U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

NMSS Guidance to Manufacturers Regarding Labeling of Gas and Aerosol Detectors

HPPOS-159 PDR-9111220141

Title: NMSS Guidance to Manufacturers Regarding Labeling

of Gas and Aerosol Detectors

See the letter from V. L. Miller to Distribution (Certain

NRC Licensees) dated August 7, 1980. This letter was

written to provide guidance to manufacturers regarding

labeling of gas and aerosol detectors (smoke detectors).

HPPOS-150 contains a related topic.

On June 9, 1980, the NRC published changes to NRC

regulations for the labeling of gas and aerosol detectors

(smoke detectors). The revised labeling requirements

applied to manufacturers and other persons licensed by the

NRC to transfer gas and aerosol detectors for use by

persons exempt from NRC's regulations. The letter was

written in a question / answer style format. Specific topics

covered in the letter included the following:

The labeling requirements became effective on January 1,

1981, and that date was considered to be the "label

application date." Although a cut-off date was not

established for transfer of detectors labeled in accordance

with the new requirements, 10 CFR 32.26 specific licensees

had until June 30, 1981, to transfer all such detectors

manufactured prior to January 1, 1981. Detectors intended

for export need not be labeled and packaged as specified in

the revised rules, but could be exported under the general

license of 10 CFR 110.24.

Under the new requirements, manufacturers would not be

required to provide disposal instructions for smoke

detectors nor provide disposal service.

After January 1, 1981, the label on the detector must state

"CONTAINS RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL." Although a minimum size

for the type or label was not specified, letter sizes

acceptable in the past were still considered acceptable.

The label on a detector returned for warranty service after

January 1, 1981, does not need to be replaced unless the

original label was destroyed during service. The

manufacturer does not need to identify himself on the

label, but may instead state his license number as: "U.S.

NRC License No. xxx" or "Produced under U. S. NRC License

No. xxx." No abbreviations for radionuclides or the

quantity of activity can be used.

Regulatory references: 10 CFR 30.20, 10 CFR 32.26, 10 CFR

32.29

Subject codes: 3.2, 3.5, 4.7, 9.0

Applicability: Byproduct Material