(1) Testing and
record keeping requirements.
Each licensee who uses a sealed source shall have the source
tested for leakage periodically. The licensee shall keep a record of leak test
results in units of microcuries and retain the record for inspection by the
Division for 3 years after the leak test is performed.
(2) Method of testing.
The wipe of a sealed source shall be performed using a leak
test kit or method approved by the Division, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, a Licensing State or an Agreement State. The wipe sample shall be
taken from the nearest accessible point to the sealed source where
contamination might accumulate. The wipe sample shall be analyzed for
radioactive contamination. The analysis shall be capable of detecting the
presence of 0.005 microcurie (185 Bq) of radioactive material on the test
sample and shall be performed by a person approved by the Division, U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a Licensing State or an Agreement State to
perform the analysis.
(3)
Test frequency.
(a) Each sealed source
(except an energy compensation source [ECS]) shall be tested at intervals not
to exceed 6 months. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor that a
test has been made within the 6 months before the transfer, the sealed source
shall not be used until tested.
(b)
Each ECS that is not exempt from testing in accordance with paragraph (5) of
this rule shall be tested at intervals not to exceed 3 years. In the absence of
a certificate from a transferor that a test has been made within the 3 years
before the transfer, the ECS may not be used until tested.
(4) Removal of leaking source from service:
(a) If the test conducted pursuant to
paragraphs (1) and (2) of this rule reveals the presence of 0.005 microcurie
(185 Bq) or more of removable radioactive material, the licensee shall remove
the sealed source from service immediately and have it decontaminated,
repaired, or disposed of by an Agreement State, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, or a Licensing State licensee that is authorized to perform these
functions. The licensee shall check the equipment associated with the leaking
source for radioactive contamination and, if contaminated, have it
decontaminated or disposed of by a Department, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, an Agreement State or Licensing State licensee that is authorized
to perform these functions.
(b)
Licensees shall submit written reports to the Division, at the address in Rule
0400-20-04-.07, within 5 days of receiving the test results. The report must
describe the equipment involved in the leak, the test results, any
contamination which resulted from the leaking source, and the corrective
actions taken up to the time the report is made.
(5) The following sealed sources are not
subject to the periodic leak test requirements set out in paragraphs (1)
through (4) of this rule:
(a) Hydrogen-3
sources;
(b) Sources containing
radioactive material with a half-life of 30 days or less;
(c) Sources containing radioactive material
in gaseous form;
(d) Sources of
beta- or gamma-emitting radioactive material with an activity of 100
microcuries (3,700,000 Bq) or less; and
(e) Sources of alpha- or neutron-emitting
radioactive material with an activity of 10 microcuries (370,000 Bq) or
less.
