ML20247A125
| ML20247A125 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/12/1988 |
| From: | Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Udall M HOUSE OF REP., INTERIOR & INSULAR AFFAIRS |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20247A062 | List: |
| References | |
| OWENS-880512, NUDOCS 8903290047 | |
| Download: ML20247A125 (3) | |
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Rep. Owens QUESTION 1:
Please describe the NRC certification process for Type B shipping containers.
What 1
opportunities exist for public involvement in
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i the NRC certification process?
Are full-scale
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cask tests required as part of the NRC cask certification process?
ANSWER:
Before a cask design can be used, the NRC must issue a certificate of compliance (approval).
Any number of casks may be fabricated to the approved design, provided the fabrication is conducted under a quality assurance program approved by the I
MRC.
To use an approved cask, licensees must first register with the NRC.
Operation and shipment of the cask must be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the approval.
I Applicants for approval of transportation casks must demonstrate to the NRC that the design can safely withstand conditions likely to occur in both normal and accident conditions of transport.
Casks must be evaluated for a series of hypothetical accident conditions which include:
(1) a 30-foot drop test onto an essentially unyielding surface; (2) a 40-inch drop test onto a 6-inch diameter pin; and (3) a i
8903290047 88070f' PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR r$
Rep. Dsens QUESTION _l.
(Continued) i 30-minute fire test.
Applicants must demonstrate that, following the test sequence, the cask design would meet NRC requirements for containment of radioactive material, for maintaining external radiation levels within acceptable limits, and for maintaining the contents in a subcritical condition.
Under the regulations, this demonstration may be by means of full scale testing, scale model testing, engineering analysis, or a combination of these methods.
No full-scale physical tests have been conducted on current q
l NRC-licensed casks.
Engineering analysis has been the primary 1
means used to demonstrate that cask designs meet NRC regulations.
However, in some instances, scale model testing has been used to supplement and to confirm the engineering analysis.
We understand that DOE intends to conduct scale model testing of all the casks that will be used for NWPA shipments.
The results of these tests will supplement the engineering analyses that will also be performed on the casks.
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-Rep. Owens QUE[T10N_1.
(Continued) The public is not directly involved in cask design approval.or certification. However, the standards and safety requirements for shipping casks contained in 10 CFR Part 71, " Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Material," were subject to public review and comment.
Public comment is currently being sought for a revision to Part 71 to make them compatible with those of j
the International Atomic Energy Agency for the safe transport of radioactive material.
Additional opportunities exist'when documents.such as NUREG-0170, " Final Environmental Statement of the Transportation of Radioactive Material by Air and Other Modes," are published for public comment.
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