View source for Information Notice 1994-31, Potential Failure of Wilco, Lexan-Type HN-4-L Fire Hose Nozzles

{{Adams
| number = ML070180065
| issue date = 04/14/1994
| title = Potential Failure of Wilco, Lexan-Type HN-4-L Fire Hose Nozzles
| author name = Grimes B
| author affiliation = NRC/NRR
| addressee name = 
| addressee affiliation = 
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| license number = 
| contact person = 
| document report number = IN-94-031, NUDOCS 9404080170
| document type = NRC Information Notice
| page count = 7
}}
{{#Wiki_filter:UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 April 14, 1994 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 94-31:   POTENTIAL FAILURE OF WILCO, LEXAN-TYPE HN-4-L

FIRE HOSE NOZZLES

==Addressees==
All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power

reactors.

==Purpose==
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information

notice to alert the addressees of the potential for failure of Lexan- type HN-4-L fire hose nozzles.    It is expected that recipients will review the

information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as

appropriate, to avoid similar problems. However, suggestions contained in

this information notice are not NRC requirements; therefore, no specific

action or written response is required.

==Description of Circumstances==
On August 3, 1992, the licensee for the H.B. Robinson facility experienced a

failure of a 1 1/2-inch Lexan-type HN-4-L fire hose nozzle during a routine

fire hose hydrostatic pressure test. Following the failure, the licensee

revised their procedures to require the use of a ball-style shutoff nozzle

during future pressurization tests. On June 17, 1993, the licensee

experienced another failure of a Lexan-type HN-4-L nozzle during a regularly

scheduled fire hose station flush. The nozzle failed when it was pressurized

to nominal firemain pressure.   Following this event, the licensee replaced

Lexan-type HN-4-L nozzles with ball-style shutoff nozzles.

Discussion

During a fire hose pressurization test on August 3, 1992, the Lexan- type HN-4-L nozzle attached to a hose being tested was shut to pressurize the

hose to the final test pressure of 1,756 kPa [254.7 psia]. With the hose

pressurized to approximately 1,204 kPa [174.7 psia], the nozzle failed.

Following a review of the event, the licensee revised their fire hose

hydrostatic test procedure to require the use of ball-style shutoff nozzles.

On June 17, 1993, a similar failure of a Lexan-type HN-4-L nozzle occurred

during a routine flush of an installed fire hose station. With the nozzle

shut and the fire hose charged to the nominal system pressure of 1,032 kPa      Y r

[149.7 psia], the nozzle failed.

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IN 94-31 April 14, 1994 The nozzles were both 1 1/2-inch diameter, Lexan (polycarbonate) fog nozzles.

Originally, Wilco (Wilson and Cousins Company) manufactured these nozzles, which are now manufactured by the A. Burks Pump Company. They are designated

as Model HN-4-L and are approved by Factory Mutual Insurance Company for fire

hose station use. The testing performed by Factory Mutual included a

hydrostatic test at 6,895 Kpa (1000 psi) and an operational test at pressures

up to 2,069 Kpa (300 psi).

Though the licensee does not track the installation of fire nozzles, it is

estimated that both nozzles had probably been in service for several years.

The nozzles consist of a stationary inner casing attached to the fire hose

fitting. An outer shell is threaded onto this inner casing. The outer shell

is twisted to adjust or start/stop flow. In both of the failures, the inner

casing separated at the third land for the inner casing-outer shell thread.

No indications of imminent failure were present in either failure. An

examination of the threaded area on some disassembled nozzles did not reveal

indications of cracking.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response.    If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

CQL~
                                     Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts:   C. Ogle, RII

(803) 383-4571 W. Orders, RII

(803) 383-4571 P. Madden, NRR

(301) 504-2854 Attachment:

===List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices===

At.dchment

IN 94-31 April 14, 1994 Page I of I

LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NRC INFORMATION NOTICES

Information                                     Date of

Notice No.              Subject                 Issuance   Issued to

90-68,          Stress Corrosion Cracking       04/14/94   All holders of 01 or CPs

Supp. 1         of Reactor Coolant Pump                    for pressurized water

Bolts                                      reactors.

