Section R12-1-503. Performance Requirements for Equipment

A.      A licensee shall ensure that equipment used in industrial radio- graphic operations meets the following minimum criteria:

1.        Each radiographic exposure device, source assembly or sealed source, and all associated equipment meet the requirements in American National Standards Institute, N432-1980 Radiological Safety for the Design and Con- struction of Apparatus for Gamma Radiography, 1980 edition, published as NBS Handbook 136 and issued Jan- uary 1981 by the American National Standards Institute, which is incorporated by reference and on file with the Agency. This incorporation by reference contains no future editions or amendments. This publication may be purchased from the American National Standards Insti- tute, Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, New York 10018 Telephone [phone]; or

2.        An engineering safety analysis demonstrates the applica- bility of previously performed testing on similar individ- ual radiography equipment components. Based on a review of the analysis, the Agency may find that previ- ously performed testing can be substituted for testing of the component under the standards in subsection (A)(1).

B.       In addition to the requirements in subsection (A), the follow- ing requirements apply to each radiographic exposure device, source changer, source assembly, and sealed source:

1.        A licensee shall ensure that each radiographic exposure device has attached to it a durable, legible, and clearly visible label bearing:

a.         The chemical symbol and mass number of the radio- nuclide in the device;

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

c.         The model (or product code) and serial number of the sealed source;

d.        The manufacturer’s description of the sealed source; and

e.         The licensee’s name, address, and telephone num- ber.

2.        A licensee shall ensure that each radiographic exposure device intended for use as a Type B transport container meets the applicable requirements of 10 CFR 71, 2003 edition, published January 1, 2003, by the Office of the Federal Register National Archives and Records Admin- istration, Washington, D.C. 20408, which is incorporated by reference and on file with the Agency. This incorpora- tion by reference contains no future editions or amend- ments.

3.        A licensee shall not modify any radiographic exposure device, source changer, source assembly, or associated equipment, unless the design of the replacement compo- nent, including source holder, source assembly, controls, or guide tubes is consistent with and does not compro- mise the design safety features of the system.

C.      In addition to the requirements in subsections (A) and (B), the following requirements apply to each radiographic exposure device, source assembly, and associated equipment that allows the source to be moved out of the device for radiographic oper- ations or to a source changer:

1.        The license shall ensure that the coupling between the source assembly and the control cable is designed so that the source assembly does not become disconnected if it is positioned outside of the guide tube and is constructed so that an unintentional disconnect will not occur under nor- mal and reasonably foreseeable abnormal conditions;

2.        The device automatically secures the source assembly if it is retracted into the fully shielded position within the device and the securing system is released from the expo- sure device only by means of a deliberate operation;

3.        The outlet fittings, lock box, and drive cable fittings on each radiographic exposure device are equipped with safety plugs or covers installed for storage and transporta- tion to protect the source assembly from water, mud, sand, or other foreign matter;

4.        Each sealed source or source assembly has attached to it or is engraved with a durable, legible, and visible label with the words: “DANGER--RADIOACTIVE.” The licensee shall ensure that the label does not interfere with safe operation of the equipment;

5.        The guide tube is able to withstand a crushing test that closely approximates the crushing forces that are likely to be encountered during use, and a kinking resistance test that closely approximates the kinking forces that are likely to be encountered during use;

6.        A guide tube is used if a person moves the source out of the device;

7.        An exposure head or similar device, designed to prevent the source assembly from passing out of the end of the guide tube, is attached to the outermost end of the guide tube during industrial radiography operations;

8.        The guide tube exposure head connection is able to with- stand the tensile test for control units specified in ANSI

N432-1980, incorporated by reference in subsection (A); and

9.        Source changers provide a system for ensuring that the source is not accidentally withdrawn from the changer when a person is connecting or disconnecting the drive cable to or from the source assembly.

D.      A licensee shall ensure that radiographic exposure devices and associated equipment in use after January 10, 1996 comply with the requirements of this Section.

E.       Notwithstanding subsection (A), a licensee with equipment used in industrial radiographic operations need not comply with Sec. 8.92(C) of the Endurance Test in American National Standards Institute N432-1980 if the prototype equipment has been tested using a torque value representative of the torque that an individual using the radiography equipment can realis- tically exert on the lever or crankshaft of the drive mechanism.

Historical Note

Former Rule Section E.3; Former Section R12-1-503 repealed, new Section R12-1-503 adopted effective June 30, 1977 (Supp. 77-3). Amended effective December 20, 1985 (Supp. 85-6). Former Section R12-1-503 repealed, new Section adopted effective April 2, 1990 (Supp. 90-2). Section repealed; new Section made by final rulemaking at 10 A.A.R. 2122, effective July 3, 2004 (Supp. 04-2).