TRANSPORT

CHAPTER AND
PACKAGING OF
14 RADIOACTIVE
MATERIAL
The transport regulations by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are of prime
importance insofar as they constitute international recommendations, which provide a basis
for the preparation of national regulations.

An edition of the IAEA transport regulations was published in 1985 and amended in 1990,
1996 and 2005. These regulations have now been incorporated into national and
international regulations and recommendations. In Saudi Arabia the recently published
regulation by K.A.CARE is to be adopted and it gives more details requirements.

. " General Regulation for Safe Transportat

ion for radioactive Materialsin
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by K.A.CARE - 2007"
(~.l~\ ~_JAJI ~I ~ ~I .ll,JAll6,4~1 Jl.UI ~~')

Definition: the transport expression includes all the processes related to movement of any
radioactive material with an activity higher than 70 KBg, either outside or inside a
device. In addition, the expression includes regular and emergency situations in the local
transportation, either within a city or between cities. For international transportation, the
IAEA regulations will be applied with previous approvals.

The term package is usually refers to the Packaging + the Radioactive Material (RAM) as in
the following diagram:

Packaging
+
$(RAM)
Package

The radioactive material (RAM) usually comes in two forms, either special form or normal
form, or normal form. The special form of RAM is a solid piece, contained in sealed capsule
that has a size of a bout 5 mm the RAM that is not classified as special form is considered
normal form, in this case the RAM itself is contained in a vial or syringe, and can be opened
easily.
 Normal Form Special Form

14.1 Types of Packages

Packages are divided into four types:
1- Excepted,
2- Industrial,
3-Type A
4-Type B

Except for excepted packages, which are used for very small quantities of radioactive
material, the smallest dimension must not be less than 10 cm.

14.1.1 Excepted Package

May be manufacturer's own packaging if it meets minimum design standards, no

special external labeling, activity such that whole radioactive content if released
would not cause a significant hazard

14.1.2 Industrial Package

There are three grades of industrial packages. IP-1 conforms to general design
requirements, used for low specific activity materials like uranium and thorium ores,
un-irradiated fuel elements and waste. It is also used for materials, if released, would
not be particularly hazardous. IP-2 and IP-3 in addition to meeting general design
requirements, must satisfy specified performance standards, used for low level solid
radioactive materials such as consolidated wastes and contaminated objects.

14.1.3 Type A Package

For small amount of radionuclides, Packaging more stringently designed than

industrial packages. have to withstand certain performance tests, but need not
withstand severe accidents. These tests demonstrate ability to withstand normal
conditions of transport. Figure 14.1 show samples of Type A packages.

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 Figure 14.1: Sample of Type A packages.

14.1.4 Type B Package

For all the larger quantities of activity, stringently designed so as to satisfy the Type
A performance tests and Type B tests. Latter includes a drop test of 10 m, followed
by 800°C fire test for 30 minutes.
There are two forms of Type B package:

14.1.4.1 Type B(U)- Unilateral

A package, which meets all the design requirements for worldwide movement,
design only requires approval of Regulatory Authority of country of origin of
design, no shipment certificate required.

14.1.4.2 Type B (M) - Multilateral:

A package, which does not meet all of the design requirements for worldwide
movement, the package design must be approved by the Regulatory Authority of
the country of origin and of each country through which the package is to be
transported. Shipment approval may also be required. Figure 14.2: Sample of Type B
packages.

Figure 14.2: Sample of Type B packages.

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The test requirements for various types pf packages are varied according to the types of the
package design. Table 14.1 summaries the test requirements for each type.

Table 14~ 1: Test requirements for the transport of radioactive materials as per package type.

