[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 171 (Friday, September 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53231-53236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22497]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-277 and 50-278]


PECO Energy Company, et al. (Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, 
Units 2 and 3); Exemption

I

    PECO Energy Company (PECO or the licensee) holds, along with other 
co-licensees, Facility Operating Licenses Nos. DPR-44 and DPR-56, which 
authorize operation of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 
and 3 (Peach Bottom or the facilities). The facilities consist of two 
boiling water reactors located at the licensee's site in York County, 
Pennsylvania. The licenses provide, among other things, that the 
licensee is subject to all rules, regulations, and orders of the U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) now or hereafter 
in effect.

II

    Section III.F of Appendix R to Title 10 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (10 CFR), Part 50 requires that automatic fire detection 
systems (capable of operating with or without offsite power) be 
installed in all areas of the plant that contain or present an exposure 
fire hazard to safety-related or safe shutdown systems or components. 
By letter dated December 31, 1998, as supplemented on January 14 and 
April 14, 2000, the licensee requested an exemption from Section III.F 
of Appendix R regarding the provisions for an automatic fire detection 
capability in 8 fire zones in fire area 50 (the common area between 
both turbine buildings), 2 fire zones within fire area 6S (a portion of 
the Unit 2 reactor building), and 2 fire zones within fire area 13N (a 
portion of the Unit 3 reactor building). Specifically, these fire zones 
are (A) the Condenser Bays Fire Zones 50-78W and 50-78V; (B) Equipment 
hatchway and adjoining equipment rooms, Fire Zone 50-78B; (C) Main 
Turbine Lube Oil Storage Tank Rooms, Fire Zones 50-88 and 50-89; (D) 
Reactor Feedwater Turbine Area Corridors, Fire Zone 50-78A; (E) Steam 
Jet Air Ejector Room, Fire Zone 50-78EE; (F) Feedwater Heater Room, 
Fire Zone 50-99; and (G) Reactor Water Cleanup System Equipment, Fire 
Zones 6S-42, 6S-5M, 13N-36, and 13N-13M.
    The Commission, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12(a)(1), may grant 
exemptions from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50 that are authorized 
by law, will not present an undue risk to public health and safety, and 
are consistent with the common defense and security. The Commission, 
however, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2), will not consider granting an 
exemption unless special circumstances are present. Under 10 CFR 
50.12(a)(2)(ii), special circumstances are present when application of 
the regulation in the particular circumstances would not serve the 
underlying purpose of the rule or is not necessary to achieve the 
underlying purpose of the rule. The underlying purpose of the rule is 
to reasonably assure the capability to achieve and maintain safe 
shutdown in the event of a fire.

III

    The staff has completed its evaluation of PECO's request for an 
exemption as follows.

Background

    A. Fire Zone 50-78W in the Unit 2 Turbine Building consists of 
three rooms: the Condenser Pit (Room 22 on Elevation 102'-0"), the 
Moisture Separator Area (Room 138 on Elevation 116'-0"), and the Unit 2 
Piping Area (Room 223 on Elevation 135'-0"). Fire Zone 50-78V in the 
Unit 3 Turbine Building consists of two rooms: the Moisture Separator 
Area (Room 181 on Elevation 116'-0") and the Unit 3 Pipe Area (Room 272 
on Elevation 135'-0"). The primary fire hazards associated with these 
areas include turbine lubricating oil lines and cables.
    Rooms 22, 138, 181, 223, and 272 are fully protected by an 
automatic wet pipe sprinkler system. This system is, in general, 
designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13 and meets the 
sprinkler spray density for Ordinary Hazard Group 1 and Extra Hazard 
Group 1 classification. The combustible loading in the area, as 
described in the licensee's Fire Protection Program manual, is low 
consisting primarily of cable insulation.
    The following table summarizes the post-fire safe shutdown 
functions in these rooms:

                       Summary of Fire Zone 50-78W
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Room                   Post-fire safe shutdown function
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 2 Condenser Pit (Room     Unit 2 Condensate Storage Tank Leven
 22).                           Indication.
Unit 2 Moisture Separator      No post-fire shutdown equipment or
 Area (Room 138).               components located in this room.

