{"operation":"document","citation":"14-0120","title":"RADIAC Program Operations — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2014-07-15","effective_on":null,"summary":"14-0120 response to RADIAC Program Operations concerning 172.102.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0120.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0120.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0120","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2014/140120.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nof Transportation\nU.S. Department\nWashington, D.C. 20590\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nMaterials Safety\nPipeline and Hazardous\nAdministration\nJUL 1 5 2014\nMr. Melvin J. Simon\nNAVSEA 04ND3\nRADIAC Program Operations\nActing Technical Warrant Holder\nNaval Sea Systems Command\n1333 Isaac Hull Avenue, SE Stop 4120\nWashington Navy Yard, DC 20376-4120\nRef. No.: 14-0120\nDear Mr. Simon:\nThis is in response to your email dated June 16, 2014, requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) relating to the\ntransportation of neutron radiation detectors containing boron trifluoride. Section\n172.102(c)(1) Special Provision 238 paragraph (c) offers relief from the other requirements\nof the HMR for neutron radiation detectors containing not more than 1 gram of boron\ntrifluoride when packaged as specified and transported by highway, rail, vessel, or as cargo\non an aircraft.\nYou describe the construction of a neutron radiation detection system and your proposal to\nplace a sufficient quantity of activated alumina or activated carbon desiccant within a sealed\nouter moderator that also acts as the outer case of the system. The outer moderator which is\nmade of polyethylene also encases the detector probe containing the boron trifluoride. You\nask if this described method of packaging meets the intent of the requirements of paragraph\na. (4) of Special Provision 238.\nAs described, the neutron radiation detection system would meet the requirements Special\nProvision 238 paragraph a.(4) relating to the requirement for a liner surrounding the detector.\nThe sealed polyethylene outer moderator would serve as the required liner.\nProvided the radiation detector meets all other requirements of paragraph (a) of Special\nProvision 238 and the system is packaged in a strong outer packaging capable of\nwithstanding a 1.8 meter (6-foot) drop without leakage, or the system itself, without\npackaging is capable of withstanding a 1.8 meter (6-foot) drop without leakage, the described\nradiation detection system is eligible for the relief from the HMR provided by paragraph (c)\nof Special Provision 238.\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nI trust this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to\ncontact this office.\nSincerely,\nShane C. Kelley\nActing International Standards Coordinator\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nBabich\n172.102\nSpecial Provisions\nDodd, Alice (PHMSA)\n14-0120\nFrom:\nSent:\nLehman, Victoria CTR (PHMSA)\nMonday, June 16, 2014 3:37 PM\nTo:\nHazmat Interps\nSubject:\nFW: Letter of Interpretation - Request DOT Concurrence with US Navy Proposed\nPackaging Method for BF3 Neutron Detector\nAttachments:\nAN-PDR-70 Probe Exploded View.pdf\nSigned By:\nvictoria.lehman@dot.gov\nPlease submit this request for a formal letter of interpretation. Mr. Simon\npreviously discussed this question with Adam Lucas in the HMIC on 6/4/2014.\nThanks, Victoria\n-----Original Message----\nFrom: Simon, Melvin J CIV SEA 04 [mailto:melvin.simon@navy.mill\nSent: Monday, June 16, 2014 10:45 AM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nCc: Murray, Jessica M CTR SEA 04; Reale, Steven G CIV SEA 04; Jeff Cherry\n(jeffcherry@orbisinc.net); Gadbois, Jon CIV SEA 04; Simon, Melvin J CIV SEA 04\nSubject: Letter of Interpretation - Request DOT Concurrence with US Navy\nProposed Packaging Method for BF3 Neutron Detector\n9492\nSer 04ND3/137\n16 JUN 2014\nFrom: U.S. Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command, Radiation Detection, Indication\nand Computation (RADIAC) Program Office\nSubj: Letter of Interpretation - Request DOT Concurrence with U. S. Navy\nProposed Packaging Method for BF3 Neutron Detector\nRef: (a) 49 CFR 172.102, Special Provisions\nAttachment: (1) AN/PDR-70 RADIAC Probe Exploded View\n1. Background. Reference (a), Special Provision (SP) 238, was recently\nupdated and provides new guidance for transporting neutron radiation detectors\ncontaining Boron Trifluoride (BF3) gas. The U.S. Navy uses a portable neutron\nradiation detector (AN/PDR-70) that utilizes a proportional counter\n(Reuter-Stokes/RSN-320-M2) containing less than 1 gram of BF3 gas at less than\natmospheric pressure (60 cm/Hg). These detectors are now being transported\nunder the new provisions per SP 238, paragraph c. This topic was discussed\nwith DOT PHMSA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, Hazardous Materials\nInformation Center (202-366-4488) who suggested the submission of a written\nrequest for interpretation via email or letter per 49 CFR 105.20.\n2. Discussion. SP 238, paragraph c., provides conditions and exceptions when\n1\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nMAINTENANCE\nAN/PDR-70\nEE700-CV-OMI-010/CELR2-PDR70\nFigure\n5-1\nLEGEND FOR FIGURE 5-1.\nName\nDesig•\nRef.\n2.\n1.\nHandle assembly\n1A1\n3.\nThumbscrew\n-\n4.\nNut, self-locking\nO-ring\n-\n-\n5. Screw\n6. Outer moderator\n8. Screw\n7. Rubber bumper\n1MP7\nIMPI\n10. Attenuator, sleeve\n9. Attenuator, rear\nIMP4\nIMP3\n11. Inner moderator\n1MP6\n13. Proportional counter\n12. Attenuator, front\nIMP2\n14.\nand connector\n1V1\n15.\nCable assembly\nPlug, moderator\n1A2\nIMP5\n17.\n16•\nGasket, probe\nIMP8\n18. Washer\nCap, probe\nIMP9\n19.\nScrew\n-\n-\n19\nREF DESIG PREFIX 1\nFigure 5-1. Radiac Probe, Exploded View\nORIGINAL\n5-3","truncated":false,"body_characters":5132}