NRC PUBLISHES REGULATORY ISSUE SUMMARY
ON FIRE PROTECTION COMPENSATORY MEASURES
Printable Version

The NRC is informing nuclear power plant operators, through a Regulatory Issue Summary (RIS), about the proper method for altering their fire protection program to use alternate compensatory measures.

If a plant discovers degraded fire protection features, it can apply compensatory measures to meet NRC regulations until the condition is fixed. Fire watches are a commonly used measure, but many others (e.g., temporary fire barriers, operator briefings to raise awareness of and clarify actions to be taken) can appropriately be used.

The RIS reminds plant operators that a documented evaluation of the condition will help determine the most effective way to compensate for a given degraded feature. These evaluations must show that the measures taken will continue to assure the reactor could shut down safely following a fire. The evaluations should take into account factors such as the location, quantity and type of combustible material near the degraded fire protection feature, possible ignition sources, and automatic fire suppression and detection systems in the area.

The RIS is available on the agency’s web site, by entering accession number ML042360547 at this address: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams/web-based.html. Questions should be directed to Alex Klein (phone 301-415-4114 or Alex.Klein@nrc.gov) or Phil Qualls (phone 301-415-1849 or Phil.Qualls@nrc.gov).

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Thursday, December 11, 2008