PNO-I-96-082, on 961115,fire in Research Bldg Occurred.Caused by Overheated Vacuum Sys Pump.Fire Controlled within 2 H. Commonwealth of Ma Notified
| ML20129K293 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 03001867 |
| Issue date: | 11/18/1996 |
| From: | Shanbaky M, Tara Weidner NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-I-96-082, PNO-I-96-82, NUDOCS 9611190004 | |
| Download: ML20129K293 (6) | |
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November 18, 1996 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-I-96-082 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE l l safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially 1 received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by Region I staff in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania on this date.
l Facility Licensee Emercency Classification l Massachusetts General Hospital Notification of Unusual Event Fruit Street Alert
! Boston, Massachusetts 02114 Site Area Emergency Dockets: 03001867 License No: 20-03814-80 General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
FIRE IN RESEARCH BUILDING AT MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL At 8:22 p.m. on November 15, 1996, a small fire that involved a l l potentially contaminated system was reported by the licensee to the NRC Duty Officer. The fire occurred in a laboratory vacuum system. The
. vacuum system pump overheated causing a small section of the system i
plastic piping to ignite. The pipe was downstream from the pump and away from the slightly contaminated charcoal filter. The charcoal filter was
, contaminated with iodine 125.
The Boston Fire Department and Hazardous Materials Team responded to the l incident, as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the licensee's I Radiation Safety Officer. The licensee stated that the fire was confined to a small section of the vacuum system piping and did not involve the slightly contaminated charcoal filter. The fire was controlled within
' two hours and did not result in any injury or contamination of areas or personnel.
l An update of the incident was received from the licensee's Radiation l Safety Officer at 9:00 a.m., November 18, 1996. Based on extensive l surveys, it was determined that no radioactive material was released.
! The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has bean notified.
Media interest occurred and the incident was reported by a local TV l station and newspaper.
Region I Public Affairs is prepared to respond to media inquiries. This information is correct as of November 18, 1996, at 2:00 p.m.
l
Contact:
T. Weidner M. Shanbaky
, (610)337-5272 (610)337-5209 i
9611190004 961118
! PDR I&E l PNO-I-96-082 PDR 1R9001 lE3 Y oil