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** **

**Annual Summary of Fire and Other Related Property**

**Damage Experience Report for Calendar Year 2000**

** **

 

Brookhaven National Laboratory

Emergency Services Division

Prepared by J. Levesque

February, 2001

 \
 \
This report summarizes the fire and other property damage experience of
Brookhaven National Laboratory for the 2000 Calendar Year.  The
information in this report is in the format requested in \"Environment,
Safety and Health Reporting,\" Manual for DOE Order 231.1-1", Appendix
F, dated 1-28-2000.

**1. Fire Related Deaths and Injuries.**

> None.\
>  

**2. BNL Property Loss Experience for the Calendar Year.**

> Fire Loss^1^         \$70,200
>
> Damage or loss sustained as a consequence of, and following the
> outbreak of fire, shall be classified as a fire loss.
>
> Other Loss^2        ^ None
>
> Damage or loss sustained as a consequence of the following events
> shall be classified as another loss: explosions, natural cause events,
> electrical malfunctions, transportation (cargo) losses, mechanical
> malfunctions, radiation releases or other nuclear accidents, and
> miscellaneous (i.e., thermal) accidents.
>
> ^1^ Summation of fire losses as detailed in section 3A and in
> Attachment A.\
> ^2^ Summation of other losses as detailed in Attachment A.\
>  

**3. Summary of Fire and Other Property Loss Incidents.**

> **A. Details of Losses of \$5,000 or More.**
>
> Date:    March 11, 2000
>
> Type of Loss: Fire
>
> Incident Report Number: 00-058 (3-11-00 fire), 00-059 (3-12-00
> rekindle), 00-060 (3-12-00 rekindle)
>
> DOE Occurrence Report: Yes
>
> Loss Estimate: \$70,200
>
> On March 11, 2000 a fire occurred at a waste-staging area associated
> with the Chemical/Glass Holes Project at Brookhaven National
> Laboratory. The waste included low level radioactive soil and
> processed (shredded) debris, which was stored in "Soft Sided Lift
> Liner" containers. Thirty-two lift liner containers, made of light
> density polypropylene, containing these wastes were involved in the
> fire. The plastic lift liner containers and the polyethylene coverings
> were the primary fuel. The plastic sacks most likely were ignited by
> burning pieces of straw. The warm spring day in March accelerated
> bacterial action within the straw, generating sufficient heat to
> spontaneously combust. Combustible straw had been allowed to enter the
> waste stream without the hazards being identified and controls
> implemented.
>
> Direct property loss (sacks, polyethylene cover) is estimated at under
> \$17,200. The costs of the repackaging and analysis were \$10,000.
> Investigation costs are estimated at \$10,000. The costs of emergency
> response (Radiological Control Technician, Fire/Rescue, and Analytical
> Services) is estimated at \$33,000.
>
> **B. Summary of Losses Less than \$5,000.**
>
> See Attachment A to this report for a list of minor fires and losses
> for CY00.
>
> See Attachment B to this report for a list of miscellaneous electrical
> and other smoke related incidents for CY00.\
>  

**4. Incidents Actuating Automatic Fire Suppression Systems.**

> None occurred for CY 2000. 

**5. Halon Reduction Activities.**

> **A. Halon 1301:**

  ------------- ------------------------------------------- -----------------------
  **1.**        **Number of Fixed Systems**                 37 Systems

  **2.**        **Total Quantity of Halon 1301 at Site**     

                a\. Active (including reserve)              10,690 Lbs.

                b\. Inventoried                             4,984 Lbs.

  **3.**        **Fixed Systems Deactivated Within Past     
                Year**                                      

                a\. Total Number                            1 Systems

                b\. Total Quantity                          590 Lbs.

