15. TAKE STATIONS. All three teams should now move from the assembly area to their respective team stations. At the same time, move all decontamination equipment to the team stations. Team stations are located in the "clean" area because:
a. It provides team members with a protected area to which they can retreat when they are not working. (This gives them the added protection of the distance between the station and the source of radiation.)
b. All personnel should be exposed to radiation as little as possible and for the shortest
c. Once the exercise has started, strict enforcement of NO SMOKING, EATING, or DRINKING rules must be observed in the working areas, as well as in the team stations.
(The ban can be lifted when personnel have been cleared AFTER their final monitoring.)
16. MONITOR "HOT" AREA. Two or more monitors will now make a survey of the "hot" area and record their "average" readings on their copies of the sketch map, indicating where the readings were taken. Monitors will return to the CONTROL POINT and give the maps to their team leaders.
a. The method for "area monitoring" differs somewhat from "equipment' and "personnel" monitoring. In area monitoring, readings are taken at a level 3 feet from the ground.
(1) The instrument or-if so equippedthe probe is held parellel to the ground with the shield open.
(2) The monitor proceeds to the center of a particular quadrant and takes four readings, facing the North, South, East, and West to take the separate readings, after which he averages them and records the average figure on the sketch map for that particular quadrant
(3) Although monitoring is done as quickly as possible to avoid excessive exposure; in a real situation, much depends on the ACCU- RACY of these readings. Therefore, the monitors should take sufficient time to assure a steady needle reading or, if the needle refuses to stop Par 15 AC 20-48 1966 oscillating, decide on the average needle read-
(4) Monitors should visually spot the approximate centers of the quadrants before leaving the CONTROL POINT so that they can walk unerringly to their check point. Aimless wandering in a radiation field should be avoided. This part of the exercise should emphasize practice in monitoring an area with minimum
b. After the "hot" area is monitored, the monitors return to the CONTROL POINT rather than to their respective stations. Because no decontamination equipment has yet been moved into the "hot" area, there is no way to wash down the monitors in the event their clothing has become heavily contaminated. If the "hot" area radiation level during an actual situation were high enough to necessitate the return of these men to their stations, all procedures would be delayed until a unit of decontamination equipment had been moved into the "hot" area so that these monitors could be rinsed off. In this type of situation, it is ideal to have a portable shower unit.
However, the exercise can be accomplished without these facilities. If you are equipped to include personnel showering as part of your exercise, the following information will be helpful:
(1) A special area should be provided for personnel to remove contaminated clothing before entering the showers. (Ordinary metal trash cans with covers may be provided as clothing receptacles. Personnel without protective clothing should not be permitted within this contaminated area. The showers should be located in a buffer or transit zone between the contaminated and uncontaminated areas.
(2) Normally, the same procedures that remove ordinary dirt from the body will also remove radioactive contamination.
(3) Personnel should use an abundance of soap and water, thoroughly scrubbing the body, hair, hands, and fingernails.
(4) After the shower, personnel should be monitored and any residual contamination removed by spot-cleaning or further showering.
(If a person has an injury or a wound, he should Chap 2
AC 20-48 1966 make this fact known to medical personnel so that special medical precautions may be taken to prevent contamination of the wound during recovery operations.)
(5) Following the shower procedure, a "clean" area for dressing purposes should be specified. At no time should contaminated personnel or equipment be permitted in this area.
17. CALCULATE AREA RADIATION. The monitoring team leader calculates the average level-ofradiation for the entire "hot" area and dispatches monitors to install the atom-marker signs.
a. Calculate the Area Average by adding all the quadrant readings and dividing by the number of readings used. The result will give the average area level figure. This will be used as the background level for the "hot" area, including the washrack.
b. The Monitor Team Leader now calculates the "stay times" for the security team personnel and gives the stay-time figure to the security team leader. (Plan on posting security guards 3 feet inside the atom-marker line on the "clean" side.) The monitoring team leader must constantly be thinking of exposure time for all personnel. If in doubt, he should call for a reading of the dosimeters on the individuals in question and, if necessary, take time to recheck his "stay-time" figures. This is one reason for not rushing through the procedure. THE SAFETY
ALL PERSONNEL DEPENDS TO A
LARGE EXTENT ON THE CARE AND AC-
CURACY WITH WHICH BOTH EXPOSURE
AND DOSAGE ARE KEPT UNDER CON- TROL.
