ASTM C1237-99(2005)

Standard Guide to In-Plant Performance Evaluation of Hand-Held SNM Monitors (Withdrawn 2014)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Hand-held SNM monitors are an effective and unobtrusive means to search pedestrians or vehicles for concealed SNM when automatic SNM monitors are not available or have sounded an alarm. Facility security plans apply SNM monitors as one means to prevent theft or unauthorized removal of SNM from designated areas. Functional testing of monitors on a daily basis with radioactive sources can assure they are in good working order. The significance of a less frequent, in-plant evaluation of an SNM monitor is to verify that the monitor achieves an expected probability of detection for an SNM or alternative test source.
The evaluation verifies acceptable performance or discloses faults in hardware or calibration.
The evaluation uses test sources shielded only by normal source encapsulation. However, shielded SNM test sources could be used as well.
The evaluation, when applied as a routine operational evaluation, provides evidence for continued compliance with the performance goals of security plans or regulatory guidance.
Note 1—It is the responsibility of the users of this guide to coordinate its application with the appropriate regulatory authority so that mutually agreeable choices for evaluation frequency, test sources, detection criteria (whether a single or multiple alarms constitute detection), minimum distance for first detection, number of trials, and reporting procedures are used. Regulatory concurrence should be formally documented.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is one of a series on the application and evaluation of special nuclear material (SNM) monitors. Other guides in the series are listed in Section 2, and the relationship of in-plant performance evaluation to other procedures described in the series is illustrated in Fig. 1. Hand-held SNM monitors are described in of Guide C1112, and performance criteria illustrating their capabilities can be found in Appendix X1.
1.2 The purpose of this guide to in-plant performance evaluation is to provide a comparatively rapid procedure to verify that a hand-held SNM monitor performs as expected for detecting SNM or alternative test sources or to disclose the need for repair. The procedure can be used as a routine operational evaluation or it can be used to verify performance after a monitor is calibrated.
1.3 In-plant performance evaluations are more comprehensive than daily functional tests. They take place less often, at intervals ranging from weekly to once every three months, and derive their result from multiple trials.
1.4 Note that the performance of both the hand-held monitor and its operator are important for effective monitoring. Operator training is discussed in Appendix X2.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
Note—The procedures shown “above” the user provide the user with information before acquiring a monitor, and those “below” assist the user to obtain continuing acceptable performance from the monitor.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This guide is one of a series on the application and evaluation of special nuclear material (SNM) monitors.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle, this practice was withdrawn in January 2014 in accordance with section 10.6.3.1 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 31-May-2005
• Withdrawal Date: 15-Jan-2014
• ICS: 17.240 - Radiation measurements
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C1237-99 - Standard Guide to In-Plant Performance Evaluation of Hand-Held SNM Monitors
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: C1237 − 99 (Reapproved2005)
Standard Guide to
In-Plant Performance Evaluation of Hand-Held SNM
1
Monitors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1237; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This guide is one of a series on the application and 2.1 The guide is based on ASTM standards that describe
evaluation of special nuclear material (SNM) monitors. Other application and evaluation of SNM monitors, as well as
guides in the series are listed in Section 2, and the relationship technical publications that describe aspects of SNM monitor-
of in-plant performance evaluation to other procedures de- ing.
scribed in the series is illustrated in Fig. 1. Hand-held SNM 2
2.2 ASTM Standards:
monitors are described in of Guide C1112, and performance
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
criteria illustrating their capabilities can be found in Appendix
C1112 Guide for Application of Radiation Monitors to the
X1.
Control and Physical Security of Special Nuclear Material
1.2 The purpose of this guide to in-plant performance C1189 Guide to Procedures for Calibrating Automatic Pe-
evaluation is to provide a comparatively rapid procedure to destrian SNM Monitors
verify that a hand-held SNM monitor performs as expected for
3. Terminology
detecting SNM or alternative test sources or to disclose the
need for repair. The procedure can be used as a routine
3.1 Definitions:
operational evaluation or it can be used to verify performance
3.1.1 alarm—the audible sound made by a hand-held SNM
after a monitor is calibrated.
monitor to indicate that it has detected radiation intensity at or
above the alarm threshold.
1.3 In-plant performance evaluations are more comprehen-
3.1.1.1 Discussion—One or more closely spaced alarms
sive than daily functional tests. They take place less often, at
may be chosen to signify detection of SNM.
intervals ranging from weekly to once every three months, and
derive their result from multiple trials.
3.1.2 alternative test source—Although no other radioactive
materials individually or collectively duplicate the radioactive
1.4 Notethattheperformanceofboththehand-heldmonitor
emissions of uranium or plutonium, some materials have
and its operator are important for effective monitoring. Opera-
similar attributes and are sometimes used as alternative test
tor training is discussed in Appendix X2.
sources.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1.2.1 alternative gamma-ray test sources—Examples of
standard.
alternative gamma-ray sources are highly enriched uranium
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
133
(HEU) or Ba used in place of plutonium when a plutonium
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
source is not readily available or is prohibited.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.1.2.2 Discussion—Table 1 tabulates amounts of HEU
133
mass, plutonium mass, and Ba source activity that produce
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
equal response in two different types of monitor.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel
Cycleand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.12 on Safeguard
2
Applications. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2005. Published November 2005. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as C1237 – 99. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C1237-99R05. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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C1237 − 99 (2005)
3.1.5 detection—one or more alarm sounds from a hand-
held SNM monitor may constitute detection of SNM.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—Nuisance alarms are more likely to
occur in hand-held monitors than in other types of SNM
monitors for several reasons. Repeated alarms are most often
used to indicate detection of SNM.
3.1.6 detection probability—for hand-held monitors, ex-
pressed as the proportion of trials with a particular test source
for which the monitor is expected to detect the source.
3.1.6.1 Discussion—Although probabilities are properly ex-
pressedasproportions,performancerequirementsfordetection
probability in regulatory guidanc
...