Information Notice 2001-10, Failure of Central Sprinkler Company'S Model Gb Series Fire Sprinkler Heads
| ML011790352 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/28/2001 |
| From: | Leach M N, Marsh L B NRC/NMSS/FCSS/FCLB, Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs |
| To: | |
| References | |
| IN-01-010 | |
| Download: ML011790352 (7) | |
June 28, 2001
NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2001-10:FAILURE OF CENTRAL SPRINKLER COMPANYMODEL GB SERIES FIRE SPRINKLER HEADS
Addressees
All holders of licenses for nuclear power, research, and test reactors and fuel cycle facilities.
Purpose
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice to warnaddressees that certain Model GB series sprinkler heads manufactured by Central Sprinkler Co. of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, have a potential for failur It is expected that recipients will review the information for applicability and consider actions, as appropriate, to ensure safety at their facilitie However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is required.
Description of Circumstances
On April 24, 2001, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) issued a news release on the failures of field samples of certain Model GB series sprinkler heads during operational testin UL tested over 1800 GB series heads from over 100 different locations and found that 26 percent of the sprinkler heads needed higher water pressure than the 5 psi required for UL listin Seven percent needed over 40 psi to operate and some did not operate at 60 ps This is of great concern because the sprinkler systems are relied upon to protect structures, systems, or components important to safety against fire.The sprinkler heads have O-ring water seals and were introduced in 198 The followingmodels are of concern: GB, GB-ALPHA, GB-J, GB-QR, GB-EC, GB-RS, GB-20, GB-20QR, GBR, GB-R1, GB-R2, GBR-LF, GB4, GB4-EC, GB4-FR, GB4-QREC, BB1, BB2, BB3, SD1, SD2, SD3, HIP, ROC, LF, and W Because of design changes, some of these models may have "O-ring" water seals and some may have disc spring water seal Only the sprinkler head models with the "O" ring seal are of concern, not the models with the disc spring water seals.
UL's Web site at: www.ul.com/about/newsrel/nr042401.html has pictures and descriptions ofthe water seals of different models.Licensees who have GB series sprinkler heads installed in their facility may consider havingsome of the heads teste UL will test heads submitted at no additional cost beyond the expense of removal, packaging, handling, and postag Instructions for selecting, removing, and packaging the heads can be obtained from Central Sprinkling Co. at 1-800-523-6512. Related Generic Communications!IN 99-28, "Recall of Star Brand Fire Protection Sprinkler Heads," September 30, 1999!IN 97-72, "Potential for Failure of the Omega Series Sprinkler Heads," September 22,1997This information notice requires no specific action or written respons If you have anyquestions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) or Office of Nuclear Material and Safeguards (NMSS) project manager./RA/J. Tappert for/RA/L. Roche forLedyard B. Marsh, ChiefMelvyn N. Leach, Acting ChiefEvents Assessment, Generic CommunicationsFuel Cycle Licensing Branch and Non-Power Reactors BranchDivision of Fuel Cycle Safety Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs and Safeguards Office of Nuclear Reactor RegulationOffice of Nuclear Material Safety and SafeguardsTechnical Contacts:Paul LainPeter LeeNRR/DSSA/SPLBNMSS/FCSS/FCLB (301) 415-2346(301) 415-8111 E-Mail: pwl@nrc.govE-mail: psl1@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1.List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices 2.List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices Related Generic Communication!IN 99-28, "Recall of Star Brand Fire Protection Sprinkler Heads," September 30, 1999!IN 97-72, "Potential for Failure of the Omega Series Sprinkler Heads," September 22, 1997This information notice requires no specific action or written respons If you have anyquestions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) or Office of Nuclear Material and Safeguards (NMSS) project manager./RA/J. Tappert for /RA/L. Roche forLedyard B. Marsh, ChiefMelvyn N. Leach, Acting ChiefEvents Assessment, Generic CommunicationsFuel Cycle Licensing Branch and Non-Power Reactors BranchDivision of Fuel Cycle Safety Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs