ML19344D816
| ML19344D816 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/02/1980 |
| From: | NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| IEC-80-24, NUDOCS 8008220264 | |
| Download: ML19344D816 (3) | |
Text
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6830 6-IfOP.
Accession No.:
8008220264 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 December 2, 1980 IE CIRCULAR NO. 80-24: AECL TELETHERAPY UNIT MALFUNCTIONS Description of Circumstances:
During the past several months NRC has continued to receive reports of malfunc-tions of AECL teletherapy units, Models Theratron 60 and 80 and Eldorado 6 and 8. According to these reports, malfunctions are occurring with the power cord takeup reel of the beam defining projection lamp.
The malfunctions may have two possible consequences. First, the power cord from the malfunctioning takeup reel may jam the source drawer mechanism and prevent its return to the source "off" position. This condition can cause unncessary exposure to both technicians and patients. Second, the loose cord may prevent the source drawer mechanism from going to the full "on" position.
This condition may not be readily detected by the machine operator and thus may result in an incorrect dose being administered to the patient.
Under a medical device recall action, AECL has notified all known users of beam teletherapy, units, Models Theratron 60 and 80 and Eldorado 6 and 8 concerning potential malfunction problems.
If you are a user of one of these Teletherapy Units you should have received " Warning Notices" WN-80-1, WN-80-2, WN-80-1A and WN-80-1B.
Additionally, NRC investigators have noted that improper actions of operating personnel at the time of equipment malfunction may further aggravate the situation and contribute to the unnecessary exposure. However, these exposures can be minimized by licensees if their operating personnel are trained to promptly detect and react to equipment malfunctions in accordance with approved written operating and emergency procedures.
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Notice to Teletherapy Licensees:
i Current NRC regulations and licensing procedures require teletherapy licensees to develop, maintain, and use the following procedures and radiation monitoring i
equipment:
I Written operating, emergency and maintenance procedures.
A program for inspection, testing and servicing of equipment components that are critical to safe operation.
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9 IEC 80-24 December 2, 1980 Page 2 of 3 A radiation monitcring device that continuously monitors the teletherapy beam condition.
These procedures and monitoring system are intended to improve safe operation of the equipment under bcth normal and abnormal conditions.
In addition to the above requirements, this circular identifies certain other actions which persens licensed by NRC pursuant to 10 CFR Part 35 should teke.
These are noted below.
NOTJ:
Items 1, 2 and 3 are directed to those licensees authorized to use AECL, teletherapy units Models Theratron 60 and 80 and Eldorado 6 and 8.
Items 4 through 10 are directed to all teletherapy licensees.
1.
If you have not received " Warning Notices" WN-80-1, WN-80-2, WN-80-1A and WN-80-1B you should immediately contact an AECL Service Centre or the Regulatory Affairs Branch, Quality Assurance Division, AECL-CP, P.O.
Box 6300, Ottawa Canada (tel. 613-592-2790).
2.
If you have received the " Warning Notices" identified in Item 1 above, you should implement the requested actions in those " Warning Notices".
Please give attention to " Warning Notice" WN 80-1B.
3.
Cooperate with AECL in scheduling time for machine modification in accor-dance with remedial action as described in their final notice.
4.
Verify that emergency procedures are posted in accordance with license conditionk and that operating personnel are familiar with them.
5.-
Establish a schedule and conduct periodic drills in response to simulated emergency situations.
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6.
Follow manufacturers' recommendations for inspection and maintenance and, in particular, those concerning replacement of " critical components".
Guidelines for maintaining and procedures for inspection of teletherapy l
equipment are also contained in ANSI N 449-1974 and ANSI N 449.1-1978.
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7.
Instruct operating personnel to be alert and report to responsible manage-l ment any changes from normal operating characteristics. An example would l
be slower-than-normal source travel.
8.
Initiate emergency response in the event that both " source on" and
" source off" signals are energized simultaneously. This is an in-dication of less than full travel on the source drawer.
9.
Following any malfunction or problem identification, take the equipment j
out of service until it is investigated and repaired as necessary.
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10.
Cooperate with manufacturers in engineering assessments, equipment modifica-tion and recall actions.
ZEC 80-24 December 2, 1980 Page 3 of 3 The information contained in this circular should be brought to the attention of all persons involved in the administration and operational aspects of teletherapy.
No written response to this circular is required.
If you need additional information regarding this subject, please contact this office.
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IEC 80-26 Eccember 2, 1980 RECENTLY ISSUED IE CIRCULARS Circular Date of No.
Subject Issue Issued to 80-24 AECL Teletherapy Unit 12/02/80 All Teletherapy Licensees Malfunction 80-23 Potential defects in Beloit 10/31/80 All Nuclear power Power Systems Emergency facility having an OL Generators or a CP 80-22 Confirmation of Employee 10/2/80 All holders of a Qualifications power reactor OL or CP architect-engineering companies and nuclear steam system suppliers 80-21 Regulation of refueling 9/10/80 All holders of a crews power reactor OL or CP 80-20 Changes in Safe-Slab Tank 8/21/80 All Part 50 and Part Dimensions 70 fuel facility licensees 80-19 Noncompliance with 8/26/80 All medical licensees License Requirements for Medical Licensees 80-18 10 CFR 50.59 Safety 8/22/80 All power reactor Evaluations for Changes to facilities with an Radioactive Waste Treatment OL or CP Systems 80-17 Fuel Pin Damage Due to Water 7/23/80 All holders of PWR Jet from Baffle Plate Corner OLs and PWR cps 80-16 Operational Deficiencies In 6/27/80 All power reactor Rosemount Model 510DU Trip facilities with an Units And Model 1152 Pressure OL or a CP Transmitters 80-15 Loss of Reactor Coolant Pump 6/20/80 All power reactor Cooling and Natural Circula-facilities with an tion Cooldown OL or CP 80-14 Radioactive Contamination of 6/24/80 All holders of power Plant Demineralized Water and research reactor System and Resultant Internal licenses (operating Contamination of Personnel and construction pertits), and fuel cycle licensees
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