Regulatory Guide 5.31

Specially Designed Vehicle with Armed Guards for Road Shipment of Special Nuclear Material

ML003740081
Person / Time
Issue date:	04/30/1975
From:	Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
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RG-5.31 Rev 1
Download: ML003740081 (4)

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Revision 1 April 1975 REGULATORY GUIDE

OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT

REGULATORY GUIDE 5.31 SPECIALLY DESIGNED VEHICLE WITH ARMED GUARDS FOR

ROAD SHIPMENT OF SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL

A. INTRODUCTION

entry is provided, in part, by the armed personnel within the vehicle who are in turn protected by the inherent Paragraph 73.31(c) of 10 CFR Part 73, "Physical design of the armored vehicle.

Protection of Plants and Materials," requires that road movements of special nuclear material (SNM) in quanti Acceptable characteristics of vehicles and personnel ties identified in paragraph 73.1(bX2) be protected by used in armored car service are provided in this guide.

one of the following methods: (1) shipment with at least This revision reflects comments received from the public two armed guards accompanying the shipment in a sepa and other factors.

rate escort vehicle or (2) shipment in a specially designed truck or trailer which reduces the vulnerability to di 1. Armor version by design features that permit immobilization of Armored vehicles are supplied to the industry by a the van and provide barriers or deterrents to physical very small number of manufacturers. The specific design penetration of the cargo compartment. If armed guards of the armor supplied by each company is considered are used with the specially designed vehicle, immobiliza proprietary information. The armor can generally be de tion is not required. Paragraph 73.30(d) requires that the scribed with respect to its resistance to projectile pene qualification, of individuals to act as guards used pur tration. All manufacturers provide armor that will re suant to paragraph 73.31(c) be documented. This guide sist initial penetration by bullets from readily available describes features acceptable to the NRC staff for a vehi small arms. The armor is usually affixed to the vehicle in cle operated by armed guards to ship special nuclear such a way as to provide protection to the occupants material by road and for the qualification of the armed against attack from any external direction.

guards.

2. Cab-Cargo Interface

B. DISCUSSION

The cab-cargo interface can be provided with several options. In most cases, the separating wall between cab There are two approaches that can be taken to satis and cargo compartment is armored to provide protection fy paragraph 73.31(cX2), i.e., specially designed truck or in case either compartment is compromised. A window trailer. One method would be the use of a specially de of bullet resistant material that allows the crew in one signed secure cargo vehicle that is constructed so as to compartment to have a clear view of the access doos of resist entry for a substantial period of time by unauthor the other compartment is also provided. Some models ized personnel using a wide variety of tools and weap have a door that. allows passage from the cab to the ons. The penetration time would be commensurate with cargo compartment without leaving the vehicle. Other the time needed for law enforcement agencies to re models are equipped with gunports that permit firing spond to the scene of an emergency. The vehicle would from cab to cargo compartment.

be designed to be immobilized upon command in case of a diversion attempt. 3. Guards and Drivers Normally an armored vehicle crew consists of tWo The other method would be through the use of ar or three individuals divided between the cab and cargo mored car service. In this case, resistance to unauthorized compartments. For long-distance trips the crew.is often USNRC REGULATORY GUIDES Comments should be sent to the Secretary of the Commlseeien. U.S. Ntuclaw describe to staff and make available to the public Regulatory Commission. Washington. D.C. N00. Attention: Docketing *nd methods to issued Guides are Regulatory ccpble the NC of implementing specific prtsService Section.

