Emergency Procedures in Case of Catastrophe Involving the Raleigh Research Reactor

%MurNBprocedures090654; ]> Emergency Procedures in Case of Catastrophe Involving the Raleigh Research Reactor Machine readable transcription Beck, Clifford Creation of machine-readable version: Russell S. Koonts Creation of digital images: Russell S. Koonts Conversion to TEI.2-conformant markup: Russell S. Koonts ca. 19 kilobytes NCSU Libraries Raleigh, NC Modern English, MurNBprocedures090654

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URL: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/archives/etext/engineering/reactor/murray/

20 November, 2000

Nuclear Reactor Digitization Project

Raymond L. Murray Reactor Project Notebook

Illustrations have been included from the print version. Scanned by Russell Koonts with Photoshop 5.0 software. Emergency Procedures in Case of Catastrophe Involving the Raleigh Research Reactor Clifford Beck

4 pp. Manuscript copy consulted UA 105.16

Prepared for the North Carolina State University Science and Technology Electronic Text Center

The lineation of the manuscript has been maintained and all end-of-line hyphens have been preserved.

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Library of Congress Subject Headings September 6, 1954 English LCSH manuscript 24-bit color: 400 dpi Emergency Procedures in Case of Catastrophe Involving the Raleigh Research Reactor Typescript 4 pp. September 6, 1954 MurNBprocedures090654

September 6, 1954 Clifford Beck NCSC # 84

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES IN CASE OF CATASTROPHE INVOLVING THE RALEIGH RESEARCH REACTOR

Separate procedures have been written to apply to instances in which it is necessary to evacuate the Reactor Building due to (a) excessive radiation level from the reactor or (b) release of excessive radioactivity within the Building. In those cases it was assumed that the hazard would not extend outside the Reactor Building.

It is conceivably possible, however, that gross catastrophes might occur which would create hazardous circumstances outside the Reactor Building and at other locations on the campus. It is necessary to plan emergency procedures in advance to be followed if such a catastrophe should occur.

Circumstances envisaged: Any event which might cause rupture of the fuel cylinder of the Reactor, with the consequent release of accumulated fission products, and the spread of these radioactive materials in large amount or hazardous concentration outside the Reactor Building, would be termed a catastrophe. Destruction of the Reactor Building by earthquake or bombs is the type of event envisaged.

Catastrophe could also occur without destruction of the Reactor Building. For, example, rupture of the reactor vessel, or spillage of its contents could occur (after significant build up of fission products), and natural convection or forced ventilation could discharge those from the building so that hazardous amounts would move toward other areas of the campus. (Other regulations specify that any radioactive materials inadvertently released shall be retained in the building as much as possible by turning off exhaust fans, closing doors, etc., In an emergency, however, those measures might not be adequate, and they might not be followed).

In all the estimates and analyses which have been made, (e.g. for the Reactor Safeguard Committee, etc), the possibility of a catastrophe appears to be extremely remote. Nevertheless, it is an event which could occur. Consideration is given herein to the procedures which should be followed if such an unlikely accident should occur.

POLICY: I. If any catastrophe should occur, in which hazardous amounts of radioactive materials are released onto the campus, every effort shall be taken to ascertain the drift path taken by the material and to prevent injury to any person who may be in the path.

II. Instruments and equipment likely to be needed in detecting and following a catastrophic release of radioactivity will be maintained at a location outside the Reactor Building (in addition to such material inside the building). This will insure access to such instruments and equipment in case the Reactor Building cannot be entered.

III. The procedures by which such catastrophic emergencies are handled will be established by mutual collaboration between the Reactor Staff, appropriate college committees, the City Fire Department, and the City Police Force; those different groups will be called on as needed in emergencies, and there will be periodic review and discussion between those groups to maintain the procedures in active status.

PROCEDURES: 1. The Radiological Safety Officer and/or a responsible member of the Reactor Staff shall be notified in case hazardous release of radioactivity from the Reactor Building is known or suspected to have occurred. The Director or Deputy Director is to be notified as soon as possible.

2. If more than one staff member is present, only one must, by quick agreement, assume charge of the situation until arrival of one of the officers named above. The other staff members present will assist to member in charge as needed and directed. (a) If the event occurs during normal working hours, the reactor staff will likely discover the emergency. (b) If emergency occurs at other tines, the college Protection Office is provided with a list of names and telephone numbers of staff members who may be called and a similar list is posted on the front of the Reactor Building.

3. The R. S. O., the Director, or the Deputy Director, if these officers are present when a catastrophe is known or suspected, or whatever other member of the Reactor Staff is presented knowledge or suspicion of catastrophe, shall immediately undertake a radioactive survey to determine whether or not hazardous amounts of radioactivity have been released.

4. If hazardous concentrations of radioactivity are discovered outside the Reactor Building, persons in the vicinity must be warned away from the area known or suspected to be unsafe and the City Fire Department and the City Police Department must be called. (a) Telephone numbers of the Fire Department and the Police Department are posted on the front of the Reactor Building and in the R. S. O. Office.

5. Until police, and firemen arrive, the staff member in charge, with such assistance as may be available, will ascertain the extent of the hazardous area, and warn all persons away therefrom.

6. Efforts also shall be directed, both before and after arrival of Police and Firemen, to determination of the drift direction of the radioactivity.

(a) Fifteen minute smoke-pots from surplus Army Ordnance stock are maintained in the Reactor Building, in the R. S. O. office, and in a nearby warehouse. Release of one of these at intervals may give great assistance in identifying the direction and spread of the radioactive gases.

7. It shall be the responsibility of the City Fire, and Police Departments, to remove persons (both on and off the campus as may be needed) from the area of hazardous radioactivity, as determined by the members of the reactor staff, and from the drift path of the radioactive gases, as long as hazardous concentrations persist. (a) Sirens, loud speakers, and other equipment and means available and as needed will be used.

8. For use in known or suspected emergency release of radioactivity, at least two stations, one in the Physics Department office near the front entrance to the Reactor Building and one in the R. S. O. office in Daniels Hall, will be supplied with emergency instruments and equipment. This equipment will be maintained in readiness for use and the reactor staff will be instructed in its use. The following items, among others, will be placed at each station: 1. A Beta-gamma survey meter with multiple ranges 2. A Chem-ox gas mask outfit 3. A Chemical type gas mask 4. Two paper filter respirators 5. A Flashlight 6. A Hand ax 7. One dozen light signal flares. 8. Two 15 minute smoke pots. and other incidental items.

9. When hazard from the incident has subsided, the reactor staff, with the aid of other agencies involved, will ascertain as accurately as possible the exposures which may have occurred and the extent of any possible injuries sustained. A detail report on the incident will be prepared.