Information Notice No.79-08 – Interconnection of Contaminated Systems with Service Air Systems Used as the Source of Breathing Air
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
Information Notice No. 79-08
Date: March 28, 1979
Page 1 of 2
INTERCONNECTION OF CONTAMINATED SYSTEMS WITH SERVICE AIR SYSTEMS USED AS THE
SOURCE OF BREATHING AIR
Description of Circumstances:
This Information Notice describes an event which occurred at the Peach Bottom
Nuclear Power Station; however. the generic implications may be applicable
to other power reactors and selected fuel cycle facilities.
On October 4, 1978, the Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) reported that,
on two occasions at Unit 2, contamination had leaked from the radwaste
system to a system used to provide the plant source of breathing air. The
leakage occurred through an interconnection of the radwaste system with the
plant breathing air source. PECO established that no personnel were
subjected to contaminated breathing air as a result of this leakage.
One of the functions of the service air system at Peach Bottom is to provide
a source of breathing air for personnel using supplied air respiratory
protective equipment. By means of an interconnection to the radwaste system,
the facility also uses the service air system to provide a source of
compressed air during the backwash cycle of the demineralizer filter element.
The compressed air provides the motive force for reverse water flow through
the filter element and was being used to perform this function when the two
incidents occurred. Liquid from the radwaste system leaked past a check valve
and a process valve. PECO determined by analysis of liquid samples that
contamination had leaked into the service air system. Valves in the leakage
path were subsequently dismantled and examined. The examinations revealed the
presence of dirt deposits in the check valve and air operated ball valve.
PECO attributes the specific cause of the leakage to these dirt deposits
which prevented the proper seating of the valves.
NRC contacts with other operating power reactors have indicated that other
facilities also use service air as a source of breathing air. In several
cases, the service air system is physically interconnected to other systems
which carry radioactive material and relies on valves or other barriers to
prevent contamination of the plant source of breathing air.
.
Information Notice No. 79-08
Date: March 28, 1979
Page 2 of 2
NUREG-0041, "Manual of Respiratory Protection Against Airborne Radioactive
Materials," which supplements the stipulations of Regulatory Guide 8.15,
states in Section 9.8, "A separate breathing air supply and distribution
system shall be used. The ordinary plant supply of compressed air in any
building shall not be used for breathing purposes . . . unless it has been
specifically modified and properly adapted for such use and specifically
approved for this purpose by the qualified person supervising the respiratory
protective equipment program."
At those facilities where service air is used as a source of breathing air,
certain precautions can be taken to minimize the potential of a problem
similar to the one described. By review of the service air system and as-
built or design drawings, interconnections between contaminated systems and
the source of breathing air can be identified. Where interconnections are
identified, the design should assure that adequate separation is provided.
In addition, operating procedures should provide for controls to prevent
contamination of the breathing air source.
No specific action or written response to this Information Notice is
required. If you desire additional information regarding this matter,
contact the Director of the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
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