49 C.F.R. § 176.708

Current through September 30, 2024
Section 176.708 - Segregation distances
(a) Table IV lists minimum separation distances between radioactive materials and spaces regularly occupied by crew members or passengers, or between radioactive materials and undeveloped photographic film. It expresses the separation distances as a function of the sum of the TIs of all packages in a single consignment, in the case of 0 or 3 feet of intervening cargo of unit density for persons, and 0, 3, or 6 feet of intervening cargo of unit density for undeveloped film. Cargo of unit density is stowed cargo with a density of 1 long ton (2240 lbs.) per 36 cubic feet. Separation distances may be interpolated from the table where appropriate.
(b) Table IV is to be used to determine the separation distance for undeveloped film.
(c) Category YELLOW-II or YELLOW-III packages or overpacks must not be transported in spaces occupied by passengers, except those exclusively reserved for couriers specially authorized to accompany such packages or overpacks.
(d) The separation distances for crew members and passengers may be determined by one of two methods:
(1) By using Table IV to determine the minimum distances between the radioactive material packages and regularly occupied spaces or living quarters; or
(2) For one or more consignments of Class 7 (radioactive) material to be loaded on board a vessel under the exclusive use conditions described in § 176.704(f) , by demonstration through direct measurement, made and documented by a suitably qualified person, that for the indicated exposure times the dose rate in regularly occupied spaces or living quarters is less than-
(i) For the crew: 7.0 [MICRO]Sv/h (0.70 mrem/h) up to 700 hours in a year, or 1.8 [MICRO]Sv/h (0.18 mrem/h) up to 2750 hours in a year; and
(ii) For the passengers: 1.8 [MICRO]Sv/h (0.18 mrem/h) up to 550 hours in a year, taking into account any relocation of cargo during the voyage.
(e) Any departure from the segregation provisions should be approved by the competent authority of the flag state of the ship and, when requested, by the competent authority at each port of call.
(f) Table IV is as follows:

Table IV

Sum of transport indexes of the packagesMinimum distance in feet from living accommodation or regularly occupied working spaceMinimum distance in feet from undeveloped film and plates
1 day voyage2 day voyage4 day voyage10 day voyage20 day voyage30 day voyage40 day voyage50 day voyage
Cargo thickness in feet (unit density)
Nil3Nil36Nil36Nil36Nil36Nil36Nil36Nil36Nil36
0.1 to 0.55X6XX8XX11XX174X256X307X358X399X
0.6 to 16X8XX11XX164X256X358X4210X5012X5513X
1.1 to 29X11XX164X225X358X5012X6114X7017X7819X
2.1 to 310X14XX195X276X4210X6114X7418X8620X9623X
3.1 to 513X174X256X358X5513X7819X9623X11026X124297
5.1 to 10194256X358X5012X7819X11026X1353381553791754210
10.1 to 20266358X5012X6917X11026X155379190461122053132505914
20.1 to 303284310X6114X8520X1353281904511235561327065163057217
30.1 to 5042105513X7819X11026X17542102455814300731735084203909422
50.1 to 10059147819X11026X15537924559143508220430105245151182855013032
100.1 to 15072179623X13532819046113007217425100245251253060014535(7 )16539
150.1 to 200842011026X155379200531335084204901152860014035(7 )16540(7 )19045
200.1 to 3001052413532X190461127064154251052560014535(7 )18042(7 )20549(7 )23055
300.1 to 400120281603792205313310751850012028(7 )16540(7 )20549(7 )23557(7 )26563

NOTE:

(1) X-indicates that thickness of screening cargo is sufficient without any additional segregation distance.

(2) By using 6 feet of intervening unit density cargo for persons and 10 feet for film and plates, no distance shielding is necessary for any length of voyage specified.

(3) Using 1 steel bulkhead or steel deck-multiply segregation distance by 0.8. Using 2 steel bulkheads or steel decks-multiply segregation distance by 0.64.

(4) "Cargo of Unit Density" means cargo stowed at a density of 1 ton (long) per 36 cubic feet; where the density is less than this the depth of cargo specified must be increased in proportion.

(5) "Minimum distance" means the least in any direction whether vertical or horizontal from the outer surface of the nearest package.

(6) The figures below the double line of the table shall be used in those cases where the appropriate provisions of this class permit the sum of the transport indices to exceed 200.

(7) Not to be carried unless screening by other cargo and bulkheads can be arranged in accordance with the other columns.

49 C.F.R. §176.708

Amdt. 176-15, 48 FR 10245, Mar. 10, 1983, as amended by Amdt. 176-37, 60 FR 50334, Sept. 28, 1995; 69 FR 3695, Jan. 26, 2004