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Category:CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS
MONTHYEARML20217N5861999-10-22022 October 1999 Ack Receipt of Informing NRC of Steps Taken to Correct Violations Noted in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-09 Issued on 990827 ML20217H6911999-10-19019 October 1999 Ack Receipt of 990928 Application to Revise Technical Safety Requirements 2.2.3.15 & 2.7.3.14.Initial Administrative Review Finds Application Acceptable.Completion of Review Is Anticipated by 991215 ML20217N9141999-10-15015 October 1999 Forwards Rev 6 of NCS Cap,Providing Addl Details within Subtask 3.3,addl Ncsa/E Reviews & Establishes New Milestone to Conduct Addl Reviews IAW Procedure XP2=EG-NS1037, Review of Non-Priority 1 & 2 ML20217M2961999-10-15015 October 1999 Provides Addl Changes to Updated SAR Certificate Amend Request,Including Changes Made IAW Item 5 of Plan of Action Schedule for Compliance Plan Issue 2 & Changes That Resulted from Reevaluation of Autoclave head-to-shell O-ring ML20217G4671999-10-14014 October 1999 Forwards Proprietary Insp Rept 70-7002/99-207 on 990920-23. No Violations Noted.Under Provisions of Section 2.790(d), Repts Containing Info Related to Licensee MC&A Program, Exempt from Public Disclosure ML20217G1731999-10-14014 October 1999 Requests Addl Info Re Applications Dtd 990924,requesting Amends to Cocs for Paducah & Portsmouth GDPs for Revised QA Programs.Encl Identifies Specific Info Needed.Info Should Be Provided within 30 Days ML20217F5481999-10-0808 October 1999 Discusses Insp Rept 70-7002/99-12 on 990810-0920 at Ports- Mouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.No Cited Violations of NRC Requirements Were Identified During Insp ML20217B6121999-10-0606 October 1999 Forwards Copy of Security Incident Log for Month of Sept 1999 ML20217A4781999-10-0404 October 1999 Forwards Revised Event Rept 99-17,for Event Resulting from Determination That Sprinkler Sys Not Capable of Meeting Operability Requirements.Caused by Mineral Deposits.Provided Following Completion of Root Cause Evaluation ML20212H5991999-09-27027 September 1999 Responds to Violations Noted in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-09. Corrective Actions:Engineering Evaluated Site Rail Track Insp Process for Improvement ML20216J7891999-09-27027 September 1999 Provides Required 30-day Event Rept 99-19 for Event That Resulted from Failure of Cascade Automatic Data Processing Data Processing Smoke Detection Sys at Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.Encl 2 Is List of Commitments Made in Rept ML20212H1251999-09-24024 September 1999 Notifies NRC of Change in Regulatory Commitments Associated with Submittal Date for Update of Application SAR Chapter 3.Specifics of Commitment Changes of Listed ML20212H3801999-09-24024 September 1999 Responds to 990723 RAI Re 1999 Annual Update to Certification Applications ML20212G0551999-09-23023 September 1999 Provides Revised 30-day Event Rept 99-06 for Emergency Condition That Was Declared Alert at Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant ML20212G9401999-09-23023 September 1999 Responds to 990806 Reply to NOV in Ltr with Insp Rept 70-7002/99-04.Revised Reply Reviewed & Responses to Violations 1.B & 1.C Do Not Fully Address Needs as Clarified in 990715 Telcon.Resubmit Response within 30 Days of Ltr ML20212H3721999-09-22022 September 1999 Forwards NRC Form 790 Classification Record Documents for Paducah & Portsmouth GDPs That Were Generated During Month of Aug 1999.Without Encl ML20217J1211999-09-20020 September 1999 Submits Listed Comments on NRC Proposed Rule, Reporting Requirements for Nuclear Power Reactors ML20216E6911999-09-13013 September 1999 Forwards 30-day Written Rept Er 99-18,re Actuation of Cascade ADP Smokehead in X-333 Bldg Low Assay Withdrawal Station.Caused by UF6 Release from Law A/B Compressor Shaft Seal Area.Planned C/As Will Be Provided in Revised Rept ML20211Q7761999-09-10010 September 1999 Forwards Insp Rept 70-7002/99-205 on 990816-20.No Violations Noted.Insp Consisted of Selective Exams of Computer Systems, Representative Records & Interviews