c. "Stay times" are calculated to determine the period that a person may remain in a given area at a given level-of-radiation without exceeding his allowable dose limit. The problem sets the dose limit at 14 mr. per person. To calculate the area "stay time" for the monitoring and security teams, divide the figure 14 by the area-average level. This will give the number of hours or fraction of an hour for istay time." Usually, the area level figure will be greater than the dose limit figure 14. For example, if the average area level is 56 mr/hr.
and dose limit is 14 mr., then 14 divided by 56 gives 0.25 hours. Thus the stay time would be Chap 2 Page 9 ¼ hour or 15 minutes. By using the same figure and checking with dosimeter readings, it can be determined if those monitors who were used in monitoring the "hot" area in item 16 have consumed their allowable "stay time." If they have, other members of the monitoring team will be used to conduct further monitoring operations required in the steps to follow.
18. POST SECURITY. The security team leader now posts his personnel at the CONTROL POINT and along the atom-marker line. (It would be possible to operate a decontamination area without security personnel but this would require the gamble of self-discipline on the part of all concerned.) Security personnel should stay within the bounds of the "clean" area at all times and control traffic through the CON- TROL POINT making sure that no person or equipment is permitted to leave the "hot" area without first being monitored. The posting of security personnel is done with the minimum number of guards possible. The reason for this is to conserve manpower and reduce the total exposure of security personnel. One or two security guards should be sufficient to handle the CONTROL POINT, and two or three security guards can be assigned to patrol the remainder of the atom-marker line. The functions of the security team leader are to provide maximum safety at all times by:
a. Using SECURITY PERSONNEL to prevent cross-contamination
b. Using an ALERT SECURITY TEAM to provide an additional check on all safety measures being used by monitors and decontamination team members; and
c. Using CAUTION in exposing oneself or others to unnecessary dosage.
19. MONITORS - CONTROL POINT. The monitors are sent to the CONTROL POINT to monitor all personnel and equipment returning to the "clean" area from the "hot" area. (When not needed at the CONTROL POINT, the monitoring team leader and his crew may withdraw to the team station to reduce their ex-
of monitoring both personnel and equipment:
Par 16
(1) The monitors, with the backup of the security guard, must insist on monitoring anything or anybody moving through the CON- TROL POINT from the "hot" area to the "clean" area.
(2) The monitoring team leader, not the monitors, are to make the decisions in the requirement for the decontamination of equipment and personnel before they are cleared into the "clean" area.
(3) The monitors call out their readings to their team leader when monitoring at the CONTROL POINT.
(4) Other readings, such as the area readings and those taken on the aircraft, will be entered on the proper form and brought to the team leader.
(5) When taking readings on personnel, use a type CD V-700 meter; open the beta shield on the probe.
(6) DO NOT TOUCH THE PERSON BE-
ING MONITORED monitored.
the body or clothing.)
ceeding.
dicated by high readings, will be noted by the monitoring team leader.
Par 19 AC 20-48 1966
(2) The monitoring team leader will advise the decontamination team leader when further washdown is required, and will specify the particular parts of the equipment requiring additional attention. This will save water and cut down the exposure time of the personnel performing the work.
first few exercises:
Chap 2
1966 Page 11 AC 20-48 graph 21) before applying the sand to the aircraft.
c. It is recommended that the 10 pounds of sand be divided into several portions and applied to 8 or 10 different locations on the aircraft.
Apply approximately one pound of sand over a 6- or 8-inch square area-about ¼ of an inch deep. This should give readings between 0.15 and 0.3 mr/hr.
d. If, when monitored at the CONTROL POINT, these team members are contaminated above the acceptable limits (0.5 mr/hr.) for outer protective clothing, they cannot be cleared back to their station in the "clean" area. The men will either have to remain there until the decontamination equipment is brought for the aircraft scrubdown or a special unit of equipment will have to be brought in. It is very possible that only their gloves will be contaminated and a bucket of water will be sufficient to wash off the contamination.
a. The meters should show about 0.15 to 0.3 mr/hr. Multiply this by 200 (for exercise purposes) and subtract the background figure.
Enter the difference on the Aircraft Monitoring Report form.
