Regulatory Guide 1.120

Fire Protection Guidelines for Nuclear Power Plants

ML13350A276
Person / Time
Issue date:	06/30/1976
From:	NRC/OSD
To:
References
RG-1.120
Download: ML13350A276 (23)

--U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONJune 1976REGULATORY GUIDEOFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENTREGULATORY GUIDE 1.120FIRE PROTECTION GUIDELINES FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTSI" INka)USNRC REGULATORY GUIDES Commenis should be sent to the Secretary ot the Commission. U S, Nurlea,Regulatory Guides are issued Io describe and make available to the public Regulatory Commission. Washington. 0 C 20M55. Attention Dfockeling andmethods acceptable to the NRC stall of implementing specific pan. ol the Service SectionCommission's regulations, to delineate techniques used by the staf in evoalu The guides atre Issued in the following ten broad divisionssaing specific problems or postulated accidanls, or to provide guidance to app!.cents. Regulatory Guides are niot substilutes torreggulallort, and compliance I. Powew Reaclors 6 Productswith them Is not required. Methods end solutions difflerenl from those set out in 2. Research and Test Reactors 7 Tranrporletionthe guides will be acceptable It they provid, a beei* for the findings requitel to 3. Fuels and Materials Facilities 8 Occupational Healththe Issuance or continuance olf permit or license by the Co nmmission 4 Environmental and Siting 9 Antitrust ReviewComments and suggestions for improvements in these guides are encouraged 6 Malteials and Plant Protection 10 Generalat all times. and guides will be revised. as appropriate, to accommodate comments and o reflect new information or eipeflenc. However. cuminonts nim Copies of published guides may be obtained by wrttien request indicatilig theIhis guide. I received within about two months alter its Issuance wilt hr par divisions desired 1o thi U S Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washinglton 0 Clicularly uselul in evaluating the need fo, an early revision 2 .Allention. Director. Office of Standards Oevalopment

A. INTRODUCTION

General Design Criterion 3, "Fire Protection" of Appendix A, "General Design Criteria forNluclear Power Planlts," to 10 CFR Part 50, "Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities,"requires that structures, systems, and components important to safety be designed and loc,3ted tominimize, consistent with other safety requirements, the probability and effect of fires andexplosions. Noncombustible and heat-resistant materials are required to be used wherever prac-tical throughout the unit, particularly in locations such as the containment and control room.Criterion 3 also requires that-fire detection and suppression systems of appropriate capacity andcapability be provided and designed to minimize the adverse effect of fires on structures, systems,and components important to safety and that firefighting systems be designed to ensure that theirfailure, rupture, or inadvertent operation does not significantly impair the safety capability ofthese structures, systems, anid components.This guide presents guidelines acceptable to the NRC staff for implementing this criterionin the development of a fire protection program for nuclear power plants. The purpose of thefire protection program is to ensure the capability to shut down the reactor and maintain it in asafe shutdown condition and to minimize radioactive releases to the environment in the event of afire. If designs or methods different from the guidelines presented herein are used, they mustprovide fire protection comparable to that recommended in the guidelines. -jitable bases andjustification should be provided for alternative approaches to establish aL.eptable implementa-tion of General Design Criterion 3.This guide addresses fire protection only for safety-related systems and equipment innuclear power plants. It does not give guidance on separation criteria for redundant cablesystems. Such guidance is included in Regulatory Guide 1.75, "Physical Independence of Elec-trical Systems." Economic and property loss considerations will probably dictate additionalrequirements for the fire protection program.

B. DISCUSSION

The fire protection program for a nuclear power plant consist; of design features, personnel,equipment, and procedures. Management participation in the program should begin with earlydesign concepts and plant layout work and continue through plant operation. A qualified staffshould be responsible for engineering and design of fire protection systems for nuclear powerplants. This staff should also be responsible for fire prevention activities, maintenance offire protection systems, training, and manual firefighting activities. The equipment portion ofthe fire protection program comprises all equipment that provides fire detection, annunciation,control, containment, suppression, and extinguishment. It is the combination of all these thatprovides the needed defense-in-depth protection of the public health and safety.There have been 32 fires in operating U.S. nuclear power plants through December 1975. Ofthese, the fire on March 22, 1975, at Browns Ferry nuclear plant was the most severe. Withapproximately 250 operating reactor years of experience, one may infer a frequency on the orderof one fire per ten reactor years. Thus, on the average, a nuclear power plant may experienceone or wore fires of varying severity during its operating life. WASH-1400, "Reactor SafetyStudy -An Assessment of Accident Risks in U.S. Commercial Nuclear Power Plants," dated October1975, concluded that the Browns Ferry fire did not affect the validity of the overall risk assess-ment. In any event, cost-effective fire protection measures should be instituted to significantlydecrease the frequency and severity of fires.A document entitled "The International Guidelines for the Fire Protection of Nuclear PowerPlants," (IGL) 1974 Edition, 2nd Reprint, published on behalf of the National Nuclear RisksInsurance Pools and Association, provides a step-by-step approach to assessing the fire risk in anuclear power plant and describes protective measures to be taken as a part of the fire protec-tion of these plants. It provides useful guidance in this important area. The fluclear EnergyLiability and Property Insurance Association (NIELPIA) hds prepared a document entitled "Soecifica-tions for Fire Protection of New Plants" which gives general conditions and valuable criteria. Aspecial review group organized by NRC under Dr. Stephen H. Hanauer, Technical Advisor to theExecutive Director for Operations, to study the Brcwns Ferry fire issued a report, NUREG-0050,"Reconviendatiot. Related to Drowns Ferry Fire," in February 1976, which contains recommendationsapplicable to all nuclear power plants. This guide uses the applicable information contained inthese documents.1.120-3 For the user's convenience, some of the terms related to fire protection are presented belowwith their definitions as used in this guide:Approved -signifies that devices or assemblie% have been tested and accepted for a specificpurpose or application by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.Automatic -self-acting, operating by its own mechanism when actuated by some impersonalinfluence such as a change in current, pressure, temperature, or mechanical configuration.Combustible Sources -any material that will burn or sustain the combustion process whetheror not it exhibits flame unoer exposure fire conditions that can exist at their point ofapplication.Concealed -if space containing combustible material is inaccessible to the extinguishingagent, the combustibles are ronsidered to be concealed.Design Basis Fires -fires that cause the most damage or the most severe exposure to thearea or systems being considered. They are fires-that may develop in local areas assumingno manual, automatic, or other firefighting action has been initiated, the fire has passedflashov!r (i.e., the temperature at which auto-ignition of other combustibles in the areawill occur), and the fire has reached its peak burning rate.Electrical Conduit -rigid or flexible tubing, usually either steel or aluminium, in whichelectrical cables are run.Enclosed -surrounded by a case that will prevent a person from accidentally contacting liveelectrical parts. Can also apply to flammable liquids that are contained or encased infire-resistive materials or buildings.Fire Area -that portion of a building or plant that is separated from other areas by bound-ary fire barriers (walls, floors, or roofs) with any openings or penetrations protected withseals or closures having a fire resistance rating equal to that of the barrier.Fire Barrier -those components of construction (walls, floors, or roofs) that are rated byapproving laboratories in hours of resistance to fire and are used to prevent the spread offire.Fire Break -a feature of construction that prevents fire propagation along the length ofcables or prevents spreading of fire to nearby combustibles within a given fire area or firezone.Fire Brigade -the team of plant personnel assigned to firefighting and who are trained inthe fighting of fires by ,n approved training program.Fire Detectors -a device designed to automatically detect the presence of fire and initiatean alarm system (see the National Fire Protection Association Standard NFPA 72E, "AutomaticFire Detectors"). Some typical fire detectors are classified as follows:Heat Detector -a device that detects abnormally high temperature or rate-of-temperaturerise..Smoke Detector -a device that detects the visible or invisible particles of combustion.Flame Detector -a device that detects the infrared, ultraviolet, or visible radiationproduced by a fire.Products of Combustion Detector -a detector whose actuation mechanism depends uponpyrolysis or combustion products.Fire Protection Program -the components, procedures, and personnel utilized in carrying outalTiactivities of fire protection. It includes such things as fire prevention, detection,annunciation, control, confinement, suppression, extinguishment, administrative procedures,fire brigade organization, inspection and maintenance, training, quality assurance, andtesting.Fire Rating -the endurance period of a fire barrier or structure; it defines the period ofresistance to a standard fire exposure before the first critical point in behavior isobserved. (See NFPA 251.)1.120-4 Fire Suppression -capability for control and extinguishing of fires (firefighting).ual fire suppression activities include the use