Section 157.39. Leak testing and replacement of sealed sources.

 

(1)   Authorization.

(a) The replacement of any sealed source fastened to or contained in a radiographic exposure device and leak testing of any sealed source shall be performed by persons authorized to do so by the department, the nuclear regulatory commission or another agreement state.

(b) The opening, repair or modification of any sealed source shall be performed by persons specifically authorized to do so by the department, the nuclear regulatory commission or another agreement state.

(2)   Leak testing and record keeping requirements.

(a) A licensee who uses a sealed source shall have the source tested for leakage at intervals not to exceed 6 months. The leak testing of the source shall be performed using a method approved by the department, the nuclear regulatory commission or by another agreement state. The wipe sample should 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 185 becquerel (0.005 m Ci) of radioactive material on the test sample and shall be performed by a person specifically authorized by the department, the US nuclear regulatory commission or another agreement state to perform the analysis.

(b) A licensee shall maintain records of the leak tests for 3 years.

(c) Unless a sealed source is accompanied by a certificate from the transferor that shows that it has been leak tested within 6 months before the transfer, it may not be used by the licensee until tested for leakage. Sealed sources that are in storage and not in use do not require leak testing, but shall be tested before use or transfer to another person if the interval of storage exceeds 6 months.

(d) Any leak test that reveals the presence of 185 becquerel (0.005 m Ci) or more of removable radioactive material shall be considered evidence that the sealed source is leaking. The licensee shall immediately withdraw the equipment involved from use and shall have it decontaminated and repaired, or disposed of. A report must be filed with the department within 5 days of any test with results that exceed the threshold in this paragraph, describing the equipment involved, the test results and the corrective action taken.

(e)

1. Each exposure device using depleted uranium shielding and an "S" tube configuration shall be tested for DU contamination at intervals not to exceed 12 months. The analysis shall be capable of detecting the presence of 185 becquerel (0.005 m Ci) of radioactive material on the test sample and shall be performed by a person specifically authorized by the department, the nuclear regulatory commission or another agreement state to perform the analysis. If the testing reveals the presence of DU contamination, the exposure device shall be removed from use until an evaluation of the wear of the S-tube has been made. If the evaluation reveals that the S-tube is worn through, the device may not be used again.

2. DU shielded devices need not be tested for DU contamination while not in use and in storage. If the DU shielded device has not been used and in storage for more than 12 months, the device shall be tested for DU contamination before using or transferring the device. A record of the DU leak-test shall be retained for 3 years.

CR 01-108 : cr. Register July 2002 No. 559 , eff. 8-1-02.