AERB SAFETY STANDARD NO. AERB/SS/3 (Rev.

1)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

AERB SAFETY STANDARD

TESTING AND CLASSIFICATION

OF
SEALED RADIOACTIVE SOURCES

ATOMIC ENERGY REGULATORY BOARD

 AERB SAFETY STANDARD NO. AERB/SS/3 (Rev. 1)

TESTING AND CLASSIFICATION

OF
SEALED RADIOACTIVE SOURCES

Approved by the Board on October 5, 2001

This document is subject to review, after a period of one

year from the date of issue, based on the feedback received.

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board

Mumbai 400 094
 Price:

Orders for this Standard should be addressed to:

Administrative Officer
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
Niyamak Bhavan
Anushaktinagar
Mumbai - 400 094.
 FOREWORD

Widespread utilisation of ionising radiation for multifarious applications in

medicine, industry, agriculture, research etc. has brought in its wake the need
for exercising regulatory controls to ensure safety of users, members of the public
and the environment. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), constituted
under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 by the Government of India, is entrusted with
the responsibility of developing and implementing appropriate regulatory
measures aimed at ensuring radiation safety in all applications involving ionising
radiation. One of the ways to meet these responsibilities is to develop and enforce
specific codes and standards dealing with radiation safety aspects of various
applications of ionising radiation to cover the entire spectrum of operations,
starting from design of radiation equipment, their installation and use, to their
ultimate decommissioning/disposal.

In view of the fact that regulatory standards and requirements, techniques of

radiation safety engineering and type of equipment change with time, it becomes
necessary to review and revise codes and standards from time to time to
incorporate these changes.

The first AERB Standard (Specification) entitled "Testing and Classification of

Sealed Radioactive Sources, AERB/SS/3" issued in 1990 has been useful to the
manufacturers of sealed radioactive sources as well as to the designers of radiation
equipment and devices for selecting right classification of the source required
in specific applications. Although the Standard covered sources used in most
applications, certain special tests for brachytherapy sources as well as tests and
classification requirements for long sources used in high intensity irradiators were
not covered. Similarly, the Standard did not provide guidance on tests to be
conducted on metallic as well as sealed radioactive sources to qualify them as
a special form radioactive material as required by the regulations for safe transport
of radioactive material. Since the specifications for these categories are relevant
in the present context of extensive use of sealed radioactive sources in the
country, the above Standard has now been revised by a task group (Task
Group IX) constituted by AERB.

The Standing Committee for Review and Revision of AERB's Radiation Safety
Documents, constituted by Chairman, AERB, has scrutinised and finalised this

i
Standard. The revised Standard, approved for issuance on October 5, 2001 by
the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, is effective from its date of issue and
replaces the earlier Standard of 1990.

AERB wishes to thank all individuals and organisations who helped in the revision
of the Standard. The names of persons who participated in the preparation of
the earlier Standard and its present revision are listed, along with their affiliations,
for information.

(Suhas P. Sukhatme)
Chairman, AERB

ii
 DEFINITIONS

Dummy Sealed Source

Facsimile of a radioactive sealed source, the encapsulation of which has the same
construction and is made with exactly the same materials as those of the sealed
source that it represents, but containing in place of the radioactive material a
substance resembling it as closely as practicable in physical and chemical
properties.

Encapsulation

Protective envelope used to prevent leakage of radioactive material.

Non-leachable

Form of radioactive material contained in the source, which is virtually insoluble

in water and is not convertible into dispersible products.

Quality Control

Quality assurance actions which provide a means to control and measure the
characteristics of an item, process or facility in accordance with established
requirements.

Note: Tests and procedures shall be so designed as to establish the ability of the sealed source to
comply with the performance characteristics for that source as prescribed in Table-1 of this
Standard.

Radiation Output

Number of particles and/or photons of ionising radiation emitted per unit time
from a source in a defined geometry. Radiation output may also be stated in terms
of air kerma rate at a specified distance from the source of radiation.

iii
Sealed Source

Radioactive source material that is (a) permanently sealed in a capsule or (b)

closely bounded and in solid form. The capsule or material of a sealed source
shall be strong enough to maintain leak tightness under the conditions of use
and wear for which the source was designed, as also under foreseeable mishaps.

Simulated Source

Facsimile of a radioactive sealed source, the encapsulation of which has the same
construction and is made with exactly the same materials as those of the sealed
source that it represents, but containing in place of the radioactive material a
substance with mechanical, physical and chemical properties as close as possible
to those of the radioactive material and containing radioactive material of tracer
quantity only.

Note: The tracer shall be in a form soluble in a solvent which does not attack the encapsulation
and has the maximum activity compatible with its use in a glove box. For example, the following
activity levels are acceptable:

90Sr + 90Y as soluble salt : 2 MBq

60Co as soluble salt : 1 MBq

(1 Ci = 3.7 x 1010 Bq)

Source Holder

A device used to support and retain the sealed source in position.

Source in Device

Sealed source which remains captive in a device, thereby having mechanical

protection from damage during use.

Unprotected Source

Sealed source which, for use, is removed from a device, and hence may not have
mechanical protection from damage during use.

iv
 SPECIAL DEFINITIONS

Container

General term used to designate any enclosure which may surround the sealed
source.

Device

Any equipment or apparatus or device designated to incorporate sealed source(s).

Leakage

Transfer of radioactive material from the sealed source to the environment.

Model or Type

Descriptive term or number to identify a specific sealed sources design.

Prototype Source

Original of a model of a sealed source, which serves as a pattern for the

manufacture of all sealed sources, identified by the same model or type
designation.

Prototype Testing

Performance testing of a new radioactive sealed source before a sealed source

of such design is put into actual use.

v
 CONTENTS

FOREWORD ................................................................................................. i

DEFINITIONS................................................................................................ iii

SPECIAL DEFINITIONS ............................................................................... v

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1

2. SOURCE MARKINGS ....................................................................... 3

3. RADIOACTIVE SOURCES - CLASSIFICATION ............................ 4

3.1 Classification Designation ..................................................... 4
3.2 General Considerations .......................................................... 4
3.3 Procedure to Establish Classification and
Performance Requirements ..................................................... 7
3.4 Testing Procedures ................................................................ 8

4. ADDITIONAL TESTS ON MANUFACTURED SOURCES ........... 14

4.1 Tests for Surface Contamination .......................................... 14
4.2 Leak Test Requirements ........................................................ 15

5. LEAK TEST METHODS ................................................................... 17

5.1 Radioactive Methods ............................................................. 17
5.2 Non-radioactive Methods ...................................................... 20

6. SPECIAL TESTS ................................................................................ 25

6.1 Brachytherapy Sources .......................................................... 25
6.2 Test for Long Sources .......................................................... 26
6.3 Special Form Radioactive Material ....................................... 28
6.4 Low-Dispersible Radioactive Material .................................. 31

7. ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS AND CERTIFICATES .............. 33

7.1 Accompanying Documents ................................................... 33
7.2 Certificate of Compliance ...................................................... 33

APPENDIX-I : CLASSIFICATION OF RADIONUCLIDES

ACCORDING TO RADIOTOXICITY ............................. 34
APPENDIX-II : ACTIVITY LEVELS ........................................................ 37

APPENDIX-III : SEALED SOURCE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

FOR TYPICAL USAGES ............................................... 38

APPENDIX IV : FORMAT OF "CERTIFICATE FOR SEALED

RADIOACTIVE SOURCE" ............................................. 39

APPENDIX-V : FORMAT OF "APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF

CLASSIFICATION OF SEALED SOURCE" ................. 40

TABLE-1 : CLASSIFICATION OF SEALED SOURCE

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .................................... 43

TABLE-2 : THRESHOLD DETECTION VALUES AND

LIMITING VALUES FOR TEST METHODS ............... 44

TABLE-3 : BEND TEST PERFORMANCE CLASSIFICATION

FOR LONG SOURCES ................................................... 45

TABLE-4 : SEALED SOURCE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

FOR GAMMA IRRADIATORS ..................................... 45

FIGURE-1 : ARRANGEMENT FOR BEND TEST ............................ 27

ANNEXURE-I : GUIDANCE FOR THE CHOICE OF TEST TO BE

CARRIED OUT ACCORDING TO CONTROL AND
SEALED SOURCE TYPE ............................................... 46

BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................... 49

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS ............................................................................ 50

TASK GROUP IX: TASK GROUP FOR REVISION OF AERB

STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR TESTING AND
CLASSIFICATION OF SEALED RADIOACTIVE SOURCES .................... 50

STANDING COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW AND REVISION OF AERB'S

RADIATION SAFETY DOCUMENTS (SCRCG) ........................................ 51
 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 General

Widespread utilisation of sealed radioactive sources in medicine, industry,

agriculture and research has brought in its wake the need for exercising
regulatory control and standardisation to ensure radiological safety to
users and the general public. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
(AERB) is entrusted with the responsibility of developing and
implementing appropriate regulatory measures aimed at ensuring radiation
safety.

