Radiation Safety Handbook

JSP 392

LEAFLET 18 SMOKE DETECTORS CONTAINING AMERICIUM-241 CONTENTS Para 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 Table 1 2 3 Annex A B Summary radiation risk assessment for lower activity smoke detector Summary radiation risk assessment for higher activity smoke detector Scope Statutory requirements and parallel arrangements Duties Commanding Officer and Head of Establishment (CO/HoE) Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) Workplace Supervisor (WPS) Employees Risk assessments for smoke detectors Handling of smoke detector heads Legal and MOD mandatory requirements Page Hazard associated with Am-241 smoke detectors ..........................................................................3 List of common smoke detectors used in MOD ..............................................................................4 Legal and MOD mandatory requirements for smoke detectors containing Am-241 .......................5

SCOPE 1 This Leaflet applies only to smoke detector heads incorporating radioactive sources containing Americium-241 (Am-241). The following information describes the requirements for keeping, using and disposing of such equipment. Summaries of the radiation risks and regulatory requirements for two examples of smoke detector heads containing Am-241 are included in the Annexes to this Leaflet. The examples chosen are representative of a lower activity and a higher activity Am-241 smoke detector. 2 Summary risk assessments for a comprehensive range of smoke detectors are available from the RPA who is also to be consulted regarding the hazards and requirements for detectors not covered by the scope of this Leaflet. 3 It should be noted that, where reasonably practicable and where suitable alternatives exist, nonradioactive detectors should be used in preference to those containing radioactive material. Smoke detectors containing Ra-226 are not to be used.

June 2009

Leaflet 18 Page 1

JSP 392

Radiation Safety Handbook

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND PARALLEL ARRANGEMENTS 4 In addition to the general requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the following specific legislation applies directly or is applied indirectly through parallel arrangements designed to achieve equivalent standards: • • • Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99) (apply directly); Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA93) (parallel arrangements); Radioactive Substances (Smoke Detectors) Exemption Order 1980 as amended by the Radioactive Substances (Smoke Detectors) Exemption (Amendment) Order 1991 (parallel arrangements); Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2007 (apply directly).

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DUTIES Commanding Officer and Head of Establishment (CO/HoE) 5 The CO/HoE has a duty to the Secretary of State, and a personal responsibility, to protect the environment and secure the health, safety and welfare of their staff at work. The CO/HoE is also required to protect persons not in MOD employment (e.g. members of the public) against risks to their health and safety arising from the MOD work activities. This includes radiation safety. The CO/HoE’s authority (but not responsibility) for radiation safety management arrangements may be delegated to appropriate personnel, such as a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) 6 • • • • The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is to ensure that: They are familiar with the specific radiation hazards of their unit or establishment and that an appropriate risk assessment has been carried out; Local orders include the requirements for keeping, using and disposing of smoke detectors containing radioactive material as detailed in this leaflet; Staff are appointed, instructed and trained in their duties relating to this leaflet; The requirements stemming from this leaflet are subject to audit.

Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) 7 Where an RPS is