Regulatory Guide 3.38

General Fire Protection Guide for Fuel Reprocessing Plants

ML003739526
Person / Time
Issue date:	06/30/1976
From:	Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
To:
References
RG-3.38
Download: ML003739526 (7)

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION June 1976 REGULATORY GUIDE

OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT

REGULATORY GUIDE 3.38 GENERAL FIRE PROTECTION GUIDE FOR

FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS

A. INTRODUCTION

particularly in locations vital (a) to the functioning of confinement barriers and systems, (b) to methods of controlling radioactive materials within facility, and Section 50.34, "Contents of Applications; Technical unctions. The (c) to the maintenance of safety cont Information," of 10 CFR Part 50, "Licensing of adverse effects of fires and expl n structures, Production and Utilization Facilities," requires, among systems, and components impo t to ety can be other things, that each application for a construction syst suffic t capacity minimized by providing permit for a production or utilization facility, including . ssing explosions a fuel reprocessing plant, include the principal design and capability for detectin and fires and for tra tt a to one or more criteria for the facility.

central control area A cts may result from A potential risk to the health and safety of the normal operati ct , or failure of a fire general public and plant personnel at a fuel reprocessing suppression sys t ortant to recognize these plant is the release and dispersal of radioactive materials potential se and eliminate or mitigate them due to a fire or explosion. Fire protection programs for by propr . allation.

these plants should be designed to prevent, detect, extinguish, limit, or control fires and explosions and

"their~h~~t onnf s such ent of s'uch factors ftor asoverall thesethse objectives maxim an entails ectived maximum vethe expected Many their.concomitant hazards and damaging effects.

> acceptable are available bases ad have and areavilbl been for and criteria hveben se.

fire This used. hisgudede de~sc ** .

guide programs protection *p; severity, intensity, material f combustible and duration in each of credible the area offires;

in eens ofy, confinement t of radioact ivand o radioactive oer ead other for fire*of construction and criteria fuel reroessing protection programsfa iy Ithe.'es] s evran p urance design bases and desig uad bconstrci of fuelrcessinfWsu , otentially dangerous contaminants; effects of exposure that should be considered by applicants* r b of construction and processing materials to high tals for construction permit applications cil-

1such radiation fields and/or corrosive atmospheres; arrange ties. ments and structural design features of buildings for

-,.,-I.nInf -n-I-- heat flame and combustible and explosive gases; and systems for fire detection, confinement, control, and suppression.

The principal purpo 1. DISCtJWON f protection program for a fuel reproce I e protection of the oe and the environment Selected areas of the plant having particular general public, p rdi k cald se uences due to fire. occupancy requirements, such as control rooms or from adverse control areas, should be designed to allow occupancy d components important to (I) for the safe operation of the plant under normal Struct te e designed and located so they can conditions and (2) for maintaining the plant in a safe safety sho to io their safety functions effectively condition under accident or other abnormal conditions.

continue Consideration should be .given to the selection of under credible ire and explosion exposure conditions.

Heat-resistant and noficombustible materials should be systems for fire detection, confinement, control, and suppression suitable for use in these areas.

used. wherever practical throughout the facniity, USNRC REGULATORY GUIDES Comments should be sent to the Secretary of the Commission. U.S. Nuclear and Regulatory Commission. Washington, D.C. 20M5. Attention: Docketing ServicguSectionr Regulatory Guides are issued to describe and make available to the public the methods acceptable to the NRC staff of implementing specific parts of Commission's regulations. Io delineate techniques used by the staff in evalu- The guides ors issued in the following tan broad divisions:

ating apecific problems or postulated accidents, or to provide guidance to appli

1. Power Reactors S. Products cents. Regulatory Guides are not substitutes for regulation

s. and compliance

2. Research and Test Reactors 7. Transportation with them is not required. Methods and solutions different from those set out in

3. Fuels and Msterials Facilities B. Occupational Heahh the guides will be acceptable if they provide a basis for the findings requisite to

2 the issuance or continuance of a permit or license by the Commission 4. Environmental and Siting

. Materials end Plant Protection

9. Antitrust Review

10. General Comments and suggestions for Improvements in these guides are encouraged at all limes, and guides will be revised, as appropriate, to accommodate com.

meants and to reflect new information or experience. However. comments on Copies of published guides may be obtained by written request indicating the this guide, if received within about two months alter its issuance, will be per divisions desired to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Washington. D.C.

ticularly useful in evaluating the need for an early revision 2055M.Attention: Director. Office of Standards Development.

