ML19241A542

IE Bulletin 78-13, Failure in Source Heads of Kay-Ray,Inc Gauges,Mods 7050,7050B,7051,7060,7060B,7061 & 7061B

ML19241A542
Person / Time
Site:	05000000
Issue date:	10/27/1978
From:	NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE)
To:
References
IEB-78-13, NUDOCS 7811060166
Download: ML19241A542 (5)

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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

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0FFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.,

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~p October 27, 1978 IE Bulletin No. 78-13 l

FAILURE IN SOURCE HEADS OF KAY-RAY, INC., GAUGES MODELS 7050, 70508, 7051, 70518, 7060, 7060B, 7061, AND 7061B Description.of Circumstances:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received information that on three occasions in the past year fractures have occurred at the weld between the dome and the box of source heads used in the subject gauges manufactured by Kay-Ray, Inc.

These gauges contain radioactive material regulated by the NRC. The possession and use of the radio-active material in the gauges is governed by either a specific NRC license or under the general license provisions of NRC regulation 10 CFR 31, Section 31.5.

A copy of 10 CFR 31.5 is enclosed.

These incidents of weld fractures in the gauges have caused the dome to separate from the box, exposing the 500 mil'icurie cesium-137 sealed 9

source.

In one case, the radioactive source itself fell loose from the dome and was completely exposed. The separation of the dome from the box could result in a radiation overexposure if an individual actually handled the radioactive source or worked in close proximity to a gauge where the lead dome had separated from the box.

I In order to correct this potential radiation hazard, Kay-Ray has developed a support bracket which they wilj supply free of charge to prevent the dome separation if a fracture does occur.

In a June 30, 1978 letter (copy enclosed) Kay-Ray advised you of the avai~ ability of the support bracket and requested you to return a card confirming the specific source heads in your possession. A number of companies have not returned a card to Kay-Ray, Inc.

In order to assure correction of this potential hazard, you should complete the follosing actions.

Actions to be taken by you as a licensee of the NRC:

1.

On the enclosed form, enter your company's name, address and telephone number, complete the other actions according to the instructions, and sign the preaddressed fo m and return it to the NRC after completing all the required actions.

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M If you have transferred or otherwise disposed of any Kay-Ray gauges, g

take the action in item number 2, following:

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Complete item 1 of the enclosed form, aiia (a) if you possessed the 9

gauge under a general license of 10 CFR 31.5 include with the form

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S a statement of how you have complied, or information which does

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comply, with the requirements of 10 CFR 31.5(c)(8) or (9) and pro-i vide the name and address of the persons or organizations to whom i

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' "~f the gauge was transferred, or (b) if you possessed the gauge under a specific license include with the form a statement of how you complied with the requirements of 10 CFR 30.41 and provide the name I

and address of the persons or organizations to whom the gauge was transferred.

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If you have any of the specified Kay-Ray gauges in your possession, take the actions in item numbers 3 through 5, following:

i 3.

Within two (2) days of receipt of this Bulletin, visually inspect j

the source head on models 7050, 7050B, 7051, 7051B, 7060, 7060B, t

7061, and 7061B of Kay-Ray gauges in your possession for evid:nce I

of weld cracks between the dome and box.

If cracks are found, take the following actions:

(a) contact Kay-Ray immediately at i

I (312) 259-9244 and inform them, and office as required by 10 CFR 31.5(a)(5).b) file a report with this

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(A cony of 10 CFR 31.5 j

is enclosed.)

4.

Within ten (10) days af ter receiving the s'mport bracket (s) fron Kay-Ray, install a support bracket on each ray-Ray gauge model (identified in item 3 above) in your possession.

5.

Within twelve (12) days aftEr receiving the support bracket (s) from Kay-Ray, report the completion of the above actions to this off!ce.

The report siculd be submitted by completing and returning the enclosed pre)rinted, preaddressed form to the tiRC.

In addition to the above specific actions, we recommend that you read 9

and become thoroughly familiar with the conditions of either the specific tiRC license or the general license of 10 CFR 31.5 whichever authorizes v

your use and possession of the gauge devices.

Approved by GAO, B180225 (R0072); clearance expires 7-31-80.

Approval was given under a blanket clearance specifically for identified generic p

problems.

Enclosures:

I 1.

Report Form 2.

10 CFR 31 (extract) 3.

V4 N y letter dtd 6/3n/7A 3

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Kay-R y Card 2 of 2 l

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Licensee Name:

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, i If you possess the gauges under a specific NRC license, enter the license number:

1.

If you have transferred or otherwise disposed of any Kay-Ray gauges, place a check or mark in the box and provide the

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information required by action item 2 ir. the Bulletin instructions.

Complete the following for Kay-Ray gauges in your possession:

2.

Date the card was mailed to Kay-Ray, Inc., confirming the specific source heads in v ar possession.

(cate) 3.

Number of source heads visually inspected for evidence of weld cracks between the dome and box on models 7050, 70503, (number) 7051, 7051B, 7060, 70603, 7051, and 7061B.

4.

Number of source heads inspected in the items above wh'ich J

had weld cracks.