Type of Packaging

Type of Test Industrial

Excepted Packaging Type Type
Packaging A B
IP-1 IP-2 IP-3

Water Spray Test x x

Free Drop Test x x x x
Compression Test x x x x
Penetration Test x x
Mechanical Test x
Thermal Test x
Water Immersion Test x

14.2 Package Activity Limits

I. All radionuclides are not equally hazardous and the limit on activity for each nuclide
has been calculated for Type A packages, these limits are tabulated it transport
regulations. The limits given for material in non-dispersible form, e.g., encapsulated
material, known as Special Form and material which is not in Special Form as listed
as A1 and A2 values respectively (see KA.CARE Transportation regulation).

Ai and A2 values are determined from consideration of a series of exposure routes

to persons in the vicinity of a Type A package involved in a severe transport
accident. The pathways are external exposure, external beta exposure, inhalation
dose, skin and ingestion dose due to contamination transfer and submersion dose.
The radiological criteria limit the effective dose to 50 mSv to a person in the
immediate vicinity of the package following an accident.

Package contents limits for mixture of radionuclides are determined from the ratios
of the activities to their A1 and A2 values:

In the case of Type B packages the limit on content is prescribed in approval

certificate by the Regulatory Authority and dictated by technical considerations
such as heat, pressure, and radiation level.

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II. Excepted quantities are small quantities of radioactive material that may be
transported excepted from most of the regulations provided that

• The surface radiation level of the package is less 5 µSv/h,

• the materials are packaged to prevent escape of material during normal transport,
and
• Warning of the presence of radioactive material is visible on the opening

The amount permitted per item and per package for radioactive materials contained
within instruments and articles, or for separate materials, are listed in the
regulations.
Empty packages which have contained radioactive material are excepted provided
they meet requirements that include the level of internal contamination being below
a specified level and the surface radiation level being less than 5 µSv/h,

III. Fissile material, Pu-238, Pu-239, Pu-241, U-233, U-235, are treated in terms of
activity like non-fissile material, except that the quantity of material or the number
of packages transported together is limited.

14.2.1 Transport Index (Tl)

Defined as a number representing the maximum radiation level in mRem/h or µSv/h
divided by 10 at a 1 meter from the surface of the package Figure 14.3. Maximum number
of Transport Indexes per vehicle= 50 (except with exclusive use).

Transport Index (Tl)

...
... ... ------- - . ...
(a) ; ...
; " '\\
I ! 1 metre I I
\ ;'
\ ;
.... ... .... ... ;

. - ... ------
Transport index (TI)= maximum dose rate (mrem/hr) at 1 metre
from the package surface

(b)

For non-exclusive use shipments, the TI from a single package cannot exceed l 0.

Figure 14.3: (a,b) Transport Index (TI)= maximum dose rate (mrern/hr) at 1 metre from the
package surface

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14.2.2 Exclusive Use

Means the sole use, by a single consignor, of a vehicle, large freight container, aircraft. All
loading, transfer and unloading is under the direction of the consignor or consignee. Carriage
under exclusive use conditions allows the Transport index total to exceed 50, aithough limits
are prescribed for the radiation level in the vicinity of the vehicle, and also allows a
maximum radiation level of 10 mSv/h at the surface of a package in "door to door" transport.

14.3 Persons and Materials at Risk

Packages of radioactive materials, under normal transport conditions, may affect transport
workers, the general public and undeveloped photographic film as a result of radiation
emitted from the package, or if the outside surface of the package is contaminated by
radioactive materials.

After accidents there is a possibility of ingestion and inhalation hazards from radioactive
material leaked from packages and a radiation hazard if the shielding material is damaged.

14.3.1 Contamination

The non-fixed contamination averaged over 300 cm2 of external package surface shall not
exceed 4 Bq/cm2 for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters or 0.4 Bq/cm2
for other alpha emitters. The relevant levels for excepted packages are a factor of ten lower.

14.3.2 Radiation Labels

There are three categories explained below and summarized m Table 14.2 and Figures
1 shows the labels of these three categories.

• Category White I - when radiation level at the surface does not exceed 5 µSv/h(0.005
mSv/h).

• Category Yellow II - when radiation level does not exceed

o 0.500 mSv/h at surface.
o 1 mRem/h (=10 µSv/h) at 1 meter from the surface of package.

• Category Yellow III - when radiation level does not exceed

o 2 mSv/h at surface
o 10 mRem/h (=100 µSv/h) at 1 meter from the surface of package

• Category Yellow III -Exclusive: when radiation level does not exceed
o IO mSv/h at surface
o More than IO mRem/h ( or more than 100 µSv/h) at 1 meter from the surface of
package

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 Table 14.2: Categories of package with respect to the radiation level

Max. Radiation level at any Transport

Label Categories Dose rate at
point on External Index
Surface 1 meter (µSv/h)
(TI)
Radioactive White I
......

Not more than= 0.005 rnSv/hr

(:S 0.005 mSv/h)

Radioactive Yellow II

More than 0.005 mSv/h but not

more than 0.5 mSv/hr More than 0, but not more
(> 0 ... :SI)
than 10 µSv/h
(> 0.005 mSv/h .... :S 0.5 mSv/h)

Radioactive Yellow III

r,
More than 0.5 mSv/h but not more
:-~:.:,,
/ A than 2 mSv/hr More than IO, but not more
(> 1 ... :SlO)
_,__ ---~ -- than 100 µSv/h
,.......,,_
. ·.. RAOJOACTIVEII I_ .
..
~;;..:: .......
_.

, . /,
.:; (> 0.5 mSv/h .... :S 2 mSv/h)
'~'< . ~.'.,.- :-'/··
b
Radioactive Yellow III
exclusive
.~,
use
More than 2 mSv/h but not more
than 10 mSv/h More than 100 µSv/h ( > 10)
(> 2 mSv/h .... :S 10 mSv/h)

"If the measured TI is not grater than 0.05, the value quoted may be zero.
b Shall also be transported under exclusive use.
c 1 mrem= 10 µSv, I mSv=IOOrnrem.

14.4 Marking and Labeling of Packages

i. Excepted materials - no labeling on outside but internal packing, the instrument, or
article, is marked "Radioactive".
ii. Empty packaging - any radioactive symbol or labels shoud be removed or covered

iii. White or yellow labeled packages - two labels approximately inscribed

TYPE B packages must have the outermost receptacle which is resistant to fire and
water marked with the radioactive trefoil symbol and passing tests listed in Table
14.1.

Packages which are Type A or Type B shall be marked accordingly in a durable

manner. The design identification mark shall be durably marked on all packages
which are subject to Regulatory Authority approval. The three labels for radioactive
shipments are shown in Table 14-2.

14-7
14.4.1 Placarding of Road Vehicles
Road vehicles carrying material, apart from excepted quantities, are required to be
placarded on both sides and the rear of the vehicle with the vehicle placard shown in
the transport. Figure 14.4 and 14.5 show placard displayed on the sides of the car. An
orange placard with Ul'-l number is also required, Figure 14.6. Table 14.3 shows some
examples of UN numbers and the corresponding shipment descriptions. These
Placards should be removed when no radioactive material is carried.
( See Article 43 of KA.CARE Transportation G.J)

.,"1omffl·-,
• Mlli.1M¥~ -.

Figure 14.4: Placard to be displayed on the sides of the car.

Figure 14.5: Vehicle with Placards displayed (Arabic & English) on different sides of the
vehicle.

____ L
.-i :-1ornrn
------ M!N!MUM DIMENSION ------''•:
3CYJ mm

Figure 14.6: Placard for separate display of United Nations numbers.

14-8
 Table 14.3: UN numbers and shipment descriptions to be used with Figure 14.4

United Nations
Shipment Specifications
numbers -.