This Standard specifies the characteristics of a sealed radioactive source

as well as essential performance and safety criteria and tests relevant to
specific applications of sealed sources in order to achieve and maintain
their integrity under all conditions of use and anticipated accidents. This
Standard is a performance standard based on the intended use of source,
and hence does not attempt to establish design requirements. The
manufacturers of sealed radioactive sources shall follow this Standard,
which classifies sources by performance specifications and verify the
performance of sources by subjecting them to specified tests. Upon
satisfactory demonstration of compliance with the requirements of this
Standard, the manufacturers shall obtain type approval from the
Competent Authority. Users shall ensure that only type approved sealed
sources are procured and used.

This Standard is based on international standards on classification of

sealed sources, performance tests, markings, certification and leak tests.
The national and international standards have been consulted in the
preparation of this document.

1.2 Purpose and Scope

This Standard establishes a system of classification of sealed radioactive

sources based on performance specification. It stipulates a set of tests
by which the manufacturer can evaluate the safety of sources under
conditions of normal use or anticipated accidents and demonstrate

1
compliance with this Standard for type approval. It is also intended that
by considering the radiological safety aspects arising due to release of
radioactive material from the encapsulation of sealed source(s), the user
can select the type of source(s) suitable for his application.

The tests include the exposure of source to abnormally high and low
temperatures and subjecting it to a variety of mechanical tests. Each test
can be applied in several degrees of severity. The criterion for "pass
or fail" depends on integrity of containment or extent of leakage of
radioactive contents of the source. Methods of assessing the sources
for leakage after each test are also given in this document. The leak test
methods described here are primarily applicable to prototype testing.
However, these procedures may also be used for leak testing in routine
production. All tests specified in this Standard are not necessarily
applicable or appropriate to all types of sealed sources. It is necessary
to select a suitable test or a combination of tests relevant for a particular
use.

Appendix-III of this Standard includes a list, which is not necessarily

comprehensive, of typical applications of sealed radioactive sources with
recommended test schedule for each application. These schedules are
minimum requirements corresponding to applications in the broadest
sense. Factors to be considered for applications under more severe
conditions are listed in sections 3.2.2 and 3.2.3.

This Standard makes no attempt to specify the requirements for the design
of sources and method of construction or their calibration in terms of
radiation output. Radioactive materials inside a nuclear reactor and fuel
elements are not included. This Standard also specifies general
requirements, production tests, marking and certification for sealed
radioactive sources used for medical, industrial and other applications.

2
 2. SOURCE MARKINGS

Wherever physically possible, the encapsulation of sealed source and sealed

source container shall be durably and legibly marked with the following
information, in the given order of priority:

(a) mass number and chemical symbol of the radionuclide;

(b) serial number of the source;
(c) for neutron sources, the target element; and
(d) manufacturer's name or symbol.

Marking of the capsule shall be done prior to testing the sealed source.

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 3. RADIOACTIVE SOURCES - CLASSIFICATION

3.1 Classification Designation

Classification of sealed sources shall be as designated by an alphanumeric

code consisting of a letter and five digits.

The letter shall be either C or E. C denotes that the activity level of sealed
source does not exceed the limit specified in Appendix-II. E denotes that
the activity of sealed source exceeds the limit.

The first digit following the letter C or E shall be the class number, which
describes the performance for temperature as specified in Appendix-III.

The second digit shall be the class number, which denotes the
performance for external pressure.

The third digit shall be the class number, which denotes the performance
for impact.

The fourth digit shall be the class number, which denotes the performance
for vibration.

The fifth digit shall be the class number, which denotes the performance
for puncture.

3.2 General Considerations

Appendix-I classifies radionuclides into four groups according to their

relative radiotoxicity.

Appendix-II establishes the maximum activity of sealed sources, for each

of the four radiotoxicity groups in Appendix-I, below which a separate
evaluation of specific usage and design is not required.

Sealed sources containing more than the maximum activity specified in

Appendix II shall be subject to further evaluation for specific usage and

4
 design. The activity level of sealed sources for purposes of classification
according to Appendix-II shall be that at the time of its manufacture.

Appendix-II also specifies the physical, chemical and geometrical forms

of radionuclides used to determine these properties. They shall be the
same as physical, chemical and geometrical forms of radioactive material
contained in the sealed source.

Some typical applications of sealed sources or devices containing sealed

source along with minimum performance requirements are given in
Appendix-III. These requirements take into account their normal usage
and anticipated accidents but do not include exposure to fire or explosion.
For all these applications, the class numbers specify the test to which
only the sealed sources shall be subjected, except that for the category
of ion generators where complete source-device combination may have
to be tested.

If any particular usage or accidental conditions are likely to be more severe

than is considered in Appendix-III, the specification of sealed source shall
be considered on an individual basis. The manufacturer shall submit such
specification based on user's special requirement to AERB for approval.
The numbers shown in Appendix-III refer to class numbers used in
Table-1.

3.2.1 Classification of Sealed Source Performance Standard

The environmental test conditions to which a sealed source may be

subjected are given in Table-1. The tests are arranged in increasing order
of severity.

The classification of each sealed source type shall be determined by actual

testing of at least two sources (sealed prototype, dummy or simulated)
taken randomly from a batch of sources manufactured under same
conditions of that type for each test in Table-1, or by deriving from
previous tests which demonstrate that the source would pass the test
if tests were actually performed. Different specimens may be used for each
of the tests.

5
 Compliance with tests shall be determined by the ability of sealed source
to maintain its integrity after each test is performed. A source with more
than one encapsulation shall be deemed to have complied with a test,
if it can be demonstrated that at least one encapsulation has maintained
its integrity after the test.

For leak testing of a simulated source, the sensitivity of chosen method

shall be adequate to detect and measure the leakage of material.

3.2.2 Fire, Explosion or Corrosion

The manufacturer or user should consider the likely consequences when

the sealed source or device containing the sealed source is subjected to
fire, explosion or corrosion. The following factors should be considered:
(a) quantity of radioactive material contained in the sealed source;
(b) radiotoxicity;
(c) chemical and physical form of material and the geometrical shape;
(d) environment in which it is to be used;
(e) protection afforded by encapsulation and containment of device;
and
(f) consequences of loss of activity.

3.2.3 Radiotoxicity and Solubility

Except as required by section 3.2.2, the radiotoxicity shall be considered

only when the activity of sealed source exceeds the values shown in
Appendix-II. If the activity exceeds the limit as shown in Appendix-II,
the specification of sealed source has to be considered on an individual
basis. If the activity of radionuclide is within the limit, the performance
requirements specified in Appendix-III can be applied without further
consideration of either radiotoxicity or solubility.

6
3.2.4 Quality Control

A quality assurance and control programme shall be established in both

design and manufacture of sealed sources to ensure that sealed sources
manufactured according to quality assurance programme will have the
performance at least equal to that of the prototypes tested as per this
Standard. An important aspect of quality assurance programme is the
documentation covering design review and procedures for inspection,
records of traceability of materials as well as the test results specified
in this Standard.

3.3 Procedure to Establish Classification and Performance Requirements

3.3.1 Radiotoxicity shall be established from Appendix-I.

3.3.2 The quantity of activity allowed shall be determined from Appendix-II.

3.3.3 If the desired quantity does not exceed the allowable quantity in
Appendix-II an evaluation for fire, explosion or corrosion hazard shall be
made. If no significant hazard exists, the sealed source classification may
be taken from Appendix-III. If a significant hazard exists, factors listed
in section 3.2.2 shall be evaluated with particular attention to temperature
and impact requirements.

3.3.4 If the desired quantity exceeds the allowable quantity of Appendix-II, fire,
explosion or corrosion hazard shall be evaluated in addition to separate
evaluation of specific sealed source usage and sealed source design.

3.3.5 After the required classification of sealed source for the particular
application or usage has been established the performance standard can
be obtained directly from Table-1.

3.3.6 Alternatively, the sealed source class can be determined from Table-1
and for any specific application selected from Appendix-III.

7
3.4 Testing Procedures

3.4.1 General

Testing procedures for temperature, external pressure, impact, vibration

and puncture given in Table-2 shall be performed for determining the
performance classification numbers. All the criteria specified are minimum
requirements. Procedures that can be demonstrated to be at least
equivalent are acceptable. All tests except temperature tests shall be at
ambient temperature.

3.4.2 Temperature Test

3.4.2.1 Equipment

Heating or cooling equipment shall have a test zone volume of at least

five times the volume of test specimen. If a gas or oil-fired furnace is
used for temperature test, an oxidising atmosphere shall be maintained
throughout the test.

3.4.2.2 Procedure

All tests shall be performed in air, except in the case of low temperature
test, where an atmosphere of carbon dioxide is permitted to enable the
use of solid carbon dioxide (dry ice). All test sources shall be held at
the maximum test temperature for at least 1 h and at the minimum test
temperature for at least 20 min.

Sources to be subjected to temperatures below ambient shall be cooled

to test temperature in less than 45 min.