Commission's regulations. to delineate techniques used by the staff in evalu- T uides are iuued in the flowing ten broad divisions:

to provide guidance to appli.

ating specific problems or postulated accidents, or cants. Regulatory Guides are not substitutes for regulations, end complilance 1. Power Reactors & Products with them is not required. Methods and solutions different from those set out in 2. Research aedrTetReactors 7. Tran**otatlon the guides will be acceptable if they provide a basis for the findings requisite to 3. Fuels and Materiale Facilitle 8. Ocsupat"oe "eo the issuance or continuance of a permit or license by the Commission. 4. Environmental and Siting 9. Antitrust Review Comments and suggestions for improvements in these guides are encouraged 5. Materials and Plant Protection 10. General at all times, and guides will be revised, as appropriate. to accommnodate com ments and to reflect new information or experience. This guide was revised asa Copies of published guides may be obtained by written request Indicaling the result of substantive comments received from the public and additional staff divisions desired to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comeloeion.WasnIngton. D.C.

review. 2f6. Attention: Director. Office of Sandaerds Developement.

increased to allow rest periods for drivers and guards. munication equipment to the manufacturer who will in SNM shipments are expected to involve frequent long stall the equipment at the time the vehicle is con distance trips of two or more days. In order to maintain structed. Both radio and radiotelephone systems are in the full-protective capacity of the armored service during use. Each system is dependent on the use of radio signals these trips, it is important that adequate crews for received and transmitted from a vehicle-mounted continuous manning of both compartments during antenna that could logically become the first target of normal operation be supplied. Considerable flexibility in an attack. Loss of an antenna during attack would pre achieving this end would be provided if both guards and clude the vehicle occupants from either notifying ex drivers were qualified and permitted to perform either ternal agents of the attack or from seeking aid or as function (guard or driver). sistance. To provide for sufficient delay during an attack for a vehicle crew to transmit emergency messages,

4. Door Locks antenna protection is desirable. Such protection could All armored vehicles are supplied with compartment be provided in the form of concealment, multiplicity, or locks for both the cab and cargo doors. In many cases, hardening. The actual antenna could be concealed or access to the cargo compartment requires positive action designed to appear as some other object while con by personnel in both compartments when the cargo ventionally appearing dummy antennas would be compartment is occupied by a guard. conspicuously located on the vehicle. Multiple antennas using internal switching could offer a delay sufficient to

5. Alarm System enable emergency messages to be transmitted. Hardened, Many of the armored cars presently in service are attack-resistant antennas could be designed and used to equipped with audible alarms or flashing lights similar to provide a delay time. Combinations of these or other those used by police and emergency vehicles. The aware similar methods could enhance the viability of trans ness of attack that such alarms elicit in the general pub mission.

lic can facilitate response to attack or recovery of di verted materia

C. REGULATORY POSITION

6. Securing the Cargo The characterisitcs listed below are acceptable to Armored cars have no standard provision for tying the NRC staff for a road vehicle operated by armed down cargo. This is understandable in view of the types guards in order to comply with NRC regulations pertain of cargo normally handled by these carriers. For SNM ing to SNM shipments. Additional Federal, State, and cartage, where larger and heavier cargos can be expected, local requirements pertaining to safe interstate and local some provision for adequate tie-down restraint will be transport of cargo may also pertain to such shipments required to provide for cargo integrity and personnel and compliance with these requirements is expected.

safety. It is expected that only minor effort and expense would be required to equip existing vehicles with tie 1. Armor down fittings. The vehicle should provide protection for the driver(s) and guard(s) against projectile impac

t. The ex

"17. Gas Protection ternal surface of the vehicle (side panels, floor, top, fire Many of the newer armored vehicles use a flow wall area, and viewing areas) should be constructed of through (front-to-back) air system for heating and cool materials that are resistant to at least the muzzle im ing the vehicle interior. Typically, these systems draw pact energy of a .357 magnum bullet. Fuel tanks should outside air from the front (cab area) of the vehicle and be provided with similar protection against projectile im expel exhaust air through vents in the upper areas of the pact. Fuel tanks also should be equipped with a lock vehicle. A slight positive internal pressure provided by type cap and a screen in the tank nozzle to prevent the the air system offers some resistance to the introduction insertion of an explosive device into the tank.

of gaseous substances. The air intake is under occupant control and can be closed. S6me vehicles are normally 2. Cab-Cargo Interface equipped with gas masks. The use of gas masks, filters, The wall separating the cab and cargo compartments and internal air supplies for carriers of SNM would en should be armored. Additional features to be considered hance the ability of vehicle crew members to resist gas in the detailed construction of the cab-cargo interface attacks. depend on the method selected for the protection of the shipment. At least one of the methods listed below

