Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-20-08-.04 - EQUIPMENT CONTROL

(1) Limits on levels of radiation from storage containers and source changers.

The maximum exposure rate limits for storage containers and source changers are 200 millirem (2 millisieverts) per hour at any exterior surface and 10 millirem (0.1 millisieverts) per hour at 1-meter from any exterior surface with the sealed source in the shielded position.

(2) Locking of radiographic exposure devices, storage containers and source changers:

(a) Each radiographic exposure device shall have a lock or outer locked container designed to prevent unauthorized or accidental production of radiation or removal of a sealed source from its shielded position. Each radiographic exposure device or storage container shall be kept locked (and if a keyed-lock, with the key removed at all times) when not under the direct surveillance of a radiographer or a radiographer's assistant except at permanent radiographic installations as stated in paragraph (1) of Rule 0400-20-08-.06. In addition, during radiographic operations a sealed source assembly shall be secured in the shielded position each time the source is returned to that position.

(b) Each sealed source storage container and source changer shall have a lock or outer locked container designed to prevent unauthorized or accidental removal of the sealed source from its shielded position. Storage containers and source changers shall be kept locked (and if a keyed-lock, with the key removed at all times) when containing sealed sources except when under the direct surveillance of a radiographer or a radiographer's assistant.

(3) Storage precautions:

(a) Locked radiographic exposure devices, source changers and storage containers shall be physically secured to prevent tampering with or removal by unauthorized persons.

(b) The licensee shall store licensed material in a manner that will minimize danger from explosion or fire.

(4) Radiation survey instruments:

(a) The licensee or registrant shall maintain sufficient calibrated and operable radiation survey instruments at each location where sources of radiation are present to make physical radiation surveys as required by this chapter and Chapter 0400-20-05. Instrumentation required by this paragraph shall have a range such that 2 millirems (0.02 millisieverts) per hour through 1 rem (0.01 sievert) per hour can be measured.

(b) Each radiation survey instrument shall be calibrated:

1. At energies appropriate for use and at intervals not to exceed 6 months and after each instrument servicing, except for battery changes.

2. Such that accuracy within plus or minus 20 percent can be demonstrated; and

3. For linear scale instruments, at 2 points located approximately one-third and two-thirds of full scale on each scale; for logarithmic scale instruments, at mid-range of each decade and at 2 points of at least one decade; and for digital instruments, at 3 points between 2 and 1,000 millirems (0.02 and 10 millisieverts) per hour.

(c) In accordance with Rule 0400-20-08-.15, the licensee or registrant shall maintain records of calibrations, dates and results thereof for inspection by the Division for 3 years after the date of calibration.

(5) Leak testing, repairing, tagging, opening, modifying and replacing of sealed sources:

(a) The replacement of any sealed source fastened to or contained in a radiographic exposure device and leak testing, repair, tagging, opening or any other modification of any sealed source shall be performed only by persons specifically authorized to do so by the Division, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or any Agreement State.

(b) Each sealed source shall be tested for leakage at intervals not to exceed 6 months. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor that a test has been made within the 6 months prior to the transfer, the sealed source shall not be put into use until tested.

(c) The leak test shall be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcurie of removable contamination on the sealed source. An acceptable leak test for sealed sources in the possession of a radiography licensee would be to test at the nearest accessible point to the sealed source storage position, or other appropriate measuring point, by a procedure to be approved pursuant to subparagraph (6)(e) of Rule 0400-20-10-.13. Records of leak test results shall identify each sealed source and its container by serial number and shall be kept in units of microcuries or disintegrations per minute (dpm) and maintained for inspection by the Division for 3 years after the test is made.

(d) Any test conducted pursuant to subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this paragraph that reveals the presence of 0.005 microcurie or more of removable radioactive material shall be considered evidence that the sealed source is leaking. The licensee shall immediately withdraw the equipment involved from use and shall cause it to be decontaminated and repaired or to be disposed of in accordance with Division regulations. Two copies of a report shall be filed within 5 days after obtaining results of the test with the Division at the address provided in Rule 0400-20-04-.07, describing the equipment involved, the test results and the corrective action taken.

(e) A sealed source that is not fastened to or contained in a radiographic exposure device shall have permanently attached to it a durable tag at least 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) square bearing the conventional radiation caution symbol, as described in Chapter 0400-20-05, and at least the instructions:

" DANGER - RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL - DO NOT HANDLE - NOTIFY CIVIL AUTHORITIES IF FOUND"

(f) Each exposure device using depleted uranium (DU) shielding and an 'S' tube configuration shall be tested for DU contamination at intervals not to exceed 12 months. The analysis shall be capable of detecting the presence of 185 Bq (0.005 microcuries) of radioactive material on the test sample and shall be performed by a person specifically authorized by the Division, the U.S. NRC or an Agreement State to perform the analysis.

