IE Circular No. 79-13 - Replacement of Diesel Fire Pump Starting Contactors

CR79013 

                               July 6, 1979

MEMORANDUM FOR:     B. H. Grier, Director, Region I
                    J. P. O'Reilly, Director, Region II
                    J. G. Keppler, Director, Region III
                    K. V. Seyfrit, Director, Region IV
                    R. H. Engelken, Director, Region V

FROM:               Norman C. Moseley, Director, Division of Reactor
                      Operations Inspections, IE

SUBJECT:            IE Circular No. 79-13 - REPLACEMENT OF DIESEL FIRE PUMP
                    STARTING CONTACTORS

The subject Circular is transmitted for issuance on July 13, 1979.  The
Circular should be issued to all power reactor operating facilities and all
utilities having a construction permit.

The text of the Circular and draft letter to the licensees and permit holders
are enclosed for this purpose.


                                   Norman C. Moseley, Director
                                   Division of Reactor Operations
                                     Inspection
                                   Office of Inspection and Enforcement

Enclosures:
1.   Draft Transmittal Letter
2.   IE Circular No. 79-13

CONTACT:  V. D. Thomas, IE
          49-28180
.

(Draft transmittal letter for IE Circular 79-13, to each holder of an 
Operating License or a Construction Permit.) 

                                                     IE Circular No. 79-13 

Addressee:

The enclosed IE Circular No. 79-13, is forwarded to you for information. No
written response is required. Should you have any questions related to your
understanding of this matter, please contact this office.

                                        Sincerely,


                                        Signature
                                        (Regional Director)

Enclosures: 
1.   IE Circular No. 79-13 
2.   List of IE Circulars Issued 
       in the Last 12 Months 
.

                             UNITED STATES 
                       NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
                   OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
                          WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 
                                     
                               July 10, 1979

                                                     IE Circular No. 79-13 

REPLACEMENT OF DIESEL FIRE PUMP STARTING CONTACTORS 

Description of Circumstances:

On May 28, 1978, the Diesel Fire Pump failed to start remotely at
Davis-Besse, Unit 1 facility operated by Toledo Edison Company. The cause
for failure was defective starting contactors. A subsequent investigation
into the cause of a similar failure on January 18, 1978, at Commonwealth
Edison Company's Dresden 2/3 Diesel Fire Pump identified a generic problem
with Cummins Industrial Fire Pump Engines.

Discussion:

The investigation revealed that Cummins Engine Company issued a Service/Parts
Topics No. 74T 13-3A announcing new components available for Industrial Fire
Pumps (NH-220-IF, N-855-F, N-855-F1, NT-855-F2 series engines) to improve
operation of inline 6 cylinder Industrial Fire Pump Engines. In this topic,
Cummins recommends that when replacing the 118848 magnetic switch and 199573
DC relay contactor, use the new 217588 magnetic switch. The new design
component has a 6 ampere draw whereas the old combination has approximately
3 amperes draw. Davis Besse and Dresden sites have implemented the corrective
action recommended by Cummins.

Recommended Actions for Licensees' Consideration: 

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits should be aware of
the potential problem of the type discussed above. Because of the generic
implications in this matter, it is recommended that both licensees of
operating facilities and holders of construction permits conduct a review to
determine if the above diesel fire pump engines are in use or planned for use
at your facility(ies). If these engines are in use or planned for use,
determine if the Cummins type 118848 Magnetic Switch and 199573 DC relay
contactors are also employed. For those engines which have these components,
develop a program for their replacement with the new 217588 Magnetic Switch.

No written response to this Circular is required. If you require additional
information regarding these matters, contact the Director of the appropriate
NRC Regional Office.

Enclosure:
Cummins Service/Parts Topics 
  No. 74 T 13-3A