Protection Criteria for Special Hazards

DOE-STD-1066-99

13. PROTECTION CRITERIA FOR SPECIAL HAZARDS

13.1 General

Hazards unique to DOE and not addressed by mandatory codes and standards should be

protected by isolation, segregation or use of special control systems such as: inert gas,

explosion suppression, etc., as determined by the FHA and the AHJ. In addition, devices for

limiting or controlling the effects of a fire (relief valves, filters, blast walls, emergency shutdown

systems, scuppers, etc.) should be provided.

13.2 Plutonium Processing and Handling Facilities (PPHF)

Only hazardous gases or liquids that are necessary for a process should be used in PPHFs.

No natural gas for heating purposes should be used unless the heating occurs in a separate

building that is clearly isolated from the primary facility. Other flammable, explosive, corrosive,

or toxic gases or liquids that are necessary to the process should be handled under special

control and isolated to avoid releases or reactions that might cause injury to workers, the

public, or the environment. Those flammable gases that are necessary for a process should

be provided by a hard-piped system with the gas supply located outside of the facility in

cylinders rather than from large capacity sources so as to limit the total quantity available in

the event of a fire or explosion.

13.3 Plutonium Storage Facilities (PSF)

13.3.1 Combustible packaging materials should be stored in metal containers or structures

outside of a PSF in a location that should not endanger the storage facility or stored

material if a fire occurs in the packaging material. The need to provide automatic fire

suppression systems for these areas should be evaluated in the SAR.

13.3.2 Storage racks should be noncombustible and designed to securely hold storage

containers in place, ensure proper separation of storage containers, and maintain

structural integrity under both normal operations and during a fire.

13.4 Enriched Uranium Storage Facilities (EUSF)

Combustible packaging materials should be stored in metal containers or structures outside

of a UEUSF in a location that should not endanger the storage facility or stored material

should a fire occur in the packaging material. The need to provide automatic fire suppression

systems for these areas should be evaluated in the FHA and SAR.

13.5 Uranium Processing and Handling Facilities

13.5.1 The primary confinement system should be constructed of fire-resistant materials, and

the process equipment and process being confined should be designed to prevent or

minimize the probability of potential flammable or explosive conditions. Confinement

enclosures for flammable metals should be designed with self-contained fire

protection and extinguishing equipment; in some cases, inert atmospheres may be

desirable within the enclosures.