Automatic Fire Suppression Systems

DOE-STD-1066-99

15.3.1.4 Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres

Where justified by the hazards analysis, equipment to continuously monitor

oxygen levels should be provided for working areas of facilities which are or

may be occupied by personnel and which are equipped with gloveboxes or

glovebox lines having inerted or oxygen deficient atmospheres. This should

include pit or below grade areas where glovebox inerting gases may

concentrate.

15.3.2 Automatic Fire Suppression Systems

15.3.2.1 System Types and Selection

Automatic sprinkler or other approved fire suppression systems (foam water,

dry chemical, dry powder, gaseous, water mist, etc.) should be provided for

gloveboxes in which flammable/combustible liquids, oxidizers, or waste

characterization operations are involved, except where an inerting system

is provided per this standard. All systems should be designed, installed,

acceptance-tested, and maintained in accordance with the applicable NFPA

standards (see Section 3.0).

The following considerations apply:

o Limited water supply sprinkler systems may be used if criticality is a

potential (see Appendix H).

o Gloveboxes should be provided with liquid runoff control if automatic

sprinkler protection is provided.

o Restricted orifice sprinkler heads may be used.

o In designing the distribution system for dry chemical systems, nozzles

should be so oriented as to direct the discharge away from exhaust

filters. This design step prevents direct loading of the filter by the dry

chemical discharge.

o The extinguishing systems should sound local alarms and transmit

remote alarms to a continuously attended location for the purpose of

initiating emergency action.

o Listed/approved "on-off" sprinklers may be used.