ASTM C852/C852M-17(2022)

Standard Guide for Design Criteria for Plutonium Gloveboxes

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The purpose of this guide is to establish criteria for the design of gloveboxes as primary confinement systems to ensure the safety of the workers and the protection of the environment when storing, handling, processing, and disposing of both combustible and non-combustible forms of plutonium. The use of this guide will provide the user with guidance to design a successfully performing glovebox system.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide defines criteria for the design of glovebox systems to be used for the handling of plutonium in any chemical or physical form or isotopic composition or when mixed with other elements or compounds. Not included in the criteria are systems auxiliary to the glovebox systems such as utilities, ventilation, alarm, and waste disposal. Also not addressed are hot cells or open-face hoods.  
1.2 The scope of this guide excludes specific license requirements relating to provisions for criticality prevention, hazards control, safeguards, packaging, and material handling. Observance of this guide does not relieve the user of the obligation to conform to all federal, state, and local regulations for design and construction of glovebox systems.  
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2022
• ICS: 27.120.99 - Other standards related to nuclear energy
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• Drafting Committee: C26.14 - Remote Systems

Relations

• Refers: ASTM A193/A193M-24 - Standard Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel Bolting for High Temperature or High Pressure Service and Other Special Purpose Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM A269/A269M-24 - Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubing for General Service
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM A312/A312M-24 - Standard Specification for Seamless, Welded, and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM A240/A240M-23a - Standard Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for General Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A1016/A1016M-23 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Ferritic Alloy Steel, Austenitic Alloy Steel, and Stainless Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A480/A480M-23b - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM A480/A480M-19 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019
• Refers: ASTM A480/A480M-18 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Refers: ASTM F837-13(2018) - Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Socket Head Cap Screws
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Refers: ASTM A1016/A1016M-18a - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Ferritic Alloy Steel, Austenitic Alloy Steel, and Stainless Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Refers: ASTM A1016/A1016M-18 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Ferritic Alloy Steel, Austenitic Alloy Steel, and Stainless Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM A240/A240M-17 - Standard Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for General Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM A480/A480M-17 - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM A1016/A1016M-17a - Standard Specification for General Requirements for Ferritic Alloy Steel, Austenitic Alloy Steel, and Stainless Steel Tubes
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Refers: ASTM A376/A376M-17 - Standard Specification for Seamless Austenitic Steel Pipe for High-Temperature Service
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017

Overview

ASTM C852/C852M-17(2022), Standard Guide for Design Criteria for Plutonium Gloveboxes, provides comprehensive guidance for designing glovebox systems used in the storage, handling, processing, and disposal of plutonium in any chemical or physical form. As a critical standard in the nuclear materials handling industry, this guide establishes essential safety and design criteria to ensure both worker safety and environmental protection. By adhering to this ASTM standard, organizations can enhance the performance, reliability, and safety of primary confinement systems for plutonium operations.

Key Topics

This ASTM guide addresses the following vital topics relating to plutonium glovebox system design:

• Confinement and Containment: Criteria for preventing the release of radioactive materials under normal and abnormal operations, including pressure, leak testing, and compartmentalization.
• Material Selection: Guidance on construction materials, focusing on corrosion resistance, radiation shielding, and structural strength; established thickness requirements for stainless steel components.
• Glovebox Construction: Design features such as smooth interior finishes for easy decontamination, window and glove port criteria, and ergonomic considerations for operator comfort and safety.
• Ventilation and Filtration: Recommendations for negative-pressure operation, air filtration using HEPA filters, and management of explosive or toxic atmospheres.
• Fire Protection and Detection: Requirements for fire suppression, fire-resistant components, and fire alarm systems suitable for handling radioactive and combustible materials.
• Equipment and Utilities: Integration of essential services like lighting, electrical, and waste systems designed to maintain containment and operational integrity.
• Criticality Prevention: Provisions for managing moderating materials and assessment methodologies for maintaining safety during accidental flooding or abnormal conditions.
• Quality Assurance: Emphasis on implementing robust quality assurance programs throughout the lifecycle of the glovebox system, from design to maintenance.

Applications

The practical applications of ASTM C852/C852M-17(2022) are wide-ranging and essential for organizations involved in nuclear materials management. Primary uses include:

• Design and Construction of Plutonium Handling Facilities: This standard is crucial for new facilities or modifications where plutonium-combustible or non-combustible-must be handled or processed safely.
• Safety Upgrades and Regulatory Compliance: Facilities seeking to align with best practices for worker and environmental protection, in accordance with federal, state, and international regulations.
• Operational Guidance: Provides clear requirements for operating, maintaining, and modifying gloveboxes to mitigate the risks of contamination, explosion, fire, or criticality accidents.
• Nuclear Waste Management: Supports proper handling, packaging, and disposal of solid and liquid radioactive wastes generated during plutonium glovebox operations.