Example: Meter reading of 0.2 mr/hr. X ground level of 20 and enter 20 mr/hr. on the Aircraft Monitoring Report form.
b. When monitoring the aircraft, keep the probe a constant distance (1 to 2 inches) from the surface. By maintaining this same distance when remonitoring the aircraft, a valid comparison of first and second readings may be made for any area of the aircraft. Never allow the probe to touch a contaminated surface as some of the contamination could adhere to the probe. Thereafter, this contamination would result in false readings. If the instrument does become contaminated, it should be wiped off and monitored with another instrument before being used again.
taxis the aircraft onto the washrack (facing 21. MOVE AIRCRAFT INTO POSITION. The pilot AIRCRAFT MONITORING REPORT the wind) and stops the engine.
22. POSITION MONITOR. A monitor takes po- AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION aircraft, prepared to monitor the pilot. sition about 50 feet from the exit door of the LOCATION ON A/C Reading Ist Reading 2nd Reading 3гg
23. MONITOR PILOT. The pilot leaves the air- PROPELLER craft as soon as it is parked on the rack and TOP ENGINE COWLING approaches the monitor for personal monitoring. TOP RIGHT WING Readings are to be reported to the monitoring TOP LEFT WING team leader who would, in a real situation, de- TOP FUSELAGE termine if the pilot required a change of clothing, shower, etc. If the pilot is contaminated, LANDING GEAR RIGHT he should be processed in the same manner as LANDING GEAR LEFT the decontamination team members who con- TAIL SURFACES RIGHT taminated the aircraft. (See paragraph 20d). TAIL SURFACES LEFT
24. MONITOR AIRCRAFT. Monitors are now dis- DOORS patched to take readings on the aircraft and WINDOWS return to their station via the CONTROL WIND SHIELD POINT. A report form should be designed for the monitors to use, similar to the sample Aircraft Monitoring Report form on this page.
A list of suggested entries for monitoring are shown in the sample. You may desire to change or to add other entries due to the model of air- DATE TIME MONITOR craft being used.
Chap 2 Par 20
c. After completing their work, the monitors return to their station via the CONTROL POINT. If personal monitoring at the CONTROL POINT indicates their protective clothing has a reading of less than 0.5 mr/hr., they can proceed to their station. Otherwise, they will have to wait at the CONTROL POINT to be washed down before they return to their station.
(See paragraph 16.)
25. CALCULATE THE STAY TIME. The Monitoring Team Leader now calculates the stay times for the decontamination crew members and gives a copy of the Aircraft Monitoring Report to the decontamination team leader. In order to figure decontamination crew member stay time," divide the average of the aircraft readings (multiplied by 200) plus background level into 14.
Example: Instrument XI scale reading of 0.2 mr/hr. X 200 = 40.0 mr/hr. plus background of 30.0 mr/hr. gives 70.0 mr/hr.
which divided into 14 gives 0.2 hours or 12 minutes stay time.
Phase III
26. FIRST SCRUBDOWN. The decontamination team now moves its equipment into the "hot" area to a position on the upwind side of the washrack and proceeds with its decontamination work, keeping in mind the following principles and procedures:
a. General Principles
(1) Radioactive material cannot be destroyed; most decontamination processes are designed for removal of contaminants from a surface or the removal of the surface itself.
Radioactive material, at best, is merely moved from one place to another.
(2) It is advisable to learn the basic methods and techniques of exterior decontamination work first and attempt interior decontamination later.
(3) Clean water is a precious commodity in an emergency; therefore, learn to conserve it.
(4) Remove contamination with a minimum amount of water and with a minimum exposure of personnel to the radiation. (This includes spraying or splashing of contaminated water on personnel.)
Par 24 AC 20-48 1966
(5) When removing the aircraft contaminant, use great care to control the runoff water (which contains a concentration of radioactive material) from the aircraft. The need for care in this cannot be overemphasized.
(6) When washing down aircraft remove the pressure hose nozzle, using a flow-on application of the water, since direct pressure will damage light aircraft coverings. (This also reduces the amount of water splashed and sprayed around the area, and will help to reduce the spread of the contaminated material as it is loosened and washed from the surfaces of the aircraft.)
(7) Cover any accumulated contaminant with earth to provide a greater protective factor.
This lessens danger to personnel in the vicinity.
Burning or other common means of destruction are futile with radioactive materials. Burial beneath the earth's surface provides the best known method of disposing of such material.
b. External Decontamination
(1) Position the decontamination equipment upwind from the aircraft to reduce the amount of spray or splashing of contaminated water on the equipment. On windy days, spray from a careless application could be wind-blown several hundred feet.