of hoses or portable extinguishers.Automatic fire suppression includes the use of fixed systems such as water sprinklers,Halon, or carbon dioxide.Fire Zones -subdivisions of fire areas in which the fire suppression systems are designedto combat particular types of fires. The concept of fire zone aids in defining to thefirefighter the fire parameters and the actions that would be necessary.Noncombustible -materials, no part of which will ignite and burn when subjected to fire.Raceway -any channel that is designed expressly for holding wires, cables, or bus bars andis used solely for this purpose.Restricted Area -any area to which access is controlled by the licensee for purposes ofprotecting individuals fror exposure to radiation and radioactive materials.Safety-Related Systems and Components -systems and components required to shut down thereactor, mitigate the consequences of postulated accidents, or maintain the reactor in asafe shutdown condition.Srrinkler System -a system of overhead piping and components from the first supply valve tothe point where water discharges from the system to the fire area. The system is usuallyactivated by heat or smoke from a fire. The system sometimes includes a controlling and/ora sectionalizing valve that is activated by a fire detection system and a device for actuat-ing an alarm when the system is in operation. Sprinkler systems may be classified asfollows:Wet Pipe -a system employing automatic closed-head (fusible link operated) sprinklersattached to a piping system containing water and connected to a water supply so thatwater discharges immediately from sprinklers opened by a fire.DryPipe -a system employing automatic closed-head sprinklers attached to a pipingsystem containing air or nitrogen under pressure, the release of which, as from theopening of a sprinkler, permits the water pressure to open a valve known as a dry-pipevalve. The water then flows into the piping system and out the open sprinklers.Preaction System -a system employing automatic closed-head sprinklers attached to apiping system containing air that may or may not be under pressure, with a fire detec-tion system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers. Actuation of the firedetection system, as by a fire, opens a valve that permits water to flow into thesprinkler piping system and to be discharged from any sprinklers that have been openedby the fire.Deluuge_5ystem -a system employing open-head sprinklers and/or nozzles attached to apiping system connected to a water supply through a valve that is opened by the opera-tion of a fire detection system installed in the areas where the sprinklers or nozzlesare located. When this valve opens, water flows into the piping system and dischargesfrom all sprinklers or nozzles attached thereto.Standpipe and Hose Systems -a fixed piping system connected to a water supply to provideeffective fire hose streams in the shortest possible time to specific areas inside thebuilding.The Browns Ferry fire and subsequent events have shown potential inadequ.cie: in fire pro-tection. Some of the major conclusions that emerged from the Browns Ferry fire investigationswarrant emphasis and are discussed below.1. Defense in DepthNuclear power plants use the concept of defense in depth to achieve the required high degreeof safety by using echelons of safety systems. This concept is also applicable to fire safety innuclear power plants. With respect to the fire protection program, the defense-in-depth principleis aimed at achieving an adequate balance in:a. Preventing fires from starting;b. Detecting fires quickly, suppressing those fires that occur, putting them out quickly,and limiting their damage; and1.120-5 c. Designing plant safety systems so that a fire that starts in spite of the fire preven-tion program and burns for a considerable time in spite of fire protection activities will notprevent essential plant safety functions from being performed.Nio one of these echelons can be perfect or complete by itself. Strengthening any one cancompensate in some measure for weaknesses, known or unknown, in the others.The primary objective of the fire protection program is to minimize both the probability andconsequences of postulated fires. In spite of steps taken to reduce the probability of fire inthe design of the plant, it is expected that fires will occur. Therefore, leans should be nro-vided to detect, control, and extinguish fires. This can be done by providing fixed fire detec-tion and suppression systems of appropriate capability and adequate capacity in areas where thepotential fire damage may jeopardize safe plant shutdown. Backup manual firefighting capabilityshould be provided throughout the plant to limit the extent of a fire by providing portableequipment consisting of hoses, nozzles, portable extinguishers, and iir breathing equipment foruse by properly trained firefighting personnel.A nuclear power plant must maintain its capability to combat a fire under any operatingcondition with fuel on site. A single failure in the fire prot-cltion system or direct supportsystems should not impair both primary and backup plant fire pirotectioni capability. For example,to avoid such a consequence, the pumping portion of fire protection water supply systems shouldbe redundant and independent, including associated power supplie.s alnd controls. Also, failure orinadvertent operation of the fire suppression system should not result in failure of safety-related systems or components.Postulated fires or fire protection system failures need not be considered concurrent withother plant accidents or the most severe natural phenomena, e.g., fire and a LOCA or fire and theSafe Shutdown Earthquake (SSE). However, in the event of the SSE, the fire protection systemshould be capable of delivering water from manual hose stations located within hose reach ofareas containing equipment required for safe shutdown. The water supply for thi. condition maybe obtained by manual operator actuation of valves in a connection to the hose standpipe headerfrom a normal Seismic Category I water system such as the essential service water systemn. Thusat least manual hose and portable fire protection capability must be provided for all pottulateddesign basis events requiring plant shutdown. The fire protection systems should, however,because of the higher probability of occurrence, retain their original design capability for(1) natural phenomena of less severity and greater frequency (approximately once in 10 years)such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, ice storms, or small-intensity earthquakes that arecharacteristic of the site geographic region and (2) for potential man-created site-relatedevents such as oil barge collisions and aircraft crashes that have a reasonable probability ofoccurring at a specific plant site. The effects of lightning strikes should be included in theoverall plant fire protection system.Fire protection starts with design and must be carried through in all phases of constructionand operation. Furthermore, quality assurance (QA) programs are needed to identify and rectifyerrors in design, construction, and operation and are an essential part of defense in depth.This guide is intended to implement the pHlosophy of defense-in-depth protection against thehazards of fire and its associated effects on safety-related equipment.2. Use of Water on Electrical FiresExperience with major electrical fires shows that water should be used if initial attemptsto put out a cable fire with other agents are not immediately successful. Since prompt extin-guishing of the fire is paramount to reactor safety, damage would be reduced by discreet applica-tion of water from automatic sprinklers rather than manual application with fire hoses. Thewidespread opinion and practice that emphasize the reasons for not using water as contrasted tothose for its prompt and proper use are a concern. Firefighting procedures and fire trainingshould provide the techniques, equipment, and skills for the use of water in fighting electricalfires in nuclear plants, particularly in areas containing a high concentration of electric cableswith plastic insulation.Ie This is not to say that water systems should be installed everywhere. Equipment that maybe damaged by water should be shielded or relocated away from the fire hazard and the water.Drains should be provided to remove any water used for fire suppression and extinguishment.3. Establishment and Use of Fire AreasThe concept of separate fire areas for each division of safety equipment that requiresredundancy will facilitate the installation of automatic water extinguishing systems since itwill reduce the possibility of water damaging redundant safety-related equipment.1.120-6~1 Fire areas should be established based on the amount of combustible material present andconsidering suitably cljosen design basis fires so that adequate protection can be provided forsafety-related systems and equipment. Design basis fires are those fires that result in the mostduimage or most severe exposure to the area or systems being considered.Within each area, special attention should be given to limiting the amount of combustiblematerial ane to providing effective barriers and fire-resi3tive coatings to reduce the spread ofa fire in these areas. A design basis fire should be assumed, and provisions should be made tolimit the consequence of such a fire by providing fire barriers w.ith suitable separation betweenredundant systems and components that are provided to carry out required safety functions. Thisseparation is enhanced if the plant is divided into suitable fire areas since redundant safetyequipment can then be placed in separate fire areas.Particular design attention should be given to the use of separate isolated fire areas forredundant cables to avoid loss of redundant safety-related cables.Provisions should also be made to limit the consequences of a fire by suitable design ofthe ventilation systems so 'hat the spread of the products of combustion to other areas of the* plant is prevented. Means should be provided to ventilate, exhaust, or isolate the area asrequired. The power suppiy and controls for the area ventilation system should be from outsidethe area, and the power and control cables should not pass through the area.In the design, consideration should be given to providing personnel access to and escaperoutes from each fire area. The emergency plans for all plants should lay out access and escapeto cover the event of a fire in critical areas of the plant.