with Personnel ML20211P2091999-09-0909 September 1999 Provides Staff Written Clarification of NRC Reporting Expectations of When Double Contingency Losses Should Be Reported to NRC IAW Bulletin 91-001, Reporting Loss of Criticality Safety Controls, & Suppl ML20211Q8041999-09-0808 September 1999 Ack Receipt of Informing NRC of Steps Taken to Correct Violations Noted in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-05 ML20211Q7171999-09-0808 September 1999 Forwards Required 30-day Written Event Rept 99-14,rev 1,re 990628 Event Involving Actuation of Brake Sys on Liquid U Hexafluoride Handling Crane at Plant.Revised Rept Includes Corrective Actions.Commitments in Rept Also Encl ML20211N8951999-09-0707 September 1999 Forwards Required 30 Day Event Rept 99-17,for Event That Resulted from Determination That 13 Sprinkler Sys Associated with High Pressure Fire Water Sys in Process Buildings Were Not Capable of Meeting Operability Requirements ML20211P3831999-09-0303 September 1999 Forwards Coc GDP-1,amend 3 & Coc GDP-2,amend 4 for Paducah (Pgdp) & Portsmouth (Ports) Gdps,Respectively by Revising Pgdp & Ports QAPs in Vol 3 of Respective Certificate Applications ML20211M6401999-09-0303 September 1999 Forwards Security Incident Log for Month of Aug 1999,per Requirements of 10CFR95.57(b) ML20211M6941999-09-0202 September 1999 Forwards 30-day Written Event Rept 99-09,rev 1,for Event Involving Actuation of Brake Sys on Liquid U Hexafluoride Handling Crane at Plant.Revised Rept Includes Root Cause & Corrective Actions.List of Commitments,Included ML20211L4871999-09-0101 September 1999 Ack Receipt of Informing NRC of Steps Taken to Correct Violations Noted in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-07 Issued on 990709 ML20211K2081999-08-31031 August 1999 Discusses 990730 Revised Response to RAI Transmitted by NRC Re 990528 Response for Severity Level IV Violations Identified in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-06 ML20211K4041999-08-31031 August 1999 Forwards Responses to Remaining NRC Questions/Comments from 980601 & 0709 NRC RAIs Re SAR Update ML20211M7031999-08-30030 August 1999 Forwards Proprietary Rev 0 to Arming & Arrest Authority Security Plan for Paducah & Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plants, for Review & Approval.Encl Withheld ML20211H2741999-08-27027 August 1999 Forwards Insp Rept 70-7002/99-09 on 990629-0809 & Notice of Violations Re Involving Inadequate Corrective Actions of Concern,Due to Staff Failure to Take Actions to Prevent Recent Derailment ML20211G9891999-08-26026 August 1999 Informs That on 990812,NRC Completed three-day Licensing Review of Activities Associated with Usec 990526,certificate Amend Request (CAR) to Reopen Compliance Plan Issues 8,9 & 23 at Portsmouth Plant ML20211D9311999-08-23023 August 1999 Forwards Required 30-day Written Event Rept 99-16 Re Event Involving Autoclave High Condensate Level Shutoff Actuation at Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.List of Commitments, Included ML20211A7011999-08-17017 August 1999 Forwards Copy of Final Amend to 10CFR76 for Info of Subcommittee.Final Rule Is Being Transmitted to Fr for Publication.Final Rule Will Amend Regulations That Apply to Paducah & Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plants ML20211C5951999-08-17017 August 1999 Submits Changes to Authorized Derivative Classifier List for Portsmouth Gdp.Changes Are Current as of 990806 ML20211D6341999-08-16016 August 1999 Forwards Proprietary Info Containing Process That Would Be Followed Once Deposit Identified That Could Cause Usec to Exceed NRC Possession Limit.Proprietary Encl Withheld ML20211D2351999-08-16016 August 1999 Replaces Ltr Forwarding Proprietary Followup to Submittal Re Holdup of U Enriched Greater than or Equal to 10 Weight Percent U-235 in Process Equipment ML20211D5771999-08-16016 August 1999 Submits Rev 1 to Event Rept 99-12,to Clarify That Only One of 50 Ball Lock Pins on Packages Used in Shipment Was Unfastened When Shipment Was Received.Cause Has Not Been Determined.Usec Revised Procedure XP4-TE-UH2400 ML20211C3941999-08-13013 August 1999 Forwards Proprietary Followup