[[Page 53232]]

 
Unit 2 Piping Area (Room 223)  Unit 2 Condensate Storage Tank Level
                                indication. Unit 2 Drywell Pressure
                                Indiciation. Control cables for 343-SU
                                Offsite Power to 4Kv Switchgear. Unit 2
                                Reactor Water Clean Up High/Low Pressure
                                Interface cables
Unit 3 Moisture Separator      Control cables for SU-25 Offsite Power to
 Area (Room 181).               4Kv Swithgear. Control cables for 343-SU
                                Offsite Power to 4Kv Switchgear. Unit 3
                                Condensate Storage Tank Level
                                Indication.
Unit 3 Pipe Area (Room 272)..  Unit 3 Condensate Storage Tank Level
                                Indiciation. Unit 3 Reactor Water
                                Cleanup High/Low Pressure Interface
                                cables. Unit 3 High Pressure Service
                                Water. Unit 3 High Pressure Coolant
                                Injection. Unit 3 Reactor Core Isolation
                                Cooling.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    B. Fire Zone 50-78B is located on several elevations of the Unit 2 
and 3 Turbine Building common areas. Fire Zone 50-78B has seven rooms 
associated with it. These rooms are the General Storage and Hydrogen 
Seal Equipment Area (Rooms 185, 135, and 184 on Elevation 116'-0"), the 
Laydown Area (Room 185 on Elevation 116'-0"), the Generator Equipment 
Areas (Rooms 229 and 274 on Elevation 135'-0"), the Laydown Area which 
surrounds the open hatch (Room 228 on Elevation 135'-0") and the 
Laydown Area (Room 429 on Elevation 165'-0"). The primary fire hazards 
associated with these areas include turbine lubricating oil lines, 
cables and the hydrogen seal oil units and equipment.
    All these rooms/areas directly interact with the open main 
equipment hatch which extends from the 116'-0" elevation to the 
ceiling/roof deck on the 234'-0" elevation of the Turbine Building. 
Turbine Building Rooms 135, 184, 185, 228, 229, and 274 were originally 
protected by a full area manual pre-action sprinkler system. As part of 
the commitments in the individual plant examination of external events 
submittal, the sprinkler system was changed to an automatic wet pipe 
sprinkler system in 1999. The automatic wet pipe sprinkler system is, 
in general, designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13 and meets 
the sprinkler spray density for Ordinary Hazard Group 1 and Extra 
Hazard Group 1 classification. There is no sprinkler protection or 
detection provided for Room 429. The combustible loading in the area, 
as described in the licensee's Fire Protection Program manual, is low 
consisting primarily of cable insulation and lube oil.
    The following table summarizes the post-fire safe shutdown 
functions in these rooms:

                       Summary of Fire Zone 50-78B
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Room                   Post-fire safe shutdown function
------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Storage and Hydrogen   Control cables for SU-25 offsite power to
 Seal Equipment Area (Room      4Kv switchgear. Control cables for 343-
 135).                          SU offsite power to 4Kv switchgear.
                                Control cables for Sluice Gates for
                                ``A'' Essential Service Water. (ESW)
                                pump, Unit 2 High Pressure Service
                                Water. Control cables for Unit 2 High
                                Pressure Service Water (HPSW) valve.
                                Unit 2 HPSW Indication.
(Room 184)...................  Cables for Unit 3 HPSW pumps. Unit 3 HPSW
                                cross tie valve MO-3344 (control). Unit
                                3 HPSW Indication.
(Room 185)...................  Control cables for SU-25 offsite power to
                                4Kv switchgear. Control cables for 343-
                                SU offsite power to 4Kv switchgear.
                                Power and control cables for sluice
                                gates for the A&B ESW pumps and Unit 2
                                and Unit 3 HPSW Pumps. Control cables
                                for Unit 2 HPSW valve. ESW indication.
                                Power cables for ``A and B'' ESW pumps.
                                Power cables for 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, and
                                3C HPSW pumps. (The power cables for the
                                2B and 3C pumps are encapsulated).
Laydown Area which surrounds   Control cables for SU-25 offsite power to
 the open hatch (Room 228).     4Kv switchgear. Control cables for 343-
                                SU offsite power to 4Kv switchgear.
                                Control cables for Sluice Gates for
                                ``A'' Essential Service Water. (ESW)
                                pump, Unit 2 High Pressure Service
                                Water. Control cables for Unit 2 and 3
                                HPSW valve. Unit 2 and Unit 3 HPSW
                                Indication. Unit 2 and Unit 3 reactor
                                coolant pressure and level indication.
                                Unit 2 and Unit 3 Torus Temperature
                                indication.
Generator Equipment Areas      No post-fire safe shutdown equipment or
 (Rooms 229 and 274).           components located in these rooms.
Laydown Area (Room 429)......  Unit 2 reactor coolant pressure and level
                                indication. Control cables for 343-SU
                                offsite power to 4Kv switchgear.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    C. Fire Zones 50-88 and 50-89 are the Unit 2 and 3 Main Turbine 
Lube Oil Storage Tank Rooms (Rooms 139 and 179). Rooms 139 and 179 are 
fully protected by an automatic wet pipe sprinkler system. This system 
is, in general, designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13 and 
meets the sprinkler spray density for Ordinary Hazard Group 1 and Extra 
Hazard Group 1 classification. The combustible loading in the area, as 
described in the licensee's Fire Protection Program manual, is high 
consisting primarily of lube oil and cable insulation.
    The following table summarizes the post-fire safe shutdown 
functions in these rooms:

                  Summary of Fire Zones 50-88 and 50-89
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Post-fire safe shutdown
                   Room                               function
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 2 Main Turbine Lube Oil Storage Tank   No post-fire safe shutdown
 Room (Room 139).                            equipment or components
                                             located in this room.

[[Page 53233]]

 
Unit 3 Main Turbine Lube Oil Storage Tank   Control cables for SU-25
 Room (Room 179).                            offsite power to 4Kv
                                             switchgear. Control cables
                                             for 343-SU offsite power to
                                             4Kv switchgear.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    D. Fire Zone 50-78A (Rooms 414 and 457) is located on elevation 
165'-0" of the Unit 2 and 3 Turbine Building. This fire zone is the 
Feedwater/Turbine Area access corridor. Rooms 414 and 457 are fully 
protected by an automatic wet pipe sprinkler system. This sprinkler 
system has design density values in the range of Ordinary Hazard Group 
2 to Extra Hazard Group 1 which are appropriate for these areas. The 
combustible loading in the area, as described in the licensee's Fire 
Protection Program manual, is low consisting of cable insulation, lube 
oil, Thermo-Lag 330-1, cotton cloth, rubber, wood, and polycarbonate.
    The following table summarizes the post-fire safe shutdown 
functions in these rooms:

                       Summary of Fire Zone 50-78A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Post-fire safe shutdown
                   Room                               function
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 2 Feedwater Turbine Area Access        Unit 2 Reactor coolant
 Corridor (Room 414).                        pressure and level
                                             indication. Unit 2 Reactor
                                             Water Cleanup High/Low
                                             Pressure Interface cables.
Unit 3 Feedwater Turbine Area Access        Unit 3 Reactor Water Cleanup
 Corridor (Room 457).                        High/Low Pressure Interface
                                             cables. Unit 3 High
                                             Pressure Coolant Injection.
                                             Unit 3 Reactor Core
                                             Isolation Cooling.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    E. Fire Zone 50-78EE (Room 177) is located on elevation 135'-0" of 
the Unit 3 Turbine Building. This fire zone is the Unit 3 Air Ejector 
Gland Seal Condenser Room and is a locked high radiation area. This 
room is not protected by an automatic sprinkler system or by a fire 
detection system and the area is not continually occupied. The 
combustible loading in the area, as described in the licensee's Fire 
Protection Program manual, is low consisting of cable insulation. 
Cables for the Unit 3 Condensate Storage Tank Level Indication are 
located in this area.
    The following table summarizes the post-fire safe shutdown 
functions in this room:

                      Summary of Fire Zone 50-78EE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Post-fire safe shutdown
                   Room                               function
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 3 Steam Jet Air Ejector Room (Room     Unit 3 Condensate Storage
 177).                                       Tank Level indication
                                             cables.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    F. Fire Zone 50-99 (Room 222) is located on elevation 116'-0" of 
the Unit 3 Turbine Building. This fire zone is a locked high radiation 
area which contains the C3 and C4 Feedwater Heaters. This room is not 
protected by an automatic sprinkler system or by a fire detection 
system. The combustible loading in the area, as described in the 
licensee's Fire Protection Program manual, is low consisting of cable 
insulation in three open vertical cable trays. The control cables for 
343-SU offsite power to 4Kv switchgear are routed through this area.
    The following table summarizes the post-fire safe shutdown 
functions in this room:

                       Summary of Fire Zone 50-99
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Post-fire safe shutdown
                   Room                               function
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 2 Feedwater Heaters (Room 222).......  Control cables for 343-SU
                                             Offsite Power to 4Kv
                                             Switchgear.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    G. Fire Zones 6S-5M (Room 410) and 13N-13M (Room 452) are the 
Reactor Water Cleanup Backwash Tank Transfer Pump Rooms; Fire Zones 6S-
42 (Room 408) and 13N-36 (Room 449) are the Reactor Water Cleanup Non-
regenerative Heat Exchanger rooms. Rooms 410 and 452 are located on 
elevation 165'-0" of the Units 2 and 3 Reactor Buildings, respectively. 
The combustible loading in the area, as described in the licensee's 
Fire Protection Program manual, is low consisting of cable insulation 
and plastic polycarbonate. These rooms are not protected by an 
automatic sprinkler system or by a fire detection system. Cables 
associated with the Reactor Water Cleanup High/Low Pressure Interface 
valves are located in these rooms. Fire Zones 6S-42 (Room 408) and 13N-
36 (Room 449) are located on elevation 165'-0" of the Units 2 and 3 
Reactor Buildings, respectively. These rooms are not protected by an 
automatic fire suppression or detection system. The combustible loading 
in the area, as described in the licensee's Fire Protection Program 
manual, is low consisting of cable insulation. Cables associated with 
the Reactor Water Cleanup High/Low Pressure Interface valves are 
located within these rooms.
    The following table summarizes the post-fire safe shutdown 
functions in these rooms:

           Summary of Fire Zones 6S-5M, 6S-42, 13N-13M, 13N-36
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Post-fire safe shutdown
                   Room                               function
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reactor Water Cleanup (RWCU) Backwash Tank  Unit 2 Reactor Water Cleanup
 Transfer Pumps (Room 410).                  (RWCU) High/Low Pressure
                                             Interface Valves Cables.
RWCU Non-Regenerative Heat Exchanger (Room  Unit 2 RWCU High/Low
 408).                                       Pressure Interface Valve
                                             CV2-12-55 Controller 1/P2-
                                             12-110.
RWCU Backwash Tank Transfer Pumps (Room     Unit 3 Reactor Water Cleanup
 452).                                       (RWCU) High/Low Pressure
                                             Interface Valves Cables.
RWCU Non-Regenerative Heat Exchanger (Room  Unit 3 RWCU High/Low
 449).                                       Pressure Interface Valve
                                             CV3-12-55 Controller 1/P3-
                                             12-110.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evaluation

