Section 346.410  Construction Monitoring and Acceptance Testing

The requirements of this Section shall be met by irradiators whose construction begins after December 1, 2005.  The requirements shall be met prior to loading sources.

a)         Shielding.  For panoramic irradiators, the licensee shall monitor the construction of the shielding to verify that its construction meets design specifications and generally accepted building code requirements for reinforced concrete.

b)         Foundations.  For panoramic irradiators, the licensee shall monitor the construction of the foundations to verify that their construction meets design specifications.

c)         Pool integrity.  For pool irradiators, the licensee shall verify that the pool meets design specifications and shall test the integrity of the pool.  The licensee shall verify that outlets and pipes meet the requirements of Section 346.330(b) of this Part.

d)         Water handling systems.  For pool irradiators, the licensee shall verify that the water purification system, the conductivity meter and the water level indicators operate properly.

e)         Radiation monitors.  For all irradiators, the licensee shall verify the proper operation of the monitor to detect sources carried on the product conveyor system and the related alarms and interlocks required by Section 346.290(a) of this Part.  For pool irradiators, the licensee shall verify the proper operation of the radiation monitors and the related alarm if used to meet Section 346.590(b) of this Part.  For underwater irradiators, the licensee shall verify the proper operation of the over-the-pool monitor, alarms, and interlocks required by Section 346.290(b) of this Part.

f)         Source rack.  For panoramic irradiators, the licensee shall test the movement of the source racks for proper operation prior to source loading.  Testing shall include source rack lowering due to simulated loss of power.  For all irradiators with product conveyor systems, the licensee shall observe and test the operation of the conveyor system to assure that the requirements in Section 346.350 of this Part are met for protection of the source rack and the mechanism that moves the rack. Testing shall include tests of any limit switches and interlocks used to protect the source rack and mechanism that moves the rack from moving product carriers.

g)         Access control.  For panoramic irradiators, the licensee shall test the completed access control system to assure that it functions as designed and that all alarms, controls and interlocks work properly.

h)         Fire protection.  For panoramic irradiators, the licensee shall test the ability of the heat and smoke detectors to detect a fire, to activate alarms, and to cause the source rack to automatically become fully shielded.  The licensee shall test the operability of the fire extinguishing system.

i)          Source return.  For panoramic irradiators, the licensee shall demonstrate that the source racks can be returned to their fully shielded positions without offsite power.

j)          Computer systems.  For panoramic irradiators that use a computer system to control the access control system, the licensee shall verify that the access control system will operate properly if offsite power is lost and shall verify that the computer has security features that prevent an irradiator operator from commanding the computer to override the access control system when it is required to be operable.

k)         Wiring.  For panoramic irradiators, the licensee shall verify that the electrical wiring and electrical equipment that were installed meet the design specifications.