C. REGULATORY POSITION

I. Overall Reqcuirements of the Fire Protection Programa. PersonnelResponsibility for the overall fire protection program should be assigned to a desig-nated person in the upper level of management. This person should retain ultimate responsibilityeven though formulation and assurance of program implementation is delegated. Such delegation ofauthority should be to staff personnel prepared by training and experience in fire protection andnuclear plant safety to provide a balanced approach in directing the fire protection program forthe nuclear power plant.The fire protection staff should be responsible for:(1) Coordination of building layout and systems design with fire area requirements,including consideration of potential hazards associated with postulated design basis fires.(2) Design and maintenance of fire detection, suppression, and extinguishing systems.(3) Fire prevention activities.(4) Training and manual firefighting activities of plant personnel and the firebrigade.( NOTE: NIFPA 6, "Recommendations for Organization of Industrial Fire Loss Prevention," containsuseful guidance for organization and operation of the entire fire loss prevention program.)b. Design BasesThe overall fire protection program should be based on evaluation of potential firehazards throughout the plant and the effect of postulated design basis fires relative to main-taining ability to perform safe shutdown functions and minimize radioactive releases to theenvironment.c. BackupTotal reliance should not be placed on a single automatic fire suppression system.Appropriate backup fire suppression capability should be provided.d. Single-Failure CriterionA single failure in the fire suppression system should not impair both the primary andbackup fire suppression capability. For example, redundant fire water pumps with independent1.120-7 power supplies and controls should be provided. Postulated fires or. fire protection systemfailures need not be considered concurrent with other plant accidents or the most severe naturalphenomena. However, in the event of the most severe earthquake, i.e., the Safe Shutdown Earth-quake (SSE), the fire suppression system should be capable of delivering water to manual hosestations located within hose reach of areas containing equipment required for safe plant s;iut-down. The fire protection systems should, however, retain their original design capability for(1) natural phenomena of less severity and greater frequency (appruximately once in 10 years)such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, ice storms, or small-intensity earthquakes that arecharacteristic of the site geographic region and (2) for potential man-created site-relatedevents such as oil barge collisions or aircraft crashes that have a reasonable probability ofoccurring at a specific plant site. The effects of lightning strikes should be included In theoverall plant fire protection program.e, Fire Suppression SystemsFailure or inadvertent operation of the fire suppression system should not incapacitatesafety-related systems or components. Fire suppression systems that are pressurized duringnormal plant operation should meet the guidelines specified for moderate energy systems outsidecontainment in Section 3.6.1 of the Standard Review Plan, NUREG-75/087.f. Fuel Storage AreasThe fire protection program (plans. personnel, and equipment) for buildings stoting newreactor fuel and for adjacent fire zones tha: could affect the fuel storage zone should be fullyoperational before fuel is received at the site.g. Fuel LoadingThe fire protection program for an entire reactor unit should be fully operationalprior to initial fuel loading in that reactor unit.h. Multiple-Reactor SitesOn multiple-reactor sites where there are operating reactors and construction ofremaining units is being completed, the fire protection program should provide continuing evalua-tion and include additional fire barriers, fire protection capability, and administrative controlsnecessary to protect the operating units from construction fire hazards. The superintendent ofthe operating plant should have the lead responsibility for site fire protection.i. Simultaneous FiresSimultaneous fires in more than one reactor unit need not be considered. Because ofseparation requirements, a fire involving more than one reactor unit need not be consideredexcept for facilities shared between units.2. Administrative Procedures, Controls, and Fire Brigadea. Administrative procedures consistent with the need for'maintaining the performance ofthe fire protection system and personnel in nuclear power plants should be provided..Guidance is contained in the following publications:NFPA 4 -Organization for Fire ServicesNFPA 4A -Organization of a Fire DepartmentNFPA 6 -Industrial Fire Loss PreventionNFPA 7 -Management of Fire EmergenciesNFPA 8 -Management Responsibility for Effects of Fire on OperationsNFPA 27 -Private Fire Brigadesb. Effective administrative measures should be implemented to prohibit bulk storage ofcombustible materials inside or adjacent to safety-related buildings or systems during operationor maintenance periods. Regulatory Guide 1.39, "Housekeeping Requirements for Water-CooledNuclear Power Plants," provides guidance on housekeeping, including the disposal of combustiblematerials.c. Normal and abnormal conditions or other anticipated operations such as modifications(e.g., breaking fire stops, impairment of fire detection and suppression systems) and refuelingactivities should be reviewed by appropriate levels of management and appropriate special actionand procedures such as fire watches or temporary fire barriers implemented to ensure adequatefire protection and reactor safety. In particular:1.120-8 (1) Work involving ignition sources such as welding and flame cutting should be doneunder closely controlled conditions. Procedures governing such work should be reviewed andapproved by persons trained and experienced in fire protection. Persons performing and directlyassisting in such work should be trained and equipped to prevent and combat fires. If this isnot possible, a person qualified in fire protection should directly monitor the work and functionas a fire watch.(2) Leak testing and similar procedures such as airflow determination should use oneof thc conmercially available aerosol techniques. Open flames or combustion-generated smokeshould not be permitted.(3) Use of combustible material, e.g., HEPA and charcoal filters, dry ion exchangeresins, or othrr combustible supplies, in safety-related rreas should be controlled. Use of woodinside buildings containing safety-related systems or equipment should be permitted only whensuitable noncombustible substitutes are not available. If wood must be used, only fire-retardant-treated wood (scaffolding, lay-down blocks) should be permitted. Such materials should be allowedinto safety-related areas only when they are to be used immediately. Their possible and probableuse should be considered in the fire hazard analysis to determine the adequacy of the installedfi:-e protection systems.d. Nuclear power plants are frequently located in remote areas at '.ome distance frompublic fire dcpartments. Also, first response fire departments are often volunLeer. Public firedepartment response should be considered in the overall fire protection program. However, theplant should be designed to be self-sufficient with respect to firefighting activities and relyon tile public response only for supplemental or backup capability.C. The need for good organization, training, and equipping of fire brigades at nuclearpower plant sites requires that effective measures be implemented to ensure proper discharge ofthese functions. The g'. .i.nce in Regulatory Guide 1.101, "Emergency Planning for Nuclear PowerPlants," should be followed as applicable.(1) Successful flrefiqhting requires testing and maintenance of the fire protectionequipment, and the emergency lighting and communication, as well as practice as brigades for thepeople who miust utilize the equipment. A test plan that lists the individuals and their respon-sibilities in connection with routine tests and inspections of the fire detection and protectionsystems should be developed. The test plan should contain the types, frequency, and detailedprocedures for testing. Procedures should also contain instructions on maintaining fire protec-tion during those periods when the fire protection system is impaired or during periods of plantmaiintenance, e.g., fire watches or temporary hose connections to water systems.(2) Basic training is a necessary element in effective firefighting operation. Inorder for a fire brigade to operate effectiv.ely, it must operate as a team. All members mustknow what their individual duties are. They must be familiar with the layout of the plant andwith equipment location and operation in order to permit effective firefighting operations duringtimes when a particular area is filleq with smoke or is insufficiently lighted. Such trainingcan only be accomplished by conducting drills several times a year (at least quarterly) so thatall members of the fire brigade have had the opportunity to train as I team testing itself in themajor areas of the plant. The drills should include the simulated use of equipment ii each areaand should be preplanned and postcritiqued to establish the training objective of the drills anddetermine how well these objectives have been met. These drills should periodically (at leastannually) include local fire department participation where possible. Such drills also permitsupervising personnel to evaluate the effectiveness of communications within the fire brigade andwith the on-scene fire team leader, the reactor operator in the control room, and the offsitecommuand post.(3) To have proper coverage during all phases of operation, members of each shift crewshould be trained in fire protection. Training of the plant fire brigade should be coordinatedwith the local fire department so that responsibilities and duties are delineated in advance.lhis coordination should be part of the training course and implemented into the training of thelocal fire department staff. Local fire departments should be educated in the operational pre-cautions when fighting fires on nuclear power plant sites. Local fire departments should be madeaware of the need for radioactive protection of personnel and the special hazards associated witha nuclear power plant site.(4) NFPA 27, "Private Fire Brigade," should be followed in organization, training, andfire drills. This standard also is applicable for the inspection and maintenance of firefightingequipment. Among the standards referenced in this document, the following should be utilized:NFPA 194, "Standards for Screw Threads and Gaskets for Fire Hose Couplings," NFPA 196, "Standardfor Fire Hose," NFPA 197, "Training Standard on Initial Fire Attacks," and NFPA 601, "Recommended1.120-9ENAMMMMOME" Manual of Instructions and Duties for the Plant V~Atchman on Guard." UFPA booklts and pamphletslisted on page 27-11 of Volume 8, 1971-72, are also applicable for good training references. Inaddition, courses in fire prevention and fire suppression that are recognized and/or sponsored bythe fire protection industry should be utilized.3. Quality Assurance ProgramQuality assurance (QA) programs of applicants and contractors should be developed andimplemented to ensure that the requirements for design, procurerr!nt, installation, and testingand administrative controls for the fire protection program for safety-related areas as definedin this guide are satisfied. The progra;:i should be under the management control of the QAorganization. The QA program criteria that apply to the fire protection program should includethe following:a. Design Controi and Procurement Document ControlMeasures should be established to ensure that all design-related guidelines of tUeregulatory position of this guide are included in design and procurement documents and thatdeviations therefrom are controlled.b. Instructions, Procedures, and DrawingsInspections, tests, administrative controls, fire drills, and training that govern thefire protection program should be prescribed by documented instructions, procedures, or drawingsand should be accomplished in accordance with these documents.c. Control of Purchased Material, Equipment, and ServicesMeasures should be established to ensure that purchased material, equipment, andservices conform to the procurement documents.d. InspectionA program for independent inspection of activities affecting fire protection should beestablished and executed by or for the organization performing the activity to verify conformancewith documented installation drawings and test procedures for accomplishing the activities.e. Test and Test ControlA test program should be established and implemented to ensure that testing is performedand verified by inspection and audit to demonstrate conformance with design and system readinessrequirements. 1ihe tests should be performed in accordance with written test procedures; testresults should be properly evaluated and acted on.f. Inspection, Test, and Operating StatusMeasures should be established to provide for the identification of itermis that havesatisfactorily passed required tests and inspections.9. Nonconforming ItemsMeasures should be established to control items that do not conform to specified require-ments.to prevent inadvertent use or installation.h. Corrective ActionMeasures should be established to ensure that conditions adverse to fire protectionsuch as failures, malfunctions, deficiencies, deviations, defective components, uncontrolledcombustible material, and nonconformances are promptly identified, reported, and corrected.i. RecordsRecords should be prepared and maintained to furnish evidence that the criteria enu-merated above are being met for activities affecting the fire protection program.J. AuditsAudits should be conducted and documented to verify compliance with the fire protectionprogram, including design and procurement documents, instructions, procedures and drawings, andinspection and test activities.1.120-10-I 4. General Plant Guidelinesa. Building Design(I) Plant layouts should be arranged to:(a) Iso. 'e safety-related systems from unacceptable fire hazards and(b) Separate redundant safety-related systems from each other so that both arenot subject to damage from a single Fire hazard.(2) In order to atzomplish a.(l) above, safety-related systems and fire hazardsshould be identified throughout the plant. Therefore, a detailed fire hazard analysis should beniade during initial plant design.(3) For multiple-reactor sites, cable spreading rooms should not be shared betweenreactors. Eaci coble spreading room should be separated from other areas of thp plant by barriers(walls and floors) having a minimum fire resistance of three hours. Cabling for redundant safetydivisions should te separated by walls having three-hour fire barriers.(4) Interior wall and structural components, thermal insulatinn materials, radiationshielding materials, and soundproofing should be noncombustible. Interior finishes should benoncomlbustible or listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Factory Mutual orUnderwriters Laboratory, Inc. , for flame spread, s-roke, and fuel contribution of 25 or less inits use configuration (ASTM E-84 Test, "Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials").(5) Metal deck roof construction should be noncombustible (see the building materialsdirectory of the Underwriters Laboratory, Inc.) or listed as Class I by Factory Mutual SystemApproval Guide.(6) Suspended ceilings and their supports should be of noncombustible construction.Concealed spaces should be devoid of combustibles.(7) Hign-voltage/high-amperage transformers installed inside buildings containingsafety-related systems should be of the dry type or insulated and cooled with noncombustibleliquid.(8) Buildings containing safety-related systems should be protected from exposure orspill fires involving oil-filled transformers by:C Locating such transformers at least 50 feet distant ora Ensu,'ing that such building walls within 50 feet of oil-filled transformersare without openings and have a fire resistance rating of at least threehours.(9) Floor drains sized to remove expected firefighting waterflow should be provided inthose areas where fixed water fire suppression systems are inst~lled. Drains should also beprovided in other areas where hand hose lines may be used if such firefighting water could causeunacceptable damage to equipment in the area. Equipment should be installed on pedestals, orcurbs should be provided, as required, to contain water and direct it to floor drains. (SeeNFPA 92, "Waterproofing and Draining of Floors.") Drains in areas containing combustible liquidsshould have provisions for preventing the spread of the fire throughout the drain system. Waterdrainage from areas that may contain radioactivity should be sampled and analyzed before dischargeto the environment.(10) Floors, walls, and ceilings enclosing separate fire areas should have a minimumfire rating of three hours. Penetrations in these fire barriers, including conduits and piping,should be sealed or closed to provide a fire resistance rating at least equal to that of thebarrier itself. Door openings should be protected with equivalent rated doors, frames, andhardware that have been tested and approved by a nationally recognized laboratory. Such doorsshould be normally closed and locked or alarmed with alarm and annunciation in the control room.Penetrations for ventilation systems should be protected by a standard "fire door damper" whererequired. (See IIFPA 80, "Fire Doors and Windows.")b. Control of Combustibles(1) Safety-related systems should be isolated or separated from combustible materials.When this is not possible because of the nature of the safety system or the combustible material,1.120-11 special protection should be provided to prevent a fire from defeating the safety system function.Such protection may involve a combination of automatic fire suppression and construction capableof withstanding and containing a fire that consumes all combustibles present. Examples of suchcombustible materials that may not be separable from the remainder of its system are:(a) Emergency diesel generator fuel oil day tanks.(b) Turbine-generator oil and hydraulic control fluid systems.(c) Reactor coolant pump lube oil system.(2) Bulk gas storage (either compressed or cryogenic.) should not be permitted insidestructures housing safety-related equipment. Storage of flanrnable gas such as hydrogen should belocated outdoors or in separate detached buildings so that a fire or explosion will not adverselyaffect any safety-related systems or equipment. (See NFPA 50A, "Gaseous Hydrogen Systems.")Care should be taken to locate high-pressure gas storage containers with the longaxis parallel to building walls. This will minimize the possibility of wall penetration in theevent of a container failure. Use of compressed gases (especially flammable and fuel gases)inside buildings should be controlled. (See NFPA 6, "Industrial Fire Loss Prevention.")(3) The use of plastic materials should be minimized. In particular, halogenatedplastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and neoprene should be used only when substitutenoncombustible materials are not available. All plastic materials, including flamie- and fire-retardant materials, will burn with an intensity and Btu production in a range similar to that ofordinary hydrocarbons. When b'irning, they produce heavy dense smoke that obscures visibility andcan plug air filters, especially charcoal and HEPA. The haioqenated plastics also release freechlorine and hydrogen chloride, which are toxic to humans corrosive to equipment.(4) Storage of flammable liquids shoula, as a minimum, comply with the requirements ofNFPA 30, "Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code."c. Electrical Cable Construction, Cabe Trays, and Cable Penetrations(1) Only noncombustible materials should be used for cable tray construction.(2) See Regulatory Position C.6.c. for fire protection guidelines for cable spreadingrooms.