ML23257A240

To the Emergency Preparedness Plan for the University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor - Marked Copy (Redacted)

ML23257A240
Person / Time
Site:	University of Lowell
Issue date:	05/31/2023
From:	Univ of Massachusetts - Lowell
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Download: ML23257A240 (1)

Text

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN FOR THE RESEARCH REACTOR Revision 78 May 201323 Facility License No. R-125 Docket No. 50-223 REDACTED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE REDACTED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 6

3.1.2 Senior Reactor Operator (SRO)

The SRO on duty will be responsible for directing the reactor staff in responding to the immediate emergency on site. The SRO will direct or perform all necessary actions in accordance with the Emergency Operating Procedures and Emergency Plan. Once the immediate emergency actions have been taken and the Emergency Team has responded, the SRO will report to and receive direction from the Emergency Director. A licensed Senior Reactor Operator will approve reasonable action that departs from license conditions to technical specifications per 50.54(x) and (y).

3.1.3 Radiation Safety Officer The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is responsible for reviewing and updating emergency plans and procedures. HeThe RSO is also responsible for emergency training, tests, and drills. The RSORadiation Safety Officer is responsible for onsite and offsite dose assessments and recommending protective actions. In the absence of the RSO, the assistant RSO or designated member of the Emergency Team will be responsible for dose assessments.

3.1.4 Reactor Operator The reactor operator (RO) is responsible for the safe shutdown and security of the reactor in emergency situations. HeThe RO shall make the SRO on duty aware of observed action levels and shall take immediate action in case of possible reactor damage or a substantial uncontrolled radioactivity release. HeThe RO shall perform the duties of reactor operators as specified in the Emergency Operating Procedures.

3.1.5 University of Massachusetts Lowell Radiation Lab Management The Management consists of the Radiation Laboratory Director and the Reactor Supervisor.

3.1.6 Emergency Team Members of the Emergency Team may be assigned duties and responsibilities during the course of an emergency. All members of the Emergency Team receive basic instructions in radiation safety and emergency procedures on a biennial basis.

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 9

of an emergency. It shall be the responsibility of the Radiation Safety Officer, or his designee, to establish reentry requirements, provide personnel monitoring, and insure that protective clothing and proper breathing equipment is utilized.

3.4 Authorization for Reentry The Emergency Director shall authorize reentry into the reactor building or portions thereof previously evacuated during the course of an emergency. It shall be the responsibility of the Radiation Safety Officer, or his designee, to establish reentry requirements, provide personnel monitoring, and insureensure that protective clothing and other safety equipment is utilized.

3.5 Authorization of Radiation Exposures in Excess of 10CFR20 Limits The Emergency Director with concurrence of the Radiation Safety Officer or his designated alternate may authorize exposure to emergency team members and radiation workers in excess of normal occupational limits.

The exposure limits are greater than 25 rem whole body for voluntary life saving or protection of large populations, 25 rem whole body for life saving actions or corrective actions that mitigate the consequences of reduce the severity of the emergency event. And up to 10 rem for the protection of property. In either case, the exposure is authorized on a once in a life time basis with preference given to the eldest able bodied volunteer.

4.0 Emergency Classification System The emergency classifications described for the UMLRR are based upon credible accidents associated with reactor operations and other emergency situations which could affect the reactor. An Emergency Classification Guide is presented in Table II. Implementation Procedures for the emergency classes of credible accidents for the UMLRR are listed in Appendix B.

4.1 Non-Reactor Safety Related Events These events are separate from reactor operations and do not necessarily indicate changing of the reactor status. Advisories to campus police may be warranted, and the condition may require such local services as ambulance and medical personnel. There may be a need to shut down the reactor or reallocate personnel because of injuries to a key individual or location of event.

Emergency Action Levels used to initiate emergency measures associated with this emergency class are listed in Table II.

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 23

3.

Communication drills designed to ensure reliability of the system(s) and correct transmission and receipt of messages.

10.2 Critiques of Drills and Exercises At the conclusion of each drill and critique to identify deficiencies shall be held by the drill participants and observers. Observers and participants comments concerning areas needing improvements shall be factored into possible changes in the Plan and procedures.

10.3 Emergency Plan Review and Update The Emergency Plan shall be revised and updated as required based on drill results or changes in the facility. The plan shall be reviewed annually by the Reactor Supervisor and the Radiation Safety Officer to ensure the plan is adequate and up to date.