I'lI

Water should be the principal fire suppressor. Special Fire protection programs should conform to the consideration should be given to selection of water provisions of the following codes and standards, as sources, water distribution systems, fire pumps, and applicable:

automatic and manual fire extinguishing systems to control and extinguish a credible fire in any area.

1. National Fire Codes of the National Fire Automatic sprinkler or equivalent coverage should be Protection Association (NFPA),

provided throughout the facility with provisions for special hazard fire control measures where particular

2. Fire Prevention Code of the American In hazards exist, such as in processing operations involving surance Association (AIA),

considerable amounts of flammable, oxidizing, and*

corrosive liquids and in areas where the presence of 3. Fire Protection Standards and Bulletins of the large quantities of highly radioactive materials requires Factory Insurance Association (FIA),

massive shielding and remote controls for personnel safety. 4. Standards of the American Petroleum Institute Incipient fires may be controlled by portable fire (API),

extinguishers. This phase of fire control is particularly important even though automatic sprinklers have been 5. One of the four model building codes provided. Consideration should be given to the selection of portable fire extinguishers suitable for use on specific a. National Building Code of the AIA,

hazards that may be encountered.

b. Uniform Building Code of the International The need for fire detection devices and the type most Conference of Building Officials (ICBO),

desirable should be related to combinations of hazards involved, extinguishing controls' available, and avail c. Southern Standard Building Code of the ability of public and private fire department services. Southern Building Code Congress, Various fire detection devices operating on different principles are available. These include devices where fire d. Basic Building Code of the Building Officials detection is based on fixed temperature, rate of Conference of America.

temperature rise, presence of combustion and pyrolysis products, or various combinations of these principle

C. REGULATORY POSITION

Fire protection systems may be subject to effects of Fuel reprocessing plants should be designed to ensure natural phenomena such as seismic motion and floods, the confinement of hazardous materials during normal missiles, fire and explosion, and other accidents. These or abnormal conditions including fires and explosions.

systems should remain functional to the extent that sufficient protective and suppressive capabilities are I. General Features maintained to prevent uncontrolled release of radioac tive materials as a result of fire. Where possible, a. Fire protection systems for fuel reprocessing continuity of fire protection systems should be ensured plants should be designed to ensure that any credible fire by such means as standby equipment and fail-safe or explosion will not prevent the operation or use of control systems. structures, systems, equipment, and components (herein after referred to as "essential items") whose continued The ability of the systems to perform their safety integrity and/or operability are essential to ensure functions effectively can be ensured by periodic testing confinement of radioactive materials.

of safety-related components to demonstrate their ability to perform at design efficiency and to verify their b. Where possible, each fire protection system should availability for emergencies. be designed so that the failure of any one component (equipment or control device) will not disable the entire An important aspect of a fire protection program is fire protection system. Fire protection systems and the training of a firefighting organization and main. components should have fail.safe features and audible taining its competence with periodic drills. and visual alarms for both operation and trouble.

The fire protection program should provide for the use of appliances, equipment, and materials listed by c. Onsite emergency power supply systems should be such testing organizations as the Underwriters' Labora. provided to operate fire protection systems and tories, Inc. (UL) and the Factory Mutual Research Corp. components as well as other systems and components important to safety. Fire protection systems should be (FM) as meeting their standards.

capable of operating during normal power outage. The

338-2

onsite emergency power sources and the electrical attenuating materials, and the adhesives used for each distribution circuits should have independence andI should also be noncombustible. Concealed spaces should testability to ensure performance of their safety be devoid of comnbustibles. Materials used should have a functions assuming any single failure. rating of 25 or less with respect to flame spread, fuel contribution, and smoke development (Ref. 4).

-J

d. The design of the facility should include provisions to protect against adverse effects that mighl e. Exits should be strategically located to ensure that L radiation exposure of personnel will be minimal during result from operation or failure of the fire suppressior evacuation through a confinement barrier in the event of system. For example, collection systems should be provided for runoff water from the normal or abnormal Sa breach of processing equipment confinement resulting flow of an automatic sprinkler system. from fires and explosions. Such a barrier would be a partition separating two different air zones (Ref. 5). The

• airflow through the barrier should be opposite to the e. The fire protection systems should be designed to

- direction of exit travel.

withstand tornado conditions and the effects of earth.

quakes and remain functional to the extent that suffici.. f. Electrical wiring systems and their supporting ent protective and suppressive capabilities are main. members (i.e., conduits, trays, troughs, raceways, and tained to prevent uncontrolled release of radioactive distribution frames) servicing essential items should be materials as a result of fire. protected against fire. Cable enclosures, fire stops at fire barrier walls, floors, and ceilings, and non-flame f. Criteria for fire protection equipment, systems, propagating electrical insulation should be used in the components, and programs should comply with the design of electrical wiring systems to minimize the intent of applicable provisions of the National Fire spread of fire.

Codes of the NFPA (Ref. 1). Fire protection appliances, equipment, and materials that have been examined b) g. Structures, systems, equipment, and components and meet the standards of such nationally recognized in processing areas requiring hydraulic, lubricating, testing organizations as UL and FM should be used. cooling, insulating, and processing fluids should be protected from fire and its spread by use of minimum volumes of such fluids, by use of fire-resistant fluids, by

2. Building Construction and Facilities fire barrier isolation, by provision for automatic fire and by installation of curbs, catch basins, or a. The fuel reprocessing plant should be designed aniA suppression, t other confinement designs that minimize the spread of constructed using building components of heat-resistan leakage.

- fluid and noncombustible material wherever practicable, pai ticularly in locations vital to the functioning of confine h. Provision should be made for -protection, of the ment barriers and systems.

plant against lightning damage.

b. Where practicable, materials and equipmer it atd. i. Protective barriers should be provided around designed for minimum fire potential should be selecteis, high-pressure or other potentially dangerous systems.

Structural members including walls, partitions, column re, beams, floors, and roofs should be of noncombustibligs 3. Ventilation Systems fire-resistive construction with fire-resistance ratini sufficient for protection against credible fire exposure5.

The ventilation systems should be designed to m withstand any credible fire and explosion and continue c. Assuming failure of any fire suppression systel act as confinement barriers. Fire protection for al to that is not designed as an essential item, the structur ventilation systems is discussed in Regulatory Guide

-a shell (and its supporting members) surrounding any anre 3.32 (Ref. 6).

handling radioactive material, where the radioactiO

material could be accidentally dispersed and cau 4. Hot Ceils, Glove Boxes, Hoods, and Other Process c,

exposure to either operating personnel or the publito Enclosures should be designed with sufficient fire resistance for it 1nt remain standing and continue to act as a confinemei a. Combustible materials should not be used in the structure during any credible accident conditioins Id construction of hot cells. Hot cells should contain the resulting from fires. Penetrations in this shell shou amount of combustibles consistent with st minimum incorporate, as a minimum, equivalent protection again credible fire exposures. operational requirements. Construction and processing materials should be selected that will not be degraded by of exposure to high-radiation fields or corrosive atmo d. Suspended ceilings and their supports should be, or spheres to the point where they will present a fire noncombustible construction as listed by UL (Ref. 2).

Materials and equipment in a hot cell should not

> FM (Ref. 3). Insulation- for pipes and ducts, soreid hazard.

3.38-3 II

be arranged in such a way as to contribute to the 6. Special Automatic Extinguishing Systems ignition or the spread of a fire or hinder the detection or suppression of a fire. a. Areas not protected by automatic water sprinklers should be protected by some other fire suppression b. Glove boxes and process enclosures should be agents such as inert gas, carbon dioxide, high-expansion provided with fire stops in connecting tunnels to prevent foam, or halogenated organic compounds.

the spread of fire. The fire stops between enclosures should normally be closed. Where operations require b. Selection of a carbon dioxide extinguishing system that the fire stops be in the open position, they should should take into account such considerations as type of be designed to close automatically upon operation of the fire hazard, protection of personnel, and process fire detection system. Provision should also be made for enclosure pressurization.

manual operation of fire stops. Combustible materials that are an integral part of a glove box should be held to c. Selection of a halogenated extinguishing system a minimum. should take Into account such considerations as process enclosure pressurization, protection of personnel, type c. The design of enclosures should be based on of fire hazard, adverse reaction with pyrophoric metals, downdraft ventilation flow to minimize the spread of and corrosive thermal decomposition products.

fire, Heat detectors and combustible gas and vapor detection meters should be provided on glove boxes or d. For other special applications, consideration enclosures where fire or explosion hazards exist. should be given to inert gas, dry chemical, high Automatic fire suppression equipment should be expansion foam, and "wet water" fire extinguishing provided in these boxes or enclosures. When automatic systems. When dry chemical systems are used, systems are not required, fire detectors should be consideration must be given to protect filters against installed and provisions made for manual fire fouling.

suppression.