  **4.**        **Fixed Systems Converted to Manual         
                Operation Within the Past Year**            

                a\. Total Number                            None

                b\. Total Quantity                          N/A

  ***Note:***                                               
  Due to a                                                  
  change in the                                             
  tracking                                                  
  system from                                               
  Dbase IV to a                                             
  Barcode                                                   
  system,                                                   
  present                                                   
  cylinder                                                  
  inventories                                               
  do not                                                    
  include                                                   
  weights.                                                  
  Actions are                                               
  underway to                                               
  track weights                                             
  accurately.                                               
  ------------- ------------------------------------------- -----------------------

> **B. Halon 1211:**

  ------------- ------------------------------------------ -----------------------
  **1.**        **Total Quantity of Halon 1211 at Site**    

                a\. Active                                 9690 Lbs. (570 17#
                                                           units)

                b\. Inventoried                            63 Lbs. (B599recovery
                                                           tank)

  **2.**        **Quantity Replaced by Other Agents        None
                Within the Past Year **                    

  ***Note:***                                              
  Due to a                                                 
  change in the                                            
  tracking                                                 
  system from                                              
  Dbase IV to a                                            
  Barcode                                                  
  system,                                                  
  present                                                  
  cylinder                                                 
  inventories                                              
  do not                                                   
  include                                                  
  weights.                                                 
  Actions are                                              
  underway to                                              
  track weights                                            
  accurately.                                              
  ------------- ------------------------------------------ -----------------------

** **

**6. Fire Protection Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Activities.**

> BNL has an active fire protection inspection, testing, and maintenance
> program.  The program includes the inspection and testing of over 220
> fire alarm panels, monitoring over 6000 alarm points in 250
> facilities.  Inspection, testing and maintenance is done in general
> accordance with NFPA codes and standards.  The annual report format
> requests information on failure rates of equipment included in the
> fire protection inspection, testing, and maintenance activities. 
> While BNL has a vigorous inspection, testing, and maintenance program,
> the ability to accurately capture failure rates of equipment has not
> previously existed. With Plant Engineering's recent acquisition of new
> maintenance management software, the possibility to capture this
> information is possible.  An implementation plan is being developed.
>
> **7. Fire Department Activities.**

  ------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------
  **A. Number of            **[CY00]{.underline}**   **[CY99]{.underline}**   **[CY98]{.underline}**   **[CY97]{.underline}**
  Responses:**                                                                                         

  1\. Fire                  16                       5                        32                       25

  2\. HAZMAT Response       58                       63                       58                       63

  3\. Other Emergency       51                       12                       65                       58

  4\. Other                 154                      311                      233                      248
  Non-Emergency^1^                                                                                     

  5\. Medical               92                       117                      106                      87

  ^1^ Includes false                                                                                   
  alarms, non-emergency                                                                                
  responses, drills, and                                                                               
  miscellaneous.                                                                                       
  ------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------

>  
>
> **B. Major Equipment Purchases:**
>
> Placed an order for a replacement Rescue Truck (\$250K). To be in
> service 1^st^ quarter of 2001.
>
> Formed Ambulance Committee to develop plans and specifications for
> replacement ambulance. To be in service 4^th^ quarter of 2001.
>
> **C. Noteworthy Activity.**
>
> Installed a residential type sprinkler system in Bldg. 257 Guest
> Dormitory (\$200K).
>
> Installed Inergen Clean Agent Fire Suppression System in Bldg. 515's
> Network Backbone Room (\$250K).
>
> Established a Fire Protection System Planning Committee to provide
> long range planning for the aging infrastructure associated with fire
> systems.
>
> See Attachment C to this report for a list of mutual aid responses to
> surrounding communities for CY00.\
>  

**8. Recurring Fire Protection Program Costs.**

A.  **Fire Department Costs** 

+---+-----------------------+----------+---------+---------+----------+
|   |                       | **[FY0   | *       | *       | **[FY9   |
|   |                       | 0]{.unde | *[FY99] | *[FY98] | 7]{.unde |
|   |                       | rline}** | {.under | {.under | rline}** |
|   |                       |          | line}** | line}** |          |
+---+-----------------------+----------+---------+---------+----------+
| 1 | Staffing^1,2,4^       | \$2,306K | \$2,    | \$2,196 | \$2,231K |
| \ |                       | ^2^      | 419K^6^ | K^5^    |          |
| . |                       |          |         |         |          |
+---+-----------------------+----------+---------+---------+----------+
| 2 | Equipment (MST)       | \        | \$133K  | \$130K  | \$143K   |
| \ |                       | $178K^8^ |         |         |          |
| . |                       |          |         |         |          |
+---+-----------------------+----------+---------+---------+----------+
| 3 | ::: Definition-Term   | N/A      | N/A     | N/A     | N/A      |
| \ | Inspection & Testing  |          |         |         |          |
| . | Program^3^            |          |         |         |          |
|   | :::                   |          |         |         |          |
+---+-----------------------+----------+---------+---------+----------+
| 4 | Emergency Medical     | N/A      | N/A     | N/A     | N/A      |
| \ | Response Program^3^   |          |         |         |          |
| . |                       |          |         |         |          |
+---+-----------------------+----------+---------+---------+----------+
| 5 | Training Program^3^   | N/A      | N/A     | N/A     | N/A      |
| \ |                       |          |         |         |          |
| . |                       |          |         |         |          |
+---+-----------------------+----------+---------+---------+----------+

B.  **Inspection & Testing Program By Others^4^**

  --------------------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
                              \$1,280K    \$828K     \$801K     \$979K

  --------------------------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------

C.  **Fire Protection Engineering (FPE)**

  -------------------------- ----------- ---------- ----------- -----------
                             \$249K^7^   \$292K     \$266K      \$198K

  -------------------------- ----------- ---------- ----------- -----------

> ^1^ Costs reflect salary, wage, and fringe for uniform firefighters.
>
> ^2^ Reduction in cost reflects loss of Deputy Chief's position in
> 2000.\
> ^3^ These programs are integral to Fire Department operations. Costs
> are included in 1 and 2, above.\
> ^4^ Costs include salary and benefits and other Plant Engineering fire
> system maintenance costs (fire alarm electricians, plumber, etc.).
> Source documents is Activity Data Sheet A92D0133.\
> ^5^ Change in numbers from FY97 to FY98 reflects shift of one FTE from
> Fire Department budget to FPE budget.
>
> ^6^ Costs include a new organizational burden added to overhead
> operations at BNL.
>
> ^7^ Costs reflect a reduction of one Fire Protection Engineer in 2000
>
> ^8^ Does not include \$210k for FY00 building space charges, heat,
> electric, and repair of the firehouse.
>
>  

** **

**ATTACHMENT A**

** **

**Summary of Fires and Losses of Less than \$5,000**

**for Calendar Year 2000**

  

  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
  Date:  03/04/00                       Type of Loss: Fire

  Incident Report Number: 000050        Government Loss Estimate: \$ 100

  Description: Cutting operation        
  ignited Trane chiller filter.         
  Operation conducted under permit      
  00-1490. Fire watch extinguished      
  filter with Halon 1211 extinguisher.  
  Only the filter was damaged.          
  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------

  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
  Date:  03/31/00                       Type of Loss: Brush Fire

  Incident Report Number: 000070        Government Loss Estimate: \$ 0

  Description: Wildland fire by         
  National Weather Service Building.    
  Reported by lunchtime passerby. Less  
  than 1/8 acre involved.               
  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------

 

  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
  Date:  04/07/00                       Type of Loss: Brush Fire

  Incident Report Number: 000079        Government Loss Estimate: \$ 0

  Description: Wildland fire by         
  Princeton and Grove Streets. Reported 
  by lunchtime jogger. Less than 1/8    
  acre involved.                        
  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------

 

  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
  Date:  05/01/00                       Type of Loss: Fire