to Submittal Re Holdup of U Enriched Greater than or Equal to 10 Weight Percent U-235 in Process Equipment.Encls Withheld ML20211C8031999-08-13013 August 1999 Forwards Proprietary Versions of Rev 33 Changes to Fundamental Nuclear Matls Control Plan & Transportation Security Plan.Proprietary Encl Withheld ML20210P6981999-08-10010 August 1999 Forwards Insp Rept 70-7002/99-11 on 990719-23.No Violations Noted.Insp Consisted of Selective Exam of Procedures & Representative Records,Interviews with Personnel & Observations of Activities in Progress ML20210Q6061999-08-0909 August 1999 Forwards NRC Form 790 Classification Record Documents for Paducah & Portsmouth Gdps,Per 10CFR95.57.Records Were Generated During Month of July 1999.Without Encl ML20210Q5291999-08-0909 August 1999 Responds to Violations Noted in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-07. Corrective Actions:On 990622,results of NDA Surveys for G-17 Valves Moved Outside Bldg X-744H Were Obtained ML20210N8511999-08-0606 August 1999 Forwards Copy of Security Incident Log for Month of July 1999 ML20210P1841999-08-0606 August 1999 Revised Response to NRC NOV Re Violations Noted in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-04.Corrective actions:DOI-832-99-03 Revised & Reissued on 990729,to Include Any Document Utilized to Support Safety Basis in Ncse ML20211A7901999-08-0404 August 1999 Forwards Info Requested During Briefing by NRC Staff on 990726 Re NRC Interactions with Usec ML20211N2031999-08-0404 August 1999 Forwards Proprietary Versions of Rev 32 Changes to Fundamental Nuclear Matls Control Plan (FNMCP) & Transportation Security Plan.Proprietary Info Withheld,Per 10CFR2.790 & 9.17(a)(4) ML20210L1751999-08-0202 August 1999 Forwards Required 30-day Event Rept 99-15 Re Event That Resulted from Declaration of Alert Emergency Classification at Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.Encl 2 Contains List of Commitments Made by Licensee ML20210U8511999-07-30030 July 1999 Forwards Quarterly Status Rept for Portsmouth Nuclear Criticality Safety Program Corrective Action Plan for Period 990421-0716.No New Commitments Are Contained in Submittal ML20210K0291999-07-30030 July 1999 Responds to NRC Expressing Concerns with 990528 Reply to NOVs Re Insp Rept 70-7002/99-006.Revised Response Encl 1999-09-09
[Table view] Category:INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE
MONTHYEARML20217N9141999-10-15015 October 1999 Forwards Rev 6 of NCS Cap,Providing Addl Details within Subtask 3.3,addl Ncsa/E Reviews & Establishes New Milestone to Conduct Addl Reviews IAW Procedure XP2=EG-NS1037, Review of Non-Priority 1 & 2 ML20217M2961999-10-15015 October 1999 Provides Addl Changes to Updated SAR Certificate Amend Request,Including Changes Made IAW Item 5 of Plan of Action Schedule for Compliance Plan Issue 2 & Changes That Resulted from Reevaluation of Autoclave head-to-shell O-ring ML20217B6121999-10-0606 October 1999 Forwards Copy of Security Incident Log for Month of Sept 1999 ML20217A4781999-10-0404 October 1999 Forwards Revised Event Rept 99-17,for Event Resulting from Determination That Sprinkler Sys Not Capable of Meeting Operability Requirements.Caused by Mineral Deposits.Provided Following Completion of Root Cause Evaluation ML20212H5991999-09-27027 September 1999 Responds to Violations Noted in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-09. Corrective Actions:Engineering Evaluated Site Rail Track Insp Process for Improvement ML20216J7891999-09-27027 September 1999 Provides Required 30-day Event Rept 99-19 for Event That Resulted from Failure of Cascade Automatic Data Processing Data Processing Smoke Detection Sys at Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.Encl 2 Is List of Commitments Made in Rept ML20212H1251999-09-24024 September 1999 Notifies NRC of Change in Regulatory Commitments Associated with Submittal Date for Update of Application SAR Chapter 3.Specifics of Commitment Changes of Listed ML20212H3801999-09-24024 September 1999 Responds to 990723 RAI Re 1999 Annual Update to Certification Applications ML20212G0551999-09-23023 September 1999 Provides Revised 30-day Event Rept 