ML19199A234
| ML19199A234 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 09/29/1978 |
| From: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Ahearne J, Bradford P, Gilinsky V, Hendrie J, Kennedy R NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| References | |
| TASK-AS, TASK-BN-78-20 BN--78-20, BN-78-20, NUDOCS 7904100012 | |
| Download: ML19199A234 (2) | |
Text
_
O.
p
~
i.
,s.
.)
f
'.5.
SEP 29 h
,, 4 :
.Q. ~ - f h.%~ (f / ?
v.
w s. c
- m _..
HEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman Hendrie' m.
/
_u.,-
' Comissioner Gilinsky
~ du y Coccissioner Kennedy '
.n.,
Cocnissioner Bradford -
.(. t-
,..S.,&
. Comuisstoner Ahearne."
,~
. '. i. ^ -
($4 red) W5a:n 1. Dacks -. '
3.'.
=
'~
'?
~
THRU:. r %
Executive Director for. Operations '..
- .~'.._.,',
~
...}
~.
.a
.N-T. ',
'~
~
FROM: b
)
Harold R. Denton, Director ~
< 'J..x 7m Office of Muclear Reactor Regulation. G I
,.... a =..
9..v n.
,~...y
..:.m. w -
- .. y
,(
,y.
SUNECT:J.~..
~ NRC FIRE PROTECTION RESEARCli TEST - --
' *r '
' = ' ' -
~
. >. Q.-.f.. : s.r.%. f.:~.'; 5,_ -v ) ;.:-:' E.. "..
~
,.-.,,.. ' ',( ;, - U ". t-V - ' '. *,js 4
~'
~
j On September 15, 1978, a fire test of a full-scale vertical cable tray.'
._. x.:.
array was conducted ~at the Unden<riters! l aboratory near Chicago,'
It was part of the NRC-expedited fire protection research program requested in the Cocnission's Order of April 13, 1978. The -
f purpose of the test was to. demonstrate the effectiveness of area 1
' sprinklers and nineral wool blanket type cable tray fire barriers in preventing dan:ge to cables as a result of an exposure fire created c-..
4-by igniting two gallons of heptane.-
-r s.
c '
- l* :.- l :.- d.'.s
.~";': k 4,.,.
.,'... ;,.i.-
c i'.
The configuratfor. of cables and fire protection features in the test -
did not simulate any particular nuclear power plant. There are plants..-
in operation and under construction for which the electrical cable tray configuration of the test was typical'.' However, based on the-
..j [.. y '.-. -
~
~
.v....
staff's ongoing fire protection reviews, we know of no operating +,..'JTA.'Et')
plants with the configuration of fire protection features used in; 3.,. '-V the test, although _ features of this' type have been proposed for; '--
'..,.j' ' A.., s
.s installation and are currently under review by the staff.,, b.. ~.
.'v...:3
,G
~r...n+-
. ; n.
The test resulted in damage to scme of the electrical cables. Prelin-M:
- k. '.
Inary analysis (see Enclosure 1) indicates that the configuratica of
.J
.~
fire protection features used in the test would not be acceptable.
for application in nuclear power plants.
In particular, it appears 'g . '
that fire barricrs. for vertical trays in some configurations nay need ' J to be desi~gned to' prevent entry of flarcable fluids. A wict effect may.'~ ~J also need to be considered in the design of fire barriers. The.
-- V response of the. fusible _ link. sprinklers used in the test is also under -
further study. Ji,'
..g yC:3_
?
g.
A.
-S :, _ -. - -.
1.T PG4 l-ToonooM]?
7904100
~-
~
~
.e The Comissioners 1 N
The test results are still being analyzed and it dould t'e pre ure to establish firm conclusions at this tira; hwever, the results now available suggest that modifications to certain of the staff's fire protection criteria may be necessary. The staff is continuing its
~
reYiew and will reet with the test contractors (Sandia and Ul.) on,
October 3,1978 to further study the preliminary findings and results. A quick look report is expected to be ccepleted by U1.-
within the next seYerai days and will be issued by Sandia shortly
~
thereafter. The schedule and_ nature of further testing under.this s'
t? No'
2 program are under.reYicW.
3
. x...
- y..._
=.
- z. i.-
^).....b.p %... ; ',_
He will keep the Comission inforr.ed of significant results and possible inpacts on operating reactors as infomation becotus aYallable.
A circular or bulletin util be issued by IE to inform licensees of.,;;.
the results of the test.
Its preparation will follow the October 3 -
meeting with the contractors. Plants currently in operation remain.
subject to administrative procedures aimed at minimizing the sources of ignition and continue to maintain manual fire fighting capability.
We will infom the Comission of any action deemd necessary as a result of our continuing review of the test results. The public'.. '
announcement provided in Enclosure 2 is planned for release by the : '~
Office of Public Affairs on October 2.
1.'e are in the process of r ~
[
infoming the ACRS and Hearing Boardi where this information is relevant.
' g.
[.
' khinal syned by
,C
~
.)_~_ ' --
bl!.R.Dettoa
.;. ~. --
Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Huclear Reactor Regulation
.1 :.
y Enclosurest
_-t.'
1.
Preliminary Analyses 2.
Public Announcemnt cc:
(w/encls.)
~
Union of Concerned Scientists Office of the Secretary HRC Public Document Roo:2 12 2Gb k