By adopting this standard, organizations ensure the design and operational integrity of gloveboxes, manage risks, and facilitate regulatory compliance for nuclear safety and environmental stewardship.

Related Standards

For comprehensive nuclear glovebox system design and operation, related standards and guidelines include:

• ASTM A240/A240M & A480/A480M: Stainless steel requirements for glovebox fabrication.
• AGS-G001-2007: American Glovebox Society guideline for glovebox system design and fabrication.
• AGS-G005-2014 & AGS-G006-2005: Standards covering specification of gloves and glovebox design for nuclear applications.
• NFPA 801: Fire protection for facilities handling radioactive materials.
• ANSI/ASME NQA-1: Quality assurance requirements for nuclear facility applications.
• 10 CFR 20, 10 CFR 50, 10 CFR 830: U.S. federal standards governing radiation protection, facility licensing, and quality assurance.
• DOE-HDBK-1081-94: U.S. Department of Energy guidelines on spontaneous heating and pyrophoricity.
• ANSI N13.1: Guidance for sampling airborne radioactive materials.

Integrating these related standards with ASTM C852/C852M-17(2022) ensures a holistic approach to the safe and effective design of plutonium gloveboxes within nuclear facilities.

Keywords: glovebox design, plutonium handling, ASTM C852, nuclear safety, radioactive material containment, glovebox construction, nuclear glovebox standard, nuclear facility design.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C852/C852M − 17 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Guide for
Design Criteria for Plutonium Gloveboxes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C852/C852M; 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 A193/A193M Specification for Alloy-Steel and Stainless
Steel Bolting for High Temperature or High Pressure
1.1 This guide defines criteria for the design of glovebox
Service and Other Special Purpose Applications
systems to be used for the handling of plutonium in any
A240/A240M Specification for Chromium and Chromium-
chemical or physical form or isotopic composition or when
Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure
mixed with other elements or compounds. Not included in the
Vessels and for General Applications
criteria are systems auxiliary to the glovebox systems such as
A269/A269M Specification for Seamless and Welded Aus-
utilities, ventilation, alarm, and waste disposal. Also not
addressed are hot cells or open-face hoods.
tenitic Stainless Steel Tubing for General Service
A312/A312M Specification for Seamless, Welded, and
1.2 The scope of this guide excludes specific license re-
Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes
quirements relating to provisions for criticality prevention,
A376/A376M Specification for Seamless Austenitic Steel
hazards control, safeguards, packaging, and material handling.
Pipe for High-Temperature Service
Observance of this guide does not relieve the user of the
A480/A480M Specification for General Requirements for
obligation to conform to all federal, state, and local regulations
for design and construction of glovebox systems. Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate,
Sheet, and Strip
1.3 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
A999/A999M Specification for General Requirements for
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
Alloy and Stainless Steel Pipe
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
A1016/A1016M Specification for General Requirements for
therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependentlyoftheother.
Ferritic Alloy Steel, Austenitic Alloy Steel, and Stainless
Combining values from the two systems may result in noncon-
Steel Tubes
formance with the standard.
F837 Specification for Stainless Steel Socket Head Cap
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Screws
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
2.2 Other Standards, Codes, and Guidelines
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
ANSI N13.1 Guide to Sampling Airborne Radioactive Ma-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
terials in Nuclear Facilities
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
ANSI/ASME NQA-1 Quality Assurance Requirements for
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 3
Nuclear Facility Applications
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ANSI/ASME AG-1 Code on Nuclear Air and Gas Treat-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ment
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
NFPA-70 National Electrical Code
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code
NFPA 801 Standard for Fire Protection for Facilities Han-
2. Referenced Documents
dling Radioactive Materials
2.1 ASTM Standards:
DOE-HDBK-1081-94 DOE Handbook on Primer of Spon-
taneous Heating and Pyrophoricity
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel
Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.14 on Remote Systems.
Current edition approved July 1, 2022. Published July 2022. Originally approved