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, EXCEPTED PACKAGE-

2910
LIMITED QUANTITY OF MATERIAL
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, EXCEPTED PACKAGE
2911
INSTRUMENTS or ARTICLES
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, EXCEPTED PACKAGE -
2909 ARTICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NATURAL URANIUM
or DEPLETED URANIUM or NATURAL THORIUM
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL EXCEPTED PACKAGE EMPTY
2908
PACKAGING.
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, LOW SPECIFIC ACTIVITY
2912
(LSA-1)
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, LOW SPECIFIC ACTIVITY
3321
(LSA-11).
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, LOW SPECIFIC ACTIVITY
3322
(LSA-III)
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, SURFACE CONT AMINA TED
2913
OBJECTS (SC0-1 or SC0-11)
2915 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE A PACKAGE.
2916 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE B(U) PACKAGE
2917 RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, TYPE B(M) PACKAGE.

14.5 Other Matters

14.5.1 Segregation from Other Dangerous Goods

Certain other dangerous goods, particularly explosives, may affect the integrity of the
radioactive package under accident conditions; hence segregation in stowage and
storage is required.

14.5.2 Special Arrangements

A consignment of radioactive materials which does not satisfy all regulations may be
transported as a Special Arrangement in a manner which ensures that movement is no
less safe than if all provisions were compiled with. Regulatory Authority approval is
required

14.5.3 Control of Contamination and Leakage from Packages

All non-fixed contamination, which can be removed from a surface, on the external
surfaces of packages must be kept to levels which as low as practicable, and under
routine conditions of transport, must not exceed the following limits:

14-9
 a) 4 Bg/cm2 for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters,
b) 0.4 Bg/cm2 for high toxicity alpha emitters

These limits are applicable when averaged over any area of 300 cm2 of any part of
the surface.

If the package is damaged or leaking, access to the package is restricted, and the
extent of contamination and radiation level of the package must be assessed. The
scope of the assessment shall include the package, the conveyance, the adjacent
loading and unloading areas, and if necessary, all other material which has been
carried.

14.5.4 Surveying of Packages and Monitoring of Vehicles

Vehicles and equipment used routinely for the transport of radioactive materials must
be periodically checked for contamination. The frequency of checks must be related
to the likelihood of contamination and the extent to which the material is transported.
If the contamination of the vehicle or equipment is above the limits mentioned above,
or when the dose rate > 5 µSv/h, the vehicle or equipment must be decontaminated as
soon as possible and must not be used until levels are reduced to below the specified
maxima. After loading packages and before the vehicle movement, a radiation survey
must be performed at several locations as indicated in Figurel4.7, and Table 14.4
shows the K.A.CARE limits.
Driver Cabinet

• Surface
-At lm
>------ - - · At 2m

Figure 14.7: Survey locations around the transportation vehicle, at the surface and at 2
meters from all directions, and at the driver cabinet

Table 14.4: As per K.A.CARE transportation practice license limits for the radiation
level around the vehicle (Figure 14.8)

at2 m from Driver

At contact
all sides Cabinet

Max 400 µSv/h Max 20µSv/h Max20µSv/h

14-10
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l<."KI= A(.:hb.lli t;ly far !i<i(<HI Uki ((-1-,:.,~~-
\~ti~c•1Culu for Fl1~1iti-.n t',,;~e.:lhll ~t,....,!..o.!l»_i.o.11....,.-',l,,JIL,,,..
Mt,(~,-,,...•
l'l.....J.!1,)<,;l.,~~..,1....,...ll

... =t=,'> ,:,,,,...; ~r:i'~

l'L.J.ll - ~I ..::.1..uU\ uJ;.l_,....J\ JIJ)I a......_,..
(". 0 •• .,~. ")~JL;w11 ~\
\ ~..;
l.;l\:,.11 .:.u.1..,..:.r1 J!J ... .,L..11 ;,iJ,j,J i......J1 .:..
:~ ... )>~tk6'gt Typt ·-· - -, Pbn;i~:d S111I• ·of ('ilOltnU_. ;