(number) 5.

Date support brackets were received from Kay-Ray.

(date) 6.

Date installat'on of support brackets was ctmpleted.

(date)

Signature and printed name of responsible individual or Radiation Safety Officer.

After completing the above actions and entering the required information, 1

sign the form, fold it so that the NRC return address is showing, tape or

([7 staple closed and place in the mail.

No postage is required.

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RULES and REGULATIONS W_ri.

I" TITLE 10. CHAPTER 1. CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS-ENERGY

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GENERAL DOMESTIC LICENSES FOR DYPRODUCT MAT 2 RIAL G

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m a n u f a ctured for the purpose of i.' J

@ 31.3 Certain devices and equipment.

31.1 Purpose and scope.

detecting, measuring, gauging or F; l 31.2 Terms and conditions.

A general license is hereby isrued t controlling thickness, density, level, inter-31.3 Certain devices and equipment.

transfer receive, acquire, own, possess and

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face location

• radiation

• leakage'. or 31.s Certain measuring, gaugtng or controuing use byproduct material incorporated in devices.

qu alitative or quantiistive chemical 31.6 Qe fo owi e devices or equipment which General license to install devices gen-composition, or for producing light or an ers:ty licensed in i 31.3.

have been manufactured, tested and a

lonised atmospu e.

31.7 Luminous safe ty devices for use in labeled bi the manufacturer in a c-g );

,j eircraf t.

cordance with the specifications con-

- i 31.8 A mericium.2 41 in the form of calibre.

(a) of this Kction applies only to by-tained in a specific h. cense issued to him tion or reference sources.

product e aterial contained in devic s 31.9 General license to own byrroduct ma.

. by the Commission.

which > ave been manufactured or terial.

(a) Static elimination device. Devices niti trarsferredt and labeled in ac-31.10 General license for strontium-90 in ice -designed for use as static chmmators detection devices.

to cordance W.th the speci,ications con-of byproduct w= which contain, as a scaled source or

[9.11 Genert!

lic ense for use tained in a specific license issued pureuant materials for certain in vitro clinial gs urces, byproduct material consisting of to 32.51 of this chapter or in ac-or laboratory testing.

a total of not more than 50u microcuries cordance with the sp ecifications c on-

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b eted 34 FR 6651.]

Agreement State which authorizes (c) [ Deleted 35 FR 3982.]

distribution of the devices to persens (d) lon generat: g tube. Devices de-signed for ionizatien of air which contain.

generally

h. censed by the Agree:r. cat as a sealed source or sources, byproduct E (c) Any person who acquires, rece:ves, n

material consisting of a total of not more *

@ 31.1 Purpose and scope.-

than 500 micsocuries of poloniurr-210 P material in a device au rsuant tc the This part establishes general licenses per device or of a total of not more than E

,n g for the possession and use of byproduct 50 mi!Iicuries of hydrogen-3 (tritium) per

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material ccatained in certain items and a det ce.

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(1) Shall assure that all labels af fixed u, general license for ownership of by-g 31.4 [ Deleted 36 FR 1689S-]

N to me den.ce at 6 h of receb ad prodact material. Part 30 of this chapter,9 31.5 Certain measuring, gauging or teanng a statement that removal o ~ the also contains provisions apph. cable to the control!m.g devices a subject matter of this part.

latel is prohibited are maintained thareen (a) A general license is hereby i: sued and shall comply with a!!instructien; and 31.2 Terms and conditions.

- to commercial and industrial firrns and precautions provided by such labeis; (a) The general licenses provided in a research, educational and medicalindtu-(2) Shall assure that the dnice is o

k this part are sub;ect to the provision of ' tions, individaals in the conduct of thee tested for leakage of radioactive ma::. rial E @ @ 30.14(d), 30.34(a) to (e), *30.41, ";; business, and Fe d eral, State or local and proper operation of the on-off u 30.51 to 30.63 and Parts l',20, and 21t n government agencies to icquire, receive, mechanism and indicator, if any, t no N of this chapter' unless indicated other.

Possess, use or transfer in ace.ordance lor.ger than six-menth intervals or M mh wise in the language of the general li.

with th". provisions of pa agraphs (b),(c) othcr intervals as are specified n *he rense.

W (d) of this section, byproduct ma-lat ct; how ever; I

terial cortained in device - des:rned and (i) devices containmg only k r' ; u n l

Af terition is direc te d p articularly to the 3

q provisions of the regulations in Part 20 of this

,l'ersons pssessing b> product.ra ter al in ter wtuch relate to the latchng of con.

dnices under the ge neral hanse in { 31.s 3ctiVe N d*Th!,and i

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tefore Jan. I s.197s may continue to possess.

(gj) deyjCes COntainim; Only trIMm or

, mended 38 FR 33968.

m a haMer mat mahalin d y wuh not rn,re than 100 marxunes of etW Amended 43 F R 691 s.

