Article 3. Equipment Control
12VAC5-481-3170. Limits on levels of radiation.
Article 3
Equipment Control
Sources of radiation shall be used, stored, and transported in such a manner that the transportation requirements of Part XIII (12VAC5-481-2950 et seq.) of this chapter and the dose limitation requirements of Part IV (12VAC5-481-600 et seq.) of this chapter are met.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006.
12VAC5-481-3180. Storage precautions.
A. Each source of radiation, except accelerators, shall be provided with a storage or transport container. The container shall be provided with a lock, or tamper seal for calibration sources, to prevent unauthorized removal of, or exposure to, the source of radiation.
B. Sources of radiation shall be stored in a manner that will minimize danger from explosion or fire.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006.
12VAC5-481-3190. Transport precautions.
Transport containers shall be physically secured to the transporting vehicle to prevent accidental loss, tampering, or unauthorized removal.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006.
12VAC5-481-3200. Radiation survey instruments.
A. The licensee or registrant shall maintain sufficient calibrated and operable radiation survey instruments at each field station to make physical radiation surveys as required by this part and by Part IV (12VAC5-481-600 et seq.). Instrumentation shall be capable of measuring 0.001 mSv (0.1 mrem) per hour through at least 0.5 mSv (50 mrem) per hour.
B. Each radiation survey instrument shall be calibrated:
1. At intervals not to exceed six months and after each instrument servicing;
2. For linear scale instruments, at two points located approximately 25% and 75% of full-scale on each scale; for logarithmic scale instruments, at midrange of each decade, and at two points of at least one decade; and for digital instruments, at appropriate points; and
3. So that accuracy within 20% of the true radiation level can be demonstrated on each scale.
C. Calibration records shall be maintained for a period of three years.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008.
12VAC5-481-3210. Leak testing of sealed sources.
A. Requirements. Each licensee using sealed sources of radioactive material shall have the sources tested for leakage. Records of leak test results shall be kept in units of becquerels (microcuries) and maintained for three years after the leak test is performed.
B. Method of Testing. Tests for leakage shall be performed only by persons specifically authorized to perform such tests by the agency, the NRC, or another agreement state. The test sample shall be taken from the surface of the source, source holder, or from the surface of the device in which the source is stored or mounted and on which one might expect contamination to accumulate. The test sample shall be analyzed for radioactive contamination, and the analysis shall be capable of detecting the presence of 185 Bq (0.005 μCi) of radioactive material on the test sample.
C. Interval of Testing. Each sealed source (except an energy compensated source (ECS)) shall be tested at intervals not to exceed six months. Each ECS that is not exempt in subsection E of this section must be tested at intervals not to exceed three years. In the absence of a certificate from a transferor indicating that a test has been made prior to the transfer, the sealed source shall not be put into use until tested. If, for any reason, it is suspected that a sealed source may be leaking, it shall be removed from service immediately and tested for leakage as soon as practical.
D. Leaking or Contaminated Sources. If the test reveals the presence of 185 Bq (0.005 μCi) or more of leakage or contamination, the licensee shall immediately withdraw the source from use and shall cause it to be decontaminated, repaired, or disposed of in accordance with these regulations. The licensee shall check the equipment associated with the leaking source for radioactive contamination and, if contaminated, have it decontaminated or disposed of in accordance with these regulations. A report describing the equipment involved, the test results, and the corrective action taken shall be filed with the agency within five days of receiving the test results.
E. Exemptions. The following sources are exempted from the periodic leak test requirements of subsections A through D of this section:
1. Hydrogen-3 sources;
2. Sources of radioactive material with a half-life of 30 days or less;
3. Sealed sources of radioactive material in gaseous form;
4. Sources of beta- or gamma-emitting radioactive material with an activity of 3.7 MBq (100 μCi) or less; and
5. Sources of alpha-emitting radioactive material with an activity of 0.37 MBq (10 μCi) or less.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008; Errata, 34:8 VA.R. 832 December 11, 2017.
12VAC5-481-3220. Physical inventory.
Each licensee or registrant shall conduct a semi-annual physical inventory to account for all sources of radiation. Records of inventories shall be maintained for three years from the date of the inventory and shall include the quantities and kinds of sources of radiation, the location the date of the inventory, and the name of the individual conducting the inventory.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008.
12VAC5-481-3230. Utilization records.
Each licensee or registrant shall maintain current records, which shall be kept available for three years from the date of the recorded event, showing the following information for each source of radiation:
1. Make, model number, and a serial number or a description of each source of radiation used;
2. The identity of the well-logging supervisor responsible for the source and the logging assistant present;
3. Locations where used and dates of use; and
4. In the case of tracer materials and radioactive markers, the utilization record shall indicate the radionuclide and activity used in a particular well.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008.
12VAC5-481-3240. Design, performance, and certification criteria for sealed sources used in downhole operations.
A. Each sealed source, except those containing radioactive material in gaseous form, and ECSs used in downhole operations, shall meet the following minimum criteria:
1. Be of doubly encapsulated construction;
2. Contain radioactive material whose chemical and physical forms are as insoluble and nondispersible as practical; and
3. Certified by one of the following methods:
a. For a sealed source manufactured on or before July 14,1989, a licensee may use the sealed source, for use in well-logging applications if it meets the requirements of USASI N5.10-1968, "Classification of Sealed Radioactive Sources," or the requirements in subdivision 3 b or c of this subsection;
b. For a sealed source manufactured after July 1989, a licensee may use the sealed source, for use in well-logging applications if it meets the oil well-logging requirements of ANSI/HPS N43.6-1997, "Sealed Radioactive Sources-Classification"; or
c. For a sealed source manufactured after July 14, 1989, a licensee may use the sealed source, for use in well-logging applications, if the sealed source's prototype has been tested and found to maintain its integrity after each of the following tests:
(1) Temperature. The test source must be held at -40°C for 20 minutes, 600°C for 1 hour, and then be subject to a thermal shock test with a temperature drop from 600°C to 20°C within 15 seconds.
