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Page Title:
Fire in the Cable Spreading Room |
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|  DOE-HDBK-1116-98
APPENDIX B
The program undertaken to reduce leakage
because it was recessed into the wall farther
required that all leaks be identified and
than he could reach. The inspector
listed, that leaks be sealed, and that work be
volunteered to seal the leak for the
verified and signed off by an engineer. The
electrician. The electrician handed him
method for detecting air leaks was left to the
pieces of resilient polyurethane foam sealing
discretion of the engineer in charge. Several
material that the inspector inserted into the
methods had been employed including
hole. After inserting the resilient
smoke devices, soap solutions, and candles.
polyurethane foam into the leak, the
The movement or flickering of a candle
inspector placed the candle about 1 inch
flame was an especially effective method for
from the resilient polyurethane foam to
locating leaks in dimly lighted areas and
check the success of the repaired seal. The
became the method most used. As the
airflow through the leak pulled the candle
number of leaks was reduced, the
flame into the resilient polyurethane foam,
differential pressure across the walls
which sizzled and began to burn. The
increased and penetrations that originally did
inspector and the electrician attempted
not leak began to permit leakage.
unsuccessfully to put out the fire by breaking
Therefore, the inspectors, accompanied by
up and smothering the burning material.
electricians who sealed leaking penetrations
Realizing the fire was progressing beyond
as they were discovered, were instructed to
their ability to control, the electrician called
recheck all penetrations in their assigned
for fire extinguishers. The fire burned for
areas.
about 1 minute before the first carbon
dioxide fire extinguisher arrived. The entire
contents of three carbon dioxide
Fire in the Cable Spreading Room
extinguishers, two of which were only
partially filled, were emptied on the fire
Cable penetrations had been sealed after
without effect because of the air flow across
initial installation but additional cables were
the penetration.
often added. To make an opening for
additional cables, holes were punched
The inspector realized that the fire had
through the wall penetration sealing
spread to the reactor building side of the
materials and fire stop with a wooden stick.
wall, and two construction workers who were
This process resulted in pieces of
in the area left the spreading room for the
polyurethane and flameastic (fire retardant
reactor building to fight that fire. On their
material) being knocked onto the cables on
way to the reactor building they informed a
both sides of the penetration.
public safety officer of the fire in progress in
the Unit 1 reactor building. The public safety
In the early afternoon, an inspector and an
officer called the control room and reported
electrician were checking cable penetrations
the fire, 15 minutes after it had started.
through the wall between the cable
spreading room and the Unit 1 reactor
As the engineer prepared to discharge a
building. The inspector was using a candle
fourth extinguisher, the spreading room
flame to detect air leaks. The inspector
carbon dioxide system alarm was sounded
detected a strong air leak in the penetration
and all workers evacuated the spreading
for the second tray from the bottom on the
room. Twenty minutes after the fire started
west row. The electrician experienced
and after ensuring that no workers were in
difficulty reaching the penetration to seal it
B-6
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