(3) Automatic water sprinkler systems should be provided for cable trays outside thecable spreading room. Cables should be designed to allow wetting down with deluge water withoutelectrical faulting. Manual hose stations and portable hand extinguishers should be provided asbackup. Safety-related equipment in the vicinity of such cable trays that does not itselfrequire water fire protection but is subject to unacceptable damage from sprinkler water dis-charge should be protected from sprinkler system operation or malfunction.(4) Cable and cable tray penetration of fire barriers'(vertical and horizontal)should be sealed to give protection at least equivalent to that provided by the fire barrier.The design of fire barriers for horizontal and vertical cable trays should, as a minimum, meetthe requirements of ASTM E-119, "Fire Test of Building Construction and Materials," including thehose stream test.(5) Fire breaks should be installed every 10 feet along horizontal and vertical cableroutings to prevent the propagation of a fire. Flame- or fire-retardant coatings may be used asa fire break for grouped electrical cables to limit spread of fire in cable routings. (Possiblecable derating owing to use of such coating materials must be considered during design.)(6) Electric cable constructions should as a minimum pass the current IEEE No. 383flame test. (This does not imply that cables passing this test will not require additional fireprotection.)(7) To the extent practical, cable construction that does not give off corrosive gaseswhile burning should be used.(8) Cable trays, raceways, conduit, trenches, or culverts should be used only forcables. Miscellaneous storage should not be permitted nor should piping for flammable or com-bustible liquids or gases be installed in these areas.1.120-12 (9) The design of cable tunnels, culverts, and spreading rooms should provide forautomatic or manual smoke venting as required to facilitate manual firefighting capability.(10) Cables in the control room should be kept to the minimum necessary for operationof the control room. All cables entering the control room should terminate there. Cables shouldnot be installed in floor trenches or culverts in the control room.d. Ventilation(1) The products of combustion that need to be removed from a rpecific fire areashould be evaluated to determine how they will be controlled. Smoke and corrosive gases shouldgenerally be automatically discharged directly outside to a safe location. Smoke and gasescontaining radioactive materials should be monitored in the fire area to determine if release tothe environment is within tho permissible limits of the plant Technical Specifications.(2) Any ventilation system designed to exhaust smoke or corrosive gases should beevaluated to ensure that inadvertent operation or single failures will not violate the controlledareas of the plant design. This requirement includes containment functions for protection of thepublic and maintaining habitability for operations personnel.(3) The power supply and controls for mechanical ventilation systems should he runoutside the fire area served by the system.(4) Fire suppression systems should be installed to protect charcoal filters.(C) The fresh-air supply intakes to areas containing safety-related equipment orsystems shou;d be located remote from the exhaust air outlets and smoke vents of other fire areasto minir.-ize the possibility of contaminating the intake air with the products of combustion.(6) Stairvells should be designed to minimize smoke infiltration during a fire.Staircases should serve as escape routes and access routes for firefighting. Fire exit routesshould be clearly marked. Stairwells, elevators, and chutes should be enclosed in masonry towerswith a minimum fire rating of three hours and automatic fire doors at least equal to the enclosureconstruction at each opening into the building. Elevators should not be used during fireemergencies.(7) Smoke and heat vents may be useful in specific areas such as cable spreadingrooms, diesel fuel oil storage areas, and switchgear rooms. When natural-convection ventilationis used, a minimum ratio of 1 square foot of vent area per 200 square feet of floor area shouldbe provided. If forced-convection ventilation is used, 300 cfm should be provided for every200 square feet of floor area. See NFPA 204 for additional guidance on smoke control.(8) Self-contained breathing apparatus using full-face positive-pressure masks approvedby ?LIOSH (Nlational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health -approval formerly given by theU.S. Bureau of Mines) should be provided for fire brigade, damage control, and control roompersonnel. Control room personnel may be furnished breathing air by a manifold system pipedfrom a storage reservoir if practical. Service or operating life should be a minimum of one-halfhour for the self-contained units.At least two extra air bottles should be located on site for each self-containedbreathing unit. In addition, an onsite 6-hour supply of reserve air should be provided andarranged to permit quick and complete replenishment of exhausted supply air bottles as they arereturned. If compressors are used as a source of breathing air, only units approved for breath-ing air should be used. Special care must be taken to locate the compressor in areas free ofdust and contaminants.(9) Where total flooding gas extinguishing systems are used, area intake and exhaustventilation dampers should close upon initiation of gas flow to maintain necessary gas concentra-tion. (See NJFPA 12, "Carbon Dioxide Systems," and NFPA 12A, "Halon 1301 Systems.")e. Lighting and CommunicationLighting and two-way voice communication are vital to safe shutdown and emergencyresponse in the event of fire. Suitable fixed and portable emr-gency lighting and communicationdevices should be provided to satisfy the following requirements:(1) Fixed emergency lighting should consist of sealed beam units with individual8-houw minimum battery power supplies.1.120-13

• (2) Suitable sealed-beam battery-powered portable hand lights should be provided foremergency use.(3) Fixed emergency conrnunication should use voice-powered headsets at preselectedstations.*sodb(4) Fixed repeaters installed to permit use of portable radio communication unitsshould be protected from exposure fire damage.5. Fire Detection and Suporessiona. Fire Detection* (1) Fire detection systems should, as a minimum, comply with NFPA 72D, "Standard forthe Installation, Maintenance and Use of Proprietary Protective Signaling Systems."(2) Fire detection systems should give audible and visual alarm and annunciation inthe control room. Local audible alarms should also sound at the location of the fire.(3) Fire alarms should be distinctive and unique. They should not be capable of beingconfused with any other plant system alarms.(4) Fire detection and actuation systems should be connected to the plant emergencypower supply.* b. Fire Protection Water Supply Systems(1) An underground yard fire main loop should be installed to furnish anticipatedwater requirements. NFPA 24, "Standard for Outside Protection," gives necessary guidance forsuch installation. It references other design codes and standards developed by such organiza-tions as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Water Works Associa-tion (AWWA). Lined steel or cast iron pipn should be used to reduce internal tuberculation.Such tuberculation deposits in an unlined pipe over a period of years can significantly reducewaterflow through the combination of increased friction and reduced pipe diameter. Means fortreating and flushing the systems should be provided. Approved visually indicating sectionalcontrol valves, such as post indicator valves, should be provided to isolate portions of the mainfor maintenance or repair without shutting off the entire system.The fire main system piping should be separate from service or sanitary watersystem piping.* (2) A conmon yard fire main loop may serve multi-unit nuclear power plant sites ifcross-connected between units. Sectional control valves should permit maintaining independence*of the individual loop around each unit. For such installations, common water supplies may alsobe utilized. The water supply should be sized for the largest single expected flow. For multiple-reactor sites with-widely separated plants (approaching I mile or more), separate yard fire mainloops should be used.(3) If pumps are required to meet system pressure or flow requirements, a sufficientnumber of pumps should be provided so that lO1 capacity will be available with one pump inactive(e.g., three 50% pumps or two 100% pumps). The connection to the yard fire main loop from eachfire pump should be widely separated, preferably located on opposite sides of the plant. Eachpump should have its own driver with independent power supplies and control. At least one pumpshould be driven by nonelectrical means, preferably diesel engine. Pumps and drivers should belocated in rooms separated from the remaining pumps and equipment by a minimum three-hour firewall. Alarms indicating pump running, driver availability, or failure to start should be pro-vided in the control room.Details of the fire pump installation should, as a minimum, conform to NFPA 20,"Standard for the Installation of Centrifugal Fire Pumps."(4) Two separate, reliable water supplies should be provided. If tanks are used, two100% (minimum of 300,000 gallons each) system capacity tanks should be installed. They should beso interconnected that pumps can take suction from either or both. However, a leak. in one tankor its piping should not cause both tanks to drain. The main plant fire water supply capacityshould be capable of refilling either tank in a minimum of eight hours.Common tanks are permitted for fire and sanitary or service water storage. Whenthis is done, however, minimum fire water storage requirements sheuld be dedicated by means of avertical standpipe for other water services.1.120-14 (5) The fire water supply (total capacity and flow rate) should be calculated on thebasis of the largest expected flow rate for a period of two hours, but not less than 300,000 gal-lons. This flow rate should bn based (conservatively) on 1,000 gpm for manual hose streams plusthe greater of:(a) All sprinkler heads open and flowing in the largest designed fire area or(h) The largest open-head deluge system(s) operating.,6) Lakes or freshwater ponds of sufficient size may qualify as sole source of waterfor fire protection but require at least two intakes to the pump supply. When a comminon watersupply is permitted for fire protection and the ul:imate heat sink, the following conditionsshould also be satisfied:(a) The additional fire protection water requirements are designed into the totalstorage capacity and(b) Failure of the fire protection system should not degrade the function of theultir:ate heat sink.