Container Testing Criteria

DOE-STD-3013-2000

sealed containers. Radiation and heat also can potentially change the composition of

organic materials so that they no longer perform their intended packaging function.

Therefore, such materials should not be used in fabricating the inner or outer

containers.

Elastomeric seals on food-pack cans have been used for storage of plutonium.

Although such containers have been used successfully with little or no significant

seal degradation, this Standard conservatively excludes them from use.

3. The outer container is sized to fit into existing certified or currently proposed

shipping containers (primarily the 9975 and SAFKEG packages). This design will

minimize future handling and avoid unnecessary additional personnel exposure,

operational risk, and waste generation.

A.6.2.3

Container Testing Criteria

1. Design Qualification Testing

1) The purpose of the 9-meter drop test of the entire package is to ensure that a

storage package accidentally dropped from the maximum storage height would

not release any material. The number of tests, the number of samples per test,

and the drop orientation of the samples are specified in 49 CFR 178.603(a). The

target for the drop tests is defined in 49 CFR 178.603(d). The distance of the

drop is measured from the target to the lowest point on the sample container.

The drop height specified in the criterion is to be used instead of the heights

indicated in 49 CFR 178.603(e). The criterion for passing the test is that it retain

its function, (i.e., that it remain leak tight as defined by ANSI N14.5 [ANSI

1997]).

2) The purpose of the 1.3-meter drop test for the inner container is to ensure that

a loaded inner container accidentally dropped from the maximum packaging

height would not release any material. See A.6.2.3.1 for details of the tests.

3) The hydrostatic proof test provides verification that the container will remain

leak tight under maximum design conditions, plus a safety margin.