    A. Fire Zone 50-78W does not meet the technical requirements of 
Section III.F of Appendix R because an automatic fire detection system 
is not provided for the Condenser Pit (Room 22 on Elevation 102'-0"), 
the Moisture Separator Area (Room 138 on Elevation 116'-0") and the 
Unit 2 Piping Area (Room 223 on Elevation 135'-0"). If a fire were to 
occur involving either the turbine lubricating oil and/or the cables 
that are in any of these rooms, the fire is expected to actuate the 
sprinkler heads located in the area of the fire. The alarm check valve 
associated with this wet pipe sprinkler system would open and send an 
alarm to the control room. Thus, the actuation of the sprinkler system 
would indirectly detect the fire. In the case of a rapidly developing 
fire such as one involving lubricating oil, the potential exists that 
the post-fire safe shutdown circuits could be damaged. According to the 
licensee's Fire Protection Program manual, the redundant safe shutdown 
function for Fire Area 50 is located outside of Fire Area 50 and those 
functions for Room 223 are located in a room outside of this fire area. 
Based on the passive fire protection features separating the redundant 
post-fire safe shutdown functions, the fire hazards associated

[[Page 53234]]

with the areas of concern (Rooms 22, 138 and 223) and the installed 
sprinkler system and its alarm functions, there is reasonable assurance 
that a fire in Fire Zone 50-78W will be promptly detected and 
controlled by the sprinkler system and that the safe shutdown 
capability will be preserved. Passive fire protection features used in 
the plant include: (1) Fire resistant floors, walls and ceilings 
(typically reinforced concrete or masonry), (2) fire resistant seals at 
penetrations in fire barriers, (3) fire resistant doors, (4) fire 
breaks in vertical cable trays, and (5) the use of flame retardant 
electrical cables. Therefore, the addition of an automatic fire 
detection system in Fire Zone 50-78W would not result in a significant 
increase in the level of fire protection for this fire zone and is not 
necessary to achieve the underlying purpose of Section III.F of 
Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50. Fire Zone 50-78V does not meet the 
technical requirements of Section III.F of Appendix R because an 
automatic fire detection system is not provided for the Moisture 
Separator Area (Room 181 on Elevation 116'-0") and the Unit 3 Pipe Area 
(Room 272 on Elevation 135'-0"). If a fire were to occur involving 
either the turbine lubricating oil and/or the cables that are in any of 
these rooms, the fire is expected to actuate the sprinkler heads 
located in the area of the fire. The alarm check valve associated with 
this wet pipe sprinkler system would open and send an alarm to the 
control room. Thus, the actuation of the sprinkler system would 
indirectly detect the fire. In the case of a rapidly developing fire 
such as one involving lubricating oil, the potential exists that the 
post-fire safe shutdown circuits could be damaged before the sprinklers 
could actuate. The redundant safe shutdown functions for Rooms 181 and 
272 are located outside of the affected fire area. Based on the passive 
fire protection features separating the redundant post-fire safe 
shutdown functions, the fire hazards associated with the areas of 
concern (Rooms 181 and 272) and the installed sprinkler system and its 
alarm functions, there is reasonable assurance that a fire in Fire Zone 
50-78V will be promptly detected and controlled by the sprinkler system 
and that the safe shutdown capability will be preserved. Therefore, the 
addition of an automatic fire detection system in Fire Zone 50-78V 
would not result in a significant increase in the level of fire 
protection for this fire zone and is not necessary to achieve the 
underlying purpose of Section III.F of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50.
    B. Fire Zone 50-78B does not meet the technical requirements of 
Section III.F of Appendix R because an automatic fire detection system 
is not provided for the General Storage and Hydrogen Seal Equipment 
Area (Rooms 135, 184, and 185 on Elevation 116'-0"), the Laydown Area 
(Room 185 on Elevation 116'-0"), the Generator Equipment Areas (Rooms 
229 and 274 on Elevation 135'-0"), the Laydown Area which surrounds the 
open hatch (Room 228 on Elevation 135'-0") and the Laydown Area (Room 
429 on Elevation 165'-0"). If a fire were to occur involving either the 
turbine lubricating oil, hydrogen seal oil and/or the cables that are 
