Consenting Process for Radiation Facilities - Atomic Energy ...

3.5.1.6 Decommissioning/Disposal
Consent from AERB should be obtained for decommissioning when the
telegamma unit is no longer to be used. The Consentee should arrange to
remove the radioactive source and depleted Uranium, if present, and return
them to the supplier for safe disposal. For the above, the Consentee should
obtain an Authorisation from AERB for transfer/disposal of radioactive waste
to the authorised waste management agency. The application format for
obtaining the said Authorisation for safe disposal of radioactive waste is given
in Annexure 50. The consentee is required to submit a report to AERB on
completion of decommissioning, safe disposal of sources and personnel doses
received during decommissioning operations.
3.5.1.7 Lead Time for Submission/Availability of Documents
The lead time for submission of documents at any stage of consenting process
is 60 days before the desired date of consent provided the application is
complete in all respects for review by AERB.
3.5.2 Medical Linear Accelerator Facility
3.5.2.1 General
Linear accelerators, betatrons and microtrons are capable of providing electron
beams in the range of 6 MeV to 42 MeV and/or photon beams in the range of
4 MV to 25 MV for treatment of deep/shallow tumours. In betatrons and
microtrons, the electron beams get accelerated in several orbits by a magnetic
field. The regulatory procedures for units based on Medical Accelerator such
as tomotherapy, cyberknife, intraoperative unit or any other similar unit is
same as those of medical linear accelerator (MLA) facility.
Check sources are used in Radiotherapy facility for checking the functionality
of the radiation measuring equipment such as secondary standard dosimeters.
The regulatory procedure to be followed for procurement of these sources is
same as that for discrete brachytherapy sources (see subsection 3.8.4).
3.5.2.2 Site and Layout Plan Approval
The room housing the accelerator should preferably be located at one end of
the hospital and contiguous with other radiation therapy facilities. Basement
is desirable site for location of accelerator facilities since the earth can form
a cheap and effective shielding. Since high voltages are involved, the site
should be free from flooding and high moisture in air. Dust load should be
negligible to prevent electrical sparking. In addition, ventilation should be
taken care of. It shall be ensured that the site can take the heavy shielding
load of the accelerator unit.
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