Redefined Criticality Risk Categories for Fire Fighting

Technical Report · Mon Apr 10 04:00:00 EST 1972

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4625034· OSTI ID:4625034

Blyckert, W. A. ^[1]; Carter, R. D. ^[1]; Ridgway, K. R. ^[1]

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1. Atlantic Richfield Hanford Co., Richland, WA (United States)

Following the investigation and recommendations of the serious Rocky Flats Plant fire on May 11, 1969, a review was made of the fire fighting philosophy in Atomic Energy Commission installations. After the review and with the knowledge gained from the fire, project action was taken to install automatic water sprinkler systems in several facilities where, in the past, the use of water generally was considered a last resort in fire control. Since automatic sprinklers supply an unknown volume of water to the system as compared to manually controlled sprays, the criticality control parameters in a number of locations required review. Current Atlantic Richfield Hanford Company fire fighting policy divides fissile material processing locations into four categories; A, B, C, and D depending upon the criticality risk involved. In "D" areas, the direct use of water for fire fighting or the introduction of water from fire fighting activities in adjacent areas has been excluded except as a last resort. Many areas in the plant have been defined Category D. Since some of the "D" areas are confined within fragile or combustible barriers, rubber gloves, and plastic bag ports, which are likely to be destroyed or damaged by fire, the exclusion of water from automatic sprinklers cannot be guaranteed. This document provides the basis for revising operating instructions and the concomitant revisions in specifications, standards, and operating procedures. The document redefines the four fire fighting categories to better differentiate between categories particularly under the special conditions imposed by automatic sprinkler systems.

• Research Organization: Atlantic Richfield Hanford Co., Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP); US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• NSA Number: NSA-26-041489
• OSTI ID: 4625034
• Report Number(s): ARH-2468(Rev.)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
42 ENGINEERING
CRITICALITY
Criticality/ Risk Categories For Fire Fighting In Nuclear Facilities Using Automatic Sprinkler Systems
Redefinition Of
FIRES
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
Fires/Control In Nuclear Facilities Using Automatic Sprinkler Systems
Redefined Criticality Risk Categories Related To
Fissionable Material/Criticality Of Nuclear Facility- Contained
Undergoing Automatic Water Sprinkling For Fire Control
Redefinition Of Risk Categories For
N42700 -Engineering-Safety Engineering
N52300* -Nuclear Materials & Waste Management-Handling Equipment & Procedures
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
SAFETY
WATER
Water/Use Of Automatic Sprinkler System
For Fire Control In Nuclear Facility
Redefined Criticality Risk Categories Related To