S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-63.VIII.RHA 8.10

Current through Register Vol. 48, 12, December 27, 2024

Section 61-63.VIII.RHA 8.10 - Leak Testing of Sealed Sources

8.10.1 Each licensee who uses a sealed source shall have the source tested for leakage periodically. The licensee shall keep records of leak test results in units of microcuries and retain the records for inspection by the Department for 3 years after the leak test is performed.

8.10.2 Method of testing. The wipe of a sealed source must be performed using a leak test kit or method approved by the Department, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or any Agreement State. The wipe sample must be taken from the nearest accessible point to the sealed source where contamination might accumulate. The wipe sample must be analyzed for radioactive contamination. The analysis must be capable of detecting the presence of 0.005 microcurie of radioactive material on the test sample and must be performed by a person approved by the Department, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or an Agreement State to perform the analysis.

8.10.3 Test frequency. Each sealed source (except an energy compensation source (ECS)) shall be tested for leakage at intervals not to exceed six (6) months. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor that a leak test has been made within the 6 month period prior to the transfer, the sealed source shall not be put into use until leak tested. Each ECS that is not exempt from testing in accordance with RHA 8.10.5 of this section must 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.

8.10.4 Removal of leaking source from service. Any test conducted pursuant to RHA 8.10.1, 8.10.2 and 8.10.3 which reveals the presence of 0.005 microcurie or more of removable radioactive material shall be considered evidence that the sealed source is leaking. The licensee shall immediately remove the sealed source involved from use and shall cause it to be decontaminated and repaired or to be disposed of by a licensee authorized by the Department, the NRC or an Agreement State 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 licensee authorized by the Department, the NRC or an Agreement State to perform these functions. Within five (5) days after obtaining results of the leak test, the licensee shall file a report with the Department describing the equipment involved, the test results and the corrective action taken.

8.10.5 The following sealed sources are exempt from the periodic leak test requirements set out in RHA 8.10.1 through 8.10.4:

8.10.5.1 Hydrogen-3 (tritium) sources;

8.10.5.2 Sources containing radioactive material with a half-life of 30 days or less;

8.10.5.3 Sealed sources containing radioactive material in gaseous form;

8.10.5.4 Sources of beta or gamma emitting radioactive material with an activity of 100 microcuries or less; and

8.10.5.5 Sources of alpha or neutron emitting radioactive material with an activity of 10 microcuries or less.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-63.VIII.RHA 8.10