fire barrier penetration for any seven (7) day period.-

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~ Sincerely yours, l l

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J.Fb. upko, r.

General Manager-Salem Operations JLR:ama l

C Distribution 8603310387 860321 PD8t S ADOCK 05000272 I PDR

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The Energy People

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' SPECIAL REPORT NUMBER 86-1 i

PLANT IDENTIFICATI031 I

! Salem Generating Station - Unit 1 Public Service Electric & Gas Company Hancock's Bridge, New Jersey 08038 l

1 IDENTIFICATION OF OCCURRENCE:

Fire Barrier Penetration (Door 121-1) Inoperable Event Date: 02/15/86 Report Date: 03/ 21/ 86 This report was initiated by Incident Report No.86-045 l CONDITIONS PRIOR TO OCCURRENCE:

Mode 1 - Rx Power 100 % - Unit Load 1120 MWe This special report describes the circumstances surrounding the l degradation of a fire barrier penetration, csused by the inoperability l of a fire door. This report is nubmitted for informational purposes in accordance with the requirements of Technical Specification Action St'atement 3.7.11.a, which states:

With one (1) or more of the required fire barrier penetrations non-functional, within one (1) hour either establish a continuous fire watch on at least one (1) side of the affected penetration, or verify the operability of fire detectors on at least one (1) side of the non-functional fire barrier and establish an hourly fire watch patrol. Restore the non-functional fire barrier penetration (s) to functional status within seven (7) days or, in lieu of any other report required by Specification 6.9.1, prepare and submit a Special Report to the Commission pursuant to Specification 6.9.2 within the next thirty (30) days outlining the action taken, the cause of the non-functional penetration (s) and plans and schedule for restoring the fire barrier penetration (s) to functional status.

DESCRIPTION OF OCCURRENCE:

At 2200 hours0.0255 days <br />0.611 hours <br />0.00364 weeks <br />8.371e-4 months <br />, February 15, 1986, Technical Specification Action Statement 3.7.ll.a was entered and Fire Door No. 121-1 was declared inoperable due to a broken latch mechanism. This door is located on the 100' elevation of the Unit 1 Auxiliary Building, and is the access to-the solid radioactive vaste area. Investigation revealed that, in addition to the damage sustained to the latch mechanism, the fire door itself was damaged and requires replacement. In accordance with the action requirements, a fire patrol watch is being maintained until the door is restored to an operable status.

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SPECIAL REPORT 86-1 ~ .

• AFFAREET CAUSE OF OCCURRENCE:

Fire Door No. 1 21 -1 has exhibited a chronic propensity for failure; '

i.e., Technical Specification Action Statement 3.7.11.e has been entered six (6). times (approximately every 2 weeks) since November 1985 due to damage sustained to the latch mechanism. Although corrective maintenance has been ef f ective in restoring the-door to an operable status, repairs have been only. temporary in nature. The ,

-"ropt" cause of'the problem is an excessive differential pressure which is being developed across-the door by the ventilation system, possibly. associated with operation of the large overhead door in the solid radioactive waste area.

ANALYSIS OF OCCURRENCE:

'The functional integrity of the penetration fire barriers ensures that-fires will be confined or adequately retarded from spreading to adjacent portions of the facility. This design feature minimizes the '

possibility.of a single fire rapidly involving several areas of the facility prior to detection and extinguishment. The penetration fire barriers are a passive element in the facility fire protection' program and are subject to periodic inspections. The inoperable fire door constitutes a breach of the associated fire barrier. ^ However, appropriate actions were taken in accordance with the requirements of Technical Specification 3.7.11 to establish of a fire watch at the inoperable door. This action provides adequate assurance that a fire will be readily detected and extinguished; thus, alleviating the possibility of a fire affecting adjacent portions of the facility.

This occurrence therefore involves no undue risk to the health or safety of the public. However, because the fire door was not returned to an operable status within the seven (7) days specified by Technical Specification 3.7.11, this special report-is being submitted pursuant to the requirements of Technical Specification 6.9.2.

CORRECTIVE ACTION:

A new door has been ordered, and the damaged door will be replaced upon receipt. However, due to the recurring nature of the problem associated with Fire Door 121-1, it is apparent that further action is required. The Engineering and Plant Betterment Department is reviewing this matter and, based.upon the results of that review, appropriate actions will be taken to increase the reliability of this fire barrier penetration.

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' General [ Manager-Salem Operations

} JLR:tna SORC Mtg 86-016 i

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