Tritium Exit Signs

["Roman E. Fail, (RF)" <EHS5FAIL@UCSBVM.UCSB.EDU>]

*** Resending note of 06/13/94 08:45
Date:     Mon, 13 Jun 94 08:45:30 PDT
From:     "Roman E. Fail, (RF)" <EHS5FAIL@UCSBVM.UCSB.EDU>
To:        <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>

In a recent wave of new construction on the UCSB campus, contractors have
been installing "EXIT" signs that contain upwards of 20 Curies of tritium
to provide luminescence.  Normally this is not a concern, but some have
been installed near ground level - right where someone might kick it, a
forklift or pallet jack could smack it, or any number of things could
happen.  Has anyone experienced any problems with these general licensed
devices rupturing or leaking?  Is there potential for mass contamination
if the thing was seriously damaged?  Perhaps any research that has been
done into this area could be shared with us.  Also, are there any non-
electrical alternatives to the tritium exit sign.

After 7 years or so, the tritium signs are marked to "expire" because of
decay.  - How are these signs disposed of?
        _ Does anyone have a rotation program for these things when they
          expire?  Is it really necessary?
Any help, thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
Thanks for your time.

Roman Fail
Senior Radiation Technician
Environmental Health and Safety
Univ. of Calif. at Santa Barbara