IR 015000019/1999001
| ML20204J935 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 015000019 |
| Issue date: | 02/17/1999 |
| From: | Henderson P, Mcgrath J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20204J913 | List: |
| References | |
| 15000019-99-01, 15000019-99-1, NUDOCS 9903300188 | |
| Download: ML20204J935 (6) | |
Text
'
i
.
.
,
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
REGION I
l
}
INSPECTION REPORT i
!
Report No.
150-00019/001 L
Docket No.
150-00019
'
MD License No.
MD-27-014-02
!
Licensee:
Johns Hopkins University Apolied Physics Laboratory i
'
Address:
11100 Johns Hopkins Road,25-228 Laurel, MD 20723-6099 i
Locations inspected:
Marconi Aerospace Electronics Systems, Inc.
i 301 Richardson Road Lansdale, PA 19446-1485 Inspection Dates:
February 16,1999 l
i inspector:
N. fY
7 i
/ohn R. McGrath
/
'date Benior Health Physicist
,
Approved Dy;
-
i Pamela J. H d rson, Acting Chief
' date '
Nuclear Ma ' s Satety Branch 2 l
Division of N ear Materials Safety l
Document Name: B:\\DNMS Documents \\lnsp Report \\R.Dhns Hopkins Unive.wpd 80141533 9903300188 990303
'
PDR STPRO ESOND
.
'
n
.
.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Johns Hopkins University
!
Applied Physics Laboratory NRC Inspection Report No.150-00019/001 A reciprocity inspection was performed of Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory at a field site at Marconi Aerospace Electronics Systems, Inc. In Lansdale, PA. The work i
involved the testing of electronic components containing radioactive material. No violations were identified.
I i
l l
l
,
.I l
l
Inspection Report No. 150-00019/001 B:\\DNMS Documents \\lnsp Report \\RJohns Hopkins Unive.wpd l
,
.
.
REPORT DETAILS I. Organization and Scope of the Program a.
Insoection Scope The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab is authorized by The State of Maryland for ' General use in analytical or scientific research!'The Maryland license authorized use at temporary job sites throughout the State of Maryland. Among the authorized users listed on the license are Bruce Land and James Bennett.
b.
Observations and Findinas On February 3,1999 Johns Hopkins submitted an NRC form 241 indicating that they would be performing work at Marconi Aerospace Electronics Systems, Inc, (formerly Tracor Aerospace) during the period February 15-19,1999. The work performed by Johns Hopkins involved the testing of thermal ionization detectors intended for military use. These detector were developed by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab and an associated company, Powertronics Systems of New Orleans, LA has an application for an exempt distribution license with NRC c.
Conclusions No safety concems or areas of noncompliance were noteo.
II. Facilities and Equipment
,
i a.
inspection Scope
.The inspection addressed the facilities utilized by Johns Hopkins personnel and the equipment ussd b.
Observations and Findinos Johns Hopkins personnel utilize the facilities of Marconi Aerospace to conduct performance Nsting on themal lonizatinn detectors developed by Johns Hopkins for military use. The detectors are essentially smoke detectors, manufactured by Amersham ) ionization chambers type DSCA2 and DSCA3) containing less than 0.9 microcuries of americium 241. The Amersham ionization chamber is part of a larger component which constitutes the thermal lonization detector, which is used for military applications. The Marconi Aerospace site is used since they have the equipment necessary to perform the military specification (mil spec) testing necessary before the military will accept the component. The mil spec testing included vibration testing per mil spec 167-1, shock high impact testing per mil spec S901 and high and low temperature
- operations testing per mil spec 167. The vibration testing, which was being conducted at l
Inspection Report No. 150-00019/001 I
B:\\DNMS Documents \\insp ReportVuohns Hopkins unive.wpd J
.
the time of the inspection, involves vibrating the units at various frequencies and observing the operational characteristics of the units.
c.
Conclusions No safety concems or areas of noncompliance were noted.
111. Radiation Surveys
.
a.
Int,oection Scooe The inspection included a review of surveys performed by the Johns Hopkins staff at the Marconi Aerospace site.
b.
Observations and Findings The Amersham smoke detector ionization chambers are exempt davices and are not required to be leak tested. Although wipe testing is not required by the mil spec testing, the units are wipe tested at the end of the days performance testing. The Johns Hookins staff utilizes an NDS GM survey meter last calibrated on September 15,1998. No other surveys are required to be performed j
j c.
Conclusions No safety concerns or areas of noncompliance were noted it was recommended that the staff talk to the Radiation Safety Office about the availability of a portable alpha survey meter as a more accurate way of evaluating the wipes of the units.
IV. Radiation Protection a.
Inspection Scolm The inspector reviewed the licensee's ladiation safety procedures.
b.
Observations and Findinas No specific precautions are required for the type of testing performed by the licensee.
No personnel monitoring or other types of surveys are required. With regard to security, the units containing radioactive material are under the constant surveillance of the Johns Hopkins personnel. During evening hours the devices are stored in a locked vault.
c.
Conclusions
. No safety concems or areas of noncompliance were noted.
>
Inspection Report No. 150-00019/001 B:\\DNMS Documents \\lnsp Report \\RJohns Hopkins Unive.wpd
,
....
.--
... _
.
.
V. Posting and Labeling a.
Insoection Scope The inspector reviewed the licensee's posting and labeling practices.
b.
Observations and Findinas The thermal ionization detectors are labeled with the radiation symbol and the words
" Radioactive Material". During the course of the testing, the Johns Hopkins personnel post the testing equipment with a " Caution-Radioactive Materials" sign.
c.
Conclusions No safety concerns or areas of noncompliance were noted.
VI. Exit Meeting The inspector reviewed the findings of the inspection with the on-site personnel at the conclusion of the inspection.
Inspection Report No.150-00019/001
.
B:\\DNMS Docurnents\\lne Peport\\RJohns Hopkins unive.wpd
!
--_-
.
.
PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee Bruce Land James Bennett l
.
l
!
!
l l
Inspection Report No.150-00019/001 B:\\DNMS Documents \\lnsp Report \\R.lohns Hopkins Unive.wpd (. ~