ML20203G912
| ML20203G912 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/22/1986 |
| From: | Baer R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | Mcconnell T MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8604290385 | |
| Download: ML20203G912 (5) | |
Text
. _ _ _
APR 2 21986 Mr. Thomas D. McConnell Mine Safety Appliances Company Manager, Government Relations 600 Penn Central Bldg. 1 Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Gentlemen:
Subject:
Draft IE Information Notice, " Improper Maintenance of Respiratory Protection Equipment" The enclosed draft information notice is being considered for issuance to all nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license or construction permit, as well as other nuclear facilities. Because your company is specifi-cally identified in the notice, we would appreciate your review of the facts presented.
If the information presented is incorrect or there is additional information pertinent to the discussion, we would appreciate your comments.
Any comments received prior to May 9,1986 will be considered in preparation of the final version.
Thank you, in advance, for your time and effort in this matter.
Sincerely, b
Robert L. Baer, Chief Engineering and Generic Communications Branch Division of Emergency Preparedness and Engineering Response Office of Inspection and Enforcement
Enclosure:
Draft Information Notice DISTRIBUTION JMTaylor RHVollmer ELJordan SASchwartz RLBaer JEWigginton RLPedersen JGPartlow BKGrimes GGZech PDR
'S'DCS ~,t DEPER R/F 8642g85860422:
EGCB R/F Misc PDR.
RLPedersen R/F
- See previous concurrences
- DEPER:IE
- DEPER:IE DEPER:IE RLPedersen JEWiaginton RLBaer 4/ /86 4/ /86 4 p 86 i
.4 Li SSINS No.: 6835 4-IN 86-XX UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMNISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 April
, 1986 J
i IE INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 86-XX:
IMPROPER MAINTENANCE OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTION EQUIPMENT Addressees:
All nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license (0L) or a construction permit (CP).
Purpose:
_This information notice is provided to alert the licensees to the potential loss of performance or safety function of respiratory protection devices from improper cleaning techniques.
It is expected that recipients will review the i
information for applicability to th'eir respiratory protection program and consider actions, if appropriate, to preclude similar problems at their i
facility. However, suggestions contained in this notice do not constitute NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is required.
Description of Circumstances:
i In November of 1985, Point Beach Nuclear Station reported on INP0's Note Pad a 4
cracking problem they noted with the plastic coupling nut on MSA Ultra twin 4
i Respirators. This coupling nut fits over the speaking diaphragm and can be j
j removed to connect an air hose if needed.
Cracks in these coupling' nuts. lead l
to excessive respirator leakage and reduction of protection.
In responsesto 1
J' the Point Beach-report, MSA initiated an investigation which included a survey of other Ultra twin u'sers.' MSA concluded that the reported cracking did not l
l
t 1
indicate a problem with th2ir product. With the exception of the Susqu:hanna station, the investigation found less than a 1% incidence of cracked coupling nuts. MSA considers this normal for a plastic replacement part. The relatively high cracking found at Susquehanna (17%) was attributed to the improper use of organic solvents to clean or decon the units. The cracks noted at Susquehanna were distinguishably different than those noted at the other facilities surveyed. MSA was able to reproduce this type of cracking by exposing coupling nuts to Freon.
Discussion:
The results of the MSA survey points out the importance of following manufacturers recommended cleaning practices. Use of improper or harsh cleaning techniques can lead to a degradation of integrity or loss of a safety function. Other examples, such as stripping the paint from self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air cylinders to remove fixed contamination, have been noted. An important safety function can be lost if the cylinders are not repainted with the proper paint since the coating applied by the manufacturer is designed to indicate excessive heating of the air cylinder by discoloring at 350 F.
Also significant degradation of structural integrity can result if this decontamination technique is use on composite air cylinders. Commercial paint stripper will attack the bonding material of the reinforcing fiberglass wrapping.
Licensees are reminded that proper care and maintenance of respiratory protection devises is. essential to their safe use.
Even apparently mild cleaning techniques can unwittingly cause a loss of safety function.
i
.i
.- - Submersion of the BIOPAK-60 rebreath:r respirator in soapy wat:r will cause serious corrosion of the unit's oxygen reserve alarm. Some cases have been reported where this type corrosion was sufficient to inactivate the alarm.
The manufacturer does not recommend submerging the unit to clean it.
No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the Regional-Administrator of the appropriate regional office or this office.
Edward L.-Jordan, Director Division of Emergency Preparedness and Engineering Response Office of Inspection and Enforcement Technical
Contact:
Roger L. Pedersen, IE (301) 492-9425 4
James E. Wigginton, IE (301) 492-4967
Attachment:
List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices f
a
~
Mr. Thomas D. McConnell Manager, Government Relations 600 Penn Central Bldg. 1 Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Gentlemen:
Subject:
Draft IE Information Notice, " Improper Maintenance of Respiratory Protection Equipment"-
The enclosed draft information notice is being considered for issuance to all nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license or construction permit, as.vell as other nuclear facilities. Because your company is specifi-cally identified in the notice, we would appreciate your review of the facts presented.
If the information presented is incorrect or there is additional information pertinent to the discussion, we'would appreciate your comments.
Any connents received prior to May 9,1986 will be considered in preparation of the final version.
Thank you, in advance, for your time and effort in this matter.
Sincerely, Robert L. Baer, Chief Engineering and Generic Communications Branch Division of Emergency Preparedness and Engineering Response Office of Inspection and Enforcement
Enclosure:
Draft Information Notice DISTRIBUTION JMTaylor RHVollmer ELJordan SASchwartz RLBaer JEWigginton RLPedersen JGPartlow BKGrimes GGZech PDR DCS DEPER R/F EGCB R/F RLPedersen R/F DEPER:IE///
DEPER IE DEPER:IE RLPeders F JEWigginton RLBaer 4//7/86 4/07/86 4/ /86 m