Information Notice 1997-34, Deficiencies in Licensee Submittals Regarding Terminology for Radiological Emergency Action Levels in Accordance with the New Part 20
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001
June 12, 1997
DEFICIENCIES IN LICENSEE SUBMITTALS
REGARDING TERMINOLOGY FOR
RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY ACTION LEVELS
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEW PART 20
Addressees
All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for test and research reactors.
Puroose
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice to inform
addressees of the issuance of a revised Appendix I to NUREG-0849, "Standard Review Plan
for the Review and Evaluation of Emergency Plans for Research and Test Reactors." This
revised appendix provides guidance on incorporating the new 10 CFR Part 20 regulations
into the radiological emergency action levels (EALs). It is expected that recipients will review
the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate.
However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not NRC requirements;
therefore, no specific action or written response is required.
Description of Circumstances
Part 20 was revised and the final rule was published in the Federal Register on May 21,
1991 (56 FR 23360), with an original implementation date of January 1, 1993.
Subsequently, the implementation date was extended to January 1, 1994 (57 FR 38588). In
response to these regulations, many licensees of test and research reactors have submitted
to the NRC revised emergency plans that were intended to incorporate or reflect the
terminology introduced in the new regulations. Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20 is referenced in the section of the emergency plan involving radiological EALs.
During its review of these submittals, the NRC staff noted that many licensees incorrectly
converted the wording of the EALs from the old terminology found in NUREG-0849. As an
example, (1) some licensees inappropriately converted "maximum permissible
concentrations" (MPCs) to "effluent concentrations" (ECs) and (2) some inaccurately used the
term "deep dose equivalent." Several licensees merely substituted the EC term for the MPC
term. Other licensees used various multipliers in an attempt to correct the differences
between the two values. Still other licensees replaced the MPC term with "derived air
concentration." These submittals indicate the need for additional guidance that could be
used to assist in updating EALs.
v52 on
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,
June 12, 1997 Discussion
If the errors in the revised EAL schemes are left uncorrected, they could potentially result in a
licensee taking some conservative actions that are unwarranted or in the licensee delaying
appropriate actions.
Guidance in the form of a revision to Appendix I to NUREG-0849 was issued in April 1997.
The revised appendix provides guidance on incorporating the current 10 CFR Part 20
regulations into the radiological EALs and, at the same time, corrects some omissions
in prior guidance and clarifies some other EALs for the implementation of the new
Part 20 regulations. Attachment 1 to this document is a copy of the revised Appendix I.
NUREG-0849, which was published in 1983, is available from the following sources:
The NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW., Lower Level, Washington, DC
20037 (202-634-3380). (Document may be copied for a fee, currently $0.08 per
page.)
The Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Govemment Printing Office, P. 0. Box 37082, Washington, DC 20402-9328 (202-512-1800), for a fee of $3.75.
-
The National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161-0002 (703-487-
4650), for a fee of $24.50 (paper) and $12.50 (microfiche), plus a $4.00 handling fee.
This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed
below or the appropriate regional office.
Marylee M. Slosson, Acting Director
Division of Reactor Program Management
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical contact:
Lawrence K. Cohen
301-415-2923 E-mail: lkc@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Revised Appendix I of NUREG-0849
2. List of Recently Issued NRC information Notices
44AaJ p U
Attachment 1
June 12, 1997 APPENDIX I
EMERGENCY CLASSES
ACTION LEVEL*
PURPOSE
Notification of Unusual Events INOUE)
Actual or projected radiological effluentt at the site
boundary which is calculated (or measured) to result
In either of the following conditions, both of which
are based on an exposure of 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> or less:
(1) A deep dose equivalent of 0.15 milliSievert
(mSv) 115 mrem)
(2) A committed effective dose equivalent of 0.15 mSv [15 mrem] based on the following
considerations:
Ensure that the first step in any response later
found to be necessary has been carried out.
Bring the operating staff to a state of readiness.
Provide systematic handling of unusual events
Information and decisionmaking.
100 EC x 24 hr* = 2.4 x 103 EC-hr m 0.15 mSv (15 mrem) (for radionuclides other
than noble gases)
50 EC x 24 hr
= 1.2 x 10
3 EC-hr m 0.15 mSv [15 mrem](for noble gases)t
Report or observation of a severe natural
phenomenon affecting the reactor site
Receipt of bomb threat affecting the reactor facility
Fire within the reactor facility not extinguished within
15 minutes
Alert
Actual or projected radiological effluentt at the site
boundary which Is calculated (or measured) to result
in either of the following conditions, both of which
are based on an exposure of 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> or less:
(1) A deep dose equivalent of 0.75 mSv [5mrem]
(2) A committed effective dose equivalent of 0.75 mSv 15 mrem) based on the following
considerations:
Ensure that emergency personnel are readily
available to respond If the situation becomes
more serious or to perform confirmatory
radiation monitoring If required.