(2) Impact test. A 5 kg steel hammer, 2.5 cm in diameter, must be dropped from a height of 1 m onto the test source.
(3) Vibrations test. The test source must be subject to a vibration from 25 Hz to 500 Hz at 5 g amplitude for 30 minutes.
(4) Puncture test. A 1 gram hammer and pin, 0.3 cm pin diameter, must be dropped from a height of 1 m onto the test source.
(5) Pressure test. The test source must be subject to an external pressure of 1.695 x 107 pascals (24,600 pounds per square inch absolute).
B. Certification documents shall be maintained for inspection by the agency for a period of two years after source disposal. If the source is abandoned downhole, the certification documents shall be maintained until the agency authorizes disposition.
C. Energy Compensated Source (ECS). Licensee use of an ECS, which may contain no greater than 3.7 MBq (100 μCi), is exempt from this part, except the following:
1. For well-logging applications with a surface casing for protecting fresh water aquifers, use of the ECS is only subject to the requirements of 12VAC5-481-3210, 12VAC5-481-3220 and 12VAC5-481-3230.
2. For well-logging applications without a surface casing for protecting fresh water aquifers, use of the ECS is only subject to the requirements of 12VAC5-481-3160, 12VAC5-481-3210, 12VAC5-481-3220, 12VAC5-481-3230, subsection D of this section and 12VAC5-481-3370.
3. ECSs must be registered with the NRC under 10 CFR 32.210 or with an agreement state.
D. Use of a sealed source in a well without a surface casing. The licensee may use a sealed source in a well without a surface casing for protecting fresh water aquifers only if the licensee follows a procedure for reducing the probability of the source becoming lodged in the well. The procedure must be approved by the agency pursuant to 12VAC5-481-3151 A 3.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008.
12VAC5-481-3241. Tritium neutron generator target sources.
A. Use of a tritium neutron generator target source, containing quantities not exceeding 1,110 GBq (30 curies) and in a well with a surface casing to protect fresh water aquifers, is subject to the requirements of this part except 12VAC5-481-3160, 12VAC5-481-3240 and 12VAC5-481-3370.
B. Use of a tritium neutron generator target source, containing quantities exceeding 1,110 GBq (30 curies) or in a well without a surface casing to protect fresh water aquifers, is subject to the requirements of this part except 12VAC5-481-3240.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008.
12VAC5-481-3250. Labeling.
A. Each source, source holder, or logging tool containing radioactive material shall bear a durable, legible, and clearly visible marking or label, that has, as a minimum, the standard radiation caution symbol, without the conventional color requirement, and the following wording:
DANGER or CAUTION
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
This labeling shall be on the smallest component transported as a separate piece of equipment.
B. Each transport container shall have permanently attached to it a durable, legible, and clearly visible label which has, as a minimum, the standard radiation caution symbol and the following wording:
DANGER or CAUTION
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
NOTIFY CIVIL AUTHORITIES (OR NAME OF COMPANY)
C. Uranium sinker bars used in well-logging applications shall be legibly impressed with the following words:
CAUTION
RADIOACTIVE DEPLETED URANIUM
NOTIFY CIVIL AUTHORITIES (OR NAME OF COMPANY) IF FOUND
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008.
12VAC5-481-3260. Inspection and maintenance.
A. Each licensee shall visually check source holders, logging tools, and source handling tools, for defects before each use to ensure that the equipment is in good working condition and that required labeling is present. If defects are found, the equipment must be removed from service until repaired, and a record must be made listing: the date of check, name of inspector, equipment involved, defects found, and repairs made. These records must be retained for three years after the defect is found.
B. Each licensee or registrant shall conduct, at intervals not to exceed six months, a program of inspection and maintenance of source holders, logging tools, source handling tools, storage containers, transport containers, and injection tools to assure proper labeling and physical condition. Records of inspection and maintenance shall be maintained for a period of three years.
C. If any inspection conducted pursuant to subsection B of this section reveals damage to labeling or components critical to radiation safety, the device shall be removed from service until repairs have been made.
D. If a sealed source is stuck in the source holder, the licensee shall not perform any operation, such as drilling, cutting, or chiseling, on the source holder unless the licensee is specifically approved by the agency, NRC, or another agreement state to perform this operation.
E. The repair, opening, or modification of any sealed source shall be performed only by persons specifically authorized to do so by the agency, the NRC, or another agreement state.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008.
12VAC5-481-3261. Radioactive markers.
The licensee may use radioactive markers in wells only if the individual markers contain quantities of licensed material not exceeding the quantities specified in 12VAC5-481-3730. The use of markers is subject only to the requirements of 12VAC5-481-3220.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008.
12VAC5-481-3262. Uranium sinker bars.
The licensee may use a uranium sinker bar in well logging applications only if it is legibly impressed with the words "CAUTION -- RADIOACTIVE -- DEPLETED URANIUM" and "NOTIFY CIVIL AUTHORITIES (or COMPANY NAME) IF FOUND."
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. August 25, 2016.