in Rooms 135, 184, 185, 228, 229 or 274, the fire is expected to 
actuate the sprinkler heads located in the area of the fire. The alarm 
check valve associated with this wet pipe sprinkler system would open 
and send an alarm to the control room. Thus, the actuation of the 
sprinkler system would indirectly detect the fire. In the case of a 
rapidly developing fire such as one involving lubricating oil, the 
potential exists that the post-fire safe shutdown circuits could be 
damaged before the sprinklers could actuate. The redundant safe 
shutdown functions for Rooms 135, 184, 185, and 228 are located outside 
of the affected fire area. Based on the passive fire protection 
features separating the redundant post-fire safe shutdown functions, 
the fire hazards associated with the areas of concern (Rooms 135, 184, 
185, and 228) and the installed sprinkler system and its alarm 
functions in Rooms 135, 184, 185, 228, 229 and 274, there is reasonable 
assurance that a fire in Fire Zone 50-78B will be promptly detected and 
controlled by the sprinkler system and that the safe shutdown 
capability will be preserved. Therefore, the addition of an automatic 
fire detection system in these rooms would not result in a significant 
increase in the level of fire protection for these rooms and is not 
necessary to achieve the underlying purpose of Section III.F of 
Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50.
    The Laydown Area (Room 429) is not provided with automatic 
sprinkler protection or automatic fire detection. This room contains 
several turbine bearing oil lift pumps, motor control centers and a 
maintenance office. This is a significant fire hazard that warrants 
some fire protection system to provide reasonable assurance of safety. 
The circuits in this room are associated with offsite power and the 
Unit 2 reactor pressure and level indication. Therefore, the staff 
concludes that automatic detection should be provided in this room to 
provide prompt notification to the control room of a fire in this area 
during its incipient stages to allow a rapid response from the plant 
fire brigade to a fire in this room. Therefore, the request for 
exemption from the requirements specified in Section III.F of Appendix 
R is denied for Room 429.
    C. Fire Zones 50-88 and 50-89 are in the Unit 2 and 3 Main Turbine 
Lube Oil Storage Tank Rooms (Rooms 139 and 179). These Fire Zones do 
not meet the technical requirements of Section III.F of Appendix R 
because an automatic fire detection system is not provided for these 
zones. If a fire were to occur involving turbine lubricating oil, the 
fire is expected to actuate the sprinkler heads located in the area of 
the fire. The alarm check valve associated with this wet pipe sprinkler 
system would open and send an alarm to the control room. Thus, the 
actuation of the sprinkler system would indirectly detect the fire. In 
the case of a rapidly developing fire such as one involving lubricating 
oil, the potential exists that the post-fire safe shutdown circuits in 
Room 179 could be damaged before the sprinklers actuate. The redundant 
safe shutdown functions for Room 179 are located outside of this fire 
area. Based on the passive fire protection features separating the 
redundant post-fire safe shutdown functions, the fire hazards 
associated with the areas of concern (Room 179) and the installed 
sprinkler system and its alarm functions, there is reasonable assurance 
that a fire in Fire Zone 50-89 will be promptly detected and controlled 
by the sprinkler system and that the safe shutdown capability will be 
preserved. Therefore, the addition of an automatic fire detection 
system in Fire Zone 50-89 would not result in a significant increase in 
the level of fire protection for this fire zone and is not necessary to 
achieve the underlying purpose of Section III.F of Appendix R to 10 CFR 
Part 50. Fire Zone 50-88 (Room 139) contains no fire protection safe 
shutdown equipment.
    D. Fire Zone 50-78A (Rooms 414 and 457) does not meet the technical 
requirements of Section III.F of Appendix R because an automatic fire 
detection system is not provided for the Feedwater/Turbine Area access 
corridor. The area has an automatic water suppression system. If a fire 
were to occur, the heat from the fire would acuate the sprinkler 
system. The alarm check valve associated with this wet pipe sprinkler 
system would open and send an alarm to the control room. Thus, the 
actuation of the sprinkler system would indirectly detect the fire. The 
redundant safe shutdown functions for Rooms 414 and 457 would be