(2) The monitors' report will most likely show a concentration of radioactivity in greasy or oily locations which will necessitate scrubbing with brushes and the use of rinse water.
(3) Use long-handled brushes for scrubbing operations to permit decontamination personnel to stand as far as possible from the aircraft, giving them the added protection which distance
(4) Mix soap or detergent into one or more buckets of water and carefully dip the brushes into this soapy water and apply to the aircraft.
(5) Scrub the surface and make certain that the oil or greasy film is loosened and prepared for rinsing off by hose. On smooth clean surfaces, fallout is easily removed by a flow-on application of water.
(6) Apply water to the surface of the aircrait, working from top to bottom and front to rear (assuming the aircraft is parked facing the wind.) Decontamination crew members Chap 2
AC 20-48 1966 should stand windward of all scrubbing and hosing operations.
(7) Play the water directly on the contaminated surface so that contamination is removed with a minimum of wasted water and a minimum of splash.
(8) Apply hose water at an angle of approximately 30-40 degrees, pointing down-wind.
A sharp angle, such as 80-90 degrees, will splash and spray contaminated water back onto areas previously cleaned.
c. Interior Decontamination
(1) Interior decontamination is more difficult to accomplish than exterior decontamination. Decontamination of the interior of aircraft can be started by using a vacuum cleaner to remove loose radioactive debris and dust, principally in corners and in locations that are difficult to clean. The monitors can poinpoint the locations of radioactive dust concentration.
Great care must be taken in handling the vacuum cleaner after usage. Contents of the disposal bag containing the radioactive material should be disposed of as solid waste material, preferably by burial. Although special filters might not be required for the vacuum cleaner as used in the exercise, such filters would probably be essential for actual emergency conditions.
(2) After the interior of the aircraft has been vacuumed, part of it, depending upon the construction materials, may be scrubbed with a solvent, using soft fiber brushes or wiping rags. A detergent and water wipedown may be used in the cabins of the aircraft. The direct application of a water hose in aircraft interiors is undesirable for obvious reasons.
27. CLEAN PERSONNEL AND WASHRACK. Before leaving the washrack, the decontamination team should hose down or rinse off each other and then hose or wash the runoff water (which usually collects under the aircraft) down the drain. It may be necessary to wait a few minutes until the runoff water has stopped (or nearly stopped) dripping from the aircraft. Personnel will then return to their station via the CON- TROL POINT where a monitoring check will determine if they require further rinsing off before being permitted to proceed to the clean Chap 2 Page 13
28. REMONITOR AIRCRAFT. Monitors will now remonitor the aircraft, entering their readings in Column 2 of the report form, and then return to their station and give the readings to their team leader. The instrument readings taken by monitors are to be multiplied by 200, as before, with the washrack background figure subtracted. (See paragraph 24.)
29. DETERMINE IF SECOND SCRUBDOWN NEEDED.
The team leader determines if the aircraft is now above or below the established limits of permissible radiation. The team leader advises the group leader of the results, and the group leader will determine if a second scrubdown is necessary. (Do not forget that the aircraft readings have been multiplied by 200. Thus, they must be corrected before comparing the final decontaminated aircraft reading with the .05 mr. allowable limit. This limit is set only for purposes of the drill. Under emergency conditions, much higher limits may be appropriate as discussed in the FAA Publication Radiological Protection and Decontamination of Civil Aircraft.")
30. SECOND SCRUBDOWN. If required a second scrubdown will be limited to those areas requiring special attention. The monitoring team leader will advise the decontamination team leader of the location of these areas of remaining radiation activity. Care will be taken not to spread contamination (by water smear) to other parts of the aircraft previously cleaned. Clean the washrack and personnel as previously described and withdraw to the assigned stations.
31. RECHECK BY MONITORS. Same as paragraph 28 except that the readings will be entered in Column 3. The monitoring team leader reports the results to the group leader.
32. REMOVAL OF AIRCRAFT. When the aircraft is affirmed as clean by the group leader, the pilot will taxi the aircraft from the washrack to the "clean" area and park it.
Phase IV
33. MONITOR EACH VEHICLE AND UNIT OF EQUIP- MENT. Monitor each vehicle and unit of equipment used in the decontamination work. The monitoring team leader then advises the de- Par 26
Page 14 AC 20-48 1966 contamination team leader of the units of equipment that require a washdown:
a. Decontaminate the equipment as required.
b. Remonitor the equipment.
c. When all equipment readings are reduced to a level within allowable limits, decontamination and monitoring personnel will then hose and rinse off each other and proceed to the CON- TROL POINT with their equipment.
