ML053110349

 UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001

December 23, 2005

NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2005-32: PRODUCT ALERT FOR FIRE HYDRANTS

ADDRESSEES

All holders of operating licenses for nuclear power reactors and fuel cycle facilities, except

those who have permanently ceased operations and have certified that fuel has been

permanently removed from the reactor vessel.

PURPOSE

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) anticipates that recipients will review the

information for applicability to their facilities and consider taking actions, as appropriate. 

However, no specific action or written response is required.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Section 50.48 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) requires that each

operating nuclear power plant have a fire protection plan that satisfies 10 CFR Part 50,

Appendix A, General Design Criteria (GDC) 3, “Fire Protection.” GDC 3 states that fire fighting

systems shall be provided to minimize the effects of a fire. To implement this program,

licensees need an operable fire water-supply system and operable fire hydrants.

10 CFR 70.61 requires certain licensees authorized to posses a critical mass of special nuclear

material to meet performance requirements for all credible high or intermediate consequence

events including radiological or hazardous chemical releases as a result of fires. For some 

fire-related events, effective control may require an operable fire water-supply system.

DISCUSSION

The American Cast Iron Pipe Company issued a product alert for fire hydrant types B-84-B, 

B-62-B, B-50-B, and MK-73 with cast dates between 1999 and 2003 (and may also apply to

older hydrants as described below). The cast date is located on the hydrant barrel, opposite

the nozzle. The vendor stated that the hydrant operating rod and grease in each of these

hydrants must be replaced. The product alert stated that grease used in these hydrants

contains an acetate additive that possibly can corrode the hydrant operating rods. Once

started, this condition worsens over time, making hydrants difficult or, in extreme cases,

impossible to operate.
IN 2005-32

Page 2 of 2

The vendor recommends that customers discontinue using any grease containing acetate in all

of their hydrants, including any grease previously supplied by the vendor. The vendor

recommends using Citgo Mystik food grade grease. The grease that contains acetate that was

initially installed in the hydrants was Chevron Food Grade Grease, FMEPNLGI. This grease

also was available for use on older fire hydrants and could have been used for maintenance. 

The vendor Web site http://www.acipco.com provides information on obtaining repair

information.

CONCLUSION

The use of proper grease is important in ensuring that fire hydrants remain operable and that

fire protection systems remain fully operable. Fire hydrant vendors can provide corrective

action information if problems are identified with installed hydrants. The use of grease

containing acetate on older fire hydrants from this vendor can also affect the operability of these

hydrants.

CONTACT

This information notice does not require any specific action or written response. Please direct

any questions about this matter to the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office

of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) or Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

(NMSS) project manager.

/RA/ /RA/

Robert C. Pierson, Director Christopher I. Grimes, Director

Division of Fuel Cycle Safety & Safeguards Division of Policy and Rulemaking

Office of Nuclear Material Safeguards Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

and Safeguards

Technical Contacts: Phil Qualls, NRR Rex Wescott, NMSS

 301-415-1849 301-415-6727

 E-mail: pmq@nrc.gov E-mail: rgw@nrc.gov

Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public Web site,

http://www.nrc.gov, under Electronic Reading Room/Document Collections.