[[Page 53235]]

unaffected by a fire in these rooms because of the passive fire 
protection features separating the redundant post-fire safe shutdown 
functions. Based on the non-severe fire hazards associated with the 
areas of concern (Rooms 414 and 457) and the installed sprinkler system 
and its alarm functions, there is reasonable assurance that a fire in 
Fire Zone 50-78A will be promptly detected and controlled by the 
sprinkler system. Thus, the addition of an automatic fire detection 
system in Fire Zone 50-78A would not result in a significant increase 
in the level of fire protection for this fire zone and is not necessary 
to achieve the underlying purpose of Section III.F of Appendix R to 10 
CFR Part 50.
    E. Fire Zone 50-78EE (Room 177) does not meet the technical 
requirements of Section III.F of Appendix R because an automatic fire 
detection system is not provided for the Unit 3 Air Ejector Gland Seal 
Condenser Room. This room is a locked high radiation area. Cables for 
the Unit 3 Condensate Storage Tank Level Indication are located in this 
area. The area has a low combustible material loading and is not a high 
personnel traffic area. The access door to the room is louvered and a 
fire detection system is in the corridor outside of the room. A 
redundant shutdown train is available for any equipment affected by a 
fire in this room. Since the zone is a locked high radiation area and 
receives minimal personnel traffic, and has a low combustible loading, 
likelihood of a fire in this area is low. In the unlikely event of a 
fire in this area, any shutdown features located in the room have a 
redundant function outside the zone, such that the ability to achieve 
safe shutdown would not be adversely affected by a fire in this zone. 
There are also automatic fire detection systems located in adjacent 
areas. This provides an adequate level of safety and meets the 
underlying purpose of Section III.F of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50 in 
these fire zones.
    F. Fire Zone 50-99 (Room 222) does not meet the technical 
requirements of Section III.F of Appendix R because an automatic fire 
detection system is not provided for the C3 and C4 Feedwater Heaters. 
This fire zone is a locked high radiation area. The control cables for 
the 343-SU offsite power to 4Kv switchgear are routed through this 
area. This area contains three open vertical cable trays. The fire 
hazard associated with the vertical cable trays warrants some type of 
fire protection system to provide reasonable assurance of safety. 
Therefore, the staff concludes that automatic detection should be 
provided in this area to provide prompt notification to the control 
room of a fire in this area during its incipient stages to allow a 
rapid response from the plant fire brigade. Thus, the request for 
exemption from the requirements specified in Section III.F of Appendix 
R to 10 CFR Part 50 is denied for Fire Zone 50-99.
    G. Fire Zones 6S-5M (Room 410) and 13N-13M (Room 452) do not meet 
the technical requirements of Section III.F of Appendix R to 10 CFR 
Part 50 because an automatic fire detection system is not provided for 
the Reactor Water Cleanup Backwash Tank Transfer Pump Rooms. Cables 
associated with the Reactor Water Cleanup High/Low Pressure Interface 
valves are located within these rooms. The area has a low combustible 
material loading and is not a high personnel traffic area. There is 
automatic smoke/heat detection throughout the 165' elevation of each 
reactor building at the ceiling level. A redundant shutdown train is 
available for any equipment affected by a fire in this room. Since the 
zone is a locked high radiation area and receives minimal personnel 
traffic, and has a low combustible loading, likelihood of a fire in 
this area is low. In the unlikely event of a fire in this area, any 
shutdown features located in the room have a redundant function outside 
the zone, such that the ability to achieve safe shutdown would not be 
adversely affected by a fire in this zone. There are also automatic 
fire detection systems located in adjacent areas. This provides an 
adequate level of safety and meets the underlying purpose of Section 
III.F of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50 in these fire zones.
    Fire Zones 6S-42 (Room 408) and 13N-36 (Room 449) do not meet the 
technical requirements of Section III.F of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50 
because an automatic fire detection system is not provided for the Non-
regenerative Heat Exchanger Rooms. Cables associated with the Reactor 
Water Cleanup High/Low Pressure Interface valves are located within 
these rooms. The area has a low combustible material loading and is not 
a high personnel traffic area. There is automatic smoke/heat detection 
throughout the 165' elevation of each reactor building at the ceiling 
level. A redundant shutdown train is available for any equipment 
affected by a fire in this room. Since the zone is a locked high 
radiation area and receives minimal personnel traffic, and has a low 
combustible loading, likelihood of a fire in this area is low. In the 
unlikely event of a fire in this area, any shutdown features located in 
the room have a redundant function outside the zone, such that the 
ability to achieve safe shutdown would not be adversely affected by a 
fire in this zone. There are also automatic fire detection systems 
located in adjacent areas. This provides an adequate level of safety 
and meets the underlying purpose of Section III.F of Appendix R to 10 
CFR Part 50 in these fire zones.

