PNO-II-09-006, Fire within Protected Area of V. C. Summer Nuclear Station
| ML093280932 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Summer  |
| Issue date: | 11/24/2009 |
| From: | NRC/RGN-II |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-II-09-006 | |
| Download: ML093280932 (1) | |
November 24, 2009 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-II-09-006 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:
South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Notification of Unusual Event Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station Alert Jenkinsville, SC Site Area Emergency Dockets/License: 50-395/NPF-12 General Emergency Not Applicable
SUBJECT:
FIRE WITHIN THE PROTECTED AREA OF V. C. SUMMER NUCLEAR STATION On November 22, 2009, at 1600 EST, the licensee declared a Notice of Unusual Event (NOUE) condition onsite per Emergency Action Level HU2.1 'Fire within the Protected Area not extinguished within 15 minutes of detection or explosion within the Protected Area.'
Upon initial energizing of a main transformer, the transformer circuit breaker tripped and a loss of all station 7.2 kV non-safety balance-of-plant (BOP) occurred. Coincident with the BOP loss, fires were detected by the fire detection system in both of the BOP switchgear rooms located in the Turbine Building. The licensee dispatched the onsite fire brigade to the affected locations and contacted the offsite fire departments for support. When the fire brigade responded, they found fires in the three BOP incoming breaker cubicles located in the two BOP switchgear rooms. After the initial fires were extinguished, re-flash fires were observed and extinguished by the onsite fire brigade with support from the offsite fire departments. Upon inspection of the areas, the licensee noted that the grounding devices which were used for personnel safety, were inadvertently left in each of the three BOP incoming breaker cubicles. When the main transformer was energized, the grounding devices provided a direct short to ground which induced the fires.
No safety related equipment was affected by the fires. The licensee confirmed that the fires were extinguished at 1640 EST on November 22, 2009, and continued to monitor the areas. The offsite assistance used in support of the fire fighting efforts was released. The licensee terminated the NOUE at 1855 EST November 22, 2009.
Both of the Engineered Safety Features buses are being supplied by offsite power. In addition, both emergency diesel generators and the alternate AC offsite power systems remain available, if needed. The plant remains shutdown and stable.
Region II received initial notification of this occurrence by phone from NRC Operations Center. This information presented herein has been discussed with the licensee/State and is current as of 4:00 PM on November 24, 2009.
CONTACT: Jim Dodson 404-562-4655 Gerald McCoy 404-562-4551