[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 8]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR1544.211]

[Page 329-331]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
   CHAPTER XII--TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                            HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 1544_AIRCRAFT OPERATOR SECURITY: AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL 
OPERATORS--Table of Contents
 
                          Subpart C_Operations
 
Sec. 1544.211  Use of X-ray systems.

    (a) TSA authorization required. No aircraft operator may use any X-
ray system within the United States or under the aircraft operator's 
operational control outside the United States to inspect accessible 
property or checked baggage, unless specifically authorized under its 
security program. No aircraft operator may use such a system in a manner 
contrary to its security program. TSA authorizes aircraft operators to 
use X-ray systems for inspecting accessible property or checked baggage 
under a security program if the aircraft operator shows that--
    (1) The system meets the standards for cabinet X-ray systems 
primarily for the inspection of baggage issued by the

[[Page 330]]

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and published in 21 CFR 1020.40;
    (2) A program for initial and recurrent training of operators of the 
system is established, which includes training in radiation safety, the 
efficient use of X-ray systems, and the identification of weapons, 
explosives, and incendiaries; and
    (3) The system meets the imaging requirements set forth in its 
security program using the step wedge specified in American Society for 
Testing Materials (ASTM) Standard F792-88 (Reapproved 1993). This 
standard is incorporated by reference in paragraph (g) of this section.
    (b) Annual radiation survey. No aircraft operator may use any X-ray 
system unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, a radiation 
survey is conducted that shows that the system meets the applicable 
performance standards in 21 CFR 1020.40.
    (c) Radiation survey after installation or moving. No aircraft 
operator may use any X-ray system after the system has been installed at 
a screening point or after the system has been moved unless a radiation 
survey is conducted which shows that the system meets the applicable 
performance standards in 21 CFR 1020.40. A radiation survey is not 
required for an X-ray system that is designed and constructed as a 
mobile unit and the aircraft operator shows that it can be moved without 
altering its performance.
    (d) Defect notice or modification order. No aircraft operator may 
use any X-ray system that is not in full compliance with any defect 
notice or modification order issued for that system by the FDA, unless 
the FDA has advised TSA that the defect or failure to comply does not 
create a significant risk of injury, including genetic injury, to any 
person.
    (e) Signs and inspection of photographic equipment and film. (1) At 
locations at which an aircraft operator uses an X-ray system to inspect 
accessible property the aircraft operator must ensure that a sign is 
posted in a conspicuous place at the screening checkpoint. At locations 
outside the United States at which a foreign government uses an X-ray 
system to inspect accessible property the aircraft operator must ensure 
that a sign is posted in a conspicuous place at the screening 
checkpoint.
    (2) At locations at which an aircraft operator or TSA uses an X-ray 
system to inspect checked baggage the aircraft operator must ensure that 
a sign is posted in a conspicuous place where the aircraft operator 
accepts checked baggage.
    (3) The signs required under this paragraph (e) must notify 
individuals that such items are being inspected by an X-ray and advise 
them to remove all X-ray, scientific, and high-speed film from 
accessible property and checked baggage before inspection. This sign 
must also advise individuals that they may request that an inspection be 
made of their photographic equipment and film packages without exposure 
to an X-ray system. If the X-ray system exposes any accessible property 
or checked baggage to more than one milliroentgen during the inspection, 
the sign must advise individuals to remove film of all kinds from their 
articles before inspection.
    (4) If requested by individuals, their photographic equipment and 
film packages must be inspected without exposure to an X-ray system.
    (f) Radiation survey verification after installation or moving. Each 
aircraft operator must maintain at least one copy of the results of the 
most recent radiation survey conducted under paragraph (b) or (c) of 
this section and must make it available for inspection upon request by 
TSA at each of the following locations--
    (1) The aircraft operator's principal business office; and
    (2) The place where the X-ray system is in operation.
    (g) Incorporation by reference. The American Society for Testing and 
Materials (ASTM) Standard F792-88 (Reapproved 1993), ``Standard Practice 
for Design and Use of Ionizing Radiation Equipment for the Detection of 
Items Prohibited in Controlled Access Areas,'' is approved for 
incorporation by reference by the Director of the Federal Register 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and l CFR part 51. ASTM Standard F792-88 may 
be examined at the Department of

[[Page 331]]

Transportation (DOT) Docket, 400 Seventh Street SW, Room Plaza 401, 
Washington, DC 20590, or on DOT's Docket Management System (DMS) web 
page at http://dms.dot.gov/search (under docket number FAA-2001-8725). 
Copies of the standard may be examined also at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of 
this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://
www.archives.gov/federal--register/code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--
locations.html. In addition, ASTM Standard F792-88 (Reapproved 1993) may 
be obtained from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 
Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.
    (h) Duty time limitations. Each aircraft operator must comply with 
the X-ray operator duty time limitations specified in its security 
program.

[67 FR 8364, Feb. 22, 2002, as amended at 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004]