99-06 for Emergency Condition That Was Declared Alert at Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant ML20212H3721999-09-22022 September 1999 Forwards NRC Form 790 Classification Record Documents for Paducah & Portsmouth GDPs That Were Generated During Month of Aug 1999.Without Encl ML20217J1211999-09-20020 September 1999 Submits Listed Comments on NRC Proposed Rule, Reporting Requirements for Nuclear Power Reactors ML20216E6911999-09-13013 September 1999 Forwards 30-day Written Rept Er 99-18,re Actuation of Cascade ADP Smokehead in X-333 Bldg Low Assay Withdrawal Station.Caused by UF6 Release from Law A/B Compressor Shaft Seal Area.Planned C/As Will Be Provided in Revised Rept ML20211Q7171999-09-0808 September 1999 Forwards Required 30-day Written Event Rept 99-14,rev 1,re 990628 Event Involving Actuation of Brake Sys on Liquid U Hexafluoride Handling Crane at Plant.Revised Rept Includes Corrective Actions.Commitments in Rept Also Encl ML20211N8951999-09-0707 September 1999 Forwards Required 30 Day Event Rept 99-17,for Event That Resulted from Determination That 13 Sprinkler Sys Associated with High Pressure Fire Water Sys in Process Buildings Were Not Capable of Meeting Operability Requirements ML20211M6401999-09-0303 September 1999 Forwards Security Incident Log for Month of Aug 1999,per Requirements of 10CFR95.57(b) ML20211M6941999-09-0202 September 1999 Forwards 30-day Written Event Rept 99-09,rev 1,for Event Involving Actuation of Brake Sys on Liquid U Hexafluoride Handling Crane at Plant.Revised Rept Includes Root Cause & Corrective Actions.List of Commitments,Included ML20211K4041999-08-31031 August 1999 Forwards Responses to Remaining NRC Questions/Comments from 980601 & 0709 NRC RAIs Re SAR Update ML20211D9311999-08-23023 August 1999 Forwards Required 30-day Written Event Rept 99-16 Re Event Involving Autoclave High Condensate Level Shutoff Actuation at Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.List of Commitments, Included ML20211C5951999-08-17017 August 1999 Submits Changes to Authorized Derivative Classifier List for Portsmouth Gdp.Changes Are Current as of 990806 ML20211D5771999-08-16016 August 1999 Submits Rev 1 to Event Rept 99-12,to Clarify That Only One of 50 Ball Lock Pins on Packages Used in Shipment Was Unfastened When Shipment Was Received.Cause Has Not Been Determined.Usec Revised Procedure XP4-TE-UH2400 ML20211D2351999-08-16016 August 1999 Replaces Ltr Forwarding Proprietary Followup to Submittal Re Holdup of U Enriched Greater than or Equal to 10 Weight Percent U-235 in Process Equipment ML20211C3941999-08-13013 August 1999 Forwards Proprietary Followup to Submittal Re Holdup of U Enriched Greater than or Equal to 10 Weight Percent U-235 in Process Equipment.Encls Withheld ML20211C8031999-08-13013 August 1999 Forwards Proprietary Versions of Rev 33 Changes to Fundamental Nuclear Matls Control Plan & Transportation Security Plan.Proprietary Encl Withheld ML20210Q5291999-08-0909 August 1999 Responds to Violations Noted in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-07. Corrective Actions:On 990622,results of NDA Surveys for G-17 Valves Moved Outside Bldg X-744H Were Obtained ML20210Q6061999-08-0909 August 1999 Forwards NRC Form 790 Classification Record Documents for Paducah & Portsmouth Gdps,Per 10CFR95.57.Records Were Generated During Month of July 1999.Without Encl ML20210P1841999-08-0606 August 1999 Revised Response to NRC NOV Re Violations Noted in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-04.Corrective actions:DOI-832-99-03 Revised & Reissued on 990729,to Include Any Document Utilized to Support Safety Basis in Ncse ML20210N8511999-08-0606 August 1999 Forwards Copy of Security Incident Log for Month of July 1999 ML20211N2031999-08-0404 August 1999 Forwards Proprietary Versions of Rev 32 Changes to Fundamental Nuclear Matls Control Plan (FNMCP) & Transportation Security Plan.Proprietary Info Withheld,Per 10CFR2.790 & 9.17(a)(4) ML20210L1751999-08-0202 August 1999 Forwards Required 30-day Event Rept 99-15 Re Event That Resulted from Declaration of Alert Emergency Classification at Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.Encl 