  Incident Report Number: 000099        Government Loss Estimate: \$ 0

  Description: Outside contractor torch 
  cutting railroad cars for salvage.    
  Welding permit issued and area was    
  wetted down with fire hose. Sparks    
  traveled to fence line 30 to 50 feet  
  away. Ignited brush growing under     
  fence. No real property damage.       
  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------

  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
  Date:  05/24/00                       Type of Loss: Electrical Over
                                        Voltage

  Incident Report Number: 000126        Government Loss Estimate: \$5K

  Description: During a test of an      
  emergency generator, the voltage      
  controller failed. Voltage above      
  design was supplied to the building,  
  causing various electrical components 
  to smoke.                             
  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------

 

  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
  Date:  08/16/00                       Type of Loss: Fire

  Incident Report Number: 000243        Government Loss Estimate: \$10.00

  Description: Smell of smoke report    
  for Bldg. 479. Found unit heater      
  smoking. Used CO2 extinguisher to put 
  out smoldering materials (flexible    
  duct joint).                          
  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------

 

  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
  Date: 10/04/00                        Type of Loss: Electrical Fire

  Incident Report Number: 000302        Government Loss Estimate: \$500.

  Description: Building occupant (AGS   
  operator) smelled smoke. Pulled fire  
  alarm box. Fire Alarm Panel failed.   
  Operator pulled a Halon discharge     
  station, discharging 590 pounds of    
  halon. Still no alarm was             
  transmitted, so a call was placed to  
  911. The fire origin was found the    
  next day at an electrical motor       
  control panel. A short in the panel   
  caused an overload. Sparks from the   
  overload ignited a 55-gallon bag of   
  garbage in front of the motor control 
  center. No further damage occurred.   
  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------

  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
  Date:  10/09/00                       Type of Loss: Wildland Fire

  Incident Report Number: 000309        Government Loss Estimate: \$0

  Description: 100' by 100' wildland    
  fire burned by the northeast          
  firebreak.                            
  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------

 

  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
  Date:  Various after 10/31/00         Type of Loss: Wildland Fire

  Incident Report Number: 000322, 23,   Government Loss Estimate: \$0
  24, 29, 30, 31, 34, 36                

  Description: Wildland fire burned     
  approximately 12.6 acres of           
  undeveloped land by the northeast     
  firebreak. Likely origin was the      
  wildland fire from Incident 000309.   
  The fire rekindled several times due  
  to the heavy organic ground cover.    
  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------

 

  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
  Date:  12/12/00                       Type of Loss: Fire

  Incident Report Number: 000375        Government Loss Estimate: 200

  Description: Responded to a report of 
  smoke. Cooking pot left on stove      
  unattended. No extension of fire.     
  ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------

 

**ATTACHMENT B**

** **

**Summary of Miscellaneous Electrical and Other Smoke Related
Incidents**

**for Calendar Year 2000**

 See Attachment A, Incident numbers 000126, 000243 and 000302. 

 

**ATTACHMENT C**

** **

**Summary of Mutual Aid Responses to Surrounding Communities**

**for Calendar Year 2000**

Date: 01/10/00\
Incident Report Number: 000005\
Mutual Aid To: Heavy rescue and transport provided to Ridge Fire
Department for a vehicle accident. Transported on patient.

Date: 04/29/00\
Incident Report Number: 000096\
Mutual Aid To: To Ridge Fire Department for vehicle accident.
Transported one patient.

Date: 04/30/00\
Incident Report Number: 000097\
Mutual Aid To: To Ridge Fire Department for vehicle accident.
Transported two injured to BMH.

Date: 05/24/00\
Incident Report Number: 000127\
Mutual Aid To: Ridge Fire Department for three car accident. Transported
one injured.

Date: 06/14/00\
Incident Report Number: 000150\
Mutual Aid To: Ridge Fire Department for ambulance service related to
school bus accident. Transported two injured.