1801 R0 XI.M26

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XI.M26 FIRE PROTECTION

Program Description

For operating plants, the fire protection aging management program (AMP) includes a fire barrier inspection program and a diesel-driven fire pump inspection program. The fire barrier inspection program requires periodic visual inspection of fire barrier penetration seals, fire barrier walls, ceilings, and floors, and periodic visual inspection and functional tests of fire rated doors to ensure that their operability is maintained. The diesel-driven fire pump inspection program requires that the pump be periodically tested to ensure that the fuel supply line can perform the intended function. The AMP also includes periodic inspection and test of halon/carbon dioxide fire suppression system.

Evaluation and Technical Basis

1. Scope of Program: For operating plants, the AMP manages the aging effects on the intended function of the penetration seals, fire barrier walls, ceilings, and floors, and all fire rated doors (automatic or manual) that perform a fire barrier function. It also manages the aging effects on the intended function of the fuel supply line. The AMP also includes management of the aging effects on the intended function of the halon/carbon dioxide fire suppression system.

2. Preventive Actions: For operating plants, the fire hazard analysis assesses the fire potential and fire hazard in all plant areas. It also specifies measures for fire prevention, fire detection, fire suppression, and fire containment and alternative shutdown capability for each fire area containing structures, systems, and components important to safety.

3. Parameters Monitored/Inspected: Visual inspection of 10% of each type of penetration seal is performed during walkdowns carried out at least once every refueling outage. These inspections examine any sign of degradation such as cracking, seal separation from walls and components, separation of layers of material, rupture and puncture of seals which are directly caused by increased hardness and shrinkage of seal material due to weathering. Visual inspection of the fire barrier walls, ceilings, and floors examines any sign of degradation such as cracking, spalling, and loss of material caused by freeze-thaw, chemical attack, and reaction with aggregates. Hollow metal fire doors are visually inspected at least once bi-monthly for holes in the skin of the door. Fire door clearances are also checked at least once bi-monthly as part of an inspection program. Function tests of fire doors are performed daily, weekly, or monthly (which maybe plant specific) to verify the operability of automatic hold-open, release, closing mechanisms, and latches.

The diesel-driven fire pump is under observation during performance tests such as flow and discharge tests, sequential starting capability tests, and controller function tests for detecting any degradation of the fuel supply line.

Periodic visual inspection and function test at least once every six months examines the signs of degradation of the halon/carbon dioxide fire suppression system. The suppression agent charge pressure is monitored in the test. Material conditions that may affect the performance of the system, such as corrosion, mechanical damage, or damage to dampers, are observed during these tests. Inspections performed at least once every month verify that the extinguishing agent supply valves are open and the system is in automatic mode.

4. Detection of Aging Effects: Visual inspection of penetration seals detects cracking, seal separation from walls and components, and rupture and puncture of seals. Visual inspection (VT-1 or equivalent) of 10% of each type of seal in walkdowns is performed at least once every refueling outage. If any sign of degradation is detected within that 10%, the scope of the inspection and frequency is expanded to ensure timely detection of increased hardness and shrinkage of the penetration seal before the loss of the component intended function. Visual inspection (VT-1 or equivalent) of the fire barrier walls, ceilings, and floors performed in walkdown at least once every refueling outage ensures timely detection for concrete cracking, spalling, and loss of material. Visual inspection (VT-3 or equivalent) detects any sign of degradation of the fire door such as wear and missing parts. Function tests promptly detect deficiencies in operational conditions. Periodic visual inspection and function tests detect degradation of the fire doors before there is a loss of intended function.

Periodic tests performed at least once every refueling outage, such as flow and discharge tests, sequential starting capability tests, and controller function tests performed on diesel-driven fire pump ensure fuel supply line performance. The performance tests detect degradation of the fuel supply lines before the loss of the component intended function.

