ML20238C507

Special Rept:On 871111,diesel-driven Fire Pump Failed Surveillance Test & Declared Inoperable.Cause Unknown.Four Sets of Cells for Two Batteries Replaced & Charged W/Portable Charger.Surveillance Test Procedure Revised

ML20238C507
Person / Time
Site:	Peach Bottom
Issue date:	12/21/1987
From:	Alder W PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC
To:	Russell W NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
References
NUDOCS 8712310055
Download: ML20238C507 (3)

Text

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t PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC COMPANY 2301 M ARKET STREET P.O. BOX 8699 PHILADELPHIA A PA.19101 (215)8414000 December 21, 1987 Docket No. 50-277 50-278 Mr. W. T. Russell, Administrator Region I U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555

SUBJECT:

Special Report: Diesel Driven Fire Pump Out-of-Service For More than the Technical Specification Limit of Seven Days

Reference:

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station Unit 2 Technical Specifications 3.14.A.2 and 6.9.2

Dear Mr. Russell:

This Special Report is submitted pursuant to the requirements of Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station Technical Specifications 3.14.A and 6.9.2. Limiting Condition for Operation 3.14.A.2 states:

"With one fire pump or logic inoperable, restore the equipment to an operable status with 7 days, or in lieu of any other report required by Specification 6.9.2, submit a Special Report to the Commission pursuant to Specification 6.9.3 (subsequently redesignated as 6.9.2) within 31 days outlining the cause of the malfunction and the plans for restoring the equipment to an operable status. Reactor startup and/or continued reactor operation is permissible."

Specification 6.9.2 states:

"Special Reports shall be submitted to the Director of the appropriate regional office within the time period gf specified for each report..." 4r 8712310055 871221 PDR g ADOCK 05000277 Whk

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Mr. W. T. Russell December 21, 1987 Page 2 Description of the Event:

On November 11, during the scheduled testing (92 day frequency), the DDFP battery failed the Surveillance test, ST 16.2.2, " Diesel Driven Fire Pump Battery Check", and the DDFP was declared inoperable. The specific gravity in six of the twelve "A" battery cells (7-12) was low, with one off-scale low (<1.10).

The specific gravity of'a fully charged battery is 1.265, and the S.T. acceptance criteria.is 1.260. Five "B". battery cells' (2-6) gravities were also low. The low set of "A" cells was replaced on November 13, and both batteries placed on a float charge to prevent damage to the other cells. The installed battery charger was used for charging. By November 18, the batteries had failed the ST three times, and attempts to charge the batteries with l portable chargers also continued to fail. On November 21, all twelve "B" battery cells were replaced with new, fully charged cells, which passed the ST. On November 23, the batteries failed the ST, and did not pass again until December 5, after both sets.

(A and b) were replaced. The seven day inoperability of the DDPP makes this event reportable under Peach Bottom Limiting Condition for Operation 3.14.A.

The installed battery charger is a Knight King A40 24V-A, and the batteries are DEKA Type 908D, CCA1100. The EIIS codes for the system and components listed in this report are:

KP-Fire Protection, BTRY-battery, BYC-battery charger and P-pump.

Cause of the Event:

The investigation into the root cause of this event continues. One possible cause is the dilution of the electrolyte in the batteries. A possible source of non-blank water which would dilute the electrolyte could be the eye-wash solution, which is kept in a squeeze bottle near the batteries.

The second possible cause lies with the installed

. battery chargers. Engineering Maintenance is continuing to  !

investigate the operability and adequacy of the chargers. )

Consequences of the Event:

The failure of the batteries rendered the DDPP l inoperable for 25 days. The motor-driven fire pump was proven to  !

be operable in accordance with the Technical Specifications (Surveillance Requirement 4.14.2) during this time. Each fire pump is capable of supplying water at the required pressure for the largest sprinkler flow in the plant, plus 1,000 gallons per minute for other fire extinguishing devices. Peach Bottom Unit 3 was in the Refueling Mode, and Unit 2 was in the Cold Shutdown during the duration of the pump outage. It is, therefore, concluded that this event resulted in no adverse consequences.

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.a Mr. W. T. Russell- December 21, 1987'

,. 'Page 3 Corrective Actions:

On November 11, 1987, the DDPP was declared inoperable.

The motor-driven fire pump was demonstrated.to be operable in accordance with Technical Specification Surveillance Requirement 4.14.2. The four sets of cells for the two batteries were

. replaced and charged with a portable charger. The batteries passed the Surveillance Test on December 5, and1the DDFP was declared operable.

'The bottle of water was removed and the eyewash was replaced with a new well-labeled eyewash bottle. An administratively controlled sign (Operator Aid) was installed with instructions to use the correct water when filling the  !,

battery cells. Engineering Maintenance is continuing their investigation of the operability and adequacy of the battery chargers.

Actions Taken to Prevent Recurrence:

-The surveillance test procedure (ST 16.2.2) is being ,

revised. The revision will include instructions to use only l blank water for filling the battery cells. The operators' rounds sheets will be revised to record when-the cells are filled.

These steps will assist in. future investigations regarding DDFP batteries and their maintenance. Finally,'the ST revision will include well-defined acceptance criteria for each step, with respect to the technical specification requirements. The revised ST and rounds sheets will be implemented by February 15, 1988, which is before the next scheduled performance of the surveillance test.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to call.

Very truly yours, Attachment cc: Addressee T. P., Johnson, NRC Resident Inspector

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