Section 227.12a. Area requirements

(a) The source housing construction shall be of a type that when all the shutters are closed and the source is in any possible operating mode, the leakage radiation will not be in excess of 2.5 milliroentgens (.645 µC/kg) per hour at a distance of 5 centimeters from the housing surface.

(b) The X-ray generator shall have a protective cabinet constructed so that the leakage radiation will not be in excess of 0.5 milliroentgen (.129 µC/kg) per hour at a distance of 5 centimeters from the housing surface.

(c) The local components of an analytical X-ray system shall be located and arranged and shall include sufficient shielding or access control so that no radiation levels exist in any area surrounding the local component group which could result in a dose to an individual present therein in excess of the limits given in 10 CFR 20.1301 (relating to dose limits for individual members of the public). For systems utilizing X-ray tubes, these requirements shall be met at any specified tube rating.

(d) To show compliance with subsections (a)—(c), the registrant shall perform radiation surveys:

(1) Upon installation of the equipment and at least every 12 months thereafter.

(2) Following a change in the initial arrangement, number or type of local components in the system.

(3) Following maintenance requiring the disassembly or removal of a local component in the system.

(4) During the performance of maintenance and alignment procedures if the procedures require the presence of a primary X-ray beam when a local component in the system is disassembled or removed.

(5) When a visual inspection of the local components in the system reveals an abnormal condition.

(6) When personnel monitoring devices show a significant increase in radiation exposure over the previous monitoring period or the readings are approaching the radiation dose limits.

(7) When the machine is operated in a manner other than the routine manner specified in § 227.13a (relating to operating requirements).

(e) The registrant shall test and inspect all safety and warning devices at least annually to insure their proper operation. If a safety or warning device is found to be malfunctioning, the machine shall be removed from service until repairs to the malfunctioning device are completed.

(f) Records of surveys and tests sufficient to show compliance with this chapter shall be maintained for 4 years and kept available for inspection by the Department.

(g) The equipment used to conduct the surveys and tests required in this chapter shall be adequate to measure the radiation produced by the radiation source.

The provisions of this § 227.12a adopted October 2, 1998, effective October 3, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 4894; amended July 16, 2004, effective July 17, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 3823. Immediately preceeding text appears at serial pages (282434) and (249339).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 227.12a issued and amended under sections 301 and 302 of the Radiation Protection Act (35 P. S. § § 7110.301 and 7110.302); and section 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 510-20).

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 227.11a (relating to equipment requirements); and 25 Pa. Code § 227.14 (relating to personnel requirements).