2 Contains List of Commitments Made by Licensee ML20210K0291999-07-30030 July 1999 Responds to NRC Expressing Concerns with 990528 Reply to NOVs Re Insp Rept 70-7002/99-006.Revised Response Encl ML20210U8511999-07-30030 July 1999 Forwards Quarterly Status Rept for Portsmouth Nuclear Criticality Safety Program Corrective Action Plan for Period 990421-0716.No New Commitments Are Contained in Submittal ML20210G3391999-07-28028 July 1999 Forwards Required 30-day Event Rept 99-14 Re Actuation of Brake Sys on UF6 Handling Crane at Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.Investigation Activities Continuing to Determine Appropriate Corrective Actions ML20210F2111999-07-27027 July 1999 Responds to NRC Re Violations Noted in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-06.Corrective Actions:Expectations for Activating EOC Were Reinforced & Lessons Learned Re Need to Activate EOC Was Issued ML20210J7921999-07-27027 July 1999 Forwards Proprietary NRC Form 327, Special Nuclear Matl (SNM) & Source Matl (SM) Physical Inventory Summary Rept, for Paducah & Portsmouth Gdps.Rept Covers Period Ending 990528.Proprietary Info Withheld,Per 10CFR2.790(d) ML20210H6001999-07-26026 July 1999 Forwards NRC Form 790 Classification Record Documents for Paducah & Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plants That Were Generated During Month of June 1999.Without Encl ML20210H6151999-07-26026 July 1999 Submits Listed Changes to Adc List for Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.Changes Current as of 990708 ML20216D7101999-07-23023 July 1999 Responds to Violations Noted in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-05. Corrective Actions:Portsmouth GDP Conducted site-wide Stand Down Re Adverse Trend in Human Performance ML20210J8641999-07-23023 July 1999 Forwards Info Detailing Basis for NCS CAP Schedule,As Requested at Conclusion of 990714 Meeting ML20210H2471999-07-22022 July 1999 Provides Addl Changes to Sarup Certificate Amend Request ,comprising Third Set of Sarup Technical Safety Requirements Changes,Changes to Sarup Section 3.8 & Sarup Chapter 14 Discussed in Usec to NRC ML20210B2061999-07-15015 July 1999 Forwards Original Standby Trust Agreement Ack Form.Facsimile of Ack Form Was Submitted in for Usec ML20210B9701999-07-15015 July 1999 Forwards Proprietary & non-proprietary Info Re Implementation Status of Compliance Plan.Info Covers Period of 990102-0630.Proprietary Info Withheld,Per 10CFR2.790 ML20209F7381999-07-12012 July 1999 Forwards Rev to 30-day Event Rept Er 98-17,re Event Which Resulted from Fire Causing Damage to Cascade Equipment Containing Radioactive Matl in X-326 Bldg Side Purge Area. Briefing Was Initiated for X-326 Operations Personnel ML20209D2171999-07-0202 July 1999 Requests Temporary Enforcement Discretion to Allow Continued Plant Operations While Completing Corrections to Criticality Accident Alarm Sys Cluster Setpoints to Be in Compliance with Technical Safety Requirements SRs ML20209D2561999-07-0101 July 1999 Forwards Security Incident Log & Associated Info for Period June 1999,per 10CFR95.57(b) ML20209B4541999-07-0101 July 1999 Responds to GL 98-03, NMSS Licensees & Certificate Holders Y2K Readiness Programs, Under Oath & Affirmation for Paducah & Portsmouth GDPs ML20209B8721999-06-30030 June 1999 Submits Listed Changes to Adc List for Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant,Which Are Current as of 990625 ML20209B9341999-06-28028 June 1999 Forwards Required 30 Day Event Rept 99-13 for 990528 Event Involving Liquid UF6 Handling Crane in X-330 Process Bldg Tails Withdrawal Area.Investigation Activities Continuing to Determine Root Cause & Corrective Actions for Event ML20209B4971999-06-25025 June 1999 Submits Event Rept Er 99-12 Re 980923 Shipment Received,From Licensee by Siemens Power Corp,With Ball Lock Pins Disengaged.Cause Undetermined.Licensee Revised Procedure XP4-TE-UH2400 to Improve Reliability ML20209D0721999-06-25025 June 1999 Informs That Licensee Intends to Maintain Compliance Plan Issue 2 in Open Status Until NRC Approves Update to Application SAR ML20196F0421999-06-21021 June 1999 Forwards Response to Violations Noted in Insp Rept 70-7002/99-04.Corrective Actions:On 990510,preliminary XP4-EG-NS1001,was Revised & Implemented to Include Definition of Unlikely Events & Provided Instructions 1999-09-08
