Information Notice 2001-10, Failure of Central Sprinkler Company'S Model Gb Series Fire Sprinkler Heads
ML011790352 | |
Person / Time | |
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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) | |
UNITED STATESNUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONOFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATIONWashington, D.C. 20555-0001June 28, 2001NRC 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 failure. It is expected that recipients will
review the information for applicability and consider actions, as appropriate, to ensure safety at
their facilities. 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 testing. 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 listing.
Seven percent needed over 40 psi to operate and some did not operate at 60 psi. 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 1988. 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 WS. Because of design changes, some of these models may
have "O-ring" water seals and some may have disc spring water seals. 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 tested. UL will test heads submitted at no additional cost beyond the
expense of removal, packaging, handling, and postage. 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 response. 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
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 6/28/2001
______________________________________________________________________________________OL = Operating License
CP = Construction PermitAttachment 1 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUEDNRC INFORMATION NOTICES
_____________________________________________________________________________________InformationDate of
Notice No. 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 No. 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 radiography
licensees.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.