Sources to be subjected to temperatures above ambient shall be heated

to test temperature at least as rapidly as indicated in the Table below:

8
 TEMPERATURE-TIME RELATIONSHIP FOR TEMPERATURE TEST

Temperature Time
(OC) (minutes)
Ambient 0
80 5
180 10
400 25
600 40
800 70

For classes 4,5 and 6, test sources shall also be subjected to a thermal
shock test. The source used in the temperature test may be used for
this test provided the source has passed the temperature test. A separate
test source may also be used instead.

For thermal shock test, the source shall be heated to the maximum test
temperature (required for that particular class) and held at that temperature
for at least 15 min. The test source shall be transferred in 15 s or less
to water at a maximum temperature of 20OC. Water shall be flowing at
a rate of at least ten times the source volume per minute, or if the water
is stationary, it shall have a volume of at least twenty times the source
volume.

3.4.2.3 Evaluation

The source shall be examined visually after the test and subjected to an
appropriate leak test such as that described in section 5.

3.4.3 External Pressure Test

3.4.3.1 Equipment

Pressure gauge used for this test shall have been calibrated within six
months prior to the date of the test and should have a pressure range

9
 at least 10% greater than the test pressure. The vacuum gauge shall read
to a pressure of at least 20 kPa absolute. Different test chambers may
be used for the low and high pressure tests.

3.4.3.2 Procedure

Test source shall be placed in the chamber and exposed to test pressure
for two periods of 5 min each. The pressure shall be returned to
atmospheric between the periods. Low pressure test shall be conducted
in air and high pressure test for Class 6 by a hydraulic method using
water as the medium in contact with source. High pressure test for classes
3, 4 and 5 shall preferably be conducted by the same procedure. Oil shall
never be used as hydraulic medium in contact with the source. Oil in
contact with the source may block small leaks. However, the source may
be in water in a flexible bag sealed from hydraulic oil in the test chamber.

3.4.3.3 Evaluation

Test source shall be examined visually and then subjected to an

appropriate leak test such as that described in section 5.

3.4.4 Impact Test

3.4.4.1 Equipment

3.4.4.1.1 A steel hammer shall be designed with an upper part suitable for hold
and release attachment and the lower part having a flat striking surface
of 25 mm diameter, with its edge rounded to a radius of 3 mm.

The centre of gravity of the hammer shall lie on the axis of the circle
which defines the striking surface, and this axis shall pass through the
point of attachment. The mass of hammer depends on the test class.

3.4.4.1.2 Steel anvil, the mass of which shall be at least ten times that of the
hammer, shall be rigidly mounted so that it does not deflect during impact.
It shall have a flat top surface, large enough to take the whole of the
source.

10
3.4.4.2 Procedure

The mass of hammer shall be chosen according to the class as specified

in Table-1.

The drop height shall be adjusted to 1 m measured between the top of

source positioned on the anvil and the base of hammer in the release
position.

The source shall be so positioned as to cause maximum damage on impact,

and drop the hammer on to the source.

3.4.4.3 Evaluation

Test sources shall be examined visually and then subjected to an

appropriate leak test such as that described in section 5.

3.4.5 Vibration Test

3.4.5.1 Equipment

A vibrating machine capable of performing the tests specified.

3.4.5.2 Procedure

The source shall be fixed securely to the platform of vibrating machine

so that the source will always remain in contact with the platform.

For classes 2 and 3, the source shall be subjected to three complete test
cycles for each condition specified. The test shall be conducted by
sweeping through all frequencies in the range at a uniform rate from the
minimum frequency to the maximum and returning back to the minimum
frequency in 10 min, or longer. Tests shall be carried out on each axis
of the source. In addition, the test shall be continued for 30 min at each
resonance frequency found.

For class 4, the source shall be subjected to three complete test cycles
for each of the conditions specified. The test shall be conducted by

11
 sweeping through all frequencies in the range at a uniform rate from the
minimum frequency to the maximum and returning to the minimum
frequency in 30 min, or longer. Tests shall be carried out on each axis*
of the source. In addition, the test shall be continued for 30 min at each
resonance frequency found.

3.4.5.3 Evaluation

Test sources shall be examined first visually and then subjected to an

appropriate leak test as described in section 5.

3.4.6 Puncture Test

3.4.6.1 Equipment

3.4.6.1.1 Hammer, the upper part of which shall be equipped with means of
attachment, and the lower part of which bears a rigidly fixed pin, having
the following specifications:

(a) hardness in the range of 50 to 60 HRC;

(b) free height of 6 mm;
(c) diameter 3 mm; and
(d) lower surface hemispherical.

The centre line of the pin shall be aligned with the centre of gravity and
with the point of attachment of the hammer. Mass of the hammer and
pin depends on the test class.

3.4.6.1.2 Hardened steel anvil rigidly mounted and with a mass at least ten times
that of the hammer. The contact surface between source and anvil shall
be large enough to prevent deformation of this surface when puncture
takes place. If necessary, a cradle of suitable form may be provided
between source and anvil.

* Maximum of three axes shall be used. A spherical source has one axis taken at random.
A source with an oval or disc-type cross-section has two axes, one of revolution and one taken at
random in a plane perpendicular to the axis of revolution. Other sources have three axes, taken
parallel to the significant external dimensions.

12
3.4.6.2 Procedure

Mass of the hammer and pin shall be chosen according to the class as
specified in Table-1.

The drop height shall be adjusted to 1 m measured between the top of

source positioned on the anvil and the point of the pin in release position.

The source shall be positioned so that it offers its most vulnerable area
to the pin so as to cause maximum damage in the test.

The hammer shall be dropped on to the source.

If the dimensions and mass of source do not permit unguided fall, the
striker shall be led to the puncture point through a smooth vertical tube.

3.4.6.3 Evaluation

The test source shall be examined visually and subjected to an appropriate

leak test such as that described in section 5.

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 4. ADDITIONAL TESTS ON MANUFACTURED SOURCES

The following tests shall be carried out on each sealed source by the manufacturer.

4.1 Tests for Surface Contamination

Method 1

All exposed external surfaces of the sealed source shall be wiped

thoroughly with a piece of filter paper or other suitable material of high
absorbent capacity, moistened with a liquid which will not attack the
material of the external surfaces of the capsule and which, under the
conditions of this test, has been demonstrated to be effective in removing
any radioactive material from the surface. The activity on paper or other
material used shall be measured. If the detected activity is less than 185
Bq (5 nCi), the sealed source is considered to be free from surface
contamination.

Method 2

The sealed source shall be immersed in a liquid which will not attack the
material of the external surfaces of the capsule and which, under
conditions of this test, has been demonstrated to be effective in removing
any radioactive material from the surface. Examples of such liquids include
distilled water and weak solutions of detergents or chelating agents. The
liquid shall be heated to 323 ± 5 K (50° ± 5° C) and held at this temperature
for 4 h. The sealed source shall be removed and the activity in the liquid
measured. If the detected activity is less than 185 Bq (5 nCi), the sealed
source is considered to be free from surface contamination.

4.1.1 In the case of sealed sources the characteristics of which (dimensions,

chemical composition, etc.) do not allow for such a test, another
equivalent method may be adopted with prior approval of the competent
authority.

14
4.2 Leak Test Requirements

The tests described in section 5 shall be carried out by a competent and

qualified person who has had appropriate training in radiation protection.

According to the control type and sealed source type, at least one of
the tests described in clause 7.1 and 7.2 should be carried out {(see
Annexure-I for the choice of test(s)}

However, where a special test not described in this Standard is carried

out, the user should be able to demonstrate that the applied method is
at least as effective as the corresponding method(s) given in this standard.

It is the normal practice to carry out more than one type of tests and
to perform a final wipe test as a contamination check.

At the conclusion of the performed test(s), the sealed source shall be

considered to be leak-tight if it complies with limiting values specified
in Table-2.

If there is no direct correspondence between levels of measurement of

different methods, the results will depend on measuring equipment and
procedures.

A leakage rate of 10 µPa.m3s−1 for non-leachable solid contents and a

rate of 0.1µPa.m3s−1 for leachable solids, liquids and gases would, in most
cases, be considered to be equivalent to the activity release limit of
2 kBq (50 nCi).

A further confirmation of volumetric acceptance threshold is given in

Table-2. A leakage rate of 10−7 atm.cm3.s−1 or less based on dry air at
25°C and for a pressure difference of 1 atmosphere against a vacuum of
10−2 atm. or less is considered to represent a loss of leak-tightness,
irrespective of physical nature of the content.

Prior to any testing, except in the case of recurrent inspections, the sealed
source shall be thoroughly cleaned and shall undergo a thorough visual
examination.

15
All equipment used for tests shall be suitably maintained and calibrated
periodically.

Where applicable, the following parameters should be specified, whenever

possible:

- pressure;
- temperature; and
- proportionality factor between the volume of sealed source and
the volume of test enclosure used for certain tests, as well as
the volume of liquid used to cover the sealed source to be tested.

