Pre -Operational and Operational Activities

DOE-STD-1136-2004

Guide of Good Practices for Occupational Radiation Protection in Uranium Facilities

10.3.1 Pre -Operational and Operational Activities

Determination of the natural background levels of radiation and of the background and fallout

radionuclides is a critical step in decommissioning. These levels are best determined before the facility

becomes operational. These levels need to be determined so the incremental dose occurring from material

left onsite at the termination of operations can be assessed.

The contamination control practices and records maintained during facility operation will also be

important. If paint is used in contamination fixation (seldom an optimum, but sometimes a necessary,

practice), it should be of a distinctive color and the location should be permanently recorded. Other records

are also helpful in planning and executing final decontamination for dismantling. Spills , pipe and tank

leaks, ventilation failures, burial of low- level radioactive or potentially radioactive materials onsite, or

other actions that might affect decommissioning shall become part of the permanent record of the facility

and be considered in decommissioning planning. Insights from workers who worked at the facility during

the operational phase can also provide useful information on past incidents.

10.3.2 Post-Operational Activities

DOE program organizations shall identify contaminated facilities under their jurisdiction, document

the potential for reuse and recovery of materials and equipment, and develop decommissioning schedules.

Before decommissioning activities begin, adequate surveillance and maintenance should be performed for

inactive facilities that allow them to: 1) meet applicable radiation protection, hazardous chemical, and

safety standards, 2) maintain physical safety and security standards, and 3) reduce potential public and

environmental hazards. Deactivation operations, such as removing all high- level waste and stored

hazardous materials, should be performed by the facility operator as part of the last operational activities

before entering into the decommissioning phase.

10.3.3 Decontamination and Decommissioning Activities

The following discussion of D&D activities is divided into four phases: site characterization,

environmental review process, general decommissioning planning, decommissioning project plan, and

decommissioning operations.

10.3.3.1 Site Characterization

Characterization data shall be collected to support a thorough physical, chemical, and radiological

characterization to fulfill the requirements of NEPA reviews, and the RCRA, CERCLA, and SARA

preliminary assessment/site investigations and detailed engineering. The facility characterization shall

include the following:

a. drawings, photographs, or other records reflecting the as-built and as -modified condition of the

facility and grounds,

b. the condition of all structures, existing protective barriers, and systems installed to ensure public,

occupational, and environmental safety,

c. the type, form, quantity, and location of hazardous chemical and radioactive material from past

operations at the site, and

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