Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 05969442-49ea-4f4a-a9e2-de3a14628b5e
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Minimization of Contamination and Radioactive Waste Generation:  Life-Cycle Planning - HISTORY 07/2013 – Periodic Review of Revision 0 – No issues identified
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0805/ML080500187.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.21
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
leakage and contamination of nonradioactive systems/components. Materials used in radioactive SSCs should be compatible with processing/disposal options. m. Considering the expected life cycle of the facility, the design should include provisions to facilitate the maintenance, inspection, and removal of radioactive components. n. The design of areas that may become highly contaminated (e.g., refueling canals, valve alleys) should include provisions for decontamination methods specifically designed for those areas. o. In areas where the potential for a spill exists, floors should be appropriately sloped to floor drains that lead to the radioactive waste system, thus limiting the extent of contamination. p. The necessity for decontamination can be reduced by limiting, to the extent practicable, the deposition of radioactive material within processing equipment, particularly in the “dead spaces” or “traps” (i.e., zones of low fluid flow where contaminants settle out) in components where substantial accumulation can occur. Tank and piping systems used for liquid radioactive systems should take advantage of gravity flow (e.g., pipes and tank bottoms should be sloped) to reduce the potential for contamination buildup. The deposition of radioactive material in piping can be reduced and decontamination efforts enhanced by avoiding stagnant legs, locating connections above the pipe centerline, using sloping rather than horizontal runs, and providing drains and flushing capabilities (which are routinely inspected and maintained) at low points in the system. q. Piping which may require eventual decontamination should be designed for readily available access to permit the use of high-pressure hydrolyzing and chemical decontamination methods. r. Potentially radioactive lines in temporary and/or mobile systems should have self-sealing quick disconnects as well as a means to promptly isolate leaks. These systems should incorporate operational interlocks to minimize the