49 CFR 176.708 - Segregation distances.

Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

Title 49 - Transportation last revised: Nov 18, 2024

View all text of Subpart M [§ 176.700 - § 176.720]

§ 176.708 - Segregation distances.

(a) Table IV lists minimum separation distances between radioactive materials and spaces regularly occupied by crew members or passengers, or between radioactive materials and undeveloped photographic film. It expresses the separation distances as a function of the sum of the TIs of all packages in a single consignment, in the case of 0 or 3 feet of intervening cargo of unit density for persons, and 0, 3, or 6 feet of intervening cargo of unit density for undeveloped film. Cargo of unit density is stowed cargo with a density of 1 long ton (2240 lbs.) per 36 cubic feet. Separation distances may be interpolated from the table where appropriate.

(b) Table IV is to be used to determine the separation distance for undeveloped film.

(c) Category YELLOW-II or YELLOW-III packages or overpacks must not be transported in spaces occupied by passengers, except those exclusively reserved for couriers specially authorized to accompany such packages or overpacks.

(d) The separation distances for crew members and passengers may be determined by one of two methods:

(1) By using Table IV to determine the minimum distances between the radioactive material packages and regularly occupied spaces or living quarters; or

(2) For one or more consignments of Class 7 (radioactive) material to be loaded on board a vessel under the exclusive use conditions described in § 176.704(f), by demonstration through direct measurement, made and documented by a suitably qualified person, that for the indicated exposure times the dose rate in regularly occupied spaces or living quarters is less than—

(i) For the crew: 7.0 µSv/h (0.70 mrem/h) up to 700 hours in a year, or 1.8 µSv/h (0.18 mrem/h) up to 2750 hours in a year; and

(ii) For the passengers: 1.8 µSv/h (0.18 mrem/h) up to 550 hours in a year, taking into account any relocation of cargo during the voyage.

(e) Any departure from the segregation provisions should be approved by the competent authority of the flag state of the ship and, when requested, by the competent authority at each port of call.

(f) Table IV is as follows:

Table IV

Sum of transport indexes of the packages	Minimum distance in feet from living accommodation or regularly occupied working space		Minimum distance in feet from undeveloped film and plates
			1 day voyage			2 day voyage			4 day voyage			10 day voyage			20 day voyage			30 day voyage			40 day voyage			50 day voyage

	Cargo thickness in feet (unit density)
	Nil	3	Nil	3	6	Nil	3	6	Nil	3	6	Nil	3	6	Nil	3	6	Nil	3	6	Nil	3	6	Nil	3	6
0.1 to 0.5	5	X	6	X	X	8	X	X	11	X	X	17	4	X	25	6	X	30	7	X	35	8	X	39	9	X
0.6 to 1	6	X	8	X	X	11	X	X	16	4	X	25	6	X	35	8	X	42	10	X	50	12	X	55	13	X
1.1 to 2	9	X	11	X	X	16	4	X	22	5	X	35	8	X	50	12	X	61	14	X	70	17	X	78	19	X
2.1 to 3	10	X	14	X	X	19	5	X	27	6	X	42	10	X	61	14	X	74	18	X	86	20	X	96	23	X
3.1 to 5	13	X	17	4	X	25	6	X	35	8	X	55	13	X	78	19	X	96	23	X	110	26	X	124	29	7
5.1 to 10	19	4	25	6	X	35	8	X	50	12	X	78	19	X	110	26	X	135	33	8	155	37	9	175	42	10
10.1 to 20	26	6	35	8	X	50	12	X	69	17	X	110	26	X	155	37	9	190	46	11	220	53	13	250	59	14
20.1 to 30	32	8	43	10	X	61	14	X	85	20	X	135	32	8	190	45	11	235	56	13	270	65	16	305	72	17
30.1 to 50	42	10	55	13	X	78	19	X	110	26	X	175	42	10	245	58	14	300	73	17	350	84	20	390	94	22
50.1 to 100	59	14	78	19	X	110	26	X	155	37	9	245	59	14	350	82	20	430	105	24	515	118	28	550	130	32
100.1 to 150	72	17	96	23	X	135	32	8	190	46	11	300	72	17	425	100	24	525	125	30	600	145	35	( ⁷ )	165	39
150.1 to 200	84	20	110	26	X	155	37	9	200	53	13	350	84	20	490	115	28	600	140	35	( ⁷ )	165	40	( ⁷ )	190	45
200.1 to 300	105	24	135	32	X	190	46	11	270	64	15	425	105	25	600	145	35	( ⁷ )	180	42	( ⁷ )	205	49	( ⁷ )	230	55
300.1 to 400	120	28	160	37	9	220	53	13	310	75	18	500	120	28	( ⁷ )	165	40	( ⁷ )	205	49	( ⁷ )	235	57	( ⁷ )	265	63

Note:

(1) X—indicates that thickness of screening cargo is sufficient without any additional segregation distance.

(2) By using 6 feet of intervening unit density cargo for persons and 10 feet for film and plates, no distance shielding is necessary for any length of voyage specified.

(3) Using 1 steel bulkhead or steel deck—multiply segregation distance by 0.8. Using 2 steel bulkheads or steel decks—multiply segregation distance by 0.64.

(4) “Cargo of Unit Density” means cargo stowed at a density of 1 ton (long) per 36 cubic feet; where the density is less than this the depth of cargo specified must be increased in proportion.

(5) “Minimum distance” means the least in any direction whether vertical or horizontal from the outer surface of the nearest package.

(6) The figures below the double line of the table shall be used in those cases where the appropriate provisions of this class permit the sum of the transport indices to exceed 200.

(7) Not to be carried unless screening by other cargo and bulkheads can be arranged in accordance with the other columns.

[Amdt. 176-15, 48 FR 10245, Mar. 10, 1983, as amended by Amdt. 176-37, 60 FR 50334, Sept. 28, 1995; 69 FR 3695, Jan. 26, 2004]

authority: 49 U.S.C. 5101-5128; 49 CFR 1.81 and 1.97

source: Amdt. 176-1, 41 FR 16110, Apr. 15, 1976, unless otherwise noted.

cite as: 49 CFR 176.708