1. Should such testing reveal the presence of 185 Bq (0.005 microcuries) or more of removable DU contamination, the exposure device shall be removed from use until an evaluation of the wear on the S-tube has been made. Should the evaluation reveal that the S-tube is worn through, the device may not be used again.

2. DU shielded devices do not have to be tested for DU contamination while in storage and not in use. Before using or transferring such a device however, the device shall be tested for DU contamination if the interval of storage exceeded 12 months.

(6) Quarterly inventory.

Each licensee or registrant shall conduct a quarterly physical inventory to account for all sources of radiation received and possessed by him. The records of the inventories shall be maintained for 3 years from the date of the inventory for inspection by the Division. The records shall include the quantities and kinds of radioactive material, location of all sources of radiation, and the date of inventory. Each sealed source and each radiographic exposure device shall be identified by serial number.

(7) Utilization logs.

(a) Each licensee or registrant shall maintain, at the address specified in the license or registration, current utilization logs showing for each source of radiation the following information:

1. A description (make, model and serial number) of each radiographic exposure device or transport or storage container in which the sealed source is located;

2. The identity and signature of the radiographer to whom assigned; and

3. The plant or site where used and dates of use, including the dates removed and returned to storage.

(b) In accordance with paragraph (7) Rule 0400-20-08-.04, the licensee shall retain the logs required by subparagraph (a) of this paragraph for inspection by the Division for 3 years after the log is made.

(c) Locations (plant or site) where used and dates of use.

(8) Inspection and maintenance of radiographic exposure devices, source changers, transport and storage containers, associated equipment and survey instruments.

(a) The licensee shall perform visual and operability checks on survey meters, radiographic exposure devices, transport and storage containers, associated equipment and source changers prior to use each day the equipment is used to ensure that the equipment is in good working condition, that the sources are adequately shielded and that required labeling is present. Survey instrument operability shall be performed using check sources or other appropriate means. If equipment problems are found, the equipment shall be removed from service until repaired.

(b) The licensee shall have written procedures for:

1. Inspection and routine maintenance of radiographic exposure devices, source changers, associated equipment, transport and storage containers at intervals not to exceed 3 months, or before the first use thereafter, to assure proper functioning of components important to safety. If equipment problems are found, the equipment shall be removed from service until repaired.

2. Inspection and maintenance necessary to maintain the Type B packaging used to transport radioactive materials. The inspection and maintenance program shall include procedures to assure that Type B packages are shipped and maintained in accordance with the certificate of compliance or other approval.

(9) Permanent radiographic installations.

(a) Permanent radiographic installations having high radiation area entrance controls of the types described in Chapter 0400-20-05 shall also meet the special requirements in subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this paragraph.

(b) Each entrance that is used for personnel access to the high radiation area in a permanent radiographic installation shall have both visible and audible warning signals to warn of the presence of radiation. The visible signal shall be actuated by radiation whenever the source is exposed or a radiation area is generated. The audible signal shall be actuated when an attempt is made to enter the installation while the source is exposed or a radiation area is generated.

(c) The alarm system shall be tested for proper operation with a radiation source each day before the installation is used for radiographic operations. The test shall include a check of both the visible and audible signals. Entrance control devices that reduce the radiation level upon entry shall be tested monthly. If an entrance control device or an alarm is operating improperly, it shall be immediately labeled as defective and repaired within 7 calendar days. The facility may continue to be used during this seven-day period, provided the licensee implements the continuous surveillance requirements of paragraph (1) of Rule 0400-20-08-.06 and uses an alarming ratemeter. The licensee or registrant shall retain records of these tests for 3 years for inspection by the Division.

(10) Performance requirements for sealed source radiographic exposure devices and associated equipment. Equipment utilizing radioactive material used in industrial radiographic operations shall meet the following minimum criteria:

(a) Each radiographic exposure device and all associated equipment shall meet the requirements specified in American National Standard N432-1980 "Radiological Safety for the Design and Construction of Apparatus for Gamma Radiography," (published as NBS Handbook 136, issued January 1981). This publication may be purchased from the American National Standards Institute, Inc., 25 West 43^rd Street, New York, New York 10036; Telephone: (212) 642-4900. An applicant or licensee may submit engineering analyses to demonstrate the applicability of previously performed testing on similar individual radiography equipment components. Upon review, the Division may find this an acceptable alternative to actual testing of the component under the above referenced standard.