7. Fire Protection Water Systems d. Chemical fume or particulate exhaust hoods should be equipped with full-closing sashes and provided. a. Potable and process water systems should be with fire detectors. Provisions should be made for arranged so they can be shut down without affecting the manual fire suppression where fire or explosion hazards water supply to the fire systems. Fire protection water exist. supply and distribution systems required for essential

5. Sprinkler Systems item protection should be designed and constructed so that continuity of protection in the event of any K

credible accident conditions is ensured.

a. Automatic water sprinkler coverage using com ponents listed by UL (Ref. 7) or FM (Ref. 3) should be b. The water supply for the permanent fire provided throughout the facility except in areas where protection installation nuclear criticality or other hazards specifically preclude reliable, independent should have a minimum of two its use. Nonaqueous systems using components listed by (based on the maximumsources and sufficient capacity water demand) for firefighting UL (Ref. 7) or FM (Ref. 3) should be used in areas not until other sources of water become available. Water protected by automatic water sprinklers or for other, -supplies containing salt or other materials deleterious to special applications (see regulatory position 6). the fire protection systems should be avoided wherever possile.

b. Automatic water-type extinguishing systems Include wet-pipe, preaction sprinkler, open head deluge, c. Water for firefighting and fire suppression systems water spray, and systems utilizing automatic "on-off" should be furnished to the site by a loop distribution flow control. Selection of a specific type of system system encircling the site buildings. Hydrants served by should take into account system characteristics such as this system should be strategically located around the speed of operation, ambient temperature, and required loop. Valves or valve assemblies listed by UL (Ref. 7) or volume-and optimum use of water. FM (Ref. 3) should be provided for proper sectional control of the loop.

c. Wet-pipe conventional automatic sprinklers should be used in nonprocess areas of the facility. d. Fire water pumps should be equipped with automatic starting features and listed by UL (Ref. 7) or d. Whern used in process areas, the sprinkler system FM (Ref. 3) for fire service. Where water supply pressure selected should minimize the quantity of water used, the is provided by pumps only, there should be a minimum unintentional operation of sprinkler heads, the spread of of two pumps, at least one of which should be driven by contamination by water, the extent of cleanup nonelectrical means, preferably diesel engine. Emergency operations, and the possibility of criticality. power should be supplied to an electric-driven fire pump

3-984

in the event of failure of the normal power supply (sec appropriate locations about the plant. A means should regulatory position l.c). Multiple fire water pumps be provided to monitor the status and functioning of the should be selected so that the maximum water demandI fire detection, signal, and alarm systems as well as other for firefighting will be supplied with the lhgest pumI fire protection system components located throughout out of service. the plant. Provision should be made for periodic testing and checkout of these systems.

Audible alarms for pump startup and operation anc for power failure should be provided for the pumi b. A plant-wide public address and two-way corm system and arranged to sound in a constantly attende(I munication system should be provided.

location. A small pressurizing pump should be providecI

to automatically maintain the desired static pressure orI c. Manual fire alarm stations should be installed the fire protection water supply system and minfllz4* throughout the facility at readily accessible locations.

unnecessary operation of the fire water pumps. These stations should be connected to the plant-wide alarm system.

e. Water should be supplied to each water spra]

extinguishing system from the water main loop arountI d. Fires should be indicated audibly by alarms that the facility. A water spray system may be used for heat are set off by fire suppression and detection systems.

removal for the high-efficiency filtration.system servinig Each sprinkler system should be equipped with a flow as a final means of effluent cleaning for the ventilatiojiI alarm on the plant-wide alarm system.

systems. This water spray system should have dedicated water supply, in addition to the normal water e. Glove boxes and enclosures should be equipped ift fire and/or smoke detectors to provide both a local supply, sized to operate the system during a credible fir or explosion even if all other water supplies fail. alarm and a zone and location signal on the plant-wide alarm system.

f. Collection systems should be provided for runof water from firefighting activities or water breaks or leak s f. The Inlet duct to a multistage high-efficiency filter in process areas. Nuclear criticality, confinemeni plenum serving as a final means of effluent cleaning for sampling, volume determination, and retrievability o'f the ventilation systems should be provided with.heat and liquids and solids should be considered in the design oif smoke detectors' that actuate a local alarm and an collection systems. The size of the collection system focr automatic fire alarm station on the plant-wide alarm system.

> firefighting water should be based on the maximur,a amount of water that could be used in fighting a credibl fire. 1

0. Flammable Materials

8. Manual Firefighting Equipment a. Special control should be exercised over the handling of flammable, toxic, and explosive gases, a. Provision should be made for portable fir e chemicals, and materials admitted to or produced in extinguishers listed by UL (Ref. 7) or FM (Ref. 3) and process areas. Solvents and other flammable liquids, suitable for use on specific hazards that may be other than small quantities in use, should be stored in a encountered. The number of fire extinguishers required separate building or unexposed storage area. Safety cans should be determined considering the area and listed by UL (Ref. 8) or FM (Ref. 3) should be used for arrangement of the plant or occupancy, the severity cif flammable liquids. Covered noncombustible containers the hazards, the anticipated classes of fires, and the listed by UL (Ref. 8) or FM (Ref. 3) should be provided distances to be traveled to reach extinguishers. for combustible wastes.

b. Standpipe and hose systems using pomponenits b. Provisions should be made for isolation between listed by UL (Ref. 7) or FM (Ref. 3) should be provideýd Incompatible chemicals, materials, and processes such as and Installed in both process and nonprocess area s. solvent extraction.

d Standpipes should be so located that they are protecte against mechanical and fire damage. Hose outlets shoul d c. Flammable and combustible materials should not be easily accessible. be stored in finished product storage areas or shipping areas.

9. Fire Detection, Signal, and Alarm Systems

11. Quality Assurance Program id a. Provision should be made for fire detection an alarm systems using components listed by UL (Ref. 7) or A quality assurance program should be established for FM (Ref. 3). These systems should consist of fu re the design, construction, testing, operation, and

&l maintenance of all structures, systems, equipment, and detectors, signaling devices, and audible and vLsu:in components of fire protection systems in accordance indicators in a constantly attended location, as well as I

3.38-5

11'

with the criteria in Appendix B, "Quality Assurance organization, layout, and unusual hazards. Drills should Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants and Fuel Reprocessing be held periodically.

Plants," of 10 CFR Part 50. Regulatory Guides 3.3 (Ref. 9) and 3.21 (Ref. 10) describe, respectively, methods of complying with this regulation with regard c. An approved recorded watchman service, central I'l to overall program requirements and requirements for station supervisory service, or constant occupancy of all protective coatings. important areas should be provided to maintain a satisfactory degree of surveillance of the property at all

12. Procedures, Organization, and Training times.

a. Fire emergency procedures should be established for plant personnel. A plant fire protection organization

D. IMPLEMENTATION

should be trained and equipped to deal effectively with fire or explosion emergencies. Selected personnel should The purpose of this section is to provide information be specifically trained in firefighting techniques. Opera to applicants regarding the NRC staff's plans for using ting personnel and new employees should be periodically this regulatory guide.

instructed in the proper use of plant firefighting equip ment and emergency fire procedures. Decontamination Except in those cases in which the applicant proposes procedures should be covered in training programs. Drills to use an acceptable alternative method for complying should be held periodically. with specific portions of the Commission's regulations, the methods described herein will be used In the evaluation of submittals for construction permit applica h. Arrangements should be made with offslte fire tions docketed after March 1, 1977. If an applicant departments for providing assistance to the plant fire wishes to use this regulatory guide in developing protection organization in the event of an onsite fire. submittals for an application docketed prior to March 1, Offsite fire departments should be familiarized with 1977, the pertinent portions of the application will be plant emergency fire procedures, fire protection evaluated on the basis of this guide.

REFERENCES

I. National Fire Codes, National Fire Protection Ventilation Systems for Fuel Reprocessing Plants,"

Association. Copies may be obtained from National I US. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, Fire Protection Association International, 470 D.C.

Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Mass. 02210.

2. Underwriters' Laboratories Building Materials List 7. Underwriters' Laboratories Fire Protection Equip (latest edition). Copies may be obtained from Under ment List (latest edition). Copies may be obtained writers' Laboratories, Inc., 207 East, Ohio Street, from Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., 207 East Ohio Street, Chicago, Ill. 60611.

Chicago, IM1. 60611.

3. Factory Mutual Approval Guide (latest edition). 8.: Underwriters' Laboratories Gas and Oil Equipment Copies may be obtained from Factory Mutual List (latest edition). Copies may be obtained from Research Corporation, 1151 Boston-Providence Turn Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., 207 East Ohio pike, Norwood, Mass. 02062. Street, Chicago, Ill. 60611.

4. ASTM E84-70, "Method of Test for Surface Burning 9. Regulatory Guide 3.3, "Quality Assurance Program Characteristics of Building Materials," American Requirements for Fuel Reprocessing Plants and for Society for Testing and Materials. Copies may be Plutonium Processing and Fuel Fabrication Plants,"

obtained from American Society for Testing and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103. D.C.

5. Regulatory Guide 3.18, "Confinement Barriers and 10. Regulatory Guide 3.21, "Quality Assurance Require-'

Systems for Fuel Reprocessing Plants," US. Nuclear ments for Protective Coatings Applied to Fuel Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. Reprocessing and to Plutonium Processing and Fuel Fabrication Plants," U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Corn

. Regulatory Guide 3.32, "General Design Guide for mission, Washington, D.C.

K

3.38-6

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY

COMMISSION

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300

K