EL00 722. , f INTERNAL LETTER

EL00 722. , fINTERNAL LETTE RNORTH AMERICAN AVIATION, INC. DATE 24 July 1964

TOADDRESS

'Show Seel ., Grouo,div S :ouotiofJ

1. Krane FROM R. 0. i-Li.lner1/533, Saturn S-i ADDRESS 096-211Facilities Rocketdyne, SSr

PHONE 510 7 .

SUBJECT ___0 _C 1422Y S EC& TCATION 1100-23, !TEN NO . 3N L545

Reference :elecon 7-23-64

DISTRI ,,TI

583

7 . HOW-

A. ._areli s

As no valid reason exists for using a high pressure actuatoron item ON 4545 (Arni n '1alve ) , it is requested that the itemList be modified as follois :

1 . Eliminate the request for a • 1ler cylinder and

change cylinder operating pressure from 1700 psig

to 150 psig.

2 . Add request to change this valve from manual to

remote operator by sending this valve to theEquipment laboratory for build up and service to

conform to Rocketdyne Spec . drawing JS 143642-9 .

Beard? Fentc :`--, . Rei d

E . Sper-c :r

R. (oeniaFile FL' 1

All necessary parts for building up this standard 170 psig.::cr .°.:aliy open cylinder operated valve are available throught'r-e E .I. stockroom . A minimum amount of time and expense will:,e involved in this conversion in comparison to the expensive,long delivery non-standard conversion called for in the presentitem L st.

R. 0 . Milner

Test Systems Uni tAnalysis and Equipment Sectio n

APPROVE D

A . Blitstein

Test Responsible EngineerProject 1422, Spec . 1100-23Analysis and Equipment Section

-KM 131 .0 .1 NEW ",3

ROM : 1i

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ELOO 72 3INTERNAL LETTE RNORTH AMERICAN AVIATION, INC. DATE

L1i-d-~d?6

30 July 1964

T . R. Spring - 096-21 1

E . S . Hutmacher - 096-200Rocketdyne, SanSu

TO Santa Susana Field FROMADDRESS Laboratory Supervision ADDRESS

(Show Dept ., Group,Div . & Locoticn )

SUBJEC T

FORM 131-R-1 NEW 1-63

PHONE 51 v7 s 5147

Santa Susana Field Laboratory Shrapnel Surve y

Upon request, a survey of the test and support areas atSSFL was made to determine if action is necessary at any

facility to correct ; (1) areas designated safe for occupanc yduring test operations, (2) hardware orientation, or (3)

facility test systems, to prevent potential fragments generated

from hardware or facility malfunctions from endangering

personnel . In tis survey, each test position was inspected

and questions were asked of test area supervision concerning

areas designated safe for occupancy during testing . Also

past test incidents were explored from the standpoint ofshrapnel dispersal patterns . From these inspections and

discussions, the following list of action items was compiled .

Specifi c Test Area Items

Canyon - Control of vehicle and pedestrian traffic on theroad to the Research Happy Valley Area should be excercised

during Canyon firing. The road is 550 ft . from Canyon 2,which is 50 ft . further distant than the control center ,At this distance, the road lies within the historical radius

of shrapnel from large engine test stands .

CTL-I - The Lance cold flow tester at Cell -1 is not orientedto take advantage of test cell barricades . The tester is

outside the cell with the top flange having a line of sight

path to the Area I road . Adequate barricading should be

installed .

Bowl - No existing problem areas noted on survey. The

location of the new VTS-1 and VTS-3 pillbox was discussed .This structure should be designed to the Area 's blast limit .

CTL-III - Control of personnel during Module I, II, III andIV testing appeared satisfactory . The analysis of the Cell 39

Space Engine Area should be reviewed and updated with the

additional test positions now active .

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IL TO : Santa Susana Field Laboratory Supervision ?L''-S-annFROM : T . R. Spring - S . Hutmacher 30 „uly 1=01SUBJECT : Santa Susana Field Laboratory Shrapnel Survey Page 2

CTL-V -- The occupancy of the sheet metal shop building and wooden

office structure during tests of components at the cells is un-

desirable, since these buildings offer little shrapnel protection .

Roadblocks should therefore be placed out of .he area an all tests .

Delta - The Lance fragmentation screening on Delta _ spearsadequate. Inspection of the Delta 3 Lance test area s :ooli hemade when construction is competed and prior to activation .

CTL-IV - The space engine ambient tosts shout,. he continuallyreviewed and assessed to prevent urrating of en gines from occurringwithout a corresponding increase in required safe distances .Gemini engine testing at Cell 24 has resulted in damage to the

facility GN2 main supply line suprcrts . An exhaust as deflector

which would also function as a shrapnel shield shcuLi be installed

to prevent this erosion .

Bravo - Proximity of the NTO storage tank at ra'7o 3 to The _ -tpump test position on 3ravo 2 (approximately ft .) make : r g-mentation screen panels mandatory for protecting this tank.

The 3ravo 3 LEY simulation test piece should have __agment,_tion

screens installed around the tanks .

Alfa - Review of the Alfa-2 Lance missile test facility design

drawings should be made with particular attention t o _ y " enta Dior

screen construction and location .

CTL-II - The use of fragmentation screen panels both portable 'nd

fixed, in addition to steel grating at this facility is excellent

and is an example of a model installation .

Ecuisment Lab . Outdoor high pressure test pits at this facilityshould have overhead screens to prevent vertical or near vertical

shrapnel trajectories .

Instrumentation Lab . - The Gilmore pressure transducer calibrator

should be modified to eliminate the use of high pressure flexhoses and to provide a safer manifolding arrangement . The vise

mounted thermocouple pressure tester is a potential shrapnel

hazard . This tester should be replaced with a pcrmanert fixedunit having safer mounting and restraining devices for holding the

thermocouples in the pressure tester .

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IL TO : Santa Susana Field Laboratory Supervision :'L11-4-44 6FROM : T . R . Spring - E . S . Hutmacher 30 July 1964SUBJECT : Santa Susana Field Laboratory Shrapnel Survey Page 3

General Points in Conclusion.

1 . A noticeable trend was observed at Component Laboratories tomove test hardware out .:_xe the cell or to the outer edge ofthe cell, thereby losing the shrapnel ;r :ze=i :n _ ;'violid bythe cell construction .

2. Space engine testing continues to be a iifficult activity to

adequately control because the relatively low thrust system

and low apparent hazard by 2-second flow standards yes a

false sense of security . it must be recognized that the

2-second rule flow criteria apply only blast Terprsssures,

and that a seperate set of standards must b e a- __d fcr

shrapnel protection at these small engine faci_17ies .

JjJ7

E . S . Hutmacher T . R. W ring fOperations Surveillance lest Os;emn'ni t

Analy: c and A cuipment Zection

ESH :TRS :4 i

L

dc : O. X. Carpenter 096-200

R. E. Fenton 096-211

R. J . Lodge 096-200

H. igeiss .096-200File FL11

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