The new 3rd edition for ISO 2919, “Radiological protection – Sealed radioactive sources – General requirements and classification,” has just been released and is now available from Document Center Inc. The 26 page standard establishes a classification system for sealed radioactive sources that is based on test performance and specifies general requirements, performance tests, production tests, marking and certification. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 2919:1999), which has been technically revised.
ISO 2919 provides a set of tests by which manufacturers of sealed radioactive sources can evaluate the safety of their products in use and users of such sources can select types which are suitable for the required application, especially where protection against the release of radioactive material, with consequent exposure to ionizing radiation, is concerned. ISO 2919:2012 can also serve as guidance to regulating authorities.
The tests fall into several groups, including exposure to abnormally high and low temperatures and a variety of mechanical tests. Each test can be applied in several degrees of severity. The criterion of pass or fail depends on leakage of the contents of the sealed radioactive source.
Although ISO 2919:2012 classifies sealed sources by a variety of tests, it does not imply that a sealed source will maintain its integrity if used continuously at the rated classification. For example, a sealed source tested for 1 h at 600° C might, or might not, maintain its integrity if used continuously at 600° C.
A list of the main typical applications of sealed radioactive sources, with a suggested test schedule for each application, is given in Table 3. The tests constitute minimum requirements corresponding to the applications in the broadest sense. Factors to be considered for applications in especially severe conditions are listed in section 4.2.
ISO 2919:2012 makes no attempt to classify the design of sources, their method of construction or their calibration in terms of the radiation emitted. Radioactive materials inside a nuclear reactor, including sealed sources and fuel elements, are not covered.
Safety is the prime consideration when establishing standards about the use of sealed radioactive sources. Sealed-source users have established an enviable record of safe usage as a result of careful scrutiny of the conditions of application of the sealed radioactive source by the regulating authority, the supplier and the user. However, as the application of sealed radioactive sources becomes more diversified and as regulating agencies become more numerous, ISO 2919 is needed to specify the characteristics of a sealed radioactive source and the essential performance and safety testing methods for a particular application and maintain the record of safe usage.
All ISO standards, technical specifications and technical reports can be purchased from Document Center Inc.’s website, www.document-center.com. Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We can assist you with information on both current and obsolete editions.