Provide current offsite authorities with status
information.
500 EC x 24 hr = 1.2 x 104 EC-hr - 0.75 mSv [75 mrem] (for radionuclides other
than noble gases)
250 EC x 24 hr" = 6 x 1 3 EC-hr m 0.75 mSv (75 mrem] (for noble gases)tt
Actual or projected radiation levelst at the site
boundary of 0.2 mSv/hr deep dose equivalent [20
mremlhr] for 1 hour1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br /> or 1.0 mSv 1100 mrem] to the
thyroid (committed dose equivalent)
Attachment I
IN 97-34 June 12. 1997 APPENDIX I (cont'd)
-.
-
W%1 At;I 1IUN LtVtL-
Irumrvo
Site Area Emernencv
Actual or projected radiological effluentt at the site
boundary which is calculated (or measured) to result
in either of the following conditions both of which
are based on an exposure of 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> or less:
(1) A deep dose equivalent of 3.75 mSv [375 mrem]
(2) A committed effective dose equivalent of 3.75 mSv [375 mrem] based on the following
considerations:
Ensure that response centers are manned.
Ensure that monitoring teams are dispatched.
Ensure that personnel required for evacuation of
onsite areas are at duty stations.
Provide consultation with offsite authorities.
Provide Information for the public through offske
authorities.
2500 EC x 24 hr = 6 x IV0 EC-hr m 3.75 mSv 1375 mrem] (for radionuclides other
than noble gases)
1250 EC x 24 hr* = 3 x I10 EC-hr m 3.75 mSv 1375 mrem](for noble gases)"
Actual or projected radiation levelst at the site
boundary of 1.0 mSv/hr [100 mremlhr] deep dose
equivalent for 1 hour1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br /> or 5.0 mSv [500 mrem] to the
thyroid (committed dose equivalent)
General Emergency
Sustained actual or projected radiation levelst at the
site boundary of 5.0 mSv/hr [500 mremlhr] deep
dose equivalent
Actual or projected doset at the site boundary in the
plume exposure pathway of 10 mSv 11 rem] (total
effective dose equivalent) or 50 mSv 15 rem] to the
thyroid (committed dose equivalent)
Initiate predetermined protective actions for the
public.
Provide continuous assessment of Information
from licensee and offsite organization
measurements.
Initiate additional measures as Indicated by
actual or potential releases.
Provide consultation with offsite authorities.
Provide updates for the public through offsite
authorities.
- The situation that may lead to an emergency class described in the subsections of Section 4.0 may be
referenced as emergency action levels appropriate to the emergency class.
t It is expected that licensees will determine the relationship of the EAL dose levels at the site boundary to
instrumentation readings andlor safety analyses accident conditions for their specific facilities.
Attachment I
IN 97-34 June 12, 1997 Effluent concentration (EC) as fisted In Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20 (10 CFR Part 20),
Standards for the Protection Against Radiation,* Appendix B. Table 2. If the exposure time Is less than 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />, the EC multiplier can be increased proportionately, provided that the values of 2.4 x 103 and 1.2 x 10 3 EC-hr are
used to declare a NOUE; the proportional Increase for an alert is 5 and for a site area emergency it Is 25.
" Table 2 of Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 20 lists the concentration values that are equivalent to the radionuclide
concentrations which, if Inhaled or Ingested continuously over the course of a year, would produce a total effective
dose equivalent of 0.5 mSv [50 mrem]. However, for noble gases where the submersion (external dose) Is
limiting, the concentration values would produce a total effective dose equivalent of I mSv [100 mremJ.
Ki1_
Attachment 2
June 12, 1997 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES
Information
Date of
Notice No.