Applicable portions of the plan, agreements, and implementing procedures shall be distributed to authorized agencies and support organizations as needed or upon request. Revisions to the plan and implementing procedures shall be approved by the Reactor Safety Subcommittee and sent to authorized recipients within 30 days after the revised plan and procedures have been issued.

10.4 Emergency Equipment Maintenance and Surveillance Surveillance of emergency supplies einsures availability and proper condition for immediate use. The health physics staff is responsible for surveillance of emergency supplies. Emergency supplies are verified to be operational and complete on an annual basis, and fire extinguishers located throughout the facility are checked approximately semiannually by the University Safety Office.

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 24 End of Plan - Procedures Follow APPENDIX A List of Emergency Plan Procedures REDACTED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE REDACTED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 27 Non Reactor Safety Related Event EP 1 Personal Injury The Emergency Director shall:

1.

Initiate Emergency Operating Procedure EO 9 Personnel Injury.

2.

If injuries are superficial, treat these or, if necessary, seek medical assistance from the University EMTs through the Campus Police.

3.

If injuries are minor and radioactive contamination is present, consult with the Radiation Safety Officer, and proceed with treatment of the injuries and decontamination as appropriate.

4.

If injuries are severe and require medical treatment, 4.1 Notify the ambulance service if transportation or special handling of the victim is required.

4.2 If the victim is contaminated, attempt, in conjunction with the Radiation Safety Officer, to provide any decontamination which can be done without aggravating the victims condition; notify the hospital that the patient is being transported and is contaminated and send a health physics representative to the hospital to assist the medical staff.

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 28 Non Reactor Safety Related Event EP-2 Minor Fire or Minor Explosion at the Facility but Non-Specific to the Reactor or its Control Room The Emergency Director shall:

1.

Initiate Emergency Operating procedure EO 2 Fire or Explosion.

2.

Call the Campus Police and the Lowell Fire Department.

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 29 Non Reactor Safety Related Event EP-3 Facility of Individual Contamination The Emergency Director shall:

1.

In conjunction with the Radiation Safety Officer assess the extent of contamination.

2.

In the case of contamination of an individual proceed, with the assistance of the Radiation Safety Officer and staff, and perform external decontamination and to evaluate the extent of internal contamination.

In the event of severe internal contamination medical assistance ad evaluation may be required.

3.

In the case of contamination of the reactor building, decontamination should be planned and carried out with the assistance of the Radiation Safety Officer and staff.

Depending on the extent of surface and/or airborne contamination, the Emergency Director may order shutdown of the reactor.

Special personnel protective measures will be agreed upon between the Emergency Director and the Radiation Safety Officer.

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 30 Unusual Event EP-4 Radioactive Effluents or Radiation Levels at Site Boundary Result in TEDEs Projected to Exceed 15 mrem Accumulated Over 24 Hours.

The Emergency Director shall:

1.

Secure the reactor.

2.

Initiate formation of an emergency response team.

3.

In conjunction with the Radiation Safety Officer, initiate evaluation of release data.

4.

If the release is ongoing, dispatch emergency team personnel to conduct monitoring for external radiation levels and airborne activity on and off site.

5.

Notify Campus Police, Lowell Police, State and the USNRC, of the situation.

6.

If the situation worsens consider, with the State, the need for possible evacuation of selected areas.

7.

Provide information to the UML University Relations Office.

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 32 Unusual Event EP 6 Prolonged Fire or Minor Explosion within Facility but Non Specific to the Reactor or its Control Systems The Emergency Director shall:

1.

Initiate Emergency Operating procedure EO 2 Fire or Explosion.

2.

Notify the Campus Police and the Lowell Fire Department.

3.

In conjunction with the Radiation Safety Officer provide assistance and information to fire fighters as required.

4.

Notify regulating and control agencies (state, USNRC).

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 33 Unusual Event EP 7 Failure to Experiment with Minor Releases of Radioactivity (Levels > l0 X DAC on Stack Particulate/Gaseous and/or CAMs The Emergency Director shall:

1.

In conjunction with the Radiation Safety Officer, assess the significance of the release.

2.

With staff assistance, attempt to terminate or decrease the release of radioactivity.

3.

Form an emergency response team to assist in monitoring and assessment if the situation worsens.

4.

Secure the reactor if it appears that integral exposure will exceed 40 X DAC hours over the projected activity release period.

5.

If personnel TEDEs have reached or exceeded l00 mrem and the release has not been terminated, initiate evacuation of the reactor building.

5.1 Plan additional action with the Radiation Safety Officer and 5.2 Initiate plans for site monitoring.

6.

Notify regulating and control agencies (state, USNRC).