in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as C852/C852M – 17. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/C0852_C0852M-17R22. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available to the public from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Technology
the ASTM website. Administration, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C852/C852M − 17 (2022)
10 CFR 20 Standards for Protection Against Radiation 5.1.9 Power failure,
10 CFR 50 Domestic Licensing of Production and Utiliza- 5.1.10 Service water failure,
tion Facilities
5.1.11 Other services failure,
40 CFR 260–279 Solid Waste Regulations—Resource Con-
5.1.12 Glovebox pressurization,
servation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
5.1.13 Glovebox evacuation,
10 CFR 830 Subpart A Quality Assurance Requirements
5.1.14 Health physics,
AGS-G001-2007 Guideline for Gloveboxes, Third Edition
5.1.15 Need for glovebox isolation or compartmentalization
AGS-G004-2014 Standard of Practice for Leak Test Meth-
or both,
odologies for Gloveboxes and Enclosures
5.1.16 Maintenance,
AGS-G005-2014 Standard of Practice for the Specification
5.1.17 Ergonomics,
of Gloves for Gloveboxes
5.1.18 Decontamination methods, and
AGS-G006-2005 Standard of Practice for the Design and
5.1.19 Chemical compatibility and corrosion resistance.
Fabrication of Nuclear-Application Gloveboxes
AGS-G010-2011 Standard of Practice for the Glovebox Fire
6. Glovebox System Design Features
Protection
6.1 The glovebox system is defined as a series of physical
AGS-G013-2011 Guideline for Glovebox Ergonomics
barriers provided with glove ports and gloves, through which
3. Significance and Use process and maintenance operations may be performed, to-
gether with an operating ventilation system. The glovebox
3.1 The purpose of this guide is to establish criteria for the
system should minimize the potential for release of radioactive
design of gloveboxes as primary confinement systems to
material to the environment under normal and abnormal
ensure the safety of the workers and the protection of the
conditions, protect the operators from contamination under
environmentwhenstoring,handling,processing,anddisposing
normal operating conditions, and mitigate the consequences of
of both combustible and non-combustible forms of plutonium.
abnormal conditions to the maximum extent practical. Where
The use of this guide will provide the user with guidance to
feasible and practical, the glovebox should incorporate passive
design a successfully performing glovebox system.
safety controls rather than active safety controls. In the event
that the glovebox is used to process and handle metallic
4. Quality Assurance
plutonium, it should provide a dry inert atmosphere such as
4.1 A quality assurance program should be established for
nitrogen or argon to prevent combustion or pyrophoric behav-
the design, fabrication, construction, acceptance testing, and
ior of the plutonium. Compartmentalization within and be-
operation, including modifications, repairs, replacement and
tween gloveboxes should be considered and installed as
maintenance of structures, systems, and components important
necessary to mitigate the potential seriousness of accidents
tosafety.Qualityassurancerequirementsshouldbespecifiedin
involving fire, explosion, or criticality. The glovebox system
the purchase order or contract (see 10 CFR 50Appendix B, 10
designshouldconsiderinterconnectingtunnels,conveyors,and
CFR 830 Subpart A, and ANSI/ASME NQA-1).
passagewaysfortransferringmaterialsbetweenadjacentglove-
boxes. Provision for containment should be provided.
5. Design Considerations
6.2 Confinement:
5.1 Design considerations should include engineered safety
6.2.1 The glovebox shall be designed to operate at 50 to
features and redundant plant services to achieve confinement
500 Pa[0.2to2.0in.H Ogauge]pressurenegativetotheroom
reliability. Reliability should be considered in the light of the 2
in which it is located. The glovebox and its accessory equip-
risk associated with postulated accidents (for example, acci-
ment shall be designed to prevent liquid flooding or subjection
dents resulting from pyrophoric behavior of metallic
of the box to excessive vacuum or pressure. Control devices,
plutonium), the probability of occurrence of the accidents, and
such as oil filtered U-tubes to relieve pressure, shall be
the severity of their consequences, as well as in the light of
positive-acting or automatic, or both. See USAEC Report TID
normal processing requirements. The design for the glovebox
24236. Passive features such as inlet filters, restricted orifices
system should consider all of the following subjects:
or both shall be considered and sized appropriately.
5.1.1 Fire,
6.2.2 The glovebox, when assembled and blanked off
5.1.2 Explosions,
(evacuated to a given negative pressure and sealed off from
5.1.3 Seismic events,
further evacuation source), should pass a leak-rate not to
5.1.4 Installation and removal from service,
exceed 0.3 volume % air/h when tested at an initial pressure