Conclusion

    The staff, having considered the information provided by the 
licensee, believes that the exemption request, except to the extent 
noted below, meets the special circumstances of 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2)(ii) 
and should be granted. The staff finds that the existing automatic 
suppression systems in Fire Zones 50-78W, 50-78V, 50-78B (except for 
Room 429), 50-88, 50-89, and 50-78A, in combination with the passive 
plant fire protection features that separate required post-fire safe 
shutdown functions, provide an adequate level of fire safety and for 
these fire zones, the underlying purpose of Section III.F of Appendix R 
to 10 CFR Part 50 is met. The staff also finds that no fire detection 
system is needed in Fire Zones 50-78EE, 6S-5M, 13N-13M, 6S-42, and 13N-
36, since the zones are locked high radiation areas and receive minimal 
personnel traffic, have a low combustible loading, and any shutdown 
features located in the rooms have a redundant function outside the 
zone; thus, the ability to achieve safe shutdown would not be adversely 
affected by a fire in these zones. There are also automatic fire 
detection systems located in adjacent fire areas. Therefore, the staff 
concludes that for these fire zones there is an adequate level of fire 
safety, and the underlying purpose of Section III. F of Appendix R to 
10 CFR Part 50 is met.
    For Room 429 (Fire Zone 50-78B), and Room 222 (Fire Zone 50-99), 
the staff concludes that the underlying purpose of Section III.F of 
Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50 would not be satisfied without automatic 
detection systems.

IV

    For the fire zones discussed herein, except Room 429 (Fire Zone 50-
78B) and Room 222 (Fire Zone 50-99), the Commission has determined 
that, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, this exemption is authorized by law, 
will not present an undue risk to the public health and safety, and is 
consistent with the common defense and security. Further, the 
Commission has determined, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12(a), that special 
circumstances of 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2)(ii) are applicable in

[[Page 53236]]

that application of the regulation is not necessary to achieve the 
underlying purpose of Section III.F of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50. 
Therefore, the Commission hereby grants the exemption from Section 
III.F of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50 for Fire Zones 50-78A, 50-78B 
(except Room 429), 50-78V, 50-78W, 50-78EE, 50-88, 50-89, 6S-42, 6S-5M, 
13N-36, and 13N-13M. As stated above, the requested exemption for Room 
429 (Fire Zone 50-78B) and Room 222 (Fire Zone 50-99) is denied.
    Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, the Commission has determined that the 
granting of this exemption will have no significant impact on the 
quality of the human environment (65 FR 46750).
    This exemption is effective upon issuance.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 18th day of August, 2000.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
 John A. Zwolinski,
Director, Division of Licensing Project Management, Office of Nuclear 
Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 00-22497 Filed 8-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-U