Wipe test should not be considered as a leakage test, except for some
specific types of sources (e.g. sources with thin windows), for recurrent
inspections and in cases where no other test is more suitable.

Wipe tests or liquid immersion test samples should, wherever possible,

be checked immediately on basic contamination measuring equipment, for
example, a Geiger counter, to establish whether there is any gross
contamination prior to final measurement on more sophisticated
equipment.

16
 5. LEAK TEST METHODS

5.1 Radioactive Methods

Tests for surface contamination specified under section 4.1 shall be carried
out before the leak test. Any surface-contaminated source shall not be
subjected to leak tests unless the surface of the source is cleaned and
found to be free from any removable contamination. Leak test shall be
repeated allowing at least 7 days after cleaning the surface to establish
whether there is a leak.

5.1.1 Immersion Tests

5.1.1.1 Immersion Test (hot liquid)

Sealed source shall be immersed in a liquid which will not attack the
material of the external surfaces of the sealed source and which, under
the conditions of this test, has been demonstrated to be effective in
removing the radioactive material from the surface. Examples of such
liquids include distilled water, and weak detergent solutions, or chelating
agents, or acid solutions with concentrations of about 5%. The liquid is
heated to 323 K ± 5 K (50°C ± 5°C) and held at this temperature for 5
h. The sealed source shall be removed and the activity in the liquid
measured.

Note: An ultrasonic cleaning method can also be used. In this case, the
immersion time in liquid at 343 K ± 5 K (70°C ± 5°C) can be reduced
to 30 min.

5.1.1.2 Immersion Test (boiling liquid)

Sealed source shall be immersed in a liquid which will not attack the
material of the external surfaces of the sealed source and which, under
conditions of this test, has been demonstrated to be effective in removing
radioactive material from the surface. After the liquid has been boiled for
10 min and allowed to cool, the sealed source shall be rinsed in a fresh
batch of liquid. These operations shall be repeated twice (a total of three
times), re-immersing the source in the original liquid. Sealed source shall
be removed and the activity in the liquid measured.

17
5.1.1.3 Immersion Test with Liquid Scintillation

Sealed source shall be immersed for 3 h at room temperature in a liquid

scintillator solution, which does not attack the material of the external
surfaces of the sealed source. The solution is stored in dark to avoid
photoluminescence. Sealed source shall be removed and the activity of
the liquid determined by liquid scintillation counting technique.

5.1.1.4 Immersion Test at Room Temperature

Sealed source shall be immersed in a liquid which does not attack the
material of the external surfaces of the sealed source and which, under
conditions of this test, is considered to be effective for removal of all
traces of radioactive material from the surface. (This test may be useful
where hot liquid tests are not practical: however the latter are
recommended whenever possible since their use has been widely
recognised for many years and also because they may be more effective.)

Sealed source shall be immersed in a liquid at room temperature 293 K

± 5 K (20°C ± 5°C) and maintained at this temperature for 24 h. Sealed
source shall be removed and the activity of the liquid measured.

5.1.1.5 Approval Criteria

Sealed source shall be considered to be leak-tight if the activity detected

does not exceed 200 Bq.

5.1.2 Gaseous Emanation Tests

5.1.2.1 Gaseous Emanation Test by Absorption (for 226Ra sealed sources)

Sealed source to be tested shall be placed into an appropriate small, gas-

tight container together with a suitable absorbent, such as activated
carbon, or cotton-wool, and allowed to remain for at least 3 h. Sealed
source shall be removed and the container closed tightly. The activity
of the absorbent shall be measured immediately.

18
5.1.2.2 Gaseous Emanation Test by Immersion in a Liquid Scintillator (for 226Ra
sealed sources)

Sealed source shall be immersed for 3 h at room temperature in a liquid

scintillator solution, which does not attack the material of the external
surfaces of the sealed source. The solution is stored in dark to avoid
photoluminescence. Sealed source shall be removed and the activity of
the liquid determined by liquid scintillation counting technique.

5.1.2.3 Gaseous Emanation Test (for 85Kr sealed sources)

The sealed radioactive source shall be maintained at reduced pressure

for 24 h. The content of the chamber is analysed for krypton-85 by plastic
scintillation counting technique. The test is repeated after at least 7 days.

5.1.2.4 Other Gaseous Emanation Tests

Any other test method equivalent to those described in sections 5.1.2.1

to 5.1.2.3 may be used.

5.1.2.5 Approval Criteria

When the tests described in sections 5.1.2.1 or 5.1.2.2 are completed,

sealed source shall be considered to be leak-tight if the activity detected
does not exceed 200 Bq of radon for a collection time of 12 h. When
the collection time is shorter than 12 h, appropriate corrections shall be
made.

When tests described in sections 5.1.2.3 or 5.1.2.4 are completed, the

sealed source shall be considered to be leak-tight if the activity detected
does not exceed 4 kBq/24 h.

5.1.3 Wipe Test

If a wipe test is used to determine leak tightness after mechanical or

thermal prototype testing, the sealed source to be tested shall be cleaned
(decontaminated) prior to leak tests.

19
 When the wipe test is intended to test leakage at the manufacturing stage,
the sealed source shall be cleaned prior to the test and a 7-day waiting
period shall be observed before the test.

In case of wipe test methods, it is necessary to consider the technique

used, the instrumentation, and pressure applied, because the method used
may not give sufficiently accurate reproducibility guarantees.

5.1.3.1 Wet Wipe Test

All external surfaces of the sealed source shall be wiped thoroughly with
a swab of filter paper, or other suitable material of high absorbent capacity,
moistened with a liquid which will not chemically attack the material of
external surface of the sealed source and which, under conditions of the
test, has been demonstrated to be effective in removing any radioactive
material present. The activity of the swab shall be measured.

5.1.3.2 Dry Wipe Test

This test can be used in situations where it may not be appropriate to

use a wet swab, for example, for high activity cobalt-60 sources or in some
recurrent inspections.

To carry out the test, all external surfaces of sealed source shall be
thoroughly rubbed with a dry swab of filter paper and the activity of the
swab shall be measured.

5.1.2.3 Approval Criteria

If the activity detected does not exceed 85 Bq, the sealed source is
considered leak-tight.

5.2 Non-radioactive Methods

Before conducting any of the tests prescribed in sections 5.2.1.1 to 5.2.1.3,

the sealed source should be thoroughly cleaned and dried.

20
 It shall be ensured that there are no gross defects which might invalidate
the subsequent test results, for example, by visual inspection or by a
method less sensitive than that of the subsequent test. For these tests
to be valid, except that described in section 5.2.1.3, the free volume inside
sealed source shall be greater than 0.1 cm3. If this test is used for a sealed
source with a free volume less than 0.1 cm3, the user shall be able to
demonstrate the validity of the test.

Because of their lower detection limit, only those tests using helium
(section 5.2.1.1) are applicable to sealed sources with leachable or gaseous
contents.

5.2.1 Helium Mass Spectrometer Leakage Test

5.2.1.1 Helium Test

Sealed source shall be placed in a suitable vacuum chamber containing

helium. The chamber shall be evacuated through a helium mass
spectrometer and the helium leak rate shall be evaluated in accordance
with the recommendations of the manufacturer of leak testing equipment.

It shall be ensured that the free volume inside sealed source contains
a concentration of commercial grade helium of more than 5%. The helium
leakage rate indicated in the previous evaluation divided by the
concentration of helium in free volume gives the actual standard helium
leakage rate.

5.2.1.2 Helium Pressurisation Test

Sealed source shall be placed in a pressure chamber. The chamber shall

be purged of air using helium, and the chamber pressurised to a given
helium pressure for a given period. After depressurising the chamber, the
sealed source shall be cleaned by flushing it with dry nitrogen or rinsing
it in a volatile fluorocarbon liquid and transferring it to a suitable vacuum
chamber. Helium leak rate shall be measured as described in section 5.2.1.1.

With the indicated helium leakage rate Q the actual standard helium
leakage rate L can be evaluated by using the equation,

21
 L2.p.t
Q =
p02.V (1)
where p0 = 1.01325x105 Pa

Note-1: With helium pressure p in megapascals (in practice between 0.5 MPa and
10 MPa) maintained for a conditioning time t, in hours, a delay time between
pressurisation and measurement of less than 10 min. and taking into account the
free volume, V, in cubic centimetres greater than 0.1 cm3 inside the sealed source,
the conventional test parameters may be chosen and the test results evaluated using
the following relationship:

L2.p.t (2)
Q = 0.35 x
V
where,

Q is the indicated leak-rate (µPa.m3.s−1);

L is the standard helium leak rate (µPa.m3.s−1) in the range between the
acceptance thresholds 1 µPa.m3.s−1 and 10−2 µPa.m3.s−1.

L < 1.7 √ (QV/pt)

Note-2: Equation (2) is valid in the case of molecular flow through one or more
leaks. In the case of high percentage of viscous laminar flow, this equation leads
to a moderate over-estimation of the actual standard helium leakage rate, but this
factor only slightly influences the test result.