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 34 Unusual Event EP 8 Report of Severe Weather Phenomenon Which Could Strike the Facility and Adversely Affect the Reactor Safety Systems The Emergency Director shall Initiate Emergency Operating procedure EO 3 Severe Weather.

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 35 Alert EP-9 Radioactive Effluents and or Radiation Levels at Site Boundary Projected to Result in a TEDE of 75 mrem Accumulated over 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> The Emergency Director shall:

1.

Secure the reactor.

2.

Notify the Radiation Safety Officer and form an emergency response team.

3.

Attempt, with the assistance of staff, to terminate or reduce the release of radioactivity.

4.

Dispatch emergency team members to monitor radioactivity and radiation levels on site and off site.

5.

Notify Campus Police to assist in isolating access to the site and for evacuation of personnel from specified areas.

6.

Initiate evacuation of nonessential personnel from the Radiation Laboratory Building by a route specified by the Radiation Safety Officer.

7.

If personnel TEDEs reach one rem and the exposure source has not been terminated, initiate evacuation of the reactor building.

8.

Notify regulating and control agencies (State, USNRC).

9.

Provide information to the UML University Relations Office.

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 36 Alert EP 10 Radiation Levels and or Effluents at Site Boundary Projected to Result in a TEDE of >20 mrem for One Hour The Emergency Director shall:

1.

Secure the reactor.

2.

Notify the Radiation Safety Officer and form an emergency response team.

3.

Attempt, with the assistance of staff, to terminate or reduce the release of radioactivity.

4.

Dispatch emergency team members to monitor radioactivity and radiation levels on site and off site.

5.

Notify Campus Police to assist in isolating access to the site and for evacuation of personnel from specified areas.

6.

Initiate evacuation of nonessential personnel from the Radiation Laboratory Building by a route specified by the Radiation Safety Officer.

7.

If personnel TEDEs reach one rem and the exposure source has not been terminated, initiate evacuation of the reactor building.

8.

Notify regulating and control agencies (State, USNRC).

9.

Provide information to the UML University Relations Office.

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 37 Alert EP-11 Fire or Explosion Which Might Adversely Affect the Reactor or Its Safety Systems The Emergency Director shall:

1.

Initiate Emergency Operating Procedure EO 2 Fire or Explosion.

2.

Notify the Campus Police and the Lowell Fire Department.

3.

In conjunction with the Radiation Safety Officer provide assistance and information to fire fighters as required.

4.

If the event threatens loss of power to radioactivity and area monitoring instruments activate emergency team personnel to assist in providing portable monitoring instrumentation, as necessary.

5.

Notify regulating and control agencies (State, USNRC).

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 38 Alert EP-12 Pool Level Alarm and Visual Observation Indicating Abnormal Loss of Water at a Rate Exceeding Backup Capacity The Emergency Director shall:

1.

Initiate Emergency Operating Procedure EO 6 Rapid Loss of Pool Water.

2.

Initiate action to provide whatever backup water is available to the reactor pool.

3.

Initiate action, with the assistance of operations staff, to attempt to terminate or limit the loss of water from the pool.

4.

Notify the Lowell Fire Department and work with them to provide additional water to the pool.

5.

If the loss of water cannot be controlled and sufficient backup water cannot be provided, notify Campus Police to inform them that their assistance may be needed to limit access to the site and for possible evacuation of selected areas.

6.

In conjunction with the Radiation Safety Officer initiate action by Emergency Response personnel to provide radiation monitoring at specified locations on and/or off the site.

7.

Notify regulating and control agencies (State, USNRC).

8.

Provide information to the UML University Relations Office.

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UMLRR E-PLAN REV 87 MAY 201323 39 Alert EP 13 Severe Fuel Damage or Failure of an Experiment Leading to Significant Release of Radioactivity (>50 X DAC on stack particulate and gaseous monitor; > 20 mR/hr for one hour on reactor bridge and exhaust plenum monitor; general area monitor readings > 100 mR/hr for one hour).

The Emergency Director shall:

1.

Secure the reactor.

2.

Notify the Radiation Safety Officer and form an emergency response team.

3.

Attempt, with the assistance of staff, to terminate or reduce the release of radioactivity.

4.

Dispatch emergency team members to provide on site and off site monitoring.

5.

Initiate evacuation of nonessential personnel from the Radiation Laboratory Building.

6.

If personnel TEDEs have reached on rem and the exposure source has not been terminated, initiate evacuation of the reactor building.

7.

Notify regulating and control agencies (State, USNRC).

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