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Re: Type A transport containers
One additional practical point to take into consideration. When we had a
container tested for Type-A certification by a commercial vendor, they
required 10 prototypes of each container. This included not only the
package, but as Mr. Lipton notes, simulated contents as well. We concocted
simulated lab trash - pipette tips, tubes, petri dishes, etc., and this
proved the real expense for the test. While the Type-A tests for solids are
not terribly stressful on the package, we also had containers tested for
liquids. These tests will generally not leave the packaging in re-usable
condition (they require a Type-B drop test).
Also note that the back of the IATA guide contains a global listing of
testing laboratories qualified to perform testing to IATA specs.
Don Jordan
RAM Services, Inc.
----- Original Message -----
From: Don Edling <dedling@home.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2000 10:31 PM
Subject: Re: Type A transport containers
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> First a brief summary of my background:
>
> I initiated the DOE's Type A testing program in 1975 (at Mound Lab.),
> conducted all of the DOE's Type A testing for the next 22 years and
> published the Type A packaging catalogs (the "Red Book") until I retired
> and the program went to Hanford. Thus, I know as much about Type A
> packaging testing and certification as anyone in the world.
>
> Response to your questions:
>
> Without further information it is difficult to answer your questions,
> but, I will generalize for a bit. Within the next week I will respond in
> more detail.
>
> Question: Is it possible to repair Type A transport containers?
> Response: "Yes" at times.
>
> Question: Is it possible to repair Type A transport containers
> (drums)that have small rust holes in them.
> Response: From a practical standpoint, "No."
>
> Question: Would the container have to be re-certified?
> Response: "Yes"
> Discussion: This re-certification could be by any of the means
> given in 173.461 - prototype testing, actual
> testing, testing of models, reference to similar
> testing, calculations, etc. And, this
> must be documented and made part of the
> documentation required per 173.415(a).
>
> The difficult part to address in this
> re-certification would be, "What is the condition
> of the rest of the drum, the parts that have not
> rusted through as yet?" And, "How do I know!!"
> Plus the obvious question, "How do I know my
> repairs to the "rusted" areas are as strong as the
> original steel?"
>
> Remember, when one introduces this "refurbished"
> or any Type A package into commerce, as the
> shipper, one is saying that "It meets or exceeds
> the ability of the original test package to comply
> with the DOT Type A performance requirements!"
>
> The shipper has to be able to logically defend the
> above position/statement. Try convincing a
> concerned person from the public, an inspector
> from the DOT or the NRC or the State or the DOE
> that a rusty, patched-up steel drum is as good as
> the new drum/package and would perform as well in
> actual testing.
>
> The fact that the epoxy resin might not spill out
> is not of any significance. One would have to be
> concerned abut water getting into the drum and
> corroding the steel from the inside - undetected
> until a hole opens.
>
> Other information of interest - the type of drum closure, is the AmBe
> source certified as Special Form, how old are these packagings?
>
> Just some thoughts, but I think it will be cheaper to buy new packagings
> than to try fix & patch & re-certify. As long as you did this work in
> compliance with the intent of the DOT regulations.
>
> Don Edling
> CROFT Inc.
>
> andrew neil wrote:
> >
> > Dear radsafers,
> >
> > Is it possible to repair Type A transport containers
> > that have small rust holes in them. Would the
> > container have to be re-certified.
> >
> > The container was puchased from a vendor who certified
> > it as a Type A transport container. The container is
> > cylindrical in shape and measures 21"x19"x19".
> >
> > The Am241Be source is secured by screwing it into the
> > middle of the container. The shielding material
> > inside the metal container consists of polypropelene
> > beads which are solidified together in an epoxy resin
> > and therefore designed not to spill out of any holes.
> >
> > __________________________________________________
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