Glovebox issues: Controlling fire hazards after an earthquake

Abstract

Seismic considerations for gloveboxes installed in nuclear facilities are of extreme importance. One of the most challenging accident scenarios is the post-seismic fire event. A sustained fire in a glovebox can be a large safety risk because of its potential to affect the glovebox's containment integrity. The Los Alamos National Laboratory Plutonium Facility is testing self-contained fire extinguisher tubes, as a reliable minimally invasive and seismically robust fire suppression system in gloveboxes. Issues with extinguishing of Class A listed fires and pressure surge need to be addressed before they can be authorized in a nuclear facility. This study demonstrated self-contained fire extinguisher tubes are capable of extinguishing Class A, B, and C fires in gloveboxes up to 250 cubic feet under negative pressure with airflow equivalent to one air change per minute. Pressure surge issues were addressed. Fire testing results permit the installation of self-contained fire extinguisher tubes in gloveboxes and fume hoods with Class A, B, and C combustibles. The result presented in this report increases technical knowledge and augments operational safety.