5.2.1.3 Approval Criteria

When these tests are completed, the sealed source is considered to be

leak-tight if the actual standard helium leakage rate is less than
1 µPa.m3.s−1 for non-leachable and 10−2 µPa.m3s−1 for leachable or
gaseous contents (see Table-2).

5.2.2 Bubble Leakage Tests

Bubble leakage tests rely on an increase in internal pressure with increase

in temperature. Gas from internal voids can then penetrate any leaks and
form visible bubbles in a liquid bath. For one particular leak, the bubbling
rate increases with decrease in surface tension.

22
5.2.2.1 Vacuum Bubble Test

By using ethylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, mineral or silicone oil, or

water with a wetting agent as leakage test fluid in a suitable vacuum
chamber, the air content of the fluid is lowered by evacuating the chamber
for at least 1 min. When atmospheric air pressure is re-established, the
sealed source shall be completely submerged to a depth of at least 5 cm
below the fluid level. The absolute pressure in the chamber shall be
reduced to between 15 kPa and 25 kPa. Any bubbles emanating from the
sealed source are observed for a period of at least 1 min.

5.2.2.2 Hot-liquid Bubble Test

Sealed source shall be at ambient temperature prior to being immersed

at least 5 cm below water level in a water bath, which is at a temperature
between 363 K and 368 K (90°C and 95°C). Glycerine at 393 K to
423 K (120°C and 150°C) is an alternative to water. Any bubbles emanating
from the sealed source are observed for at least 1 min. However, a minimum
period of 2 min. is recommended whenever possible, and particularly when
capsules with large thermal mass and poor thermal conductivity are
involved.

5.2.2.3 Gas Pressurisation Bubble Test

Sealed source shall be placed in a suitable pressure chamber of volume

at least twice that of the sealed source and at least five times the free
volume inside the sealed source. The chamber shall be pressurised with
helium gas to at least 1 MPa and maintained at that pressure for 15 min.
After releasing the pressure, the sealed source shall be removed from the
chamber and immersed 5 cm below the level of glycol, isopropyl alcohol,
acetone or water containing wetting agent for bath. Bubbles emanating
from the sealed source are observed over a period of at least 1 min.

23
5.2.2.4 Liquid Nitrogen Bubble Test

Sealed source shall be immersed completely in liquid nitrogen for 5 min.

It shall then be transferred to the test liquid (normally methanol). Bubbles
emanating from sealed source are observed over a period of at least
1 min.

5.2.2.5 Approval Criteria

If no bubbles are observed at the end of the tests described in 5.2.2.1

to 5.2.2.4, the sealed source is considered to have a leakage rate of less
than 1 µPa.m3s−1 and to be leak-tight only if the contents are non-
leachable.

5.2.3 Water Pressurisation Test

The mass of sealed source shall be determined on a balance and the

external pressure test shall be performed with water. The sealed source
shall be wiped and dried and its mass shall be re-determined on the same
balance. If the gain in mass is less than 50 mg, the sealed source is
considered to be leak-tight but only for non-leachable contents.

For this test to be valid, the calculated free volume within the sealed
source has to be capable of holding at least five times as much water
as the sensitivity of the mass measuring equipment. This test is applicable
particularly in evaluating the external pressure test for classes 3, 4, 5 and
6 of Table-1.

The above test is necessary for long sources only.

24
 6. SPECIAL TESTS

Additional tests, as specified in this section, are to be performed for certain

sources.

6.1 Brachytherapy Sources

Sealed radioactive gamma sources in the form of tubes, capsules or seeds

and needles used for interstitial, intracavitary and surface applications in
brachytherapy, and beta sources used for ophthalmic, nasopharyngeal
and surface applicators shall be subjected to the following tests:

TESTS TO BE PERFORMED FOR BRACHYTHERAPY SOURCES

Form of source Tests

Tubes Temperature
Impact
Percussion
Needles Temperature
Impact
Percussion
Bending
Tensile
Beta applicators Temperature
Impact
Percussion
Puncture

6.1.1 Test Methods

The temperature and impact tests shall be of classes 6 and 4 respectively.

6.1.1.1 Percussion Test: The prototype shall be placed on a sheet of lead

supported by a smooth solid surface and struck by the flat face of a mild
steel bar to produce an impact equivalent to that resulting from a free
drop of 1.4 kg through 1 m.

25
 The lower part of the bar shall be 25 mm in diameter with edges rounded
off to a radius of 3.0 (± 0.3) mm. The lead, of hardness number 3.5 to
4.5 on the Vickers scale, and not more than 25 mm thick, shall cover an
area greater than that covered by the prototype.

A fresh surface of lead shall be used for each impact. The bar shall strike
the prototype so as to cause maximum damage.

6.1.1.2 Bend Test: The prototype shall be subjected to a bend of 900 over
3mm. radius. The prototype shall then be straightened to original
configuration.

6.1.1.3 Tensile Test: A mass of 11 kg shall be suspended from the eyelet of needle
for at least 60s.

6.1.1.4 Puncture Test: A 0.8 mm diameter steel ram shall exert a static force of
at least 1400 kg/cm2 against face or window of the prototype source.

6.1.2 Evaluation: Each of the sources shall be examined visually after the tests
and subjected to an appropriate leak test described in section 5.

6.2 Tests for Long Sources

6.2.1 Bend Test

The bend test shall apply to sources having an L/D of 15 or more, where
L is active length and D the minimum outer capsule diameter of active
length or smallest cross-sectional dimension of non-circular sources.

Bend test classification is based on applied static force in the arrangement

shown in Figure-1.

The three cylinders shall have longitudinal axes parallel to each other and
shall not rotate during test. The cylinders shall be solid, shall have smooth
surfaces and shall be of sufficient length to accommodate the full contact
of the capsule surface during the test. Cylinder hardness shall be
ROCKWELL 'HRC' 50-55.

26
 Static force

5D - Force cylinder

Sealed
source 10 D
2D - Support
cylinder

Fig.1: ARRANGEMENT FOR BEND TEST

The static force shall be applied at the most vulnerable part of the sealed
source, and shall not be applied suddenly as this will increase the effective
force.

Bend test performance classification and sealed source performance

requirements for long sources used in different categories of irradiators
are given in Tables-3 and 4 respectively.

6.2.2. Evaluation of Bend Test

A source shall be deemed to have complied with bend test if the source,
due to its flexibility, passes through the test rig (the centre of force
cylinder passes through the centre line of the two support cylinders) and
maintains its integrity.

6.2.3 Evaluation: The source shall be examined visually after the test and
subjected to an appropriate leak test described in section 6.

27
6.3 Special Form Radioactive Material

Indispersible solid radioactive material or an ordinarily unbreakable

metallic sealed capsule containing radioactive material shall meet the
following requirements (AERB Code No. SC/TR-1):

(a) the special form radioactive material shall have at least one
dimension not less than 5 mm;
(b) the special form radioactive material shall be of such nature or
shall be so designed that a prototype would not:
(i) break or shatter under impact, percussion and bend; and
(ii) melt or disperse under heat;
(c) when a sealed capsule constitutes a part of the special form
radioactive material, the capsule shall be so constructed that it
can be opened only by destroying it.

6.3.1 Demonstration of Compliance

6.3.1.1 Sealed sources meeting requirements of temperature test class 6 and

impact test class 4 specified in section 3 shall be deemed to have complied
with the performance standard as specified in 6.3 (b).

6.3.1.2 Alternatively, tests to be performed in lieu of 6.3.1.1 are:

(i) the prototype of special form radioactive material shall be

subjected to impact test, percussion test, bending test, and heat
test;
(ii) a different prototype may be used for each of the tests;
(iii) the prototype shall be prepared as normally presented for
transport. The radioactive material shall be simulated as closely
as practicable;
(iv) the prototype shall not break or shatter when subjected to impact,
percussion or bending tests;
(v) the prototype shall not melt or disperse when subjected to the
heat test; and

28
 (vi) after impact test, percussion test, bending test and heat test, a
leaching assessment or volumetric leakage test shall be performed
on the prototype by a method no less sensitive than the methods
given in para 6.3.3.1 for indispersible solid material and in para
6.3.3.2 for encapsulated material.

6.3.2 Test Methods

6.3.2.1 Impact Test: The prototype shall drop on to a rigid target from a height
of 9 m. The target shall be a flat horizontal surface of such character
that any increase in its resistance to displacement or deformation upon
impact by the prototype would not significantly increase the damage to
the prototype.

6.3.2.2 Percussion Test: The test prescribed under section 6.3.1.1 shall apply.

6.3.2.3 Bending Test: The test shall apply only to long, slender sources with
both a minimum length of 10 cm and a length-to-minimum width ratio of
not less than 10. The prototype shall be rigidly clamped in a horizontal
position so that one half of its length protrudes from the face of the clamp.
The orientation of prototype shall be such that the prototype will suffer
maximum damage when its free end is struck by the flat face of a steel
bar. The bar shall strike the prototype so as to produce an impact
equivalent to that resulting from a free vertical drop of 1.4 kg through
1 m. The lower part of the bar shall be 25 mm in diameter with edges
rounded off to a radius of 3.0 (± 0.3) mm.