and Safeguards Office of Nuclear Reactor RegulationOffice of Nuclear Material Safety and SafeguardsTechnical Contacts:Paul LainPeter LeeNRR/DSSA/SPLBNMSS/FCSS/FCLB (301) 415-2346(301) 415-8111 E-Mail: pwl@nrc.govE-mail: psl1@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1.List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices 2.List of Recently Issued NMSS Information NoticesDistribution:IN Reading FilePUBLICADAMS ACCESSION NUMBER:ML011790352OFFICEREXB:Tech EditorDSSA:NMSSNMSSNMSSNAMECPetrone*PKleene*PLainEWeissPLeeLRocheDATE06/07/200106/13/2001 6/25/2001 6/28/2001 6/272001 6/272001NMSSREXBC:REXBMLeachJTappertLMarsh 6/28/2001 6/282001 6/28/2001OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
______________________________________________________________________________________OL = Operating License CP = Construction PermitAttachment 1 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUEDNRC INFORMATION NOTICES_____________________________________________________________________________________InformationDate of Notice N SubjectIssuanceIssued to______________________________________________________________________________________2001-09Main Feedwater SystemDegradation in Safety-Related ASME Code Class 2 Piping Inside the Containment of a Pressurized Water Reactor06/12/01All holders of operating licensesfor pressurized water nuclear power reactors, except those who have permanently ceased operations and have certified that fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor vessel2001-08Supplement 1Update on the Investigation ofPatient Deaths in Panama, Following Radiation Therapy Overexposures06/06/01All Medical Licensees2001-08Treatment Planning SystemErrors Result in Deaths of Overseas Radiation Therapy Patients06/01/01All medical licensees2001-07Unescorted Access GrantedBased on Incomplete and/or Inaccurate Information05/11/01All holders of nuclear reactoroperating licenses who are subject to Section 73.56 of Title 10, of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 73.56),
"Personnel Access Authorization Requirements of Nuclear Power Plants."2001-06Centrifugal Charging PumpThrust Bearing Damage not Detected Due to Inadequate Assessment of Oil Analysis Results and Selection of Pump Surveillance Points05/11/01All holders of operating licensesfor nuclear power reactors, except those who have permanently ceased operations and have certified that fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor vessel2001-05Through-Wall CircumferentialCracking of Reactor Pressure Vessel Head Control Rod Drive Mechanism Penetration Nozzles at Oconee Nuclear Station, Unit 304/30/01All holders of operating licensesfor pressurized water nuclear power reactors except those who have ceased operations and have certified that fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor vessel Attachment 2 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUEDNMSS INFORMATION NOTICES_____________________________________________________________________________________InformationDate of Notice N SubjectIssuanceIssued to
_____________________________________________________________________________________2001-08, Supplement 1Update on the Investigation ofPatient Deaths in Panama, Following Radiation Therapy Overexposures06/06/01All medical licensees.2001-08Treatment Planning SystemErrors Result in Deaths of Overseas Radiation Therapy Patients06/01/01All medical licensees.2001-03Incident ReportingRequirements for Radiography Licensees04/06/01All industrial radiographylicensees.2001-01The Importance of AccurateInventory Controls to Prevent the Unauthorized Possession of Radioactive Material03/26/01All material licensees.2000-22Medical MisadministrationsCaused by Human Errors Involving Gamma Stereotactic Radiosurgery (GAMMA KNIFE)12/18/00All medical use licenseesauthorized to conduct gamma stereotactic radiosurgery treatments.2000-19Implementation of Human UseResearch Protocols Involving U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulated Materials12/05/2000All medical use licensees.2000-18Substandard Material Suppliedby Chicago Bullet Proof Systems11/29/2000All 10 CFR Part 50 licensees andapplicants.
All category 1 fuel facilities.
All 10 CFR Part 72 licensees and applicants.2000-16Potential Hazards Due toVolatilization of Radionuclides10/5/2000All licensees that processunsealed byproduct material.2000-15Recent Events Resulting inWhole Body Exposures Exceeding Regulatory Limits9/29/2000All radiography licensees.