PNO-III-88-094, on 881115,discovered Joint in 4-inch Instrument Air Line Damaged & Causing Loss of Pressure in Compressed Air Sys.Air Line Joint Probably Stepped on by Painter Working in Area

PNO-III-88-094:on 881115,discovered Joint in 4-inch Instrument Air Line Damaged & Causing Loss of Pressure in Compressed Air Sys.Air Line Joint Probably Stepped on by Painter Working in Area

ML20206G769
Person / Time
Site:	Braidwood
Issue date:	11/16/1988
From:	Forney W, Hinds J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:
References
PNO-III-88-094, PNO-III-88-94, NUDOCS 8811220424
Download: ML20206G769 (1)

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PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE--PNO-III-88-94 Date November 16, 1988 WD /

This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety ff or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without 7 verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by the Region III fg {I staff on this date. 8 Facility: Comonwealth Edison Company Licensee Emergency Classification:

Braidwood Units 1 & 2 X Notification of an Unusual Event Braceville, IL 60407 Alert Site Area Emergency Docket Nos. 50-456; 50-457 General Emergency Not Applicable

Subject:

Duf.L REACTOR TRIPS CAUSED BY LOSS OF INSTRUMENT AIR SYSTEM l At 9:09 a.m. (CST) on November 15, 1988, a joint in a 4-inch instrument aS line was damaged, causing a loss of pressere in the compressed air system used to control various systems in the plant, including the feedwater system. Reactor operators observed the loss of feedwater to the steam generators and manually tripped both units. Unit I had been at 95 percent power, and Unit 2 was at 80 percent. The auxiliary feedwater pumps started automatically to provide water to the steam generators. Steam from the secondary system was roleased to the atmosphere through the atmospheric relief valves and later routed to the main condenser through the steam dump valves. All shutdown systtms functioned as designed.

The licensee declared an unusual event under its emergency plan; the emergency classification was terminated when the instrument air system was restored to service at 1:52 p.m.

Local residents were concerned about the loud noise and steam resulting from the steam releases from both units associated with the shutdown. There was also area news media interest.

The licensee's preliminary investigation has determined that the air line ioint failed when a painter may have stepped on it while working in the area. The joint and two adjacent joints were repaired. Unit I was expected to return to service on November 16, and Unit 2 was to resume operation on November ./ af ter other maintenance work was completed.

The NRC resident inspectors nonitored the licensee's response to the event and subsequent repair activities, gg3 ggg gg PDR I&E The State of Illinois will be notified. PNC -I I I-88-094 PDC The licensee notified the Headquarters Operations Center of the event at 10:01 a.U.. on November 15, 1988. This infonnation is current as of 10 a.m., November 16, 1988.

/W Y CONTACT: . Hinds (FTS 388-5575) W. Forrie (FTS388-5590)

DISTRIBUTION:

WFN 1 MNBB 1WFN 1E W ufN 1 Chairman Zech ROU MT UIA 'rS57 Cocn. Roberts ARM 01 SLITP Comm. Carr 1WFN Mail To:

Com. Rogers PA Residen6 Inspector Offices IICS (Original) -

Comm. Curtiss SECY OGC Resident Inspector D0T (Trans. Only)

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