6.3.2.4 Thermal Test: The prototype shall be heated in air to a temperature of

800 OC and held at that temperature for 10 min and then allowed to cool
in ambient temperature.

6.3.3 Leaching and Volumetric Leakage Assessment Methods

6.3.3.1 Prototype of solid indispersible material shall be subjected to leaching

assessment after each test as follows:

(i) the prototype shall be immersed for 7 days in water at ambient

temperature. The volume of water to be used in the test shall
be sufficient to ensure that at the end of the test period the free

29
 volume of the unabsorbed and unreacted water remaining shall
be at least 10% of the volume of the solid test sample itself. Water
shall have an initial pH of 6-8 and a maximum conductivity of
1 mS/m at 20 oC;
(ii) water with prototype shall then be heated to a temperature of
50 (± 5) oC and maintained at this temperature for 4 h;
(iii) the activity of water shall then be determined;
(iv) the prototype shall then be stored for at least 7 days in still air
at not less than 30 oC and relative humidity at not less than 90%;
(v) the prototype shall then be immersed in water of the same
specification as in (i) above and the water with prototype heated
to 50 (± 5) OC and maintained at this temperature for 4 h; and
(vi) the activity of water shall then be determined.

The activity shall not exceed 2 kBq.

6.3.3.2 Simulated radioactive material enclosed in a sealed capsule shall be

subjected to either leaching assessment or volumetric leakage assessment.

Leaching assessment shall consist of the following steps:

(i) the prototype shall be immersed in water at ambient temperature.
Water shall have an initial pH of 6-8 and a maximum conductivity
of 1 mS/m at 20 OC;
(ii) water with prototype shall then be heated to a temperature of
50 (± 5) OC and maintained at this temperature for 4 h;
(iii) the activity of water shall then be determined;
(iv) the prototype shall then be stored for at least 7 days in still air
at not less than 30 OC and relative humidity not less than 90%
at 30 OC; and
(v) the processes as in (i), (ii) and (iii) shall be repeated.
Volumetric assessment shall be carried out as given in section 6.3.3.1.

30
6.4 Low-Dispersible Radioactive Material

Low-dispersible radioactive material shall be such that the total amount

of this radioactive material in a package shall meet the following
requirements:
(i) the radiation level at 3 m from the unshielded radioactive material
does not exceed 10 mSv/h;
(ii) if subjected to enhanced thermal test and impact test, the airborne
release in gaseous and particular forms of up to 100 mm
aerodynamic equivalent diameter would not exceed 100 A2. A
separate prototype may be used for each test; and
(iii) if subjected to the test specified in 6.3.3.1 (i) the activity in water
would not exceed 100 A2. In the application of this test, the
damaging effects of tests specified in (ii) shall be taken into
account.

6.4.1 Test Methods

6.4.1.1 Enhanced Thermal Test: The prototype shall be in thermal equilibrium

under conditions of an ambient temperature of 42 OC, subject to solar
insolation conditions specified in Table S2.1 of Safety Code for Transport
of Radioactive Material (AERB Safety Code, SC/TR-1) and subject to the
design maximum rate of internal heat generation within the package from
radioactive contents. Alternatively, any of these parameters are allowed
to have different values prior to and during the test, provided due account
is taken of them in the subsequent assessment of package response.

The thermal test shall consist of:

(i) exposure of a prototype for 60 min to a thermal environment

which provides a heat flux at least equivalent to that of a
hydrocarbon fuel/air fire in sufficiently quiescent ambient
conditions to give a minimum average emissivity coefficient of
0.9 and an average temperature of at least 800 OC, fully engulfing
the specimen, or with a surface absorptivity coefficient of 0.8, or
the value that the package may be demonstrated to possess if
exposed to the fire specified, followed by;

31
 (ii) exposure of specimen to an ambient temperature of 42 OC, subject
to solar insolation conditions specified in Table S2.1 and subject
to the design maximum rate of internal heat generation by the
radioactive contents for a sufficient period to ensure that
temperatures in the specimen are decreasing everywhere and/or
are approaching initial steady state conditions. Alternatively, any
of these parameters are allowed to have different values following
cessation of heating, provided due account is taken of them in
subsequent assessment of the package.

During and following the test the specimen shall not be artificially cooled
and any combustion of materials of the specimen shall be permitted to
proceed naturally.

6.4.1.2 Impact Test: The prototype shall be subjected to an impact on target at

a velocity not less than 90 m/s at such an orientation as to suffer maximum
damage. The target shall be as defined in 6.3.2.1.

32
 7. ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS AND CERTIFICATES

7.1 Accompanying Documents

The manufacturer shall ensure that each sealed radioactive source, or

batch of sealed sources, supplied to a user is accompanied by
document(s) containing details of source production, if any, and a
certificate. The certificate shall in every case state:
(a) name of manufacturer;
(b) classification designated by the code established in this
Standard;
(c) serial number and brief description, including chemical symbol
and mass number of the radionuclide, dimensions, materials,
thickness of encapsulation and the method of encapsulation;
(d) chemical and physical form of radioactive contents, dimensions
and mass or volume, percentage of undesirable radionuclides,
from the point of view of the end use of sealed source;
(e) equivalent activity, and/or radiation output in terms of air kerma
rate, as appropriate, on a specified date;
(f) method used and the result of test for freedom from radioactive
contamination;
(g) leak test method used and test result; and
(h) reference to type approval granted by the Competent Authority.

7.2 Certificate of Compliance

The manufacturer shall ensure that each sealed radioactive source

supplied to a user is accompanied by a certificate of compliance giving
results of various tests specified in Appendix-IV. This certificate of
compliance shall specify the classification of each source in accordance
with section 3.1. The format of the application for approval of the
classification of sealed source is given in the Appendix-V.

33
 APPENDIX-I

CLASSIFICATION OF RADIONUCLIDES ACCORDING TO

RADIOTOXICITY

High Toxicity

Group A

227 Ac 242Cm 231Pa 241Pu 228Th

241Am 243Cm 210Pb 242Pu 230Th

243Am 244Cm 210Po 223Ra 230U

249Cf 245Cm 238Pu 226Ra 232U

250Cf 246Cm 239Pu 228Ra 233U

252Cf 237Np 240Pu 227Th 234U

Medium Toxicity
Group B1

228 Ac 36Cl 125I 212Pb 160Tb

110mAg 56Co 126I 224Ra 127mTe

211 At 60Co 131I 106Ru 129mTe

140Ba 134Cs 133I 124Sb 234Th

207Bi 137Cs 114mIn 125Sb 204Tl

210Bi 152(13y)Eu 192Ir 46Sc 170Tm

249Bk 154Eu 54 Mn 89Sr 236U

45Ca 181Hf 22Na 90Sr 91Y

115mCd 124I 230Pa 182Ta 95Zr

144Ce

34
 CLASSIFICATION OF RADIONUCLIDES ACCORDING TO
RADIOTOXICITY (continued)

Medium Toxicity
Group B2

105 Ag 64Cu 43K 143Pr 97Tc

111 Ag 165Dy 85mKr 191Pt 97mTc

41Ar 166Dy 87Kr 193Pt 99Tc

73 As 169Er 140La 197Pt 125mTe

74 As 171Er 177Lu 86Rb 127Te

76 As 152 (9,2h)Eu 52 Mn 183Re 129Te

77 As 155Eu 56 Mn 186Re 131mTe

196 Au 18F 99 Mo 188Re 132Te

198 Au 52Fe 24Na 105Rh 231Th

199 Au 55Fe 93mNb 220Rn 200Tl

131Ba 59Fe 95Nb 222Rn 201Tl

7Be 67Ga 147Nd 97Ru 202Tl

206Bi 72Ga 149Nd 103Ru 171Tm

212Bi 153Gd 63Ni 105Ru 48V

82Br 159Gd 65Ni 35S 181 W

14C 197Hg 239Np 122Sb 185 W

47Ca 197mHg 185 Os 47Sc 187 W

109Cd 203Hg 191 Os 48Sc 135Xe

115Cd 166Ho 193 Os 75Se 87Y

141Ce 130I 32P 31Si 90Y

143Ce 132I 233Pa 151Sm 92Y

38Cl 134I 203Pb 153Sm 93Y

57Co 135I 103Pd 113Sn 175Yb

58Co 115mIn 109Pd 125Sn 65 Zn

51Cr 190Ir 147Pm 85Sr 69mZn

131Cs 194Ir 149Pm 91Sr 97Zr

136Cs 42K 142Pr 96Tc

35
 CLASSIFICATION OF RADIONUCLIDES ACCORDING TO
RADIOTOXICITY (continued)

Low Toxicity
Group C

37Ar 111mln 193mPt 96mTc U (natural)

58mCo 113mln 197mPt 99mTc 131mXe

134mCs 85Kr 87Rb 232Th 133Xe

135Cs 97Nb 187Re Th (natural) 91mY

71Ge 59Ni 103mRh 235U 69 Zn

3H 15O 147Sm 238U 93Zr

129I 191mOs 85mSr

36
 APPENDIX-II

ACTIVITY LEVELS

Radionuclide group Maximum Activity in TBq (Ci)

(Refer Appendix-I) Leachable1 and/or Non-leachable2 and
highly reactive3 not highly reactive4
A 0.01 (approx. 0.3) 0.1 (approx. 3)
B1 1 (approx. 30) 10 (approx. 300)
B2 10 (approx. 300) 100 (approx. 3000)
C 20 (approx. 500) 200 (approx. 5000)

1 Leachable - greater than 0.01% of the total activity in 100 ml in still H2O at
20 OC in 48 h.

2 Non-leachable - less than 0.01% of the total activity in 100 ml in still H2O at
20 OC in 48 h.

3 Highly reactive - highly reactive in ordinary atmosphere or water (metallic,

Na, K, U and Cs, etc.)

