U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Safety Evaluation of the Proposed Yankee Atomic Power Company's Modification of their Technical Specifications Relating to High Radiation Areas.
HPPOS-015 PDR-9111210114
Title: Safety Evaluation of the Proposed Yankee Atomic
Power Company's Modification of their Technical
Specifications Relating to High Radiation Areas.
See the memorandum from D. G. Eisenhut to K. R. Goller,
dated March 16, 1977. Enclosures with the document provided
the basis for revised Technical Specifications relevant to
entry into high radiation areas. These allow entry
controlled by RWP and radiation monitoring, alarming
dosimeter, or health physics qualified individual. (It
should be noted that new Technical Specifications clarify
the requirements for high radiation areas in containment.)
The health physics position was written in the context of
10 CFR 20.203, but it also applies to "new" 10 CFR 10.1601.
Enclosure 2 states that in lieu of the "control device" or
alarm signal required by paragraph 10 CFR 20.203 (c) (2)
[or 10 CFR 20.1601 (a)], each high radiation area in which
the intensity of radiation is between 100 and 1000
mrem/hour must be barricaded and conspicuously posted as a
high radiation area and entrance controlled by requiring
the issuance of a Radiation Work Permit (RWP). Any
individual or group of individuals permitted to enter these
areas must be provided with one or more of the following:
1. A radiation monitoring device that continuously
indicates the radiation dose rate in the area.
2. A radiation monitoring device that continuously
integrates the radiation dose rate in the area and alarms
when a preset integrated dose is received. Entry into high
radiation areas with this type of monitoring device may be
made only after the dose rate levels in the area have been
established and personnel have been made knowledgeable of
them.
3. A health physics qualified individual (i.e.,
qualified in radiation protection procedures) with a
radiation dose rate monitoring device and who is
responsible for providing positive control over the
activities within the area and performs periodic radiation
surveillance at the frequency specified in the RWP and
established by the Plant Health Physicist.
Health physics personnel are exempt from RWP issuance
requirements during the performance of their assigned
radiation protection duties, providing they are following
plant radiation protection procedures for entry into high
radiation areas.
The above procedures also apply to each high radiation area
in which the intensity of radiation is greater than 1000
mrem/hr. To prevent unauthorized entry into high radiation
areas, locked doors with the keys maintained under the
administrative control of the on-duty shift supervisor
and/or the Plant Health Physicist must be provided.
Individuals are considered qualified in radiation
protection procedures when they are certified as capable of
successfully accomplishing the following activities as
required by federal regulations, license conditions, and
facility procedures pertaining to radiation protection:
1. Conducting and evaluating special and routine
radiation, contamination and airborne radioactivity surveys.
2. Establishing protective barriers and posting
appropriate radiological signs.
3. Establishing a means of limiting exposure rates and
accumulated radiation doses, including the use of
protective clothing and respiratory protection equipment.
4. Performing operability checks of radiation monitors
and survey meters.
5. Recommending appropriate immediate actions in the
event of a radiological problem, and performing necessary
activities until the arrival of health physics personnel.
6. Conducting other routine radiological duties as
required on backshifts or weekends.
Regulatory references: 10 CFR 20.203, 10 CFR 20.1601,
Technical Specifications
Subject codes: 1.7, 4.1, 7.1
Applicability: Reactors
