ML20247N056
| ML20247N056 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000398 |
| Issue date: | 05/12/1998 |
| From: | Soong S NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Weber M NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9805270037 | |
| Download: ML20247N056 (4) | |
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UNITED STATES g
j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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May 12, 1998 MEMORANDUM TO: Michael F. Weber, Chief Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards, NMSS THRU:
Joseph Glitter, Acting Section Chief
.t l/ [.j Licensing Section 2 -
M Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle Safety' and Safeguards, NMSS f
FROM:
Sean Soong
/M Licensing Section 2 Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards, NMSS l
SUBJECT:
SITE VISIT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (NIST)
GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND On April 27,1998, Joe Glitter, Sean Soong, and Steve Baggett of the NRC met with NIST. The
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purpose of the visit was to discuss the regulatory requirements of 10 CFR Part 36 irradiators -
with respect to NIST's irradiators. The list of attendees is attached. NIST is authorized by License No. SNM-362 to use irradiators for the irradiation of material or objects.
The meeting began with introductions by NIST representatives and followed by a tour of
- Building-245 (Rooms B034, and B036) where three irradiators sources are located. Room B034 contains one source of cobalt-60 with an activity of 690 curies.' Room 8036 contains two sources: (1) one cobalt-60 source with about 4,000 curies and (2) one cesium-i37 source with activity of about 830 curies. These sources are housed in AECL teletherapy heads which are
. mounted on steel beams. The heads are mounted so that the collimated radiation beam is fixed in a vertical downward pointing direction. There are waming lights and buzzers at the entrance to each source room to indicate when the sources are in the exposed position. The doors to the radiation rooms are equipped with devices, which will cause the source to retum M its shield position if the doors are opened while the source was exposed. NIST's survey records indicate that the radiation dose rate in the control room normally occupied by the operators is about 0.05 mrem /hr.
L NIST's facility for the irradiator was constructed in 1960's, and certain safety features associated with the operation and NIST's administrative operating procedures do not meet the current regulatory requirements of 10 CFR Part 36 irradiators (five violations were identified by 9905270037 990512 PDR ADOCK 07000398 "
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Michael F. Weber 2
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Region I in the Inspection Report No. 070-00398/98-001, dated April 22,1998). NIST representatives indicated that they plan to submit a request to NRC for exemptions from some requirements of 10 CFR Part 36 irradiators. NRC staff pointed out that NIST may submit such a request in accordance with 10 CFR 36.17(b) which permits licensee to propose alternatives to the requirements of 10 CFR Part 36 provided that there is an adequate rational and the alternatives provide an adequate level of safety for workers and the public.
Docket 70-398 License SNM-362
Attachment:
As stated cc:
Mr. L. E. Pevey, Chief Occupational Health and Safety Division i
U.S. Department of Commerce NationalInstitute of Standards and Technology Building 301, Room B124 Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899 Distribution Docket 70-398,
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.NRC File Center "U I
FCSS R/F NMSS R/F FCLB R/F Region 1 JKinneman, RI
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- See previous concurrence OFC FCLB*
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vr NAME SSoong PShea DATE 5/11/98 5/08/98 5/08/98 i
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4 Michael F. Weber 2
Region Iin the Inspection Report No. 070-00398/98-001, dated April 22,1998). NIST representatives indicated that they plan to submit a request to NRC for exemptions from some requirements of 10 CFR Part 36 irradiators. NRC staff pointed out that NIST may submit such a request in accordance with 10 CFR 36.17(b) which permits licensee to propose altematives to the requirements of 10 CFR Part 36 provided that there is an adequate rational and the altern stives provide an adequate level of safety for workers and the public.
Docket 70-398-License SNM-362
Attachment:
As stated cc:
Mr. L. E. Pevey, Chief Occupational Health and Safety Division U.S. Department of Commerce NationalInstitute of Standards and Technology Building 301, Roora B124 Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899 l
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