4 Not highly reactive - not highly reactive in ordinary atmosphere or water

(Au, Ir, ceramics, etc.)

37
 APPENDIX-III

SEALED SOURCE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR

TYPICAL USAGES

Sealed source test and class

Sealed source usage
Temperature Pressure Impact Vibration Puncture
Radiography - Unprotected source
Industrial 4 3 5 1 5
Source in device 4 3 3 1 3
Medical Radiography 3 2 3 1 2
Gamma
teletherapy 5 3 5 2 4
Interstitial and 5 3 2 1 1
intracavitary
appliances 1
Surface applicators 4 3 3 1 2
Gamma gauge Unprotected source 4 3 3 3 3
(medium and high Source in device 4 3 2 3 2
energy)
Beta gauges and sources 3 3 2 2 2
for low energy gamma gauges or
for X-ray fluoroscence analysis
(excluding gas-filled sources)
Oil well logging 5 6 5 2 2
Portable moisture and density gauge 4 3 3 3 3
(including dolly-transported)
General neutron source application 4 3 3 2 3
(excluding reactor start-up)
Calibration sources 2 2 2 1 2
Activity greater than 1 MBq
Gamma irradiation Unprotected 4 3 4 2 4
sources Source in device 4 3 3 2 3
Ion generators2 Chromatography 3 2 2 1 1
Static eliminators 2 2 2 2 2
Smoke detectors 3 2 2 2 2

1 Sources of this nature may be subject to severe deformation in use. Manufacturers

and users may wish to formulate additional or special test procedures.

2 Source-device combination may be tested.

38
 APPENDIX-IV

FORMAT OF "CERTIFICATE FOR SEALED RADIOACTIVE SOURCE"

(as required under section-7)

1. Manufacturer's name and address: .................................................................

.................................................................

2. Manufacturer's identification mark: .................................................................

3. Source S.No: ........................ 4. Date of manufacture:...........................

5. Source classification number: C/E ...........................................................

6. Radionuclide: ........................................ .................................................................

Mass number and chemical symbol: .................................................................
Target element for neutron sources .................................................................

7. Chemical and physical form: ................... Mass/volume .......................................

8. Maximum % of other radionuclides:................... % on ....................................(date)

(specify the radionuclide and ...........................% on ....................................(date)
percentage ..........................% on ................................. (date)

9. Equivalent activity GBq (Ci): ± ............... %:...............on .............................(date)

and/or radiation output:.....................................................on ...........................(date)
(specify fluence rate for radioactive neutron sources)

10. External dimensions:................Minimum encapsulation thickness:..............................

Material of construction:......................Method of sealing:.........................................
Number of encapsulations:...........................................................................................

11. Freedom from surface contamination: Method of test: ...........................................

Date of test: .................... Result of test: ....................................

12. Freedom from leakage : Method of test: .................................

Date of test: ..................... Result of test: ...................................

13. Type approval number: AERB/445/.....................on .........................................(date)

14. Certification number: IND/......./S.......................on ..........................................(date)

for special form radioactive material

15. The sealed source conforming to classification C/E .................and free from surface
contamination and radioactive leakage (less than 185 Bq.) can be used
for...................................(purpose)

Date: ........................ Signature: ....................................

Designation:.................. Name: .........................................

39
 APPENDIX-V

FORMAT OF "APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF CLASSIFICATION

OF SEALED SOURCE"

(a) State whether it is fresh application or renewal.

(b) State whether the approval is for sealed source/special form radioactive material/
low dispersible radioactive material

A. General

1. Name and address of the applicant: ...........................................................

...........................................................
...........................................................
...........................................................
PIN.....................................................
Telephone with STD code: ........................ Telex:..................................................
Fax:.............................................................. E-mail:................................................

2. Name and address of the: ..........................................................

manufacturer ...........................................................
...........................................................
...........................................................
PIN.....................................................
Telephone with STD code: ....................... Telex:..................................................
Fax:............................................................. E-mail.................................................

3. Person to be contacted regarding the application: ..................................................

Telephone with STD code:......................... Telex:..................................................
Fax:............................................................. E-mail:................................................

B. Details of Sealed Source

4. Radionuclide: ...........................................................

5. Other radionuclides present (nature and quantity):....................................................

6. Target element in case of neutron source: ...........................................................

7. Chemical and physical form: ...........................................................

8. Mass/volume (mm3): ...........................................................

40
9. Maximum activity (GBq/Ci): ...........................................................

10. Material(s) of construction : ...........................................................

11. External dimension (cm): ...........................................................

12. Active dimension (cm): ...........................................................

13. Thickness of wall/covering/cladding (mm): ...........................................................

14. Method of sealing: ...........................................................

15. Number of encapsulation(s): ...........................................................

16. Freedom from surface contamination:

(a) Test method (specify): ...........................................................
(b) Result(s): ...........................................................

17. Manufacturer's identification mark: ...........................................................

18. Tests for source classification :

Number of random samples for testing:

S.No. Test* Classification number

1 Temperature (3.4.2)

2 Pressure (3.4.3)

3 Impact (3.4.4)

4 Vibration (3.4.5)

5 Puncture (3.4.6)

6 Bend (6.2.1)

7 Impact (6.3.2.1)

8 Percussion (6.3.2.2)

9 Bending (6.3.2.3)

10 Heat (6.3.2.4)

11 Enhanced thermal (6.4.1.1)

12 Impact (6.4.1.2)

* Numbers given in brackets refer to relevant sections in this Standard

41
19. Source classification: C/E......................................................

20. Results of leak test

(a) Radioactive method(s) (specify): ...........................................................

(b) Non-radioactive method(s) (specify): ...........................................................

21. Anticipated useful life of the sealed source: ....................................................years

22. Intended use of sealed source: ...........................................................

Place: ........................ Signature:...................................................

Date: ........................ Name: ......................................................

Designation: .............................................

(Office seal)

Attachments:

1. A copy of quality assurance (QA) programme during manufacturing of sealed

radioactive sources and procedures to demonstrate that the manufactured sources are
identical to the prototype.

2. A copy of test report describing the method and results.

3. A copy of the certificate as required under section 4.

4. Publicity material regarding the intended use of sources.

42
 TABLE-1: CLASSIFICATION OF SEALED SOURCE
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Test Class
1 2 3 4 5 6 X

Temperature No test -40oC -40oC -40oC -40oC -40oC Special

(20 min) (20 min) (20 min), (20 min), (20 min), test
+ 80oC (1 h) +180oC +400oC +600oC +800oC
(1 h) (1 h) and (1 h) and (1 h) and
thermal thermal thermal
shock shock shock
400oC to 600oC to 800oC to
20o C 20o C 20o C

External Pressure No test 25 kPa 25 kPa 25 kPa 25 kPa 25 kPa Special

absolute to absolute absolute absolute absolute to test
atmospheric to 2 Mpa to 7 MPa to 70 MPa 170 MPa
absolute absolute absolute absolute

Impact No test 50 g from 200 g from 2 kg from 5 kg from 20 kg from Special

1m 1m 1m 1m 1m test

Vibration No test 3 times 3 times 3 times Special

10 min 10 min 30 min test
25 to 25 to 25 to
500 Hz at 500 Hz at 80 Hz at
49 m/s2 0.635 mm 1.5 mm
(5 g)* amplitude amplitude
peak-to- peak-to-
peak and peak and
90 to 80 to
500 Hz at 2000 Hz at
98 M/S2 196 m/s2
(10 g)* (20 g)*

Puncture No test 1 gram 10 gram 50 gram 300 gram 1kg from Special
from 1 m from 1 m from 1 m from 1 m from 1 m test

* Peak acceleration amplitude.

