Primary Confinement System

DOE-HDBK-1132-99

necessary when handling pyrophoric material. Special

considerations should be given to systems that handle tritium

(see Section 2.10, Tritium Facilities).

Ventilation and cleanup systems associated with the primary

confinement system should not be shared with secondary and

tertiary confinement systems.

Tanks within the primary confinement system should vent to the

off-gas treatment system.

The operating pressure in the primary confinement system should

be negative with respect to the secondary confinement.

Gloveboxes should meet the following criteria:

Corrosive gases or particles from vats, scrubbers, and similar

equipment should be neutralized prior to reaching HEPA off-gas

filters.

A single filtered exhaust path should be acceptable when working

with low-toxicity materials that do not require dilution or

continuous cooling.

Exhaust flow rates (for air-ventilated gloveboxes) should confine

in-box contaminants safely when an access port is opened or a

glove ruptures.

If the glovebox is filled with an inert atmosphere, specific design

criteria for emergencies (i.e., ruptured glove) should be

incorporated on a case-by-case basis (e.g., pyrophoric materials).

Hot cells should meet the following criteria:

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