94-30           Leaking Shutdown Cooling        04/12/94   All holders of OLs or CPs

Isolation Valves at                        for nuclear power reactors.

Cooper Nuclear Station

94-29           Charging Pump Trip during       04/11/94   All holders of OLs or CPs

a Loss-of-Coolant Event                    for pressurized water

Caused by Low Suction                      reactors.

Pressure

92-51,          Misapplication and              04/12/94   All holders of OLs or CPs

Supp. I          Inadequate Testing of                     for nuclear power reactors.

Molded-Case Circuit

Breakers

94-28            Potential Problems with        04/05/94   All holders of OLs or CPs

Fire-Barrier Penetration                  for nuclear power reactors.

Seals

94-27            Facility Operating             03/31/94   All holders of OLs or CPs

Concerns Resulting from                   for nuclear power reactors.

Local Area Flooding

94-26            Personnel Hazards and          03/28/94   All holders of OLs or CPs

Other Problems from                       for nuclear power reactors.

Smoldering Fire-Retard- ant Material in the

Drywell of a Boiling- Water Reactor

93-17,          Safety Systems Response         03/25/94  All holders of OLs or CPs

Rev. I           to Loss of Coolant and                     for nuclear power.

Loss of Offsite Power

OL = Operating-License

CP = Construction Permit

IN 94-31 April 14, 1994 The nozzles were both 1 1/2-inch diameter, Lexan (polycarbonate) fog nozzles.

Originally, Wilco (Wilson and Cousins Company) manufactured these nozzles, which are now manufactured by the A. Burks Pump Company. They are designated

as Model HN-4-L and are approved by Factory Mutual Insurance Company for fire

hose station use. The testing performed by Factory Mutual included a

hydrostatic test at 6,895 Kpa (1000 psi) and an operational test at pressures

up to 2,069 Kpa (300 psi).

Though the licensee does not track the installation of fire nozzles, it is

estimated that both nozzles had probably been in service for several years.

The nozzles consist of a stationary inner casing attached to the fire hose

fitting. An outer shell is threaded onto this inner casing. The outer shell

is twisted to adjust or start/stop flow. In both of the failures, the inner

casing separated at the third land for the inner casing-outer shell thread.

No indications of imminent failure were present in either failure. An

examination of the threaded area on some disassembled nozzles did not reveal

indications of cracking.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response.       If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

orig /s/'d by CIGrimes/for

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts:   C. Ogle, RII

(803) 383-4571 W. Orders, RII

(803) 383-4571 P. Madden, NRR

(301) 504-2854 Attachment:

===List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices===
*See previous concurrences

SPLB:DSSA*         SPLB:DSSA* SPLB:DSSA*       DSSA:NRR* OGCB:DORS*
PMadden            SWest        CMcCracken     AThadani  TJKim

10/15/93           10/15/93    ,10/15/93       10/15/93   10/28/93 Tech Ed*           OGCB:DORS*   DORS:NRR

DGables            AKugler      BKGrimee    -s/
10/25/93          03/17/94     04/ /94     -,
DOCUMENT   NAME:  94-31.iN

IN 94-XX

March XX, 1994 The nozzles were both I 1/2-inch diameter, Lexan (polycarbonate) fog nozzles.

Originally, Wilco (Wilson and Cousins Company) manufactured these nozzles, which are now manufactured by the A. Burks Pump Company.     They are designated

as Model HN-4-L and are approved by Factory Mutual Insurance Company for fire

hose station use. The testing performed by Factory Mutual included a

hydrostatic test at 6,895 Kpa (1000 psi) and an operational test at pressures

up to 2,069 Kpa (300 psi).

Though the licensee does not track the installation of fire nozzles, it is

estimated that both nozzles had probably been in service for several years.

The nozzles consist of a stationary inner casing attached to the fire hose

fitting. An outer shell is threaded onto this inner casing. The outer shell

is twisted to adjust or start/stop flow. In both of the failures, the inner

casing separated at the third land for the inner casing-outer shell thread.