5.1.5 Automated equipment,
differential of one kPa [4 in. H O gauge] for 1 h. Penetrations
5.1.6 Glovebox process operations,
in the glovebox (such as conduits, ports, ducts, pipes, and
5.1.7 Criticality,
windows) shall be constructed to prevent the release of
5.1.8 Confinement system leaks,
AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments,
732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http:// “Glovebox Window Materials: a Glovebox Fire Safety Application,” TID-
www.access.gpo.gov. 24896, United States Atomic Energy Commission, Factory Mutual Research
Available from the American Glovebox Society, P.O. Box 9099, Santa Rosa, Corporation, 1969, http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/servlets/purl/4822006-
CA, 95405, http://www.gloveboxsociety.org. KYw7jb/.
C852/C852M − 17 (2022)
radioactive material under normal operating conditions. Fur- window assembly that minimizes the gasket area exposed to
ther test requirements for gloveboxes are defined in AGS- potential fires can be found in AGS-G001-2007.
G001-2007 and AGS-G004-2014.
6.3.3 Glove Ports—Glove ports should be designed to allow
6.2.3 The design of gloveboxes should include means to
replacement of gloves without compromising the glovebox
control and minimize the release of radioactive materials to the
atmosphere or contamination control. Ports should be located
plant system during normal plant operation and under a
to facilitate both operating and maintenance work, and take
postulated design basis accident.
intoaccounttheneedfortwo-handedoperation,depthofreach,
operator comfort from an ergonomic perspective, and position-
6.3 Glovebox Construction—Gloveboxes should be con-
ing with respect to other ports.Adetailed dimensional analysis
structed using appropriate materials and workmanship to
of the operations would assist in eliminating blind spots or
ensure confinement and to minimize leakage. The glovebox
inaccessible areas. If glove ports are not used routinely, they
and support structure should be designed for the heaviest
shall have glove port plugs and non-combustible glove port
anticipated loading in the glovebox, including such loading
covers installed. The plugs should be considered in the design
factors as pressure differentials, appurtenances, windows, in-
for each glovebox. See AGS-G010-2011.
ternal equipment, and seismic loading. Combustible materials
6.3.4 Gloves—Gloves should be chosen on the basis of
should be held to a minimum. See AGS-G001-2007 and
resistance to possible corrosive atmospheres in the glovebox;
AGS-G006-2005.
resistance to radiation degradation, tearing, and puncturing;
6.3.1 Materials—Gloveboxes should be constructed of ma-
and their capability to provide some radiation shielding to the
terials that will be compatible with intended use for structural
hands. Consideration should be given to high or low tempera-
strength, corrosion resistance, resistance to radiation
ture sources within the glovebox and their proximity to the
degradation, and radiation shielding. Gloveboxes should be
gloves.Pinchpointsandsharpcornersshouldbeavoidedtothe
structurally proof tested at pressures of either 1245 Pa [+5 in.
greatest extent possible consistent with ergonomic consider-
H O gauge] or 1.25 times the relief device setting, whichever
ations. Gloves should also be selected on the basis of main-
is greater. The containment structure should be constructed
taining maximum dexterity of hand movement. See AGS-
from a minimum of 3.18 mm [0.125 in.] thick 304L or 316L
G005-2014.
series stainless steel per Specifications A240/A240M and
6.3.5 Internal Configuration—Consider designing the
A480/A480M. The interior should be smooth and free of
glovebox with rounded corners and smooth surface finish to
crevices and sharp objects. Internal radii should be compatible
avoid areas where plutonium can accumulate. Design equip-
with decontamination and radiation monitoring in accordance
mentandgloveboxtransferportstoavoidpinchpoints,holdup,
with AGS standards. Strippable surface coatings may be
and loose small parts.
applied to the interior of the glovebox to facilitate cleaning or
decontamination. Surface coatings on the interior of the glove-
6.4 Equipment Insertion-Removal—Bagout ports, sphincter
box may be required for protection when certain acids
seals, transfer systems, and air locks should be designed and
(hydrochloric, sulphuric, or hydrofluoric) or other corrosive
installed to facilitate the introduction or removal of needed
materials are present in the glovebox. Any coatings applied to
equipment without compromising the glovebox atmosphere or
the interior of the glovebox must be considered as part of the
contamination controls.
combustible material loads for that glovebox. Glovebox fabri-
6.5 Lighting—323-lx [30 foot candles] lighting should be
cation tolerances should be specified. See USAEC Report
8 9
provided on all surfaces for close work, and 538-lx [50-fc]
TID-24236, USAEC Report TID-16020, and AGS-G001-
lighting should be provided for general illum
...