MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
Annual maintenance requirements
Radiographic exposure devices used under normal environmental conditions should only require complete maintenance once a year. Complete maintenance on the associated equipment including the remote controls and source guide tubes should be performed every three months to detect deficiencies and to prevent corrosion and wear related problems.
The complete maintenance of the exposure device requires the disassembly of the exposure device to enable a detailed inspection of all major components. Therefore, the inspection and maintenance requires transfer of the source assembly from the exposure device into
a source changer performed inside of a restricted area. The annual inspection and maintenance must be performed by individuals specifically trained, qualified and authorized for this work.
Perform the following steps to transfer the sealed source from the exposure device into a source changer:
1Perform a survey of the exposure device to ensure measurable dose rates are less than 200mR/hr (2mSv/hr) when loaded to maximum capacity. Perform a radiation survey and an inspection of the source changer to be used according to the source changer's operating instructions manual.
2Perform a daily inspection of the remote controls, source guide tube(s) and exposure device according to the daily inspection section of this manual. If the source assembly connector fails the NO GO gauge test, do not proceed with transfer of the source assembly. Contact an AEA Technology QSA service center for advice on disposal of the source assembly.
Use the Model 550 NO GO gauge to check the remote control cable connector before and after a connection to the source assembly connector. For complete instructions to use the NO GO gauge and points tested, review the daily inspection instructions. (See page 3.8)
Do not use remote controls that do not meet the inspection criteria described in the daily inspection.
3Set up the equipment within a restricted area before transferring the source assembly into the source changer according to the instructions supplied with the source changer. The transfer must be performed by properly trained and licensed personnel. Use a survey meter to perform confirmatory surveys of the exposure device, source guide tube and source changer to confirm that the sealed source is properly secured. Engage the lock on the source changer to lock the sealed source within the source changer.
Remove the source identification tag from the exposure device and fasten it to the source changer.
Attach a Model 550 connector gauge (jumper) to the end of the remote control cable connector found inside of the protective cover of the locking mechanism. The jumper will allow removal of the remote controls from the locking mechanism of the device after the remote control cable connector is returned to the exposure device lock.
Leak testing
Leak test of the radioactive sealed source
Periodic leak tests of the radioactive sealed source are required by most national regulations. The leak test provides a confirmation of the integrity of the hermetically welded sealed source by determining the amount of removable contamination. In most regulatory jurisdictions, a leak test of a sealed source must be performed every 6 months or prior to its first use after removal from storage. Acceptable results of a
1Survey the exterior surface of the Model 880 exposure device to ensure the dose/rates are less than 200mR/hr (2mSv/hr).
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