UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001

May 21, 2007

NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2007-19: FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT RECALLS

AND COUNTERFEIT NOTICES

ADDRESSEES

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

those licensees for reactors that have permanently ceased operations and who have certified

that fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor vessel; and except those licensees

for decommissioned fuel cycle facilities.

PURPOSE

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to alert

licensees about recent fire protection equipment recalls and counterfeit notices that have been

issued by various manufacturers. It is expected that recipients of this IN will review the

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

However, suggestions contained in this IN are not NRC requirements; therefore, no specific

action or written response is required.

DESCRIPTION OF CIRCUMSTANCES

The following equipment recalls and counterfeit notices have recently been issued or noticed.

Counterfeit Fire Sprinklers

Underwriters Laboratory, Inc. (UL), has issued a notification dated July 14, 2006 regarding

chrome-plated automatic sprinklers that bear a counterfeit UL Mark for the United States and

Canada. (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No.

ML063630366) 

Although marked with the word “GLOBE,” these sprinklers were not manufactured by the Globe

Fire Sprinkler Corporation and have not been evaluated for safety by UL. These sprinklers are

pendent type and are marked with “SSP,” “cULus” (US and Canada), “GL 5651,” “2005,” and

“155 F/68 C” on the deflector. The counterfeit sprinklers were manufactured with a slot-head

screw instead of a hex-head screw. 

In addition, UL has issued a notification dated September 21, 2006 (ADAMS Accession No.

ML063630362) regarding chrome-plated automatic sprinklers that bear a counterfeit UL Mark

for the United States. Although marked with the word “TYCO,” these sprinklers were not

manufactured by Tyco Fire Products and have not been evaluated for safety by UL. These

sprinklers are pendent type and are marked with “SSP,” “UL” (US), and “155 F/68 C” on the

ML071090170
IN 2007-19

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deflector. The counterfeit sprinklers were manufactured without a date code molded into the

frame or an identification number stamped on the deflector. 

Pressure Maintenance (Jockey) Pump Recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued news releases 06-244 dated

August 23, 2006 and 07-018 dated October 25, 2006 on the safety recall of jockey pumps

installed on fire-water supply systems. (ADAMS Accession No. ML063380280) 

The recall affects approximately 21,300 jockey pumps that were manufactured by Water

Technology, Inc., of Auburn, New York. A mechanical part on these pumps was not fully

tightened, which can cause the pump to fail to start. The pumps were sold under the Goulds

Pumps®, Bell & Gossett®, and Red Jacket Water Products brands. The pumps can be

identified by the inclusion of the model identifier “NPE,” “NPO,” “MCC,” “MCS,” or “SM” or

“Series 3530” on the nameplate. The jockey pumps were manufactured between December

2005 and September 7, 2006. They have the date code “M05,” “A06,” “B06,” “C06,” “D06,”

“E06,” “F06,” “G06,” “H06,” or “J06.” The date code is the first three digits of the serial number

on the pump nameplate. The jockey pumps were sold at pump distributors nationwide from

December 2005 through September 2006.

Portable Fire Extinguisher Recall

CPSC issued a recall alert (Alert 07-507) dated November 13, 2006 on the voluntary recall of

ANSUL® fire extinguishers. (ADAMS Accession No. ML070030547)

Approximately 154,000 fire extinguishers manufactured by Ansul Incorporated of Marinette,

Wisconsin, are part of a voluntary replacement program. If the fire extinguisher is dropped

horizontally from a height of approximately 2 to 3 feet, the pick-up tube could crack at

the threads between the pick-up tube adaptor and the stainless steel tube. If a pick-up tube is

cracked, the extinguisher can fail to discharge properly when activated, which can put users at

risk during a fire. The affected fire extinguishers involves K-GUARD® Wet Chemical, FLAG

FIRE® KITCHEN ONE Wet Chemical, FLAG FIRE® Water, and SENTRY® Water Fire

Extinguishers manufactured and shipped between May 2003 and September 9, 2005. 

Fragile Heat Detector

Chemetronics® (a Kidde-Fenwal® brand) issued a field bulletin (04-080-T) dated January 9,

2007, reporting the separation of the wire terminal plates from the backs of Chemetronics®

heat detectors, Series 500 and 600. (ADAMS Accession No. ML070400411) 

The wire terminal plate can separate from the back of the detector as a result of a faulty rivet,

causing a loss of connection to the fire alarm circuit. The affected detectors include those with

manufacturing lot codes ranging from W01-Y02 (week 1, 2002) to W25-Y06 (week 25, 2006). 

Smoke Detector Recall

CPSC issued release 07-136, dated March 22,2007, on the voluntary recall of Digital Security

Controls® photoelectric smoke detectors, series FSA and FSB. (ADAMS Accession No.

ML070940238.) 
IN 2007-19

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These detectors could fail to detect smoke during a fire. The affected detectors include about

32,000 units sold nationwide by commercial and residential installers from October 2006

through December 2006. 

BACKGROUND 

Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.48, “Fire Protection,” states

that each operating nuclear power plant must have a fire protection plan that satisfies Criterion

3, "Fire Protection," in Appendix A, "General Design Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants," to

10 CFR Part 50, "Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities," and that this plan

must describe specific features necessary to implement the program such as automatic and

manually operated fire detection and suppression systems. Additionally, 10 CFR 70.61,

“Performance Requirements,” states that the fire protection systems of certain licensees who

are authorized to possess a critical mass of special nuclear material must meet performance

requirements against all credible high- or intermediate-consequence events, including

radiological or hazardous chemical releases as a result of a fire. 

DISCUSSION

Fire protection suppression and detection system reliability and performance capabilities are a

primary feature of defense-in-depth and must be maintained to achieve effectiveness in

preventing fire damage to structures, systems, and components important to safety.

The recalled and counterfeit fire protection equipment discussed in this IN may not be able to

perform its intended function. It is important for licensees to determine whether they have

received this equipment and preclude its use in fire detection and suppression systems credited

in the fire protection plan. 

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 to the appropriate

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

Safeguards project manager.

/RA/ /RA/

Michael J. Case, Director Robert C. Pierson, Director 

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

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards 

Technical Contacts: Naeem Iqbal, NRR Dennis Andrukat, NRR

 (301) 415-3346 (301) 415-1391

 E-mail: nxi@nrc.gov E-mail: dwa1@nrc.gov