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iq PART 31 o GENERAL DOMEST1C LICENSES FOR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL '

m I JJ 10 microcunes of alpha emitting material within 30 days, furnish to the Director of (d) The gencral license in paragraph g

d devices held in storage in the original the appropriate Nuclear Regulatory Com-(a) of this sectica does not authoru M

& pping containcr ptior to initial installa.

mission Inspecticn and Enforcement m a n u facture or import of di -

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-ed not be tested for any purpose:

Regional Office listed in \\ppendix D of _containing byproduct material.

(3) Shall assure that the test: required Part 20 of this chapter, a report contain-I 6,g I

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by paragraph (c)(2) of this section and ing a brief description of the event and yJf other testinh, installation, servicing, and the remedial action taken; i

removal from installation involving the (6) Shall not abandon the device j

radioactive ma terials, its shielding or containing byproduct material; i

G containment, are performed:

(7) Shall not export the device

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(i) in accordance with the instructions containing byproduct rnaterial except in

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Q provided by the labels;or cecordance with Part 110 of this J;

e (ii) by a person holding a specific cn oter;t

{ license pursuant to Parts 30 and 32 of (83 Except as provided in paragraph i

L1,i this chapter or from an Agreement State (c)(9) of t'c section, shall transfer or i

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I to perform such activities; dispose of the device containing by-1 (4) Shall maintain records showing product material only by transfer to a j

compliance with the requtre ments of person holding a specific license pursuarit paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this sec-to Parts 30 and 32 of this chapter or from tion. The records shall show the results c,f ri /,;;reement State, to receive the device tests. The records also shall show the and within 30 days after transfer of a dates of performance of, and the names device to a specific licensee shall furnish of persons performing, testing, installa.

to the Directer of huclear Material Safety tion, servicing, and removal from installa-and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory tion concerning the radioactive material, Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555, a Lits shielding or containment.

report containing identification of the device by manufacturer's name and

- Records of tests for leakage of radi model number and the name and address active material required by paragraph g of the person receiving the device. No (c)'2) of this section shall be maintained Q report is required if the device is trans-Nr one year after the..xt required leak $ ferred to the specific licensee in ord(r to is performed or until the sealed 8 obtain a replacement device; rce is transferred or disposed cf.

(9) Shall transfer the desice to g Records of tests of the on-off mechamsm another general!icensee only.

yand indicator, required by paragraph (i) Where the device remains in use at (e)(2) of this section, shall be maintained g

a particular location. In such case the

',., for one year after the next required test transferor shall give the transferee a copy

• of the on-off mechanism and indicator is of this section and any safety documents performed or until the sealed source is identified in the label of the device and transferred or disposed of. Records which within 30 dds of the transfer, repo't to are reqOed by paragraph (c)(3) of this the Director of Nuclear Material Safety section shag be maintained for a period and Safeguards, U.S. Nuc! car R'egulatory of two yens from the date of the Ccinmission, Washington, D C. 20 5 5 5, recorded event or until the device is the manufacturer's name and m > del

, transferred or disposed of.

numbe* of device transferred, the name (5) I;pon the occurrence of a failurt and aadress of the transierce, and the of or damage to, or any indication of a name and/or position of an individual possiMe failure of or damage to, the who may constitute a point of cortact shielding of the radioactive material or between the Commission and the trans-the on-off mechanism or indicator, or feree; or upon the detection of 0.005 microcurie (ii) Where the device is held in storage h or more removable radioactive material, in the original shipping container a, its

} shall immediately suspend operation of intended location of use prior to initial the device until it has been repaired by use by a generallicensee.

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$ the r.unufacturer or other person holding (10) Shall comply with the provisions a specific license pursuant to Parts 30 and of } 20.J02 and 20 403 of this chapter 32 of this chapter or from an Agreement for reporting radiation incidents, theft or State to repair such devices, or disposed loss of licensed materia t

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f ky transfer to a person authorized by a exempt from the ether

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ific license to receive the byproduct

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.aterial cont'.aed in the device and, AmenJeJ 4: Fn :ss9:

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• T ELEX. 281-085

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4 Dear Sir; j i In follow-up to our letter or March 6, 1978, (copy attached) we wish to advise you of additionnl action taken by Kay-Ray concern-ing the referenced source head structural problem.

These rare i,

failures have not resulted in any definable radiation o'rerexposure to plant personnel, but we believe that every reasonabla precaution should be undertaken.

Kay-Ray has developed a support bracket that can be simpiy added i

by y3ur maintenance people to your source heads which will prevent the dome from separating from the head if a weld fracture should occur.

This bracket substantially reduces the possibility of a radiation hazard developing by keeping the lead dome attached to O,with the source head independently of the welding.

The attached drawing illustrates the brackets that have been designed to be compatible the different variations of source heads in this family.

The J-bracket can be easily added to your source head in less than fifteen minutes, while the head is in normal operation.

No. process downtime is required.

s To encourage use of this safety feature, Kay-Ray will supply this bracket free of charge at your request.

Please fill out the attach-s ed card to confirm the specific source heads presently installed at your facility so that the proper bracket and instructions can be sent.

In closing, we would like to emphasize the inportance of this safety precaution.

We hope to hear frem your shortly.

Sircerely, KAY-RAY, ISC.

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