(b) In addition to the requirements specified in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, the following requirements apply to radiographic exposure devices, source changers, source assemblies and sealed sources.

1. The licensee shall ensure that each radiographic exposure device has attached to it a durable, legible, clearly visible label bearing the:

(i) Chemical symbol and mass number of the radionuclide in the device;

(ii) Activity and the date on which this activity was last measured;

(iii) Model (or product code) and serial number of the sealed source;

(iv) Manufacturer's identity of the sealed source; and

(v) Licensee's name, address and telephone number.

2. Radiographic exposure devices intended for use as Type B transport containers shall meet the applicable requirements of 10 CFR Part 71.

3. Modification of radiographic exposure devices, source changers, and source assemblies and associated equipment is prohibited, unless the design of any replacement component, including source holder, source assembly, controls or guide tubes would not compromise the design safety features of the system.

(c) In addition to the requirements specified in subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this paragraph, the following requirements apply to radiographic exposure devices, source assemblies and associated equipment that allow the source to be moved out of the device for radiographic operations or to source changers.

1. The coupling between the source assembly and the control cable shall be designed in such a manner that the source assembly will not become disconnected if cranked outside the guide tube. The coupling shall be such that it cannot be unintentionally disconnected under normal and reasonably foreseeable abnormal conditions.

2. The device shall automatically secure the source assembly when it is cranked back into the fully shielded position within the device. This securing system may only be released by means of a deliberate operation on the exposure device.

3. The outlet fittings, lock box and drive cable fittings on each radiographic exposure device shall be equipped with safety plugs or covers, which shall be installed during storage and transportation to protect the source assembly from water, mud, sand or other foreign matter.

4.

(i) Each sealed source or source assembly shall have attached to it or engraved on it, a durable, legible, visible label with the words:

" CAUTION (or "DANGER")-RADIOACTIVE.''

(ii) The label may not interfere with the safe operation of the exposure device or associated equipment.

5. The guide tube shall be able to withstand a crushing test that closely approximates the crushing forces that are likely to be encountered during use, and be able to withstand a kinking resistance test that closely approximates the kinking forces that are likely to be encountered during use.

6. Guide tubes shall be used when moving the source out of the device.

7. An exposure head or similar device designed to prevent the source assembly from passing out of the end of the guide tube shall be attached to the outermost end of the guide tube during industrial radiography operations.

8. The guide tube exposure head connection shall be able to withstand the tensile test for control units specified in ANSI N432-1980.

9. Source changers shall provide a system for ensuring that the source will not be accidentally withdrawn from the changer when connecting or disconnecting the drive cable to or from a source assembly.

(d) All newly manufactured radiographic exposure devices and associated equipment acquired by licensees after January 10, 1992, shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

(e) All radiographic exposure devices and associated equipment in use after January 10, 1996, shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

(f) Notwithstanding subparagraph (10)(a) of this rule, equipment used in industrial radiographic operations need not comply with §8.9.2(c) of the Endurance Test in American National Standards Institute N432-1980, if the prototype equipment has been tested using a torque value representative of the torque that an individual using the radiography equipment can realistically exert on the lever or crankshaft of the drive mechanism.

(11) Labeling, storage and transportation.

(a) The licensee may not use a source changer or a container to store licensed material unless the source changer or the storage container has securely attached to it a durable, legible and clearly visible label bearing the standard trefoil radiation caution symbol in conventional colors, i.e., magenta, purple or black on a yellow background, having a minimum diameter of 25 mm, and the wording:

CAUTION (or "DANGER")

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

NOTIFY CIVIL AUTHORITIES (or "NAME OF COMPANY")

(b) The licensee shall not transport licensed material unless the material is packaged and the package is labeled, marked and accompanied with appropriate shipping papers in accordance with regulations set out in 10 CFR Part 71.

(c) Locked radiographic exposure devices and storage containers shall be physically secured to prevent tampering or removal by unauthorized personnel. The licensee shall store licensed material in a manner that will minimize danger from explosion or fire.

(d) The licensee shall lock and physically secure the transport package containing licensed material in the transporting vehicle to prevent accidental loss, tampering or unauthorized removal of the licensed material from the vehicle.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0400-20-08-.04

Original rule filed February 22, 2012; effective May 22, 2012. Amendment filed March 3, 2015; effective 6/1/2015.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 68-202-101 et seq., 68-202-201 et seq., and 4-5-201 et seq.