| (2) If the radiation levels specified in subsection (j) of this section are exceeded, the facility shall be modified to comply with the requirements in subsection (j) of this section. (3) Portable radiation survey meters shall be calibrated at least annually to an accuracy of plus or minus 20% for the gamma energy of the sources in use. The calibration shall be done at two points on each scale or, for digital instruments, at one point per decade over the range that will be used. Portable radiation survey meters shall be of a type that does not saturate and read zero at high radiation dose rates. (4) Water from the irradiator pool, other potentially contaminated liquids, and sediments from pool vacuuming shall be monitored for radioactive contamination before release to unrestricted areas. Radioactive concentrations shall not exceed those specified in Table 2, Column 2 or Table 3 of §289.202(ggg)(2) of this title. (5) Before releasing resins for unrestricted use, they shall be monitored in an area with a background level less than 0.05 mrem (0.5 µSv) per hour. The resins may be released only if the survey does not detect radiation levels above background radiation levels. The survey meter used shall be capable of detecting radiation levels of 0.05 mrem (0.5 µSv) per hour. (w) Detection of leaking sources. (1) Each dry-source-storage sealed source shall be tested for leakage at intervals not to exceed six months using a leak test kit or method approved by the agency, the commission, an agreement state, or a licensing state. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor that a test has been made within the six months before the transfer, the sealed source may not be used until tested. The test shall be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcurie (200 becquerels) of radioactive material and shall be performed by a person approved by the agency, the NRC, an agreement state, or a licensing state to perform the test. (2) For pool irradiators, sources may not be put into the pool unless the licensee tests the sources for leaks or has a certificate from a transferor that a leak test has been done within the six months before the transfer. Water from the pool shall be checked for contamination each day the irradiator operates. The check may be done either by using a radiation monitor on a pool water circulating system or by analysis of a sample of pool water. If a check for contamination is done by analysis of a sample of pool water, the results of the analysis shall be available within 24 hours. If the licensee uses a radiation monitor on a pool water circulating system, the detection of above normal radiation levels shall activate an alarm. The alarm set-point shall be set as low as practical, but high enough to avoid false alarms. The licensee may reset the alarm set-point to a higher level if necessary to operate the pool water purification system to clear up contamination in the pool if specifically provided for in written emergency procedures. (3) If a leaking source is detected, the licensee shall arrange to remove the leaking source from service and have it decontaminated, repaired, or disposed of by an agency, NRC, agreement state, or licensing state licensee who is authorized to perform these functions. The licensee shall promptly check its personnel, equipment, facilities, and irradiated product for radioactive contamination. No product may be shipped until the product has been checked and found free of contamination. If a product has been shipped that may have been inadvertently contaminated, the licensee shall arrange to locate and survey that product for contamination. If any personnel are found to be contaminated, decontamination shall be performed promptly. If contaminated equipment, facilities, or products are found, the licensee shall arrange to have them decontaminated or disposed of by an agency, NRC, agreement state, or licensing state licensee who is authorized to perform these functions. If a pool is contaminated, the licensee shall arrange to clean the pool until the contamination levels do not exceed the appropriate concentration in Table 2, Column 2 of §289.202(ggg)(2) of this title. (See §289.202(xx) and (yy) of this title for reporting requirements.) (x) Inspection and maintenance. (1) The licensee shall perform inspection and maintenance checks that include, as a minimum, each of the following at the frequency specified in the license or license application: (A) operability of each aspect of the access control system required by subsection (i) of this section; (B) functioning of the source position indicator required by subsection (m) (2) of this section; (C) operability of the radiation monitor for radioactive contamination in pool water required by subsection (w)(2) of this section using a radiation check source, if applicable; (D) operability of the over-pool radiation monitor at underwater irradiators as required by subsection (l)(2) of this section; (E) operability of the product exit monitor required by subsection (l)(1) of this section; (F) operability of the emergency source return control required by subsection (m)(3) of this section; (G) leak-tightness of systems through which pool water circulates (visual inspection); (H) operability of the heat and smoke detectors and extinguisher system required by subsection (k) of this section (but without turning extinguishers on); (I) operability of the means of pool water replenishment required by subsection (n)(3) of this section; (J) operability of the indicators of high and low pool water levels required by subsection (n)(4) of this section; (K) operability of the intrusion alarm required by subsection (i)(8) of this section, if applicable; (L) functioning and wear of the system, mechanisms, and cables used to raise and lower sources; (M) condition of the barrier to prevent products from hitting the sources or source mechanism as required by subsection (o) of this section; (N) amount of water added to the pool to determine if the pool is leaking; (O) electrical wiring on required safety systems for radiation damage; (P) pool water conductivity measurements and analysis as required by subsection (y)(2) of this section; and (Q) operability of automatic communications systems used to alert individuals to alarms, emergencies, or abnormal event conditions if required by subsection (z)(2)(A) of this section. (2) Malfunctions and defects found during inspection and maintenance checks shall be repaired without undue delay. If repairs are required, the irradiator shall not be operated unless alternative methods are utilized to provide an equivalent level of safety until repairs are completed. (y) Pool water purity. (1) Pool water purification system shall be run sufficiently to maintain the conductivity of the pool water below 20 microsiemens per centimeter under normal circumstances. If pool water conductivity rises above 20 microsiemens per centimeter, the licensee shall take prompt actions to lower the pool water conductivity and shall take corrective actions to prevent future recurrences. (2) The licensee shall measure the pool water conductivity no less than weekly, to assure that the conductivity remains below 20 microsiemens per centimeter. Conductivity meters shall be calibrated at least annually. (z) Attendance during operation. (1) Both an irradiator operator and at least one other individual, who is trained on how to respond to alarms in accordance with subsection (s)(7) of this section and is prepared to promptly render or summon assistance, shall be present onsite whenever it is necessary to enter the radiation room. (2) At least one individual who has received the training on how to respond to alarms described in subsection (s)(7) of this section shall be available and prepared to promptly respond to alarms, emergencies, or abnormal event conditions at any time a panoramic irradiator is operating. If the individual is not onsite, the following requirements shall be met. (A) Automatic means of communications shall be provided from the irradiator control system to alert the individual to alarms, emergencies, or abnormal event conditions. As a minimum, the automatic communication system shall alert the individual to those emergency or abnormal events listed in subsection (t)(2) of this section. (B) The irradiator control system shall be secured from unauthorized access at any time an irradiator operator is not onsite. This security shall include physically securing the key described in subsection (m)(1) of this section to ensure the key is not removed from the control console. Cont'd... |
