epr-method (2003) - IAEA Publications - International Atomic Energy ...

Dangerous source in a fire
Description
Emergencies involving a dangerous source in a fire.
Potential hazards
The primary risk comes from the fire. There is a small probability that the shielding or container for the radioactive
material could be damaged. Handling an unshielded dangerous source can cause permanent injury and being in the
vicinity of an unshielded source can be life threatening within hours. There may be a small inhalation hazard for those
within a room or within with a fire or within a few metres of a source in the open that is in a fire
There will be little or no health risks to response personnel provided that in taking response actions near any hazardous
material they take normal precautions, such as the use of respiratory protection against material released in a fire or
explosion. Limited stays (such as for rescues) near a radioactive source or material would probably not be dangerous.
Emergency response
Operator:
— Evacuate area and perform immediate actions to save lives.
— Request local emergency services immediately, informing them of the hazard and that they should
not delay life saving actions.
— Carry out a radiation survey; verify the location of the source; set up barricades at new controlled
area boundary at 100 m from the fire or at 100 µSv/h (consistent with Appendix 5)
— Prevent access to the area; do not leave controlled area unattended.
— Record names of potentially exposed individuals.
— Obtain assistance from the radiation protection officer (radiological assessor) to provide support to
emergency services when they arrive.
— If public exposure or contamination is possible, follow, as appropriate, the action guide for Public
contamination/exposure.
Radiological assessment (Radiological assessornational team) (Element A3.1)
— Monitor for gamma, beta and alpha and establish an inner-cordoned area (safety distance) in
accordance with Appendix 5 (Table A5-I).
— If there are indications that a dangerous neutron source (e.g. Cf-252, Be/Am well logging) may be
involved obtain experts to conduct neutron monitoring (possibly with IAEA assistance if not
available within the State)
— Monitor the emergency services and victims for contamination.
— Reconstruct /record the doses received and inform those exposed about the risks, inform off-site
officials of any dose in excess of occupational limits and, arrange, where appropriate (See element
A8.5), for long term medical follow-up.
Regulatory body:
— Operate under the ICS incident commander.
— Determine that the device involved is safe before reuse.
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