[Table view] |
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USEC
. A ciob.i en.rry comp.ny October 4,1999 ODP 99-2056 i
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1
Attention: Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS)
Docket No. 70-7002 Event Report 99-17, Revision 1 Pursuant to 10CFR76.120(d)(2), Enclosure 1 provides the revised Event Report for an event that resulted from the determination that sprinkler systems associated with the High Pressure Fire Water i
system in the process buildings were not capable of meeting operability requirements at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant. The event report is being revised to include information on the event notifications made since the last report and the results of the sprinkler system walkdowns.
Investigation and testing activities are continuing to determine the root cause and corrective actions for this event. This event report will be revised following completion of these activities. The expected date for submitting the revised report is January 11,2000. Changes from the previous report are marked with a dashed vertical line in the right margin. There are no commitments contained in this report.
Should you require additional information regarding this event, please contact Scott Scholl at (740) 897-2373.
Sincerely,
&JW
. Morris Brown General Manager f
Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant
Enclosures:
Ad Stated
[f cc:
' NRC Region III Office NRC Resident Inspector - PORTS United States Enrichment Corporation Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant 9910000202 991004 3x 628, Piketon. OH 45661
- PDR ADOCK 07007002 C
PDR
GDP 99-2056 Page1of4 Event Report 99-17, Revision 1 Description of Event On August 10,1999, at 1600 hours0.0185 days <br />0.444 hours <br />0.00265 weeks <br />6.088e-4 months <br />, the Plant Shift Superintendent was notified that 13 sprinkler systems associated with the High Pressure Fire Water (HPFW) system were not capable of meeting system operability requirements. This condition was discovered as a result of an engineering walkdown ofindividual sprinkler heads that had previously been identified as exhibiting corrosion around the valve seat. Further inspection revealed that the sprinkler heads were not externally l
corroded. The visible ' deposits that appeared to be corrosion were caused by a build-up of dissolved I
solids left by evaporating water that leaked past the seat. The engineering review was conducted j
following the discovery that similar problems experienced at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) resulted in sprinkler heads being unable to actuate at the required pressure. The failure of i
the HPFW system was reportable in accordance with 10CFR76.120(c)(2). A brief history of events leading to the discovery of this condition is presented below.
{
On April 16,1997, the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS) initiated a walkdown of the fire sprinkler system in response to HPFW piping deficiencies discovered at PGDP. The purpose of the walkdown was to identify any disconnected sprinkler piping branch lines and to find other
]
system deficiencies.
1 On June 27,1997, five heads were discovered under ductwork in the X-333 Process Building that
)
had a buildup of mineral deposits. Since the impact of mineral deposits on the ability of the sprinkler 1
heads to function was not known, the individual heads were declared inoperable and were replaced.
Six additional heads with mineral deposits were discovered on October 16,1997, and were also assumed to be inoperable. An operability evaluation determined that, because of overlapping coverage of the sprinkler heads and the location of adjacent sprinkler heads, the sprinkler system remained operable, even ifindividual heads would not operate. The walkdown continued through
' November 1997, and additional heads with mineral deposits were discovered.
To determine the impact of mineral deposits on sprinkler head operability,12 sprinkler heads exhibiting mineral deposits were sent to the PORTS laboratory for testing and evaluation. The testing determined that the heads would operate at the proper temperature, but operated at pressures greater than the expected 5 to 7 psig. The available pressures on the sprinkler systems at PORTS L
will vary from 7 to 125 psig depending on the location of the head, the elevation and number of i
heads operating and associated friction losses. The typical pressure available to operate a single head under ductwork in a process building is approximately 105 psig. Since this information provided j
reasonable assurance that mineral deposits did not prevent the heads from operating, sprinkler heads J
having mineral deposits were no longer assumed to be inoperable.
I 1
e
t o
l GDP 99-2056 Page 2 of 4 Event Report 99-17, Revision 1 Four additional heads with mineral deposits were sent to the manufacturer (Grinnell Corporation) for evaluation and were determined to be within the acceptable range ofoperation. Both the PORTS laboratory and the manufacturer identified that the copper gasket was deteriorated.
On June 2,1999, the annual PGDP Fire Services walkdown of the sprinkler systems found deposits on 81 heads affecting 17 systems (event report ER-99-10). Subsequent inspections found corrosion I
on 18 additional heads. The sprinklers were declared inoperable and TSR actions were taken and replacement initiated. Operational and metallurgical testing of sprinkler heads by Factory Mutual (FM) was requested by PGDP and PORTS. (FM is USEC's insurance carrier and is a nationally recognized testing agency). The test results indicate that the heads work, but some require elevated pressures to activate. Two of twelve PGDP heads activated at 120 psig.
Based upon the PGDP discovery that mineral deposits could prevent sprinkler heads from operating at HPFW pressures, PORTS conservatively declared individual corroded sprinkler heads inoperable pending further evaluation and testing. A walkdown of 27 systems containing sprinkler heads with previously ideritified mineral deposits was performed. The walkdown resulted in 13 systems being declared inoperable because adjacent heads were inoperable. TSR required actions were initiated and 66 heads were changed to restore system operability. As noted earlier, the sprinkler heads that were previously identified as having mineral deposits were believed to be operable because testing indicated that mineral deposits did not prevent sprinkler head operation at HPF W pressures.
Additional walkdowns of process building sprinkler systems were initiated to identify additional sprinkler heads that may have external mineral deposits. On August 19,1999, at 1038 hours0.012 days <br />0.288 hours <br />0.00172 weeks <br />3.94959e-4 months <br />, one additional system was declared inoperable when three adjacent heads having deposits were discovered. The system was repaired at 1407 hours0.0163 days <br />0.391 hours <br />0.00233 weeks <br />5.353635e-4 months <br />.
On August 27,1999, at 1452 hours0.0168 days <br />0.403 hours <br />0.0024 weeks <br />5.52486e-4 months <br />, five additional sprinkler systems were declared inoperable with two or more adjacent heads unable to meet system operability. All sprinklers were repaired and the systems were declared operable at 0550 hours0.00637 days <br />0.153 hours <br />9.093915e-4 weeks <br />2.09275e-4 months <br /> on August 28,1999.
On August 30,1999, seven additional sprinkler systems were declared inoperable with two or more adjacent heads unable to meet system operability. Six systems were in X-333 and one system was in X-330. All sprinklers were repaired and the systems were declared operable at 1258 hours0.0146 days <br />0.349 hours <br />0.00208 weeks <br />4.78669e-4 months <br /> on August 31,1999.
On August 31,1999, seven additional sprinkler systems in X-333 were declared inoperable with two l
or more adjacent heads unable to meet system operability. All sprinklers were repaired and the l
systems were declared operable at 0608 hours0.00704 days <br />0.169 hours <br />0.00101 weeks <br />2.31344e-4 months <br /> on September 6,1999.
l
h j
GDP 99-2056 Page 3 of 4
' Event Report 99-17, Revision 1
' On September 1,1999, fourteen' additional sprinkler systems in X-333 were declared inoperable with l
~ two or more adjacent heads unable to meet system operability. All sprinklers were repaired and the l
systems were declared operable at 0405 hours0.00469 days <br />0.113 hours <br />6.696429e-4 weeks <br />1.541025e-4 months <br /> on September 7,1999.
l l
. On September 2,1999, four additional sprinkler systems in X-333 and one additional sprinkler l
- system in X-330 were declared inoperable with two or more adjacent heads unable to meet system l
operability. Sprinklers in X-333 were repaired and the systems were declared operable at 0405 hours0.00469 days <br />0.113 hours <br />6.696429e-4 weeks <br />1.541025e-4 months <br /> - I on September 7,1999. Sprinklers in X-330 were repaired and the systems were declared operable l
at 1627. hours on September 17,1999.
