Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: a5cfec96-8785-464b-ada8-dc4424b90606
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Quality Assurance for Radiological Monitoring Programs
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0630/ML063060429.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.15
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
ams. The PE program should provide fundamental sample types (e.g., solid, liquid, gas) and radionuclides (e.g., alpha-, beta-, and gamma-emitting nuclides) of interest at the facility. When available, laboratories should analyze samples as offered by a PE program on a frequency stipulated by the monitoring program’s QA criteria, with all types of samples and analyses repeated at least biennially. Chapter 18 of MARLAP provides information on organizations that administer PE programs. Acceptable performance criteria for results of performance-testing samples should be established that are consistent with the MQOs for the radiological monitoring project or program. For certain monitoring activities, the acceptance criteria of the PE program may be satisfactory. The performance in a PE program should be tracked and trended as one of the performance indicators for the laboratory and evaluated as part of the corrective action program. 7. Quality Control for Radioactive Effluent Monitoring Systems 7.1 Radioactive Effluent Process Monitors An initial, primary radiation monitor calibration that meets the specifications of ANSI N42.18-2004, should be performed with radioactive sources traceable to a national standards body (such as NIST). Calibrations should be repeated periodically using (1) STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIALS or (2) certified reference materials that can be directly traced to the initial, primary calibration. Complete system calibration — including electronics, detector, and any support functions (such as alarm, display, and recording devices) — should be performed at a frequency that ensures system reliability and accuracy or after repair or maintenance that may affect instrument calibration. Unless otherwise specified in license requirements, the effluent monitoring system should be calibrated every 12 months. This frequency may be extended to longer time periods coinciding with facility maintenance schedules, such as refueling for nuclear power plants,