Transport and Storage of Radioactive Material
What this domain tests
Transport and Storage tests package selection, transport categories, labels, transport index (TI), segregation, storage security and documentation. It links the radiation protection rules to the physical movement of sources.
Core rules
- Package type follows the activity and the source form. Excepted packages are for very low activity; Type A for limited activity; Type B for higher activity where the package must withstand accident conditions. Industrial packages are for low specific activity or surface-contaminated objects, not high-activity sealed sources.
- The transport index is the maximum dose rate at 1 m from the package surface in µSv/h divided by 10; it determines the label category (I-WHITE, II-YELLOW, III-YELLOW) and segregation.
- Labels show radionuclide, activity, TI and category. Documentation includes consignor, consignee, emergency contact and package identification.
- Storage must be secure, shielded, signed and inventoried. Sources are returned to storage and confirmed shielded after each job.
- National transport rules implement IAEA SSR-6; use the exam stated limits.
Worked example
A package has a surface dose rate of 0.8 mSv/h and a 1 m dose rate of 0.06 mSv/h. Reasoning: TI = 60 divided by 10 = 6. Because surface dose rate exceeds 0.5 mSv/h but is below 2 mSv/h, and TI is above 1, the package is Category III-YELLOW. The label, vehicle placarding and segregation must match that category; the TI also limits how close the package may be to people and other packages.
Traps
Using an excepted package for a high-activity source; calculating TI from surface dose rate instead of 1 m; ignoring the transport emergency card; storing a source in an unlisted location; assuming a Type A package is accident-proof.