Information Notice No.80-05 – Chloride Contamination of Safety Related Piping and Components

                                                            SSINS No.: 6870 
                                                            Accession No.: 
                                                            7912190673

                                UNITED STATES
                       NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 
                    OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 

                             February 8, 1980  

                                           Information Notice No. 80-05 

CHLORIDE CONTAMINATION OF SAFETY RELATED PIPING AND COMPONENTS 

A Bechtel Power Corporation Study at the Wolf Creek Project has revealed 
that a fire retardant coating is potentially corrosive in contact with 
stainless steel. 

Albi "Duraspray" is a fire retardant coating which contains magnesium 
oxychloride, and is used for fireproofing of exposed structural steel in 
some Nuclear Power Plants. There appears to be no deleterious effect when it 
is applied over unprimed, inorganic zinc coated, or galvanized steel, 
however, it may be corrosive in contact with stainless steel, bare aluminum 
or copper. Droppings or overspray of this material cannot be properly 
removed with water. Diluted Nitric, acid has been proven to be a useful 
cleanser, however, it presents a safety hazard. 

Applicants and holders of construction permits and licensees of operating 
power reactors are advised to protect all stainless steel, copper and 
aluminum material from overspray and droppage of cementitious oxychloride 
materials and to remove accidently applied materials immediately and 
completely employing strict safety precautions during the process. Special 
attention should be given to weld areas in any removal procedures. 

No written response to this information notice is required. If you require 
additional information regarding this matter contact the Director of the 
appropriate NRC Regional Office.