PNO-I-96-082, on 961115,fire in Research Bldg Occurred.Caused by Overheated Vacuum Sys Pump.Fire Controlled within 2 H. Commonwealth of Ma Notified
| ML20129K293 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03001867 |
| Issue date: | 11/18/1996 |
| From: | Shanbaky M, Tara Weidner NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-I-96-082, PNO-I-96-82, NUDOCS 9611190004 | |
| Download: ML20129K293 (6) | |
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. November 18, 1996 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-I-96-082 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE l safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially 1
received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region I staff in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania on this date.
l Facility Licensee Emercency Classification l Massachusetts General Hospital Notification of Unusual Event Fruit Street Alert
! Boston, Massachusetts 02114 Site Area Emergency Dockets: 03001867 License No: 20-03814-80 General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
FIRE IN RESEARCH BUILDING AT MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL At 8:22 p.m. on November 15, 1996, a small fire that involved a l potentially contaminated system was reported by the licensee to the NRC Duty Officer.
The fire occurred in a laboratory vacuum system.
The
. vacuum system pump overheated causing a small section of the system i
plastic piping to ignite.
The pipe was downstream from the pump and away from the slightly contaminated charcoal filter.
The charcoal filter was contaminated with iodine 125.
The Boston Fire Department and Hazardous Materials Team responded to the incident, as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the licensee's Radiation Safety Officer.
The licensee stated that the fire was confined to a small section of the vacuum system piping and did not involve the slightly contaminated charcoal filter.
The fire was controlled within two hours and did not result in any injury or contamination of areas or personnel.
l An update of the incident was received from the licensee's Radiation l Safety Officer at 9:00 a.m.,
November 18, 1996.
Based on extensive l
surveys, it was determined that no radioactive material was released.
! The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has bean notified.
Media interest occurred and the incident was reported by a local TV l
station and newspaper.
Region I Public Affairs is prepared to respond to media inquiries.
This information is correct as of November 18, 1996, at 2:00 p.m.
l
Contact:
T. Weidner M. Shanbaky (610)337-5272 (610)337-5209 i
9611190004 961118 PDR I&E l
PNO-I-96-082 PDR 1R9001 lE3 Y oil
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