Subject
Issuance
Issued to
97-33
95-36, Supp. 1
97-32
97-31
97-30
97-29
Unanticipated Effect
of Ventilation System
on Tank Level Indica- tions and Engineering
Safety Features Actua- tion System Setpoint
Potential Problems
with Post-Fire Emer- gency Lighting
Defective Worm Shaft
Clutch Gears in
Limitorque Motor-
Operated Valve
Actuators'
Failures of Reactor
Coolant Pump Thermal
Barriers and Check
Valves in Foreign
Plants
Control of Licensed
Material During Reorgan- izations, Employee- Management Disagreements, and Financial Crises
Containment Inspection
Rule
06/11/97
06/10/97
06/10/97
06/03/97
06/03/97
05/30/97
All holders of OLs or CPs
for nuclear power reactors
All holders of OLs or CPs
for nuclear power reactors
All holders of OLs or CPs
for nuclear power reactors
All holders of OLs or CPs
for pressurized-water
reactor plants
All material and fuel
cycle licensees
All holders of OLs or CPs
for nuclear power reactors
OL = Operating License
CP = Construction Permit
'
June 12, 1997 Discussion
If the errors in the revised EAL schemes are left uncorrected, they could potentially result in a
licensee taking some conservative actions that are unwarranted or in the licensee delaying
appropriate actions.
Guidance in the form of a revision to Appendix I to NUREG-0849 was Issued in April 1997.
The revised appendix provides guidance on incorporating the current 10 CFR Part 20
regulations into the radiological EALs and, at the same time, corrects some omissions
in prior guidance and clarifies some other EALs for the implementation of the new
Part 20 regulations. Attachment 1 to this document is a copy of the revised Appendix I.
NUREG-0849, which was published in 1983, is available from the following sources:
The NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW., Lower Level, Washington, DC
20037 (202-634-3380). (Document may be copied for a fee, currently $0.08 per page.)
- The Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, P. 0. Box 37082, Washington, DC 20402-9328 (202-512-1800), for a fee of $3.75.
- The National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161-0002 (703-487-4650),
for a fee of $24.50 (paper) and $12.50 (microfiche), plus a $4.00 handling fee.
This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed
below or the appropriate regional office.
original signed by S.H. Weiss for
Marylee M. Slosson, Acting Director
Division of Reactor Program Management
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical contact: Lawrence K. Cohen
(301) 415-2923 E-mail: Ikcenrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Revised Appendix I of NUREG-0849
2. List of Recently Issued NRC information Notices
DOCUMENT NAME: S:\\DRPM SEC\\RAD51 IN *SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE
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MMSlosscn I
DATE
05/20/97
05/22/97
05/30/97
0
//O/97 OFFICIAL R ECORD COPY.
I,
IN 97-
May , 1997 Discussion
If the errors in the revised EAL schemes are left uncorrected, they could potentially result in a
licensee taking some conservative actions that are unwarranted or in the licensee delaying
appropriate actions..
Guidance in the form of a revision to Appendix I to NUREG-0849 was issued in April 1997.
The revised appendix provides guidance on incorporating the current 10 CFR Part 20
regulations into the radiological EALs and, at the same time, corrects some omissions
in prior guidance and clarifies some other EALs for the implementation of the new
Part 20 regulations. Attachment 1 to this document is a copy of the revised Appendix I.
NUREG-0849, which was published in 1983, is available from the following sources:
The NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW., Lower Level, Washington, DC
20037 (202-634-3380). (Document may be copied for a fee, currently $0.08 per page.)
The Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Govemment Printing Office, P. 0. Box 37082, Washington, DC 20402-9328 (202-512-1800), for a fee of $3.75.
The National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161-0002 (703-487-4650),
for a fee of $24.50 (paper) and $12.50 (microfiche), plus a $4.00 handling fee.
This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed
below or the appropriate regional office.
Marylee M. Slosson, Acting Director
Division of Reactor Program Management
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical contact: Lawrence K. Cohen
(301) 415-2923 E-mail: lkc@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Revised Appendix I of NUREG-0849
2. List of Recently Issued NRC information Notices
DOCUMENT NAME:
S:\\DRPM SEC\\RAD51 IN *SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE
To receive a copy of this document. indcite in the box: 'C- - Copy w/o
attachmentlenclosure E' -
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LKCohen*
CLMiller*
AEChaffee blo, M
DATE
05/20/97
05/22/97
05/so/97
0!
- DRPM
I
lMS'lossonl
)5/ /97 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
,41brJ i41M I
IN 97-
May , 1997 Discussion
If the errors in the revised EAL schemes are left uncorrected, they could potentially result in a
licensee taking some conservative actions that are unwarranted or in the licensee delaying
appropriate actions.
Guidance in the form of a revision to Appendix I to NUREG-0849 was issued on April 1997.
This revised appendix provides guidance on incorporating the current 10 CFR Part 20
regulations into the radiological EALs and, at the same time, corrects some omissions
in prior guidance and clarifies some other EALs for the implementation of the new
Part 20 regulations. Attachment I to this document is a copy of the revised Appendix I.