(7) Outside ;anual hose installation should be sufficient to reach any location with.an effective hose stream. To accomplish this, hydrants should be installed approximately every250 feet on the yard main system. The lateral to each hydrant from the yard main should becontrolled by a visually indicating or key-operated (curb) valve. A hose house equipped withhose and combination nozzle and other auxiliary equipwent recoiimended in TIFPA 24. "Outside Pro-tection." S;houJld be provided as needed but at least ever'y 1,000 feet.Threads cowpatible with those used by local fire departments should he provided onall hydrants. hose couplings, and standpipe risers.c*. 1 , neand _andpi p Sytd.(1) Each automatic sprinkler system and manual hose station standpipe should have arindependent connection to the plant underground water main. Headers fed from each end are per-mitted inside buildings to supply multiple sprinkler and standpipe systems. When provided, suchheaders are considered an extension of the yard main system. The header arrangement should besuch that no sinmle failure can impair both the primary and backup fire protection systems. EachspriNkler and standpipe system should he equipped with 0S&Y (outside screw and yoke) gate valveor other approved shutoff valve and waterflow alar,. Safety-related equipment that does notitself require sprinkler water fire protection but is subject to unacceptable damage if wet bysprinkler water discharge should be protected by water shields or baffles.(2) All valves in the fire water systems should be electrically supervised. Theelec;trical super'visicn signal Should indicate in the control room and other appropriate commandlocatiuns in the plant. (See MIFPA 26, "Supervision of Valves.")(3) Automatic sprinkler systems should, as a minimum, conform to requirements ofappropriate standards such as nFPA 13, "Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems." andN1FPA 15, "Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems."(4l) Interior manual hose installation should be able to reach any location with atleast one effective hose stream. To accomplish this. standpipes with hose connections equippedwith a maximum of 75 feet of 111/2-inch woven jacket-lined fire hose and suitable nozzles shouldhe provided in all buildings, including containment, on all floors and should be spaced at notmore than 100-foot intervals. Individual standpipes should be at least 4 inches in diameter formultiple hose connections and 2-1/2 inches in diameter for single hose connections. Thesesystems should follow the requirements of NIFPA 14, "Standpipe andHose Systems," for sizing,spacing, and pipe support requirements.Hose stations should be located outside entrances to normally unoccupied areas andinside normally occupied areas. Standpipes serving hose stations in areas housing safety-relatedequipment should have shutoff valves and pressure-reducing devices (if applicable) outside thearea.Provisions should be made to supply water at least to standpipes and hose connec-tionis for manual firefighting in areas within hose reach of equipment required for safe plantshutdown in the event of a Safe Shutdown Earthquake. The standpipe system serving such hosestations should be analyzed for SSE loading and should be provided with supports to ensure system1.120-15 pressure integrity. The piping and-valves for the portion of hose standpipe system affected bythis functional requirement should at least satisfy ANSI Standard B31.1, "Power Piping." Thewater supply for this condition may be obtained by manual operator actuation of valves in aconnection to the hose standpipe header from a normal Seismic Category I water system such as theessential service water system. The cross connection should be (a) capable of providing flow toat least two hose stations (approximately 75 gpm per hose station) and (b) designed to the samestandards as the Seismic Category I water system; it should not degrade the performance of theSeismic Category I water system.(5) The proper type of hose nozzle to be supplied to each area should be based on thefire hazard analysis. The usual combination spray/straight-stream nozzle may cause unacceptablemechanical damage (for example, to delicate electronic equipment in the control room) and beunsuitable. Electrically safe nozzles should be provided at locations where electrical equipmentor cabling is located.(6) Certain fires such as those involving flammable liquids respond well to foamsuppression. Consideration should be given to use of any of the available foams for such special-ized protection application. These.include the more common chemical and mechanical low-expansionfoams, high-expansion foam, and the relatively new aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF).d. Halon Suppression SystemsThe use of Halon fire extinguishing agents should, as a minimum, comply with therequirements of NFPA 12A and 12B, "Halogenated Fire Extinguishing Agent Systems -Halon 1301 andHalon 1211." Only UL or FM approved agents should be used.In addition to the guidelines of 11FPA 12A and 128, preventive maintenance and testinnof t0e systems, including check-weighing of Nie Halon cylinders, should be done at least quarterly.Particular consideration should also be given to:(1) Minimum required Halon concentration and soak time.(2) Toxicity of Halon.(3) Toxicity and corrosive characteristics of thermal decomposition products ofHaIon.e. Carbon Dioxide Suppression Systems-The use of carbon dioxide extinguishing systems should, as a minimum, coaiply with therequirements of NFPA 12, "Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems."Particular consideration should also be given to:(1) Minimum required C02 concentration and soak time;-(2) Toxicity of C02;(3) Possibility of secondary thermal shock (cooling) damage;(4) Offsetting requirements for venting during C02 injection to prevent overpressuriza-tion versus sealing to prevent loss of agent;(5) Design requirements from overpressurization; and(6) Possibility and probability of C02 systems being out of service because of per-sonnel safety consideration. C02 systems are disarmed whenever people are presentin an area so protected. Areas entered frequently (even though duration time forany visit is short) have often been found with C02 systems shut off.f. Portable Extinquils'rsFire extinguishers should be provided in accordance with guidelines of NFPA 10, "Port-able Fire Extinguishers, Installation," and IDA, "Portable Fire Extinguishers, Maintenance andUse." Dry chemical extinguishers should be installed with due consideration given to cleanupproblems after use and possible adverse effects on equipment installed in the area.1.120-16 6. Guidelines for Specific Plant Areasa. Primary and Secondary Containment(1) Normal Operation -Fire protection requirements for the primary and secondarycontainment areas should be provided on the basis of specific identified hazards. For example:° Lubricating oil or hydraulic fluid system for the primary coolant pumpsCable tray arrangements and cable penetrationsCharcoal filtersBecause of the general inaccessibility of these areas during normal plant opera-tion, protection should be provided by automatic fixed systems. Automatic sprinklers should beinstalled for those hazards identified as requiring fixed suppression.Operation of the fire protection systems should not compromise the integrity ofthe containment or other safety-related systems. Fire protection activities in the containmentareas should function in conjunction with total containment requirements such as control ofcontaminated liquid and gaseous release and ventilation.Fire detection systems should alarm and annunciate in the control room. The typeof detection used and the location of the detectors should be most suitable to the particulartype of fire that could be expected from the identified hazard. A primary containment generalarea fire detection capability should be provided as backup for the above-described hazard detec-tion. To accomplish this, suitable smoke detectors (e.g., visual obscuration, light scattering,and particle counting) should be installed in the air recirculation system ahead of any filters.Automatic fire suppression capability need not be provided in the primary contain-ment atmospheres that are inerted during normal operation. However, special fire protectionrequirements during refueling and maintenance operations should be satisfied as provided below.(2) Refueling and 1.laintenance -Refueling and maintenance operations in containmentmay introduce additional hazards such as contamination control materials, decontamination sup-plies, wood planking, temporary wiring, welding, and flame cutting (with portable compressed fuel!:as supply). Possible fires would not necessarily be in the vicinity of fixed detection andsuppression systems.Management procedures and controls necessary to ensure adequate fire protectionare discussed in Section C.I. In addition, manual firefighting capability should be permanentlyinstalled in containment. Standpipes with hose stations and portable fire extinguishers shouldbe installed at strategic locations throughout containment for any required manual firefightingoperations.Adequate self-contained breathing apparatus should be provided near the contain-ment entrances for firefighting and damage control personnel. These units should be independentof any breathing apparatus or air supply systems provided for general plant activities.b. Control RoomThe control room is essential to safe reactor operation. It must be protected againstdisablino fire damage and should be separated from other areas of the plant by floors, walls, androof having minimum fire resistance ratings of three hours.Control room cabinets and consoles are subject to damage from two distinct fire hazards:(1) Fire originating within a cabinet or console and(2) Exposure fires involving combustibles in the general room area.Manual firefighting capability should be provided for both hazards. Hose stations andportable water and Ilalon extinguishers should be located in the control room to eliminate theneed for operators to leave the control room. An additional hose piping shutoff valve andpressure-reducing device should be installed outside the control room.NJozzles that are compatible with the hazards and equipment in the control room shouldbe provided for the manual hose station. The nozzles chosen should satisfy actual firefightingneeds, satisfy electrical safety, and minimize physical damage to electrical equipment from hosestream impingement.1.120-1l Fire detection in the control room, cabinets, and consoles should be provided by smokeand heat detectors in each fire area. Alarm and annunciation should be provided in the controlroom. Fire alarms in other parts of the plant should also be alarmed and annunciated in thecontrol room.Breathing apparatus for control room operators should be readily available. Controlroom floors, ceilings, supporting structures, and walls, including penetrations and doors, shouldbe designed to a minimum fire rating of three hours. All penetration seals should be airtight.The control room ventilation intake should be provided with smoke detection capabilityto automatically alarm locally and isolate the control room ventilation system to protect opera-tors by preventing smoke from entering the control room. Manually operated venting of the con-trol room should be available so that operatorshave the option of venting for visibility.Cables should not be located in concealed floors and ceiling spaces. All cables thatenter the control room should terminate in the control room. That is, no cabling should besimply routed through the control room from one area to another.Safety-related equipment should be mounted on pedestals, or the control room shouldhave curbs and drains to direct water away from such equipment. Such drains should be providedwith means for closing to maintain integrity of the control room in the event of other accidentsrequiring control room isolation.c. Cable Spreading RoomThe primary fire suppression in the cable spreading room should be an automatic watersystem such as closed-head sprinklers, open-head deluge, or open directional spray nozzles.Deluge and open spray systems should have provisions for manual operation at a remote station;however, there should be provisions to preclude inadvertent operation. Location of sprinklerheads or spray nozzles should consider cable tray sizing and arrangements to ensure adequatewater coverage. Cables should be designed to allow wetting down with deluge water withoutelectrical faulting.Open-head deluge and open directional spray systems should be zoned so that a singlefailure will not deprive the entire area of automatic fire suppression capability.The use of foam is acceptable, provided it is of a type capable of being delivered bya sprinkler or deluge system, such as an aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF).An automatic water suppression system with manual hoses and portable extinguisherbackup is acceptable, provided:(1) At least two remote and separate entrances are provided to the room for access byfire brigade personnel and(2) Aisle separation provided between tray stacks should be at least three feet wideand eight feet high.Alternatively, gas systems (Halon or C02) may be used for primary fire suppression ifthey are backed up by an installed water spray system and hose stations and portable extinguishersimmediately outside the room and if the access requirements stated above are met.Electric cable construction should, as a minimum, pass the flame test in IEEE Std 383,"IEEE Standard Type Test of Class IE Electric Cables, Field Splices and Connections for NuclearPower Generating Stations."Drains to remove firefighting water should be provided with adequate seals when gasextinguishing systems are also Installed.Redundant safety-related cable divisions should be separated by walls with a three-hourfire rating,For multiple-reactor unit sites, cable spreading rooms should not be shared betweenreactors. Each cable spreading room of each unit should have divisional cable separation asstated above and be separated from the other and the rest of the plant by a wall with a minimumfire rating of three hours. (See NFPA 251, "Fire Tests, Building Construction and Miaterials," orASTM E-119, "Fire Test of Building Construction and Materials," for fire test resistance rating.)1.120-18 The ventilation system to the cable spreading room should be designed to isolate thearea upon actuation of any gas extinguishing system in the area. In addition, smoke venting ofthe cable spreading room may be desirable. Such smoke venting systems should ;,c controlledautomatically by the fire detection or suppression system as appropriate. Capability for remotemanual control should also be provided.d. Plant Computer RoomComputer rooms should be separated from other areas of the plant by barriers having a.inini:um fire resistance rating 'of three hours. Automatic fire detection should be provided toalarm and annunciate in the control room and alarm locally. Manual hose stations and portablewater and Halon fire extinguishers should be provided.e. Switchgear RoomsSwitchgear rooms should be separated from the remainder of the plant by barriers with aminimum fire rating of three hours. Redundant switchgear safety divisions should be separated bythree-hour fire rated barriers. Automatic fire detectors should alarm and annunciate in thecontrol room and alarm lotally. All cables that enter the switchgear room should terminatethere. These rooms should not be used for any other purpose. Fire hose stations and portablefire extinguishers should be readily available.Equipment should be located on pedestals or curbs, and drains should be provided todirect water away from safety-related equipment. (See NIFPA 92M, "Waterproofing and Draining ofFloors.") Remote manually actuated ventilation should be provided for venting smoke when manualfire suppression effort is needed.f. Remote Safety-Related PanelsThe general area housing remote safety-related panels should be provided with automaticfire detectors that alarm locally and alarm and annunciate in the control room. Combustible,aterials should be controlled and limited to those required for operation. Portable extinguishersand manual hose stations should be provided.g. Station Battery RoomsBattery rooms should be protected against fire explosions. Battery rooms should beseparated from each other and other areas of the plant by barriers having a minimum fire ratingof three hours inclusive of all penetrations and openings. (See NIFPA 69, "Standard on ExplosionPrevention Systems.") Battery rooms should be provided with hydrogen concentration detectorsthat alarm and annunciate in the control room and alarm locally. The detector alarm setpointshould be no greater than 2 vol-` hydrogen concentration. Ventilation systems in the batteryroommms should be capable of maintaining the hydrogen concentration well below the detector alarmsetpoint. Standpipe and hose and portable extinguishers should be provided.h. Turbine Lubrication and Control Oil Storage and Use AreasA blank fire wall having a minimum resistance rating of three hours should separate allareas containing safety-related systems and equipment from the turbine oil systems.i. Diesel Generator AreasDiesel generators should be separated from each other and other areas of the plant byfire barriers having a minimum fire resistance rating of three hours.Automatic fire suppression such as AFFF, foam, or sprinklers should be installed tocombat any diesel generator or lubricating oil fires. Automatic fire detection should be pro-vided to alarm and annunciate in the control room and alarm locally. Drainage for firefightingwater and means for local manual venting of smoke should be provided.Day tanks with total capacity up to 1100 gallons are permitted in the diesel generatorarea under the following conditions:(1) The day tank is located in a separate enclosure with a minimum fire resistancerating of three hours, including doors or penetrations. These enclosures shouldbe capable of containing the entire contents of the day tanks. The enclosureshould be ventilated to avoid accumulation of oil fumes.1.120-19 (2) The enclosure should be protected by an automatic fire suppression system such asAFFF or sprinklers.j. Diesel Fuel 0il Storage AreasDiesel fuel oil tanks with a capacity greater than 1100 gallons should not be locatedinside the buildings containing safety-related equipment. They should be located at least50 feet from any building containing safety-related equipment or, if located within 50 feet, theyshould be housed in a separate building with construction having a minimum fire resistance ratingof three hours. Buried tanks are considered as meeting the three-hour fire resistance require-ments. See ?lFPA 30, "Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code," for additional guidance.When located in a separate building, the tank should be protected by an automatic firesuppression system such as AFFF or sprinklers.Tanks should not be located directly above or below safety-related systems or equipmentregardless of the fire rating of separating floors or ceilings.k. Safety-Related PumpsPump houses and rooms housing safety-related pumps or other safety-related equipmentshould be separated from other areas of the plant by fire barriers having at least three-hourratings. These rooms should be protected by automatic sprinkler