radiation Flashcards
key point summary
Upon arrival park upwind. Gather information.
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Brigade Control will inform the scientific advisor (SA)/radiation protection advisor (RPA).
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Establish inner cordon. Using a survey meter, the cordon may be reduced to a point where increase above background is just detected.
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Is the hazard irradiation or contamination or both?
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If irradiation only use BA and gloves.
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If contamination is possible, consider use of GTCPS.
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All doses must be justified and be ALARP.
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All radioactive materials should be contained.
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A survey meter must accompany each crew to monitor dose rate.
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Every person committed to the inner cordon must wear an EPD.
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All personnel and equipment to be monitored with contamination meter before leaving restricted area. Contamination is deemed to be present if contamination meter reads greater than 5 counts per second above background.
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Appropriate decontamination is to be as detailed by the SA/RPA or hazardous materials and environmental protection officer (HMEPO)/radiation protection supervisor (RPS).
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Every effort must be made to contain and if possible shield radioactive materials.
RADOS background radiation
0.2 to 0.3 micro sv per hour
fire brigade max dose per year
Because of the lesser degree of control at emergency incidents and in common with best practice within the nuclear industry, LFEPA has adopted a dose constraint of 10 mSv per year per employee
If, en route, an EPD dose rate alarm (intermittent double beep, 100 Sv per hour) actuates, or the survey meter reading is above background rate
the appliance and crew is to retreat to a position where the reading returns to background rate (up to 0.2 Sv per hour).
Any messages should contain
recommended RVP or marshalling point and approach route as appropriate.
remember what regarding cordons
Initially a cordon of 25 metres radius should be established, unless instruments indicate that a larger cordon is necessary (see paragraph 4.4). Cordons may be adjusted as in paragraph 4.10 once an adequate command structure is in place taking advice from the HMEPO or SA.
4.9
Establish a cordon (to be declared the inner cordon, Policy Number 263 - Major Incident Procedure and London Emergency Services Liaison Panel (LESLP) major incident procedural manual refer).
4.10
The boundary of the inner cordon shall be where survey meter readings are at background dose rate (i.e. around 0.2 Sv per hour). The extent of the inner cordon must also take into account the spread of any radioactive contamination. The contamination meter will be used to verify if any surface contamination is present. If detected the boundary of the inner cordon is to be adjusted.
4.11
Crews may only be deployed in a radiation affected inner cordon if the objectives or tasks can be justified. Even so, exposures must be kept ALARP.
4.12
All Personnel entering the inner cordon must be wearing full firefighting gear, BA and an EPD. Note: BA may be deemed unnecessary on advice from the HMEPO/RPS or SA/RPA. If contamination by radioactive materials is possible, consider use of GTCPS. Note: GTCPS affords protection against and emitters but no inherent protection against gamma () radiation. However it facilitates effective decontamination thus avoiding contamination of fire gear.
EPD readings are to be taken at the BA entry control and
entered on the back of BA tallies (Policy Number 466 – Respiratory protective equipment - breathing apparatus – operational procedures refers) the EPD’s serial number shall also be entered.
EPDs are normally worn
trouser pocket all day
operationally EPDs are worn inside the tunic chest pocket with the lanyard’s snap hook attached to the ‘whistle loop’.
At confirmed radiation incidents, the EPD is clipped to the BA chest strap (inside GTCPS if worn) to permit regular reading and hearing of alarms. At an incident where the SA or HMEPO has advised against the use of BA the EPD will be clipped to the fly-front of the tunic to facilitate reading the display
Every crew committed into the inner cordon
is to include a survey meter and dedicated operator so that the ambient gamma () dose rate is monitored with a view to minimising exposure. It is the survey meter operator’s role to assess readings as the crew proceed.
what is the emergency dose
In a declared radiation emergency, an emergency dose not exceeding 100 mSv may be considered (see section 2).
4.21
Should the situation merit the consideration of an emergency exposure not exceeding 100 mSv the IC must contact the HMEPO/RPS by the most expeditious means. Only the HMEPO/RPS has the authority to permit the emergency exposure of LFEPA staff (the HMEPO/RPS has no authority to permit the exposure of employees of other organisations). Only men would normally be considered for an emergency exposure (see appendix 1).
4.22
Before an emergency exposure, personnel must have received sufficient information on the possible health effects (see appendix 5 and 6) of such an exposure and the precautions that should be taken. The individual must consent to such an emergency exposure.
when coming out of the inner cordon
Whenever personnel and equipment leave the inner cordon they will be checked for contamination with a contamination meter as appropriate. They are then to report to the BA entry control where the dosemeter reading will be taken and entered on the back of the tally
men and women and emergencey dose
All men who are fit for operational duties may consent to an emergency exposure. All women of reproductive capacity are considered to be unsuitable to undergo an emergency exposure in accordance with REPPIR,