34. MONITOR PERSONNEL. The decontamination and monitoring personnel are monitored at the CONTROL POINT, while still in protective clothing to determine if further cleaning is necessary before removing the protective clothing.
35. REMOVAL OF PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. Protective clothing can now be removed by all personnel. Appropriate procedures for the removal of protective clothing may depend upon the clothing used and the nature of the hazard.
It is good practice to remove first those items most likely to be contaminated. Assistance by other persons can be very helpful.
a. It is important to keep from touching any protective clothing with bare hands, or allowing the protective clothing to rub against exposed skin or underclothing. The inside of each piece of protective clothing should be free of contam-
little jarring as possible, as contamination could fall or drip onto the head, hair, neck, etc.
c. Remove other pieces of clothing with equal care, working generally from the top and proceeding downward.
d. Place all removed protective clothing in a pile.
e. REMOVE GLOVES LAST.
36. FINAL MONITORING CHECK. Make a final monitoring check of the personal clothing worn under the protective clothing and a thorough check of the body, head, neck, hands, feet, etc.
If readings are above allowable limits, the monitoring team leader will determine the extent of further decontamination necessary such as a change of clothing, showering, etc.
37. READ INDIVIDUAL DOSIMETERS. Individual dosimeter readings should now be taken from each member of the group.
a. The readings of the dosage received during the exercise will be recorded by the individual on his PERSONAL RECORD OF RADIATION DOSAGES RECEIVED form. (See sample form below.) This form should remain in the possession of the individual.
b. Organized groups should keep a permanent record copy of the individual doses for everyone in the organization. Because of the extremely low-level activity of the uranium-ore sand being used and the short periods of exposure, some dosimeters may not give satisfactory indication of dosage received. In this case, the monitoring leader may prepare a calculated dosage figure which the individual will enter on his personal dosage record form.
c. This calculated figure, if used, can be based on the length of time the individual remained in the "hot" area and the average rate of radiation to which he was exposed. This will not eliminate the requirement for monitòring all personnel when leaving the "hot" area.
PERSONAL RECORD OF
RADIATION DOSAGES RECEIVED MAmE John Doe ADDRESS ?!7 Oak St Mobile City Date RADIATION DOSAGE radiation Received this date Accumulated to date received Roentgens Roentgens 7/10/62 .001 .001 7/17/62 .003 .004 7/18/62 .001 .005 Par 23 Chap 2
AC 20-48 Page 15 (and 16) 1966 Chapter III. CRITIQUE OF THE EXERCISE
38. CRITIQUE SESSION. Assemble all personnel and conduct the "critique" session immediately after the exercise while all events and actions are still fresh in the minds of the participants.
o. The group leader should discuss his written comments and notations made during the planning and execution of the exercise.
b. After discussing his comments and notes for each operation, the group leader should permit ample time for suggestions, observations, and criticisms from team members.
c. Particular attention should be given to:
(1) The effectiveness of the protective clothing used.
(2) The adequacy of the water supply, amount used per aircraft, and methods to conserve water.
(3) Was the drainage satisfactory? If not, how can it be improved?
(4) What techniques used were well executed? What techniques were used that were not satisfactory? Reasons?
(5) Were there any problems encountered in trying to prevent cross-contamination?
Solution?
(6) Were any difficulties encountered in the monitoring and decontamination of personnel?
Solutions?
(7) Did the security team have any situation that could not be controlled?
(8) How could facilities for decontamination of personnel be improved, such as providing a field shower, etc.?
(9) Was the marking of the danger area ("hot" area) satisfactory?
(10) Were any soaps, detergents, or solvents used that were unsatisfactory? What appeared to work best?
(11) Were there any problems involving communication among group leaders, team leaders, and team members?
(12) Were all personnel impressed with the primary importance of accomplishing the decontamination work in a manner to provide the maximum protection for everyone concerned?
d. Summarize and indicate how the next exercise can improve on this one.
e. Schedule the next exercise.
Chap 3 Par 38
AC 20-48 Page 17 1966 Appendix I. EQUIPMENT Equipment List Quantity Radiation detection meters....... 1 to 6 Personal dosimeters 1 per person Water .... 100 gals. (Minimum) Scrub brushes (long handles) .... 1 to 6 Detergent, solvent, or soap 2 to 4 lbs.