l l
. At 1518 hours0.0176 days <br />0.422 hours <br />0.00251 weeks <br />5.77599e-4 months <br /> on September 3,1999, all HPFW sprinkler systems in X-333, X-330, and X-326 were l
, declared inoperable based on the number of corroded sprinkler heads being identified during l
. building walkdowns. All adjacent sprinklers in X-333 were repaired and the systems were declared l
1 operable at 0515 hours0.00596 days <br />0.143 hours <br />8.515212e-4 weeks <br />1.959575e-4 months <br /> on September 7,1999. All adjacent sprinklers in X-330 were repaired and l
- the systems were declared operable at 1645 hours0.019 days <br />0.457 hours <br />0.00272 weeks <br />6.259225e-4 months <br /> o_n September 17,1999. All adjacent sprinklers l
in X-326 were repaired and the systems were declared operable at 1738 hotrs on September 20, l
1999. Repairs on non-adjacent sprinkler heads are continuing.
l There are approximately 98,000 sprinkler heads in the process buildings at PORTS. The total l
number of sprinkler heads with external mineral deposits discovered between 1997, and September l
'14,' 1999, was approximately 566. The breakdown by building was: 256 in X-333; 242 in X-330; l
68 in X-326.
l The majority of the sprinkler heads in the process buildings were manufactured by Grinnell I
Corporation and installed in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Sprinkler heads have a life expectancy
. of at least 50 years with a code required inspection program after 50 years.
- Cause of Event The direct cause of the sprinkler heads operating at higher than expected pressure was mineral I
deposits on the sprinkler heads due to water leakage and subsequent evaporation. The deposits appear to be salts associated with typical constituents of the sprinkler system water chemistry, e.g.,
calcium, chloride, sodium.
The analysis to determine the root cause ofleakage has not been com%. Preliminary results indicate that the leakage is caused by corrosion ofi %or copper gasket which is designed to provide a seal between the body of the sprinkler head and the sprinkler cap or " button". The analysis to determine the cause of the seal deterioration and the effect of the resulting deposits on the head's l
operability has not been completed. Metallurgical testing of failed sprinkler heads is ongoing at l
p
GDP 99-2056 Page 4 of 4 Event Report 99-17, Revision 1 PORTS. PGDP is involved in the investigation and the issue has been discussed with representatives l
of FM and Grinnell Corporation.
In addition to the PORTS and PGDP ongoing testing activities to determine the root cause, PORTS has requested FM to test sprinkler heads that have resulted in HPFW systems being declared inoperable. The purpose of the testing is to determine the pressure required to operate the heads.
The results of this testing will be used to determine if the individual corroded heads were actually inoperable as a result of the mineral buildup. The conservative decision to declare systems inoperable based on the existence of two adjacent corroded heads will then be reassessed to determine the actual impact on HPFW system operability.
Representatives from BETZ Dearbom Water Management Group have been reque-ted by PGDP to assist in determining whether the cause of the deterioration of the copper gasket is due to water chemistry. Water sample analysis will aid in determining the cause and scope of the water chemistry problem. Further water testing will also be done at PORTS.
The results of the sprinkler head testing and water cheroistry testing will be used to determine the root cause and corrective actions necessary to correct the problem. This report will be revised when these actions are complete.
The investigation has also noted that plant personnel did not recognize the potential safety significance of the degraded sprinkler heads when they were discovered and did not promptly initiate repairs. The replacement of the sprinkler heads identified in 1997, as having deposits was given a lower work order priority (priority 6) than those established for routine maintenance (priority 7). The belief that mineral deposits did not make the sprinkler heads inoperable led to the perception that sprinkler hed replacement could be performed as lower priority work. As a result, the sprinkler heads identified between 1997, and August 1999, were not replaced until after the HPFW systems were declared inoperable.
Corrective Actions Corrective actions will be provided following completion of the root cause evaluation.
l Extent of Exposure ofIndividuals to Radiation or Radioactive Materials l
There was no exposure to radiation or radioactive materials due to this event.
Lessons Learned Lessons Learned will be provided following completion of the root cause evaluation.
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