NUREG-0849, which was published in 1983, is available from the following sources:
The NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW., Lower Level, Washington, DC
20037 (202-634-3380). (Document may be copied for a fee, currently $0.08 per page.)
The Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Govemment Printing Office, P. 0. Box 37082, Washington, DC 20402-9328 (202-512-1800), for a fee of $3.75.
The National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161-0002 (703-487-4650),
for a fee of $24.50 (paper) and $12.50 (microfiche), plus a $4.00 handling fee.
This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed
below or the appropriate regional office.
Marylee M. Slosson, Acting Director
Division of Reactor Program Management
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical contact: Lawrence K. Cohen
(301) 415-2923 E-mail: lkc@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Revised Appendix I of NUREG-0849
2. List of Recently Issued NRC information Notices
DOCUMENT NAME:
S:\\DRPM SEC\\RAD51 IN
- SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE
To receive a copy of this document. kidicate in the box: *
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attachment/enclosure 'E' - Copy wlattachment/enclosure *N0 - No copy
OFFICE
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DATE
/20/97
05/22/97
05/ /97
05/ /97
.FFICAL REOR
COYe
IN 97- May,
1997 Discussion
If the errors in the revised EAL schemes are left uncorrected, they could potentially result in a
licensee taking some conservative actions that are unwarranted or in the licensee delaying
appropriate actions.
Guidance in the form of a revision to Appendix I to NUREG-0849 was issued on April 1997.
This revised appendix provides guidance on incorporating the current 10 CFR Part 20
regulations into the radiological EALs and, at the same time, corrects some omissions
in prior guidance and clarifies some other EALs for the implementation of the new
Part 20 regulations. Attachment 1 to this document is a copy of the revised Appendix I.
NUREG-0849, which was published in 1983, is available from the following sources:
The NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW., Lower Level, Washington, DC
20037 (202-634-3380). (Document may be copied for a fee, currently $0.08 per page.)
The Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, P. 0. Box 37082, Washington, DC 20402-9328 (202-512-1800), for a fee of $3.75.
The National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161-0002 (703-487-4650),
for a fee of $24.50 (paper) and $12.50 (microfiche), plus a $4.00 handling fee.
This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed
below or the appropriate regional office.
Marylee M. Slosson, Acting Director
Division of Reactor Program Management
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical contact: Lawrence K. Cohen
(301) 415-2923 E-mail: lkcenrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Revised Appendix I of NUREG-0849
2. List of Recently Issued NRC information Notices
DOCUMENT NAME: S:\\DRPM SEC\\RAD51 IN
To receive
- copy Of this document. hndIcite In the box: C*' - Copy w/o
attachment/enclosure 'E' -
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I
I
DATE
0/24/97
9&zV97
/97
97 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
S.
-, A
'
'
97-
May , 1997 Discussion
If the errors in the revised EAL schemes are left uncorrected, they could potentially result in a
licensee taking some conservative actions that are unwarranted or in the licensee delaying
appropriate actions.
Guidance in the form of a revision to Appendix I to NUREG-0849 was issued on April 1997.
This revised appendix provides guidance on incorporating the current 10 CFR Part 20
regulations into the radiological EALs and, at the same time, corrects some omissions
in prior guidance and clarifies some other EALs for the implementation of the new
Part 20 regulations. Attachment 1 to this document is a copy of the revised Appendix I.
NUREG-0849, which was published in 1983, is available from the following sources:
- The NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW., Lower Level, Washington, DC
20037 (202-634-3380). (Document may be copied for a fee, currently $0.08 per page.)
- The Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Govemment Printing Office, P. 0. Box 37082, Washington, DC 20402-9328 (202-512-1800), for a fee of $3.75.
- The National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161-0002 (703-487-4650),
for a fee of $24.50 (paper) and $12.50 (microfiche), plus a $4.00 handling fee.
This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact the technical contact listed
below or the appropriate regional office.
Marylee M. Slosson, Director
Division of Reactor Program Management
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical contact: Lawrence K. Cohen
(301) 415-2923 E-mail: lkc@nrc.gov
Attachments:
1. Revised Appendix I of NUREG-0849
2. List of Recently Issued NRC information Notices
DOCUMENT NAME:
S:\\DRPM SEC\\RAD51 IN
To receive a copy of this document. hIdfice hI the box: ACT - Copy w/o
attachmentlenclosure 'E' - Copy w/attachmentlenclosure 'N
- No copy
OFFICE
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LKCohen %4V
CLMiller
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MMSlosson
DATE
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04/ /97
04/ /97
04/ /97 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY