Confinement Devices cont'd - doe-std-1128-98

DOE-STD-1128-98

ease of replacement. Use of PVDF lining or laminations on windows

may reduce their degradation and increase the ease of their

decontamination. The windows should be securely fastened and gasketed

or sealed. The gasketing material should be resistant to degradation by

radiation or other materials to which it will be exposed. Lighting fixtures

should be mounted on the glove-box exterior to the extent practicable.

Generally, organic (plastic) materials are not recommended for use in

plutonium glove boxes. However, when dealing with process streams

containing large quantities of fluorides or chloride ions, organic (plastic)

pipe and equipment are sometimes required. When using organics in the

glove box, care must be exercised in the selection of the material to

Fire protection should be provided in the glove box, enclosure, and

conveyor systems to meet DOE improved-risk objectives. Automatic fire

suppression should be provided in all new structures over 5000 square

feet and in all structures having a maximum possible fire loss (MPFL) in

excess of $1 million or where the maximum credible fire will result in

the loss of use of a vital structure for a period longer than that specified

as acceptable by the applicable PSO [DOE Order 420.1a, Facility Safety

(DOE, 2002a)]. When the MPFL exceeds $50 million, a redundant fire-

protection system should be provided that, despite the failure of the

primary fire-protection system, will limit the loss to $50 million.

Discrete workstations within an enclosure should be separated from each

other by fire stops to prevent the spread of fire. Fire stops should be

designed to be normally closed. For systems in which fire stops must

normally be open, closure should be automatic upon actuation of the fire-

sensing system. Instead of a fire-sensing system, an oxygen-deficient

atmosphere may be provided as the normal or required operating

atmosphere within the enclosure. Where automatic fire-suppression

systems are not required, a fire-detection system should be installed.

Provisions should also be made for manual fire suppression where it is

deemed necessary.

The actual sources inside the glove box should be shielded, if possible,

instead of shielding the glove box. However, the glove box should be

equipped with or capable of accepting any necessary neutron and/or

gamma shielding.

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