No indications of imminent failure were present in either failure. An

examination of the threaded area on some disassembled nozzles did not reveal

indications of cracking.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts:   C. Ogle, RII

(803) 383-4571 W. Orders, RII

(803) 383-4571 P. Madden, NRR

(301) 504-2854 Attachment:

===List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices===
*See previous concurrences

SPLB:DSSA*         SPLB:DSSA*   SPLB:DSSA*   DSSA:NRR*  OGCB:DORS*
PMadden            SWest        CMcCracken   AThadani   TJKim

10/15/93           10/15/93     10/15/93     10/15/93    10/28/93 Tech Ed*.          OGCB:DORS*   DORS:NRR

===DGables            AKugler      BKGrimes===
10/25/93           03/17/94     03/ /94        ,
DOCUMENT NAME:    93-113.IN

IN 94-XX

March XX, 1994 The nozzles were both I 1/2-inch diameter, Lexan (polycarbonate) fog nozzles.

Originally, Wilco (Wilson and Cousins Company) manufactured these nozzles, which are now manufactured by the A. Burks Pump Company.. They are designated

as Model HN-4-L and are approved by Factory Mutual Insurance Company for fire

hose station use. Though the licensee does not track the installation of fire

nozzles, it is estimated that both nozzles had probably been in service for

several years. The nozzles consist of a stationary inner casing attached to

the fire hose fitting. An outer shell is threaded onto this inner casing.

The outer shell is twisted to adjust or start/stop flow.      In both of the

failures, the inner casing separated at the third land for the inner casing- outer shell thread. No indications of imminent failure were present in either

failure.. An examination of the threaded area on some disassembled nozzles did

not reveal indications of cracking.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response.       If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts:   C. Ogle, RII

(803) 383-4571 W. Orders, RII

(803) 383-4571 P. Madden, NRR

(301) 504-2854 Attachment:
List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

*See previous concurrences

SPLB:DSSA*         SPLB:DSSA*   SPLB:DSSA*   DSSA:NRR*   OGCB:DORS*
PMadden            SWest        CMcCracken   AThadani    TJKim

10/15/93           10/15/93     10/15/93     10/15/93    10/28/93 Tech Ed*           OGCB:DORS    DORS:NRR

DGables            AKugler6k    BKGrimesi'A

10/25/93           03/17/94     03/ /941C

DOCUMENT   NAME: 93-113.IN

IN 93-XX

October XX, 1993 The nozzles were both 1 1/2-inch diameter, Lexan (polycarbonate) fog nozzles.

They were originally produced by Wilco (Wilson and Cousins Company), but are

now manufactured by Prosser Industries. They are designated as Model HN-4-L

and were approved by Factory Mutual Insurance Company for fire hose station

use. Though the licensee does not track the installation of fire nozzles, it

is estaimated that both nozzles had probably been in service for several

years. The nozzles consist of a stationary inner casing attached to the fire

hose fitting. Onto this inner casing, an outer shell is threaded. The outer

shell is twisted to adjust or start/stop flow. In both of the failures, the

inner casing separated at the third land for the inner casing-outer shell

thread. No indications of imminent failure were present in either failure.

An examination of the threaded area on some disassembled nozzles did not

reveal indications of cracking.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate NRR project manager.

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts:        C. Ogle, RII

(803) 383-4571 W. Orders, RII

(803) 383-4571 P. Madden, NRR

(301) 504-2854 At t.hment:    List        Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

4-'I_.IDSSA --. S4'1SM:DSSA        SPLB:DSSA        DSSAAiR       OGCAR-S

PMadden         SWest             CMcCra.cken      AThadani      TJKim

10/),e;/93      101//,-,/93        10//')/93       10//1 93       10/28/93 OGCB:DORS         DORS:NRR

D.  G-W6k s     GHMarcus           BKGrimes

10/7-5/93      10/ /93            10/ /93 DOCUMENT    NAME:   93-113.IN}}

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