ML20086A077

Advises NRC That Licensee Existing Control of Access to Radiation Beams Adequate to Protect Individuals from over- Exposure & to Assure Compliance w/10CFR20.1601

ML20086A077
Person / Time
Site:	Kansas State University
Issue date:	06/19/1995
From:	Ryan B KANSAS STATE UNIV., MANHATTAN, KS
To:	Weiss S NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
References
NUDOCS 9507030037
Download: ML20086A077 (2)

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Department of Nuclear Engineering ,

137 Ward Hall M

UNIVEftdBITY -

Manhattan, Kansas 66506-2503 913-532-5624 19 June 1995 Seymour H. Weiss, Director Non-Power Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate Division ofProject Support Oflice of Nuclear Reactor Regulation USNRC Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Re: License R-88, Docket 50-188

Dear Mr. Weiss:

In response to your letter of 5 June 1995 to Dr. Richard Faw, we feel that our existing control of access to radiation beams emanating from our reactor is adequate to protect individuals from over-exposure and to assure compliance with 10CFR20.1601. We operate a 250kW TRIGA Mark II reactor with four beam ports and a large thermal column. Use of the beam facilities has diminished over the years and their current use is infrequent and generally at very low power, so as not to create a high radiation area. However, we do have the potential to create a high radiation or ,

possibly a very high radiation area and thus have several means of personnel protection.

l Access to the beamports is controlled by the reactor operator on duty. During operation, the only entrances to our reactor bay are through electrically-locked doors in the control room and the lower level of the reactor bay. The one person who can permit entry by opening either door is the reactor operator on duty at the console.

The reactor operator is required to know the conditions in the reactor bay. As per our standard operating procedures, monitoring equipment must be placed next to a  ;

beamport when it is open. The reactor operator can view readings from these ]

monitors directly in the control room. In addition, the area is to be surveyed by a i traversing mechanism to map out areas of potential radiation hazard before any I research activities ensue. l Researchers inside the reactor bay can be easily observed by the reactor operator and i control room personnel, including the areas surrounding the beamports. The stairs i leading to the beam port area are clearly posted as to potential hazards, and 2[in 1 m,. ,

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,r researchers are reminded to clear entry with the reactor operator before proceeding. When the reactor is in operation, passage of a worker through a light beam crossing the stairs that turns on l a warning light on the stairs to alert the researcher and a warning light on the control console to alert the reactor operator.

t Ifin the future we were to put into place a permanent beam experiment, our reactor has the 1 capability of adding external SCRAM relays. Therefore we can use light beams or motion sensors to shut down the reactor in the event that personnel enter a hazardous area. Additional postings, alarms, barriers, and other protection devices are also available.  ;

~ Since we have all of the features mentioned in 10CFR20.1601(a), I see no need for any alternative methods at our facility. Ifyou have further questions or comments, please feel free to contact me directly at (913)532-6657, or Dr. Richard Faw at (913)532-5963. -

Sincerely,

$h Brendan C. Ryan, SRO i KSUTMil Reactor Supervisor  ;

t cc: R.E. Faw, Facility Director N.D. Eckhoff, Reactor Safeguards Chairman  !

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