U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Technical Assistance Request, Capintec Instruments, Inc., Request for Definition of Sealed Sourceas Used in 10 CFR 30.35

HPPOS-311 PDR-9306250080

Title: Technical Assistance Request, Capintec Instruments,

Inc., Request for Definition of Sealed Source as Used in 10

CFR 30.35

See the memorandum from J. E. Glenn to R. R. Bellamy dated

January 30, 1991, and the memorandum from J. H. Austin to

J. E. Glenn dated January 24, 1991. These memos concern a

technical assistance request from Capintec Instruments,

Inc., regarding the definition of sealed sources as used in

10 CFR 30.35 and specifically whether sealed vials

manufactured by Capintec meet the requirements (see

enclosures).

The definition of a sealed source in 10 CFR 30.4 requires

the capsule to be designed to prevent contact with and

dispersion of the radioactive material under the conditions

of use for which it was designed. Certain low energy and

low activity calibration and reference sources have been

confined by using glass vials for numerous years. These

vials are typically used in conjunction with expensive

counting equipment and have demonstrated a good operational

history.

The ampoule in question is flame sealed to prevent leakage

or escape of its contents and therefore can be considered

to be a sealed source. This conclusion is consistent with

past NRC practice. The radionuclide content of the sources

are small, and the impact on decommissioning of the

facility if one or a few were to fail is minor.

Regulatory references: 10 CFR 30.4, 10 CFR 30.35

Subject codes: 11.2

Applicability: Byproduct Material