Fire on the Power Generator of a Nuclear Power Plant
On April 29, 1991, a nuclear Power Plant experienced a main generator hydrogen fire. Although a senior reactor operator (SRO) and auxiliary operators from another shift were available immediately, the need to provide personnel for the fire brigade and yet perform the many actions required by the event caused a heavy workload for the control room staff. This workload contributed to the licensee's failure to notify some key emergency response personnel as specified in the licensee's procedure.
Event Date
April 29, 1991
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
Main generator
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
The US.NRC issued a note to alert addressees to problems that could result from inadequate controls to ensure that shift staffing is sufficient to accomplish all necessary functions required by an event. It is expected that recipients will review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems.Strangely enough, nothing is said on the root cause and its consequences on the plants.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The need to provide personnel for the fire brigade and yet perform the many actions required by the event caused a heavy workload for the control room staff.
Emergency Evaluation
Too less resources available for the emergency
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
US.NRC Information Notice No. 91-77: Shift Staffing at Nuclear Power Plants
available at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/gen-comm/info-notices/19…