~i~p~.-,..- J. . ~~~;:~ : :~:~; _:~~~;-_""···--·-

Mu. RuH111i1.n tevel 11t lo~alllo.ci I lvt, .:: ...... '· =•i--~ ;, , . ~ · 1
I . ·_~L?'-:.1110~ _:_.!\_j_l!lt:- R11dilti;~ lrn::_i°{~1S,·/2'1)..
Ll~Arh:_~r·s~---
. r@V•hlc.lc .1.url11cc OD .all 1ldf-, ·--~--·· - - --~----
~"i-m from Vrbid~-~:~Jf~~ -------- 20
:@Puls~ :rnr111t"t" iOffll ~-
~J!.O~ p:il."k.agt surf"-~!.~• J.1:1.11. . --~~·

Figure 14.8: Sample of safe transportation license for SPSS from KA.CARE
14.5.5 Segregation and Storage In-Transit
Packages containing radioactive material must be segregated during transport and
during storage in transit as follows:

b) Packages should be isolated from dangerous goods

a) Annual dose limit for transportation workers is 5 mSv, for public is 1 mSv,
and for undeveloped films is 0.1 mSv during the trip, these limits are also
used for the calculation of the isolation distance

14.6 Transport Documents

For all consignments apart from excepted quantities, a declaration of compliance,
consignment details and any instructions to the carrier are required from the
consignor. Carriers, port authorities, etc., may require copies of the documents. These
documents must accompany the shipment and contain information including:
1. Shipping name, which describes the material in a general, way,
2. Hazard class number, 7 being the number assigned by the UN to radioactive
materials,
3. Hazard class name, that is "radioactive material" if those words are not part of
the shipping name,
4. Identification number, a four digit number preceded by the letters UN which is
recognized internationally, that describes the material and its hazards, and may
be used in guiding emergency response action,
5. Identification of radionuclides contained in the package,
6. Total activity of the radioactive content,
7. Category of label on the package,
8. Physical and chemical form of the radioactive content or a statement that the
content is special form material,
9. Type A or Type B category of the package as appropriate, and
10. Other pertinent information especially for Type Band fissile packages.

14-11
14. 7 Responsibilities of Persons Involved

14.7.1 Responsibilities of the Consignor

The consignor must ensure that the correct type of package is used for the
consignment, that is correctly labeled that an appropriate transport document relating
to the package is provided to the driver/carrier and that a statement of supplementary
operational requirements has been provided to the carrier.

14. 7.2 Responsibilities of the Carrier

The carrier is responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is correctly placarded and
carries a fireproof notice in the driver's cab. He is also responsible for ensuring that
these are covered or removed when the vehicle is not carrying radioactive material, e.
g., when returning empty after making the deliveries.

The carrier is responsible for ensuring that the requisite fire extinguishers are carried,
that procedures (local rules) are provided to the driver and that contingency plans for
vehicle breakdown and road traffic accidents are in place.

The carrier is responsible for ensuring that TI limits for the vehicles are not
exceeded, that the measurements of radiation dose rate have been made and recorded
to ensure compliance with the dose rate limits at the surface of and at 2 meters from
the vehicle. The carrier is also responsible for checking the vehicle for radioactive
contamination as appropriate.

The carrier is responsible for ensuring that the driver has received appropriate
training and is carrying evidence of such training.

In the event of serious accident, the carrier must notify the police, KACST, and the
consignor of the material being carried. He must arrange for the load to be examined
and the vehicle to be checked for contamination and documented if this is
appropriate.

If a package is damaged or involved in a serious accident, it must not be transported

onwards unless the consignor or his agent has examined it to ensure that it complies

14. 7.3 Responsibilities of the Driver

The driver must exercise reasonable care to ensure that none of the radioactive
material is lost or removed from the vehicle. To this end the goods compartment
should always be locked. Without good cause, the driver must not leave the vehicle
unattended in a place to which the public has access.

