[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 10, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 10CFR34.20]

[Page 551-552]
 
                            TITLE 10--ENERGY
 
                CHAPTER I--NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
 
PART 34--LICENSES FOR INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHY AND RADIATION SAFETY 
REQUIREMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHIC OPERATIONS--Table of 
Contents
 
                          Subpart C--Equipment
 
Sec. 34.20  Performance requirements for industrial radiography equipment.


    Equipment used in industrial radiographic operations must meet the 
following minimum criteria:
    (a)(1) Each radiographic exposure device, source assembly or sealed 
source, and all associated equipment must meet the requirements 
specified in American National Standards Institute, N432-1980 
``Radiological Safety for the Design and Construction of Apparatus for 
Gamma Radiography,'' (published as NBS Handbook 136, issued January 
1981). This publication has been approved for incorporation by reference 
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a)and 1 CFR part 51. This publication may be purchased from the 
American National Standards Institute, Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, 
New York 10018 Telephone (212) 642-4900. Copies of the document are 
available for inspection at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Library, 
11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. A copy of the document 
is also on file at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (2) Engineering analysis may be submitted by an applicant or 
licensee to demonstrate the applicability of previously performed 
testing on similar individual radiography equipment components. Upon 
review, the Commission may find this an acceptable alternative to actual 
testing of the component pursuant to the above referenced standard.
    (b) In addition to the requirements specified in paragraph (a) of 
this section, the following requirements apply to radiographic exposure 
devices, source changers, source assemblies and sealed sources.
    (1) The licensee shall ensure that each radiographic exposure device 
has attached to it a durable, legible, clearly visible label bearing 
the--
    (i) Chemical symbol and mass number of the radionuclide in the 
device;
    (ii) Activity and the date on which this activity was last measured;
    (iii) Model (or product code) and serial number of the sealed 
source;
    (iv) Manufacturer's identity of the sealed source; and
    (v) Licensee's name, address, and telephone number.
    (2) Radiographic exposure devices intended for use as Type B 
transport containers must meet the applicable requirements of 10 CFR 
part 71.
    (3) Modification of radiographic exposure devices, source changers, 
and source assemblies and associated equipment is prohibited, unless the 
design of any replacement component,including source holder, source 
assembly, controls or guide tubes would not compromise the design safety 
features of the system.
    (c) In addition to the requirements specified in paragraphs (a) and 
(b) of this section, the following requirements apply to radiographic 
exposure devices, source assemblies, and associated equipment that allow 
the source to be moved out of the device for radiographic operations or 
to source changers.
    (1) The coupling between the source assembly and the control cable 
must be designed in such a manner that the source assembly will not 
become disconnected if cranked outside the guide tube. The coupling must 
be such that it cannot be unintentionally disconnected under normal and 
reasonably foreseeable abnormal conditions.
    (2) The device must automatically secure the source assembly when it 
is cranked back into the fully shielded position within the device. This 
securing system may only be released by means of a deliberate operation 
on the exposure device.
    (3) The outlet fittings, lock box, and drive cable fittings on each 
radiographic exposure device must be equipped with safety plugs or 
covers which must be installed during storage and transportation to 
protect the source assembly from water, mud, sand or other foreign 
matter.
    (4)(i) Each sealed source or source assembly must have attached to 
it or engraved on it, a durable, legible, visible label with the words: 
``DANGER--RADIOACTIVE.''
    (ii) The label may not interfere with the safe operation of the 
exposure device or associated equipment.

[[Page 552]]

    (5) The guide tube must be able to withstand a crushing test that 
closely approximates the crushing forces that are likely to be 
encountered during use, and be able to withstand a kinking resistance 
test that closely approximates the kinking forces that are likely to be 
encountered during use.
    (6) Guide tubes must be used when moving the source out of the 
device.
    (7) An exposure head or similar device designed to prevent the 
source assembly from passing out of the end of the guide tube must be 
attached to the outermost end of the guide tube during industrial 
radiography operations.
    (8) The guide tube exposure head connection must be able to 
withstand the tensile test for control units specified in ANSI N432-
1980.
    (9) Source changers must provide a system for ensuring that the 
source will not be accidentally withdrawn from the changer when 
connecting or disconnecting the drive cable to or from a source 
assembly.
    (d) All radiographic exposure devices and associated equipment in 
use after January 10, 1996, must comply with the requirements of this 
section.
    (e) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(1) of this section, equipment used 
in industrial radiographic operations need not comply with Sec. 
8.9.2(c) of the Endurance Test in American National Standards Institute 
N432-1980, if the prototype equipment has been tested using a torque 
value representative of the torque that an individual using the 
radiography equipment can realistically exert on the lever or crankshaft 
of the drive mechanism.