8. Antenna Protection should be used. These methods are similar in that each Almost all armored vehicles are equipped with provides the capability for the crew to use firearms to communication systems of some kind. Each vehicle is prevent entry into the cargo compartment without leav equipped by the purchaser of the vehicle although the ing the vehicle.

manufacturer may provide mounting structures or access a. An armed guard should be permanently stationed areas for the communication system components. In in the cargo compartment. In this case, a continuous some instances, the purchaser may provide the corn wall of armor with a bullet-resistant window would be

• Lines indicate substantive changes from previous issue. considered adequate as a cab-cargo interface.

5.31-2

b. Access to the cargo compartment from the cab 6. Securing the Cargo The vehicle should be supplied with fittings in the should be available so that a guard can go directly from cargo compartment to provide an adequate attachment the cab to the cargo compartment without leaving the for such securing devices as are required to provide re vehicle.

straint against substantial movement of or damage to the c. Gunports should be available which will permit cargo in normal operation and during emergency stops.

firing from the cab into the cargo compartment.. Addi The cargo must be secured as required by 49 CFR Part tionally, the gunports should permit firing of the weap 177.

on at wide angles so that overt entry from all sides of the cargo compartment can be prevefited. 7. Gas Protection The vehicle compartments should be equipped with

3. Guards and Drivers gas masks, filters, or an internal air supply to permit the All personnel of an armored vehicle should be quali crew to resist an attack by incapacitating gas for a suf fied to perform all normal operational tasks involved ficient time to allow transmittal of a distress message with a shipment. Both guards and drivers should be and, if possible, the arrival of aid.

qualified to perform either function, and interchange of function should be allowed if required for the safety and 8. Antenna Protection security of the cargo and crew. Either a concealed or a hardened antenna should be provided in order to afford sufficient time for the com Compliance with DOT regulation 49 CFR munication system to transmit an emergency message.

173.393(jX4), which deals with radiation levels in occu pied vehicles, should be maintained in addition to other 9. Immobilization applicable State and local requirements. All guards and Although there is no requirement for immobili drivers should be qualified in accordance with NRC zation of vehicles that use armed guards, this is a desira Regulatory Guide 5.20, "Training, Equipping, and Quali ble feature. The vehicle could have a provision for im fying of Guards and Watchmen," or an equivalent pro mobilization upon an authorized command originating gram.

from within the vehicle. Once commanded, the im mobilization system should resist unauthorized de

4. Door Locks activation for -as long as feasible. Caution should be The cargo compartment doors should normally be taken to ensure that activation devices that cause im in a locked mode and should be secured by a locking mobilization are adequately shielded to prevent them mechanism requiring positive action by personnel in from being energized from spurious electromagnetic both the cargo and cab compartments for operation if signals.

the cargo compartment is occupied. If the cargo com partment is not occupied, the cargo compartment door

D. IMPLEMENTATION

lock should latch closed when shut, and should also be The purpose of this section is to provide informa further secured by a padlock. Opening of the cargo com tion to applicants and licensees regarding the NRC staff's partment door lock should require positive action by plans for utilizing this regulatory guide.

personnel at the cargo compartment door and in the cab compartment. The cab compartment doors should This guide reflects current regulatory practice.

normally be locked and should require key insertion for Therefore, except in those cases in which the applicant operation from the outside.

or licensee proposes an acceptable alternative method for complying with specified portions of the Com S. Alarm System mission's regulations, this guide will be used by the staff The vehicle should be equipped with an audible in evaluating the materials and plant protection portion and/or visual alarm which is activated from within the of license applications, licensee security plans, or other vehicle and which has the same range of detection as documents pertaining to materials and plant protection that normally required by emergency vehicles. De submitted to the NRC on or after the issuance date of activation of the alarm system circuitry should require this guide.

access to the armored compartments of the vehicle.

5.31-3

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 POSTAGE AND FEES PAID

OFFICIAL BUSINESS UNITED STATES NUCLEAR

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300 REGULATORY COMMISSION