14-12
 The driver must not park the vehicle in any place unless at the time of parking there is a
clear space of 2 meters all around the vehicle, or unless the vehicle is carrying only
excepted packages, industrial packages or Type A packages bearing category 1-white
labels.

The driver must keep on the vehicle all transport documents relating to the packages
being carried.

In the event of an accident or incident involving consignments, the driver must notify
the police, and the consignor who will notify KACARE.

14.8 Basic Requirements for Radioactive Transportation:

1. Effective containment of radioactive material.
2. Effective control of radiation emitted from the package.
3. A subcritical condition for any fissile material.
4. Adequate dissipation of any heat generated within the package.

14.8.1 Empty Radioactive Materials Package:

Radiation sign Radioactive material, empty packages
1. The external radiation limit on the surface of an empty package is 0.005
mSv/hr (0.5 mrem/hr).

2. The internal contamination of empty packages is at 100 times the limits

for the external removable surface contamination.

3. When return empty box used for transportation of radioactive materials

should remove the labels

4. Use of empty packages for transportation only after the contamination

level for:
Beta-gamma-and low alpha reach 0.4 Bq/cm2 and
for high toxic alpha 0.04 Bq/cm2

14.8.2 Requirementto Accept Radioactive Material Packages:

1. Check for the shippers' certification;
2. Check shipping papers;
3. Inspect the packages;
4. Observe loading and blocking;
5. Check limits and controls on total TI and separation distances;
6. Placard the transport vehicle; and
7. Report any incident that occur.

14.8.3 Storage Limits and Controls:

1. Do not place packages with a total transport index (TI) greater than 50 in a
single transport vehicle or storage location.
2. Ensure that yellow labeled packages are kept separate from areas
continuously occupied by persons.
3. Observe the loading, transporting, or storing different kinds of hazardous
materials together.

14-13
14.8.4 Safety Procedure in case of Actual or Suspected Leaks or
Accidents Involving Radioactive Packages:
1 Do not touch packages that show signs of leakage.
2 Isolate the package by roping off at least 5 meters from the package, and if
possible put up warning signs.
3. Keep people out of the area.
4. Notify designated authorities for advice or assistance. Always have
available a current phone list of individuals and government agencies to
call in case of an emergency.
5. Tell anyone who may have come in contact with the damaged package to
go to a control point to be checked or advised by the radiation safety
personnel
6. Do not immediately clean up an area where an accident has occurred. This
must be done under the supervision of specialists and with the use of
radiation monitoring instruments to check for leakage outside the package.

14.8.5 Definitions
Package of Exclusive use is a package with Radiation level at its surface
should not be more than 10 mSv/ h (1000 mrem/h).
14.8.6 Multiplying Factor for T.I for Large Area Containers
For tanks, freight containers and unpackaged LSA-I and SCO-I, the value
determined in Table 14.2 above shall be multiplied by the appropriate factor
as shwon below.
Area of the large surface (m2) Multiplying factor
I < l
>l ~5 2
>5 s20 3
>20 10

14.8.7 Isolation of Radioactive Materials during Transportation:

(Article 101 in KA. CARE G.l)
During transportation, radioactive materials shall be adequately
isolated/segregated from transportation labors, public, other risky materials,
and materials that might be affected by such radioactive materials.
To calculate isolation distance or dose rates in populated areas in
systematic manner during transportation, dose limit values provided by the
following Article 102 shall be applied.
14.8.8 Segregation Limits: (Article 102 in KA.CARE G.l)
a- from transportation workers 5 mSv/y dose limit is used for calculating
isolation distance
b- from members of the public 1 mSv/y dose limit is used for distance
calculation.
c- for undeveloped sensitive films dose limit shall not exceed 0.1 mSv/y
d- groups of packages shall be stored so as to maintain a spacing of at
least 6 m between any two groups.

14-14