64E-5.424. Requirements for Industrial Radiography Equipment Using Sealed Sources

(1) Equipment used in radiographic operations shall meet the criteria specified below.

(a) Each radiographic exposure device, source assembly or sealed source, and all associated equipment shall meet the requirements specified in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) N432-1980 “Radiological Safety for the Design and Construction of Apparatus for Gamma Radiography,’’ published as National Bureau of Standards Handbook 136, January 1981, which is herein incorporated by reference and which is available from the department. Engineering analyses that demonstrate that the radiography equipment components are equivalent are an acceptable alternative to actual testing of the component.

(b) Equipment used in radiographic operations is not required to comply with section 8.9.2(c) of the Endurance Test in ANSI N432-1980 if the prototype equipment has been tested using a torque value representative of the torque that an individual using the radiography equipment realistically can exert on the lever or crankshaft of the drive mechanism.

(2) In addition to the requirements specified in subsection 64E-5.424(1), F.A.C., radiographic exposure devices, source changers, source assemblies, and sealed sources must meet the requirements specified below.

(a) Each radiographic exposure device shall have a durable, legible, clearly visible label attached that specifies:

1. The chemical symbol and mass number of the radionuclide in the radiographic exposure device;

2. The activity of the sealed source and the date on which this activity was last measured;

3. The manufacturer’s name and the model and serial number of the sealed source; and

4. The name, address, and telephone number of the licensee.

(b) Each radiographic exposure device, source changer, storage container, and transport container shall have a durable, legible, clearly visible marking or label attached that includes the standard radiation symbol as specified in Rule 64E-5.322, F.A.C., in conventional colors of magenta, purple, or black on a yellow background, has a minimum diameter of 25 millimeters, and has the following wording:

CAUTION (or DANGER)

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL – DO NOT HANDLE

NOTIFY CIVIL AUTHORITIES (or NAME OF COMPANY)

(c) Modification of radiographic exposure devices, source changers, source assemblies, and associated equipment is prohibited unless the design of any replacement component, including source holder, source assembly, controls, or guide tubes will not compromise design safety features.

(3) Radiographic exposure devices, source assemblies, and associated equipment that allow the source to be moved out of the radiographic exposure device for radiographic operations or to source changers must meet the requirements specified below.

(a) The coupling between the source assembly and the control cable shall be designed so that the source assembly will not become disconnected if cranked outside the guide tube. The coupling shall be designed so that it cannot be disconnected unintentionally under normal and reasonably foreseeable abnormal conditions.

(b) The radiographic exposure device shall secure the source assembly automatically when it is cranked back into the fully shielded position within the device. This securing system shall be able to be released only by a deliberate operation on the exposure device.

(c) The outlet fittings, lock box, and drive cable fittings on each radiographic exposure device shall be equipped with safety plugs or covers that are installed during storage and transportation to protect the source assembly from water, mud, sand, or other foreign matter.

(d)1. Each sealed source or source assembly shall have attached to it or engraved on it a durable, legible, visible label with the words: “DANGER – RADIOACTIVE.”

2. The label cannot interfere with the safe operation of the radiographic exposure device, source changer, or associated equipment.

(e) The guide tube shall be able to withstand a crushing test that approximates closely the crushing forces that are likely to be encountered during use and be able to withstand a kinking resistance test that approximates closely the kinking forces that are likely to be encountered during use.

(f) Guide tubes shall be used when moving the source out of the device.

(g) An exposure head or similar device designed to prevent the source assembly from passing out of the end of the guide tube shall be attached to the outermost end of the guide tube during radiographic operations.

(h) The guide tube exposure head connection shall be able to withstand the tensile test for control units specified in ANSI N432-1980.

(i) Source changers shall have a system to ensure that the source will not be withdrawn from the changer accidentally when connecting or disconnecting the drive cable to or from a source assembly.

(4) The maximum exposure rate limits for storage containers and source changers are 200 millirem (2 mSv) per hour at any exterior surface and 10 millirem (0.1 mSv) per hour at 1 meter from any exterior surface with the sealed source in the shielded position.

(5) Each radiographic exposure device, source changer, and storage container shall have a lock or outer locked container designed to prevent unauthorized or accidental removal of the sealed source from its shielded position.

Rulemaking Authority 404.051 FS. Law Implemented 404.022, 404.051(1), (4), (6) FS. History–New 9-11-01.