ML20137C924

Forwards RAI in Order to Complete Review of Exemptions to 10CFR36 for Gamma Cave at Univ of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor,Per 970712 Request

ML20137C924
Person / Time
Site:	University of Lowell
Issue date:	03/21/1997
From:	Michaels T NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:	Bettenhausen L MASSACHUSETTS, UNIV. OF, LOWELL, MA (FORMERLY LOWELL
References
NUDOCS 9703250173
Download: ML20137C924 (3)

Text

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!c March 21, 1997 Dr. Lee H. Bettenhausen Reactor Supervisor Radiation Laboratory University of Massachusetts Lowell

.One University Avenue Lowell, Massachusetts 01854

SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION l

Dear Dr. Bettenhausen:

l In order to complete our review of the exemptions to 10 CFR Part 36 for the j

Gamma Cave at the University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Re: actor, requested by your letter of July 12, 1996, we need additional information.

Please provide answers to the questions in the enclosure to this letter within 30 days of the date of this letter.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 301-415-1102.

i In accordance with 10 CFR 50.30(b), your response.should be,exebuted in a signed original under oath or affirmation.

I This requirement affects nine or fewer respondents and, therefore,.is not subject to Office of Management and Budget-review under P:L.96-511.

Si'nce' rely,'.

Origiiulsignedby:

m TheodoreiS.Michaels,'feniorProjectManager Non-Power Reactors and Decommissioning -

Project Directorate Division of Reactor Program Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation i

Docket No. 50-223

Enclosure:

As stated cc w/ enclosure:

See next page f

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March 21, 1997 Dr. Lee H. Bettenhausen Reactor Supervisor-Radiation Laboratory University of Massachusetts Lowell One University Avenue Lowell, Massachusetts 01854

SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION i

Dear Dr. Bettenhausen:

In order, to complete our review of the exemptions to 10 CFR Part 36 for the Gamma Cave at the University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor, requested by your letter of July 12, 1996, we need additional information.

Please provide answers to the questions in the enclosure to this letter within i

30 days of the date of this letter.

If you have any question., please contact me at 301-415-1102.

l In accordance with 10 CFR 50.30(b), your response should be executed in a signed original under oath or affirmation.

This requirement affects nine or fewer respondents and, therefore,'is not

. subject to Office of Management and Budget review under P.L.96-511.

Sincerely, b.Y Theodore S. Michaels, Senior Project Manager Non-Power Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate Division of Reactor Program Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-223

Enclosure:

As stated cc w/ enclosure:

See next page

.s.-

University of Massachusetts Lowell Docket No. 50-223 cc:

Mayor of Lowell City Hall Lowell, Massachusetts 08152 Mr. Lee H. Bettenhausen Nuclear Reactor. Supervisor University of Massachusetts Lowell

-One University Avenue Lowell, Massachusetts 01854-Office of the Attorney General 1

Environmental' Protection Division 19th' Floor One Ashburton Place Boston, Massachusetts 02108 f

i

ENCLOSURE 1

1 s REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION j

REGARDING EXEMPTION REQUESTS T0 10 CFR PART 36 FOR THE GAMMA CAVE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL 4

1.

With the gamma cave. door closed, what is the minimum curie level at the 4

i window which would give an indication on.the radiation survey meter that radiation levels were present just outside the gamma cave door? At this curie level what would be the exposure rate at the gamma cave door when it is opened?

2 How is the survey meter checked for operability, and how often is the operability check performed?

If a procedure exists that requires this check, provide it, and, it not, develop a procedure that requires this check.

3.

With the minimum cobalt-60 source in front of the window, what other measures do you propose to prevent entry into the access corridor and to l

e sound an alarm in the access corridor when the gamma cave door is opened.

Provide a schedule as to when these proposed measures will be installed.

Also, propose a Technical Specification (TS), for discussion purposes at this time, which would assure that prior to gamma cave experiment setup all existing and proposed radiation sensors monitoring the gamma cave are checked for operability. Also, if calibration is required specify the frequency of calibration.

4.

In a recent telecon you indicated that you do not intend to put pyrophoric materials, oxidizers or organic materials in the gamma cave.

If this is your intention, submit the administrative controls that exist or will be implemented to assure that the aforementioned materials will not be.put into the gamma cave.

For your information, the National Fire Protection Association NFPA Standard 801, " Standard for Facilities Handling Radioactive Materials," 1995 edition, in sections 5-4.1 and 5-4.2 states the following:

5-4.1 All glove boxes, hoods, cells and caves shall be provided with a means of fire detection if used in the handling of pyrohoric materials, oxidizers, or organic liquids.

5-4.2 Fire suppression shall be provided in all glove boxes, cells, hoods, and caves that might contain combustible metals or organic liquids in quantities that could cause a breach of integrity.

5.

Section 36.33(g) requires that "if long handled tools or poles are used in irradiator pools,'the radiation dose rate on the handling areas may not exceed 0.02 millisiervert per hour." Does the radiation level on the handling areas meet this criterion, and if not, provide a basis for the radiation levels that exist.

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