ML20085J923

Responds to Re Zoning of Areas in Research Reactors & Explains Ease of Implementation of 10CFR20.1601, 20.1602 & 20.1902 Requirements

ML20085J923
Person / Time
Site:	Texas A&M University
Issue date:	06/14/1995
From:	Poston J TEXAS A&M UNIV., COLLEGE STATION, TX
To:	Weiss S NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
References
NUDOCS 9506230078
Download: ML20085J923 (2)

Text

n f,.p

^

/ -

, $0k

- iI

. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY College of Engineering .

Department of Nuclear Engineering College Station, Texas 77843-3133

[ Nuclear Engineering (409) 845-4161 Safety Engineering Health Physics FAX (409) 845-6443 Industrial Hygiene l'

June 14,1995 Seymour H. Weiss, Director Non-Power Reactors and Decommissioning  ?

Project Directorate Division of Project Support Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001

Dear Mr. Weiss:

I wanted to respond to your letter of June 5,1995 regarding the zoning of areas in _ ,

research reactors. We do not view the requirements of 10CFR20.1601,20.1602, and 20.1902 as an unnecessary and undue burden on our operations. On the contrary, we find the requirements relatively easy to implement at our facilities. Ixt me explam.

Around our beam ports, we use a portable chain-link fence (half-height) to delineate the area. On the, fence is a small bulletin board to allow the posting of information on the area and a radiation work permit (RWP). In addition, the area is posted as a high radiation area according to 20.1902. To control the beam, we use a water-shutter, sometimes an auxiliary shield, and a beam stop. This area is normally locked. To enter, the experimenter must secure the key from the control room, proceed to the area, read and sign the RWP, and unlock the gate. When the gate is opened lights begin to flash to alert the experimenter that a high radiation area is being entered (assuming reactor operation). In addition, any time the water shutter is open another set  ;

of warning lights alerts the experimenter to this fact. Opening and closing of the shutter is coordinated with the control room. The above procedure is predicated on the premise that the experimenter will enter the area only to make necessary changes in the experimental setup. We normally require the data acquisition systems, etc. to be located outside the area. Thus, entries into the area are made under conditions that the water-shutter is closed and, if in use, the auxiliary shield is lowered over the beamport. We feel that our system works quite well, consider it " good radiation practice", and no burden in the slightest.

1 210053 9506230078 950614

$0 k

PDR ADOCK 05000059 t P PDR

l

/ ,

~ ,

i l

i Poston to Weiss -

June 14,1995 ,

Page Two ,

I Your letter did not address completely additional confinements of the beam, in i our case, once the water-shutter is open. That is, we know that the beam (typically a few square centimeters) could represent a very high radiation area under some interpretations.

But access to the beam is controlled by controlling access to the larger area. However, if ,

we were to be required to restrict access to the beam itself rather than the area around the beamport, this would be unnecessary, would compromise many of our experiments, and i could be considered an undue burden on the operation of the facility. t if there is more information you require, please let me know.

Sincerely,

/) ., j .

/W, -

John W. Poston, Sr. 1 Professor and Head 3

b I

e b

+m , , - . -

, =- -

, - ,. .-, . - -. -+