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Tag No.: K0918
Based on observation and facility staff interview, facility staff failed to provide an emergency stop switch away from the generator set location. This facility had a census of 43.
Findings Included:
1. Observation 6/11/24, during the facility tour, showed the emergency generator's emergency stop switch located on the exterior generator casing without protection from activation.
2. During an interview on 6/11/24 at approximately 9:26 A.M., the facility maintenance director confirmed the observation.
3. NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, 2010 edition states:
5.6.5.6* All installations shall have a remote manual stop station
of a type to prevent inadvertent or unintentional operation located
outside the room housing the prime mover, where so installed,
or elsewhere on the premises where the prime mover is
located outside the building.
5.6.5.6.1 The remote manual stop station shall be labeled.
8.4.2* Diesel generator sets in service shall be exercised at
least once monthly, for a minimum of 30 minutes, using one
of the following methods:
(1) Loading that maintains the minimum exhaust gas temperatures
as recommended by the manufacturer
(2) Under operating temperature conditions and at not less
than 30 percent of the EPS nameplate kW rating
8.4.2.1 The date and time of day for required testing shall be
decided by the owner, based on facility operations.
8.4.2.2 Equivalent loads used for testing shall be automatically
replaced with the emergency loads in case of failure of
the primary source.
8.4.2.3 Diesel-powered EPS installations that do not meet the
requirements of 8.4.2 shall be exercised monthly with the available
EPSS load and shall be exercised annually with supplemental
loads at not less than 50 percent of the EPS nameplate kW
rating for 30 continuous minutes and at not less than 75 percent
of the EPS nameplate kWrating for 1 continuous hour for a total
test duration of not less than 1.5 continuous hours.
8.3 Maintenance and Operational Testing.
8.3.1* The EPSS shall be maintained to ensure to a reasonable
degree that the system is capable of supplying service within the
time specified for the type and for the time duration specified for
the class.
8.3.2 A routine maintenance and operational testing program
shall be initiated immediately after the EPSS has passed
acceptance tests or after completion of repairs that impact the
operational reliability of the system.
8.3.2.1 The operational test shall be initiated at an ATS and
shall include testing of each EPSS component on which maintenance
or repair has been performed, including the transfer of
each automatic and manual transfer switch to the alternate
power source, for a period of not less than 30 minutes under
operating temperature.
8.3.3 A written schedule for routine maintenance and operational
testing of the EPSS shall be established.
8.3.4 A permanent record of the EPSS inspections, tests, exercising,
operation, and repairs shall be maintained and readily
available.
8.3.4.1 The permanent record shall include the following:
(1) The date of the maintenance report
(2) Identification of the servicing personnel
(3) Notation of any unsatisfactory condition and the corrective
action taken, including parts replaced
(4) Testing of any repair for the time as recommended by the
manufacturer
8.3.5* Transfer switches shall be subjected to a maintenance and
testing program that includes all of the following operations:
(1) Checking of connections
(2) Inspection or testing for evidence of overheating and excessive
contact erosion
(3) Removal of dust and dirt
(4) Replacement of contacts when required
8.3.6 Paralleling gear shall be subject to an inspection, testing,
and maintenance program that includes all of the following
operations:
(1) Checking of connections
(2) Inspection or testing for evidence of overheating and excessive
contact erosion
(3) Removal of dust and dirt
(4) Replacement of contacts when required
8.3.7* Storage batteries, including electrolyte levels or battery
voltage, used in connection with systems shall be inspected
weekly and maintained in full compliance with manufacturer ' s
specifications.
8.3.7.1 Maintenance of lead-acid batteries shall include the
monthly testing and recording of electrolyte specific gravity. Battery
conductance testing shall be permitted in lieu of the testing
of specific gravity when applicable or warranted.
8.3.7.2 Defective batteries shall be replaced immediately
upon discovery of defects.
8.3.8 A fuel quality test shall be performed at least annually
using tests approved by ASTM standards.
8.4 Operational Inspection and Testing.
8.4.1* EPSSs, including all appurtenant components, shall be
inspected weekly and exercised under load at least monthly.
8.4.6 Transfer switches shall be operated monthly.
8.4.6.1 The monthly test of a transfer switch shall consist of
electrically operating the transfer switch from the standard position
to the alternate position and then a return to the standard
position.
7.2.4* Minimizing the possibility of damage resulting from interruptions
of the emergency source shall be a design consideration
for EPSS equipment.
A.7.2.4 When installing the EPSS equipment and related
auxiliaries, environmental considerations should be given,
particularly with regard to the installation of the fuel tanks
and exhaust lines, or the EPS building, or both.
To protect against disruption of power in the facility, it is recommended
that the transfer switch be located as close to the load
as possible. The following are examples of external influences:
(1) Natural conditions
(a) Storms
(b) Floods
(c) Earthquakes
(d) Tornadoes
(e) Hurricanes
(f) Lightning
(g) Ice storms
(h) Wind
(i) Fire
(2) Human-caused conditions
(a) Vandalism
(b) Sabotage
(c) Other similar occurrences
(3) Material and equipment failures
For natural conditions, EPSS design should consider the
"100-year storm" flooding level or the flooding level predicted
by the Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes