Triggering of the fire sprinkler system in a fuel production facility at a research center


Print View Posted on: 17 December 2024

Event Date: 04 September 2024 Event Type: Research Facility
Event Location: Norway, Institute for Energy Technology, Kjeller INES Rating: 1 (Final)

During an exercise, the fire sprinkler system in a laboratory building was activated. Approximately 2000 liters of water affected 9 rooms in the facility. The water was gathered and collected in storage tanks. No radioactive contamination was detected in the water nor in the equipment used in the cleanup.

On the day of the event a live action exercise was being conducted. The fire sprinkler system had been turned off so that smoke machines would not trigger them. When the fire sprinkler system was re-activated, a pre-warning was triggered at the fire station and the sprinklers were accidentally activated. 10 sprinklers were active for
approximately 15 minutes, resulting in 2000 liters of water pooling on the floors of 9 rooms in the facility.

There has been no contamination detected in the resulting water. Tools used to swab the water, and the floors themselves, were also tested for contaminants after the water was cleaned up. Background levels in the facility are normal.

INES Rating: 1 - Anomaly (Final) as per 04 December 2024
Release beyond authorized limits? No
Overexposure of a member of the public? No
Overexposure of a worker? No

Contamination spread within the facility? No
Damage to radiological barriers (incl. fuel damage) within the facility? No

Degradation of Defence In-Depth Yes

Person injured physically or casualty? No
Is there a continuing problem? No

Monica Dobbertin
Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA)

monica.dobbertin@dsa.no
http://dsa.no
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