View source for Information Notice 1979-08, Interconnection of Contaminated Systems with Service Air Systems Used as Source of Breathing Air

{{Adams
| number = ML031180148
| issue date = 03/28/1979
| title = Interconnection of Contaminated Systems with Service Air Systems Used as Source of Breathing Air
| author name = 
| author affiliation = NRC/IE
| addressee name = 
| addressee affiliation = 
| docket = 05000000, 05000003, 05000247
| license number = 
| contact person = 
| document report number = IN-79-008, NUDOCS 7904300481
| document type = NRC Information Notice
| page count = 3
}}
{{#Wiki_filter:UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 M4rch 28, 1979 IE Information Notice No. 79-08 SERVICE AIR SYSTEMS USED AS

INTERCONNECTION OF CONTAMINATED SYSTEMS WITH

'THE SOURCE OF BREATHING AIR

==Description of Circumstances==
:
                                                         occurred at the Peach

This Information Notice describes an event which          implications may be

:-Bottom Nuclear Power station; however, the generic   fuel cycle facilities.

applicable to other power reactors and selected

Company (PECO) reported

On October 4, 1978, the Philadelphia Electric        had leaked from the

that, on two occasions at Unit 2, contamination plant source of breathing

radwaste system to a system used to provide the               of the radwaste

air. The leakage occurred through an interconnection     established that no

.system with the plant breathing air source. PECO air as a result of

personnel were subjected to contaminated breathing

this leakage.

at Peach Bottom is to

One of the functions of the service air system using supplied air

provide a source of breathing air for personnel an interconnection to the

respiratory protective equipment. By means of              air system to pro- radwaste system, the facility also uses the service cycle of the

vide a source of compressed air during the    backwash

provides the motive

demineralizer filter element. The compressed air                and was being

element

force for reverse water flow through the filter

incidents     occurred.   Liquid

used to perform this function when the   two

valve     and  a process  valve.

from the radwaste system leaked past a check that contamination had

PECO determined by analysis of liquid  samples

the leakage path were

leaked into the service air system. Valves in                  revealed the

subsequently dismantled and examined. The    examinations

and   air  operated  ball

presence of dirt deposits in the check valve the leakage to these dirt

valve. PECO attributes the specific cause     of

the valves.

deposits which prevented the proper seating of

have indicated that

NRC contacts with other operating power reactors of breathing air. In

other facilities also use service air as a source           interconnected to

several cases, the service air system is physically relies on valves or

and

other systems which carry radioactive material plant source of breathing

other barriers to prevent contamination  of  the

air.

7904300481

IE Information Notice No. 79-08                       March 28, 1979
  ,   t NJREG-0041, "Manual of Respiratory Protection Against Airborne Radioactive

Materials," which supplements the stipulations of Regulatory Guide 8.15, states in Section 9.8, "A separate breathing air supply and distribution

system shall be used. The ordinary plant supply of compressed air in

any building shall not be used for breathing purposes...unless it has

been specifically modified and properly adapted for such use and specifi- cally approved for this purpose by the qualified person supervising the

respiratory protective equipment program."
At those facilities where service air is used as a source of breathing

air, certain precautions can be taken to minimize the potential of a

problem similar to the one described. By review of the service air

system and as-built (or design) drawings,. interconnections between con- taminated systems and the source of breathing air can be identified.

Where interconnections are identified, the design should assure that

adequate separation is provided. In addition, operating procedures

should provide for controls to prevent contamination of the breathing

air source.

No specific action or written response to this Information Notice is

required. If you desire additional information regarding this matter, contact the Director of the appropriate NRC Regional Office.

IE Information Notice No. 79-08 March 28, 1979 LISTING OF 1E INFORMATION NOTICES

ISSUED IN 1979 Information-  Subject                         Date        Issued To

Notice No.                                    Issued

79-01         Bergen-Paterson Hydraulic       2/2/79     All power reactor

Shock and Sway Arrestor                    facilities with an

OL or a CP

79-02        Attempted Extortion -            2/2/79     All Fuel Facilities

Low Enriched Uranium

79-03         Limitorque Valve Geared          2/9/79     All power reactor

Limit Switch Lubricant                      facilities with an

OL or a CP

79-04         Degradation of                  2/16/79     All power reactor

Engineered                                  facilities with an

Safety Features                             OL or a CP

79-05         Use of Improper Materials       3/21/79    All power reactor

in Safety-Related Components                facilities with an

OL or CP

79-06         Stress Analysis of              3/23/79    All Holders of

Safety-Related Piping                      Reactor OL or CP

79-07         Rupture of Radwaste Tanks       3/26/79    All power reactor

facilities with an

OL or CP

79-08         Interconnection of              3/28/79,   All power reactor

Contaminated Systems with                  facilities with an

Service Air Systems Used                   OL and Pu Processing

As the Source of Breathing                 fuel facilities

Air }}

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