The following information bulletin is in accordance with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ (CNL) ongoing commitment to voluntary public disclosure of events related to the Chalk River Laboratories.
(2018 March 9) A malfunction in the manual pull station of a building fire suppression system resulted in the accidental release of 326.6 kg of NOVEC 1230, a common fire suppression agent. The unit remains out of service while being repaired and recharged. A back-up system is online to ensure fire suppression capabilities are maintained. The event occurred in a conventional office building.
NOVEC 1230 is non-ozone depleting, non-radioactive, non-flammable and poses no immediate risk to human health.
This event has been reported to Environment Canada as required by the Federal Halocarbon Regulations Act and also to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
CNL confirms that there is no threat to workers, the public, the environment or nuclear safety related to this event.
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Contact:
Patrick Quinn
Director, Corporate Communications
1-866-886-2325