64E-5.615. Use, Calibration and Check of Survey Instruments

A licensee shall ensure that the survey instruments used to comply with this part have been calibrated before first use, at least every 12 months, and after repair.

(1) A record shall be made of each calibration, which shall include:

(a) A description of the source used;

(b) The certified dose rates from the source;

(c) The rates indicated by the instrument being calibrated;

(d) The correction factors deduced from the calibration data;

(e) The name of the individual who performed the calibration;

(f) The date of calibration;

(g) The model number and serial number of the instrument being calibrated; and

(h) The results of the calibration.

(2) The licensee shall:

(a) Calibrate all required scale readings up to 1,000 millirems (10 mSv) per hour with a radiation source;

(b) Calibrate each linear scale instrument at two points located approximately 1/3 and 2/3 of full-scale, calibrate each logarithmic scale instrument at midrange of each decade and at two points of at least one decade, and calibrate each digital instrument at appropriate points; and

(c) Conspicuously note on the instrument the date of calibration.

(3) The licensee shall:

(a) Consider a point as calibrated if the indicated dose rate differs from the calculated dose rate by not more than 10 percent; and

(b) Consider a point as calibrated if the indicated dose rate differs from the calculated dose rate by not more than 20 percent and a correction chart or graph is attached conspicuously to the instrument.

(4) A licensee shall check each survey instrument for proper operation with a dedicated check source before each use. The licensee is not required to keep records of these checks.

(5) The licensee shall retain a record of each calibration required in subsection 64E-5.615(1), F.A.C., for 3 years.

(6) The licensee may use persons licensed by the department, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, an agreement state, or a licensing state to perform calibrations of survey instruments. Records of calibrations required by subsection 64E-5.615(1), F.A.C., shall be maintained by the licensee.

(7) A licensee authorized to use radioactive material for uptake, dilution, and excretion studies or sealed sources for diagnostic purposes shall possess a portable radiation survey instrument with a range from 0.1 millirem (1.0 µSv) per hour to at least 1,000 millirem (10 mSv) per hour.

(8) A licensee authorized to use radioactive material for imaging and localization studies, radiopharmaceutical therapy or implant therapy shall possess portable radiation survey instruments with a range from 0.1 millirem (1.0 µSv) per hour to at least 1,000 millirem (10 mSv) per hour.

(9) A licensee authorized to use radioactive material in Rule 64E-5.634, F.A.C., shall possess a radiation survey instrument as described in subsection (7) or (8), above.

(10) The licensee shall not use survey instruments if the difference between the indicated exposure rate and the calculated exposure rate is more than 20 percent.

(11) A licensee may calibrate instrumentation used in Rule 64E-5.615, F.A.C., using nationally recognized standards or the manufacturer’s instructions. The standards or instructions used by the licensee must be available for inspection by the department.

Rulemaking Authority 404.051, 404.061, 404.081, 404.141 FS. Law Implemented 404.022, 404.051(1), (4), (6), (10), (11), 404.061(2), (3), 404.081, 404.141 FS. History–New 8-25-91, Amended 5-15-96, Formerly 10D-91.721, Amended 2-11-10.