ML20129G534

Special Rept:On 960820,leak at Vitalic Coupling Upstream of Isolation Valve for Sprinkler Sys Protecting Cable Areas Above Laboratories Was Discovered.Caused by Inadequate Seal. New Vitalic Coupling Installed

ML20129G534
Person / Time
Site:	LaSalle
Issue date:	09/26/1996
From:	Ray D COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NUDOCS 9610030079
Download: ML20129G534 (2)

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'I cl 8,14.457 4e?61 September 26,1996 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attention: Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555 Attention: Document Control Desk This Special Report is submitted in accordance with LaSalle Unit 1 and 2 Operating Licenses NPF -11 and NPF 18, Appendix A, and Technical i Specification 3.7.5.1 and 6.6.C.

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Technical Specification 3.7.5.2 requires that the deluge and sprinkler systems of Unit 1 and Unit 2 shown in Table 3.7.5.2-1 shall be OPERABLE whenever the equipment protected by the deluge / sprinkler systems are required to be OPERABLE.

On Tuesday, August 20,1996 a leak at the Vitalic coupling upstream of the isolation valve for the sprinkler system protecting the cable areas above the laboratories was discovered. The system was taken out of service (OOS) and the appropriate compensatory measures per T.S. 3.7.5.2 were implemented (i.e., fire impairment and fire watches).

Over the next 14 days a new gasket was installed and additional maintenance on the air compressor were performed. On Sunday September 1,1996 an attempt to return the system to service was performed. This attempt failed because the compressor could not maintain the required pressure. It was determined that the new seal would not properly seat until the system was pressurized to at least 90 psi. On Tuesday September 3,1996 the system was pressurized using fire protection system pressure, approximately 130 psi at the riser, and the new seal still failed to maintain system pressure. The Maintenance Department and the system engineer inspected the piping after it was -

again disassembled and found a hole had developed in the coupling '[ 2j groove. This hole was the cause of the leak. The affected section of pipe was cut out and a new section and vitalic coupling were installed. The /jh system was pressured and maintained system pressure as required.

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's e e in accordance with the ACTION statement for T.S. 3.7.5.2, an hourly fire watch was established on August 20,1996 in the u,,protectmi area. The fire watch continued until September 11,1996 when the system was successfully returned to service.

If there are any questions or comments conceming this letter, please refer them to me at (815) 357-6761, extension 2212.

Respectfully, f*W D.J. Ray b Station Manager LaSalle County Station cc: A. B. Beach, NRC Region lll Administrator M. P. Huber, NRC Senior Resident inspector - LaSalle D. M. Skay, Project Manager - NRR - LaSalle F. Niziolek, Office of Nuclear Facility Safety - IDNS DCD - Licensing (Hardcopy: Electronic: )

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