In the test of the halon/carbon dioxide fire suppression system, the suppression agent charge pressure is verified to be within in the normal band. Visual inspection detects any sign of degradation, such as corrosion, mechanical damage, or damage to dampers. The periodic function test and inspection performed at least once every six months detects degradation of the halon/carbon dioxide fire suppression system before the loss of the component intended function. The monthly inspection ensures that the extinguishing agent supply valves are open and the system is in automatic mode.

5. Monitoring and Trending: The aging effects of weathering on fire barrier penetration seals are detectable by visual inspection and, based on operating experience, visual inspections performed at least once every refueling outage to detect any sign of degradation of fire barrier penetration seals prior to loss of the intended function.

Concrete cracking, spalling, and loss of material are detectable by visual inspection and, based on operating experience, visual inspection performed at least once every refueling outage detects any sign of degradation of the fire barrier walls, ceilings, and floors before there is a loss of the intended function. Wear, missing parts, or holes in the fire door are detectable by visual inspection and, based on operating experience, the visual inspection and function test performed bi-monthly which detects degradation of the fire doors prior to loss of the intended function.

The performance of the fire pump is monitored during the periodic test to detect any degradation in the fuel supply lines. Periodic testing provides data (e.g., pressure) for trending necessary.

The performance of the halon/carbon dioxide fire suppression system is monitored during the periodic test to detect any degradation in the system. These periodic tests provide data necessary for trending.

6. Acceptance Criteria: Inspection results are acceptable if there are no visual indications of cracking, separation of seals from walls and components, separation of layers of material, or ruptures or punctures of seals, no visual indications of concrete cracking, spalling and loss of material of fire barrier walls, ceilings, and floors, no visual indications of missing parts, holes, and wear and no deficiencies in the functional tests of fire doors. No corrosion is acceptable in the fuel supply line for the diesel-driven fire pump. Also, any signs of corrosion and mechanical damage of the halon/carbon dioxide fire suppression system are not acceptable.

7. Corrective Actions: For fire protection structures and components identified within scope that are subject to an aging management review for license renewal, the applicant is to expand the scope of the 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, program to include these in-scope structures and components to address corrective actions, confirmation process, and administrative controls for aging management during the period of extended operation. This commitment is documented in the final safety analysis report (FSAR) supplement in accordance with 10 CFR 54.21(d). As discussed in the appendix to this report, the staff finds the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, acceptable to address corrective actions, confirmation process, and administrative controls.

8. Confirmation Process: See Item 7, above.

9. Administrative Controls: See Item 7, above.

10. Operating Experience: Silicone foam fire barrier penetration seals have experienced splits, shrinkage, voids, lack of fill, and other failure modes (IN 88-56, IN 94-28, and IN 97-70). Degradation of electrical racing way fire barrier such as small holes, cracking, and unfilled seals are found on routine walkdown (IN 91-47 and GL 92-08). Fire doors have experienced wear of the hinges and handles. Operating experience with the use of this AMP has shown that no corrosion-related problem has been reported for the fuel supply line, pump casing of the diesel-driven fire pump, and the halon/carbon dioxide suppression system. No significant aging related problems have been reported of fire protection systems, emergency breathing and auxiliary equipment, and communication equipment.

References

US NRC Generic Letter 92-08, Thermo-Lag 330-1 Fire Barrier, December 17, 1992.

US NRC Information Notice 88-56, Potential Problems with Silicone Foam Fire Barrier Penetration Seals, August 14, 1988.

US NRC Information Notice 91-47, Failure of Thermo-Lag Fire Barrier Material to Pass Fire Endurance Test, August 6, 1991.

US NRC Information Notice 94-28, Potential problems with Fire-Barrier Penetration Seals, April 5, 1994.

US NRC Information Notice 97-70, Potential problems with Fire Barrier Penetration Seals, September 19, 1997.

Aging Management Program

Final Safety Analysis Report

United States of America

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - The US federal government agency that regulates nuclear power plants