PNO-II-05-003, Fire in the Main Transformer
| ML051810105 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Turkey Point  |
| Issue date: | 06/28/2005 |
| From: | Joel Munday NRC/RGN-II |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-II-05-003 | |
| Download: ML051810105 (1) | |
June 28, 2005 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-II-05-003 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of possible safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region II staff (Atlanta, Georgia) on this date.
Facility Licensee Emergency Classification Florida Power & Light Co. X Notification of Unusual Event Unit 4 Alert Florida City, Florida Site Area Emergency Dockets/License: 50-251 General Emergency Not Applicable
Subject:
Fire in the Main Transformer On June 27, 2005, at 3:16 a.m. (EDT) Turkey Point Unit 4 experienced an automatic reactor trip from 100 percent power on a turbine trip due to a fire in the main transformer. The onsite fire brigade and automatic suppression extinguished the fire in approximately 27 minutes. The Miami-Dade fire department responded but was not utilized. The licensee declared a Notice of Unusual Event (NOUE) at 3:27 a.m. due to an uncontrolled fire in the main transformer lasting greater than 10 minutes. The NOUE was subsequently terminated at 5:00 a.m. Hazardous material response personnel were dispatched due to discharge of transformer oil to the surrounding area.
All safety systems responded to the event as designed. Although auxiliary feedwater automatically initiated, it was not needed as main feedwater was available throughout the event. Additionally, normal electrical power remained available throughout the event. Several electrical grounds occurred on low voltage systems as a result of the event and are currently being investigated. In addition, a Unit 3 turbine plant cooling water isolation valve, located adjacent to the Unit 4 transformer, was affected by the fire. The valve was manually closed, which is its safety position.
Unit 4 is stable in Mode 3. The licensee is investigating the cause of the fire and extent of damage. No restart date has been established. Unit 3 is currently at 100 percent power.
The licensee has issued a press release and there has been local media interest.
Florida Power and Light Co. (FPL) notified state and local officials shortly after the NOUE declaration. FPL informed the NRC Operations Center of the NOUE at 4:19 a.m on June 27. The NRC Senior Resident Inspector was onsite shortly after the event and monitored recovery actions in the control room. The resident inspectors will continue to monitor FPLs investigation and corrective actions.
This information presented herein has been discussed with the licensee/State and is current as of 12:43 p.m.,
June 28, 2005.
CONTACT: Joel T. Munday 404-562-4560