[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

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


> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
> --------------D608F563AF51287758E4B31C
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>
> 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.
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger.
> > http://im.yahoo.com/
> > ************************************************************************
> > The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
> > information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html
> --------------D608F563AF51287758E4B31C
> Content-Type: text/x-vcard; charset=us-ascii;
>  name="dedling.vcf"
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> Content-Description: Card for Don Edling
> Content-Disposition: attachment;
>  filename="dedling.vcf"
>
> begin:vcard
> n:Edlign;Don
> tel;fax:502-899-5117
> tel;home:502-896-8597
> tel;work:502-896-8597
> x-mozilla-html:FALSE
> org:CROFT Inc.
> version:2.1
> email;internet:dedling@home.com
> adr;quoted-printable:;;1105 Old Cannons
Lane=0D=0A;Louisville;Kentucky;40207;
> fn:Don A. Edling
> end:vcard
>
> --------------D608F563AF51287758E4B31C--
>
> ************************************************************************
> The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
> information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html
>

************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html