43
 TABLE 2: THRESHOLD DETECTION VALUES AND LIMITING
VALUES FOR DIFFERENT TEST METHODS

Sub- Threshold Limiting value

clause detection Non- Leachable or
Test method in text value leachable gaseous content
content

Activity (Bq)
Immersion test (hot liquid) 5.1.1.1 10 to 1 200 200

Immersion test 5.1.1.2 10 to 1 200 200

(boiling liquid)

Immersion test with 5.1.1.3 10 to 1 200 200

liquid scintillator
Gaseous emanation test 5.1.2.1 4 to 0.4 ...* 200 (222Rn/12 h)

Emanation test with a 5.1.2.2 0.4 to 0.04 ... * 200 (222Rn/12 h)

liquid scintillator

Wet wipe test 5.1.3.1 10 to 1 200 200

Dry wipe test 5.1.3.2 10 to 1 200 200
Standard helium leak rate (µPa.m .s-1)
3

Helium test 5.2.1.1 10-2 to 10-4 1 10 -2

Helium pressurisation test 5.2.1.2 1 to 10-2 1` 10 -2
Vacuum bubble test 5.2.2.1 1** 1 ... ***
Hot liquid bubble test 5.2.2.2 1** 1 ... ***
Gas pressurisation bubble test 5.2.2.3 1** 1 ... ***
Liquid nitrogen bubble test 5.2.2.4 1** 1 ... ***
Mass gain of water (µg)
Water pressurisation test 5.2.3 10 50 ... ***

* Unsuitable
** These detection limits apply only to single leaks under favourable visual conditions
*** Not sensitive enough

44
 TABLE 3: BEND TEST PERFORMANCE CLASSIFICATION
FOR LONG SOURCES

Bend test Class

1 2 3 4 5 6

Static force No test 100 N 500 N 1000 N 2000 N 4000 N

(10.2 kgf) (51 kgf) (102 kgf) (204 kgf) (408 kgf)

TABLE 4: SEALED SOURCE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

FOR GAMMA IRRADIATORS

Gamma Sealed source test and class

irradiator
category* Temperature Pressure Impact Vibration Puncture Bend

II, III, IV 4 3 4 2 4 5

I 4 3 4 2 3 4

* Category I : Self-contained dry source storage

Category II : Panoramic dry source storage
Category III : Self-contained wet source storage
Category IV : Panoramic wet source storage

Details of other requirements for categories II, III, and IV irradiators are given
in AERB Standard Specifications for Radiological Safety for the Design and
Installation of Land-Based Stationary Gamma Irradiators (AERB-SS-6, 1993).

45
 ANNEXURE-I

GUIDANCE FOR THE CHOICE OF TEST TO BE CARRIED OUT

ACCORDING TO CONTROL AND SEALED SOURCE TYPE

This annexure (including Table A1) provides a guide to assist in selection of the
most suitable tests for carrying out quality control, production control and
recurrent inspection, taking into account the sealed source type (design,
characteristics etc.)

Table A.1 is not comprehensive; however it covers a wide range and can act
as a guide for many sealed source designs. It gives the preferred test and second
choice test.

A.1 Leakage test for production of sealed sources

The most appropriate leakage test for production of sealed sources

containing a radionuclide can be determined from Table A.1, according
to their particular source design and technology.

A.2 Leakage test for prototype sealed sources

Leakage tests allowing validation of required tests for determining the

classification of a prototype sealed source according to this Standard may
be carried out on:

- prototype sealed source with nominal radioactive content; or

- simulated sealed sources; or
- dummy sealed sources.

For the last case, it will be clearly necessary to use a non-radioactive

leakage test method.

The most appropriate leakage test will depend on the sealed source
technology and design and can be determined from Table A.1.

46
A.3 Recurrent inspections

It is obviously necessary to test sealed sources at regular intervals after

the manufacturer has supplied it to a user, to check that they have not
developed a leak. Many countries follow statutory regulations to specify
the frequency of tests. The time interval between tests may vary according
to the sealed source type and design, and also the working environment.

These tests are not necessarily the same as those which are appropriate
during manufacture. It is important to take into account the utilisation
conditions of the sealed source and of any specific risks that it might
encounter during its working life.

Thus several conditions may be encountered in practice when considering

recurrent tests:
(a) The sealed source can only be tested at the site where it is used
and it is practical to carry out a wipe test on the nearest accessible
surface. In this case, a wipe test (5.1.3) is chosen. A visual
examination of the source should also be carried out if possible;
(b) The source can only be tested at the site where it is used, but direct
access to source is not possible or not desirable because of the
unjustified exposure of persons carrying out the test, for example
high activity teletherapy sources or other sources in sealed
housings. In this case, wipe tests should be carried out on the
nearest accessible surface; and
(c) Where facilities are available to test the sealed source by other
methods, for example in certain hospitals, by return to the
manufacturer or by other suitable laboratories, the methods
recommended for production sources in Table A.1 should be used.
A visual examination of sealed source should also be carried if
possible.

47
Warning:

1. If the activity is found to be present, even if below the limiting value

of 200 Bq, action should be taken to establish whether this arises from
source leakage. One procedure would be to repeat the tests at regular
intervals to determine whether the activity detected is increasing.

2. When carrying out recurring test, it is essential to ensure that radiation

exposure levels are within accepted limits.

TABLE-A1: SELECTION OF LEAKAGE TEST METHODS RELATED

TO MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Tests for production Tests to establish

Source type sources classification of source
Preferred S e c o n d Preferred S e c o n d
choice choice

A Sealed source containing Immersion Wipe Immersion Wipe

radioactive material (5.1.1) (5.1.3) (5.1.1) (5.1.3)
A1 A single integral window. e.g.
smoke detectors
A2 Low-activity reference sources.
e.g. encapsulated in plastic

A3 Single-or double-encapsulated Immersion Bubble Immersion Bubble

sources (excluding 3H and (5.1.1) (5.2.2) (5.1.1) (5.2.2)
226
Ra) for gauging, radiography, Helium Helium
and brachytherapy (5.2.1) (5.2.1)

A4 Single-or double-encapsulated Gaseous Immersion Gaseous Immersion

226
Ra and other gaseous sources emanation (5.1..1) emanation (5.1.1)
(5.1.2) (5.1.2)

A5 Double-encapsulated sources Helium Wipe Immersion Bubble

for teletherapy and high (5.2.1) (5.1.3.2) (5.1.1) (5.2.2)
activity irradiator sources Helium
(5.2.1)
B Simulated sealed sources of Immersion Bubble
types A3, A4 and A5 (5.1.1) (5.2.2)
Helium
(5.2.1)

C Dummy sealed sources Helium Bubble

(5.2.1) (5.2.2)

48
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. International Standard, ISO-2919 - Sealed Radioactive Sources - Classifi-

cation - May 1980.

2. International Standard, ISO-1677 - Sealed Radioactive Sources - General -

June 1977.

3. International Standard. ISO-9978 - Radiation Protection - Sealed Radioactive

Sources - Leak Test Methods - February 1992.

4. American National Standard, N542: Sealed Radioactive Sources, Classifi-

cation, ANSI N542-1977

5. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Safety Standard Series,

Regulations for Safe Transport of Radioactive Material, ST-1, (1996)

49
 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
TASK GROUP IX

TASK GROUP FOR REVISION OF AERB STANDARD

SPECIFICATIONS FOR TESTING AND CLASSIFICATION
OF SEALED RADIOACTIVE SOURCES

Dr. I.S.S. Rao* (Convenor) : Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Mumbai

(Formerly)

Shri P.S. Nagaraj (Member) : Board of Radiation Isotope Technology,

Mumbai

Shri K.D. Pushpangadan : Atomic Energy Regulatory Board,

(Secretary) Mumbai

* Author of the initial AERB Standard Specifications, No. AERB/SS/3, 1990

50
STANDING COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW AND REVISION
OF AERB'S RADIATION SAFETY DOCUMENTS (SCRCG)

Members participating in the meeting:

Shri A. Nagaratnam (Chairman) : Defence Research and Development

Organisation, Hyderabad (Formerly)
Shri E.B. Ardhanari : Walchandnagar Industries Limited,
Walchandnagar (Formerly)
Shri P.K. Ghosh : Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Mumbai
Dr. P.S. Iyer : Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
(Formerly)
Dr. S.K. Mehta : Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
(Formerly)
Dr. B.K.S. Murthy : Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
(Formerly)
Dr. A.R. Reddy : Defence Research and Development
Organisation, Delhi
Dr. I.S.S. Rao : Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Mumbai
(Formerly)
Shri P.S. Viswanathan : Apollo Cancer Hospitals, Chennai
(Formerly)
Dr. B.C. Bhatt : Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
(Co-opted Member, since 1-9-1997)

Shri J.S. Bisht : Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai

(Co-opted Member) (Formerly)
Dr. M.S.S. Murthy : Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
(Co-opted Member, till 31-8-1997) (Formerly)
Dr. A.N. Nandakumar : Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
(Co-opted Member)

Shri K.D. Pushpangadan : Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Mumbai

(Member-Secretary)

51
NOTES

52
AERB SAFETY STANDARD NO. AERB/SS/3 (Rev. 1)

Published by: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board,

Niyamak Bhavan, Anushaktinagar.
Mumbai – 400 094