protection unless a fire hazardsanalysis can demonstrate that a fire will not endanger other safety-related equipment requiredfor safe plant shutdown. Early warning fire detection should be installed with alarm andannunciation locally and in the control room. Local hose stations and portable extinguishersshould also be provided.Equipment pedestals or curbs and drains should be provided to remove and direct wateraway from safety-related equipment.Provisions should be made for manual control of the ventilaticn system to facilitatesmoke removal if required for manual firefighting operation.1. New Fuel AreaHand portable extinguishers should be located within this area. Also, local hosestations should be located outside but within hose reach of this area. Automatic fire detection.should alarm and annunciate in the control room and alarm locally. Combustibles should be limitedto a minimum in the new fuel area. The storage area should be provided with a drainage system topreclude accumulation of water.The storage configuration of new fuel should always be so maintained as to precludecriticality for any water density that might occur during fire water application.m. Spent Fuel Pool AreaProtection for the spent fuel pool area should be provided by local hose stations indportable extinguishers. Automatic fire detection should be provided to alarm and annunciate inthe control room and to alarm locally.n. Radwaste BuildingThe radwaste building should be separated from other areas of the plant by fire barriershaving at least three-hour ratings. Automatic sprinklers should be used in all areas wherecombustible materials are located. Automatic fire detection should be provided to annunciate andalarm in the control room and alarm locally. During a fire, the ventilation systems in theseareas should be capable of being isolated. Water should drain to liquid radwaste building sumps.o. Decontamination AreasThe decontamination areas should be separated from other areas of the plant by firebarriers having at least three-hour ratings. These areas should be protected by automaticsprinklers. Automatic fire detection should be provided to annunciate and alarm in the controlroom and alarm locally. The ventilation system should be capable of being isolated. Local hosestations and hand portable extinguishers should be provided as backup to the sprinkler system.1.120-20

______________________________________________________________________________ Ip. Safety-Related Water TanksStorage tanks that supply water for safe shutdown should be protected from the effectsof fire. Local hose stations and portable extinguishers should be provided. Portable extin-guishers should be located in nearby hose houses. Combustible materials should not be storednext to outdoor tanks. A minimum of 50 feet of separation should be provided between outdoortanks and combustible materials where feasible.q. Records Storage AreasRecords storage areas should be protected with automatic preaction sprinkler systems.Early warning fire detectors should be provided to alarm and annunciate in the control room andto alarm locally. Local hose stations and portable extinguishers should serve as backup. (SeerFPA 232AM, "Manual for Fire Protection for Archives and Records Centers," Regulatory Guide 1.88,"Collection, Storage, and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Quality Assurance Records," and ANSIN45.2.9, "Requirements for Collection, Storage, and Maintenance of Quality Assurance Recordc forNuclear Power Plants.")r. Cooling TowersCooling towers should be of noncombustible construction or so located that a fire willnot adversely affect any safety-related systems or equipment. Cooling towers should be of non-combustible construction when the basins are used for the ultimate heat sink or for the fireprotection water supply.s. Miscellaneous AreasMiscellaneous areas such as shops, warehouses, and auxiliary boiler rooms should be solocated that a fire or effects of a fire, including smoke, will not adversely affect any safety-related systems or equipment. Fuel oil tanks for auxiliary boilers should be buried or providedwith dikes to contain the entire tank contents.7. Sýpecal Protection Guidelinesa. Meldinq and Cutting Acetylene-Oxygen Fuel Gas SystemsThis equipment is used in various areas throughout the plant. Storage locationsshould be chosen to permit fire protection by automatic sprinkler systems. Local hose stationsand portable equipment should be provided as backup. The requirements of NFPA 51 and 51B areapplicable to these hazards. A permit system should be required to utilize this equipment.(Also see C.2 herein.)b. Storage Areas for Dry Ion Exchange ResinsDry ion exchange resins should not be stored near essential safety-related systems.Dry unused resins should be protected by.automatlc wet pipe sprinkler installations. Detectionby smoke and heat detectors should alarm and annunciate in the control room and alarm locally.Local hose stations and portable extinguishers should provide backup for these areas. Storageareas of dry resin should have curbs and drains. (See NFPA 92M, "Waterproofing and Draining ofFloors.")c. Hazardous ChemicalsHazardous chemicals should be stored and protected in accordance with the recommenda-tions of NFPA 49, "Hazardous Chemicals Data." Chemical storage areas should be well ventilatedand protected against flooding conditions since some chemicals may react with water to produceignition.d. Materials Containing RadioactivityMaterials that collect and contain radioactivity such as spent ion exchange resins,charcoal filters, and HEPA filters should be stored in closed metal tanks or containers that arelocated in areas free from ignition sources or combustibles. These materials should be protectedfrom exposure to fires in adjacent areas as well. Consideration should be given to requirementsfor removal of isotopic decay heat from entrained radioactive materials.1.120-21

D. IMPLEMENTATION

The purpose.of this section is to provide information to applicants regarding the NRC staff'splans for using this regulatory guide.Except in those cases in which the applicant proposes an acceptable alternative method forcomplying with specified portions of the Conmission's regulations, the method described hereinwill be used in the evaluation of submiittals in connection with construction permit applicationsdocketed after February 28, 1977.If an applicant wishes to use this regulatory guide in developing submittals for applica-tions docketed on or before February 28, 1977, the pertinent portions of the application will beevaluated on the basis of this guide.1.120-22 REFERENCESNational Fire Protection Association Codes and Standards1IFPA 4, "Organization of Fire Services."INFPA 4A, "Fire Department Organization."NFPA 6, "Industrial Fire Loss Prevention."NFPA 7, "Fire Emergencies flangement."rIFPA , "Effects of Fire on Operations, Management Responsiblity."NFPA IC, "Portable Fire Extinguishers, Installation."tJFPA IOA, "Port-able Fire Extinguishers, Maintenance and Use."NFPA 11, "Foaw Extinguishing Systems."IJFPA 12, "Carbon Dioxide Systems."IIFFA 12A, "Halon 1301 Systems.'NFPA 12U,, "Halon 1211 Systems."NiFPA 14, "Standpipe and Hose Systems."NFPA 15, "Water Spray Fixed Systems."NFFPA 20, "Centrifugal Fire Pumps."N;FPA 24, "Outside Protection."'IFPA 26, "Supervision of Valves."1jFPA 27, "Private Fire Brigade."NFPA 30, "Flamimable Combustible Liquids Code."IIFPA 49, "Hazardous Chemicals Data."NFPA 50A, "Gaseous Hydrogen Systems."NFPA 69, "Explosion Prevention System."NFPA 72D, "Proprietary Signaling Systems."IIFPA 60, "Fire Doors and Vindows."NFPA 9214, "Waterproofing and Draining of Floors,"r1FPA 194, "Fire Hose Connections."NFPA 196, "Fire Hose."IJFPA 197, "Initial Fire Attack, Training, Standard On."NIFPA 204, "Smoke and Heat Venting Guide."NiFPA 232 AM, "Archives and Record Centers."NFPA 251, "Fire Tests, Building Construction and Materials."1.120-23 NFPA 601, "Guard Service in Fire Loss Prevention."U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission DocumentsNUREG-O050, "Recommendations Related to Browns Ferry Fire," Report by Special Review Group,published Februdry 1976.WASH-1400 (NUREG-75/014), "Reactor Safety Study -An Assessment of Accident Risks in U.S.Commercial Nuclear Power Plants," published October 1975.Standard Review Plan 9.5.1, "Fire Protection System."Standard Review Plan 3.6.1, "Plant Design for Protection Against Postulated Piping Failuresin Fluid Systems Outside Containment."Appendix A, "General Design Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants," to 10 CFR Part 50, "Licens-ing of Production and Utilization Facilities," General Design Criterion 3, "FireProtection."Regulatory Guide 1.39, "Housekeeping Requirements for Water-Cooled Nuclear Power Plants."Regulatory Guide 1.70, "Standard Format and Content of Safety Analysis Reports for NuclearPower Plants," Revision 2, Section 9.5.1.Regulatory Guide 1.75, "Physical Independence of Electrical Systems."Regulatory Guide 1.88, "Collection, Storage, and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plant QualityAssurance Records."Regulatory Guide 1.101, "Emergency Planning for Nuclear Power Plants."Other DocumentsANSI Standard B31.1, "Power Piping."ANSI Standard N45.2.9, "Requirements for Collection, Storage, and Maintenance of QualityAssurance Records for Nuclear Power Plants."ASTM E-84, "Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials."ASTM E-119, "Fire Test of Building Construction and Materials."IEEE Std 383-1974, "IEEE Standard of Type Test of Class IE Electric Cables, Field Splicesand Connections for Nuclear Power Generating Stations," April 15, 1974.NELPIA, "Specifications for Fire Protection of New Plants."RP-0O-69, "Recommended Practical Control of External Corrosion on Underground or SubmergedMetallic Piping Systems," Material Association of Corrosion Engineers.Factory Mutual System Approval Guide -Equipment, Materials, Services for Conservation ofProperty.International Guidelines for the. rire Protection of Nuclear Power Plants, National NuclearRisks Insurance Poois, 2nd Report (IGL).Underwriters Laboratories Rating List.1.120-24