Secondary Confinement System

DOE-HDBK-1132-99

Ceramic processes involve oxide powder that is finely divided. The exposure of

personnel to the powder inhalation hazard should be prevented. Processes that

handle bulk ceramics such as pellets are not dust-free operations and thus,

adequate ventilation should be provided.

Secondary Confinement System. The secondary confinement system

generally consists of the confinement barriers and associated ventilation

systems that surround or confine the operating areas that house the process

system and its primary confinement.

The operating area compartments should have sensors that detect releases of

hazardous materials from the primary confinement system and provide

appropriate alarms. Commensurate with the potential hazard, the use of

redundant sensors should be considered.

Penetrations of the operating area confinement barriers should be minimized.

When practical, equipment components not functionally required to operate

directly in the presence of radioactive materials should be located outside the

operating area compartments. Penetrations of the secondary confinement

should have positive seals to prevent the migration of contamination out of the

operating area.

Each secondary confinement compartment should be supplied with ventilation

air from the building ventilation system and should have exhaust ventilation with

sufficient capacity to provide controlled ventilation flow as required in the event

of a credible breach in the operating compartment confinement barrier.

Pressure in the compartments should be negative with respect to the building

ventilation system.

Irradiated Fissile Material Storage Facilities. The following provisions are

1.2.4

typical for an irradiated fissile material storage facility (IFMSF) confinement

system. The actual confinement system requirements for a specific IFMSF

should be determined on a case-by-case basis.

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