Protective clothing 1 complete outfit for each member of monitoring and decontamination teams.
Atom-marker signs 10 to 12 Arm bands 1 per person Vacuum cleaner 1 (required only for advanced classes) Aircraft 1 Contaminant (simulating fallout) . ... 10 lbs.
Water pails .... 1 to 4
1. RADIATION DETECTION METERS (GEIGER COUNTERS). For a practice exercise, the Civil Defense low-range model CD-V-700 (0-50 mr/ hr.) is recommended. The military equipment is model AN/PDR 27 or 27A. It is necessary to have a minimum of one Geiger counter. If possible, borrow several counters, so that more people can be given the opportunity to learn how to use them. Arrangements should be made to borrow these instruments from one of the following sources:
a. Federal Aviation Agency station or tower.
b. Department of Defense Installation (Army, Navy, Marines or Air Force).
c. Weather Bureau.
d. Civil Defense Unit (county or local).
e. High School or College Science Department.
2. PERSONAL DOSIMETERS. Low-range pickettype dosimeters may be borrowed (from the same sources) for each person in the group.
The Civil Defense model DC-V-138 is the equivalent to military model No. IM-9. These dosimeters are preferable to the film-badge type only because they are self-reading. A dosimeter charger, Civil Defense model CV-V-750, is necessary in order to reset the dosimeter hairline to zero or to bring the line onto the scale so that a starting and ending reading can be taken.
3. WATER. As far as possible, water used for decontamination purposes should be clean or free of contamination. If, at your airport, it is necessary to use water pumped from an open body supply, place the intake end of the hose 1 or 2 feet below the surface, but not on the bottom. Fallout which descends on open water will either sink to the bottom (heaviest particles) or float on the surface (lighter dust).
If water is obtained from a tank or covered well,
it will probably be free of contamination. Local fire trucks equipped with tanks may be available, which would greatly simplity the water problem for this exercise.
4. SCRUB BRUSHES. Any fiber brush will be satisfactory, provided it has a long handle.
Fairly soft bristles and a good size brush-head, 2½ or 3 inches by 8 or 10 inches, are preferable.
5. DETERGENTS, SOLVENTS, OR SOAPS. Ordinary soaps and detergents found in any grocery store are satisfactory. Where fallout has been embedded in or adheres to an oily or greasy spot, the addition of soap to the water will greatly increase the efficiency of decontamination work.
Although it is unlikely that heated water or a steam jet will be available, they are both very effective in removing grease and oil.
6. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. This is the most important of all the equipment needed for your exercise. IF YOU CANNOT PROTECT YOUR
PERSONNEL WITH WATERPROOF CLOTH- ING, DO NOT ATTEMPT THE EXERCISE.
However, it is neither difficult nor expensive to obtain the clothing required for adequate protection.
The following items must be included:
waterproof boots waterproof suit with hood (hip boots and a slicker type raincoat and a separate hood AC 20-48 1966 can be substituted) rubber gloves (waterproof fabric gloves can be substituted, but do not take chances on contamination soaking through to your skin) protective face mask Use 2-inch wide masking tape or waterproof adhesive tape to seal clothing joints at ankles, wrists, waist, neck, and to cover zippers and close any other openings where moisture might possibly penetrate the protective clothing.
7. ATOM-MARKER SIGNS. The control of contamination, which is a major problem, can be materially assisted by "fencing off" specific areas. Remember that contamination can be spread by tracking on shoes. Vehicles can also track contamination from one area to another.
Valuable and much needed equipment could be out of service for long periods if carelessly or unnecessarily driven into contaminated areas.
a. The purpose of the atom-marker signs is to assist in controlling the spread of contamination. The signs should constitute sufficient warning to stop people from wandering into a "hot" area and returning to "clean" areas.
which would result in cross-contamination.
b. The signs may be handmade, but they should follow the approved Department of Defense design and dimensions as closely as possible.
DANGER ATOM
YELLOW - VIOLET
AC 20-48 Page 19 1966 The prescribed shape is a right-angle isosceles triangle with a base having a minimum length of 6 inches. The quantity of signs required will depend on the size of the area you wish to designate as a "hot" area. Signs should be placed 20 to 30 feet apart, to minimize the possibility of people walking into the area without observing at least one of the markers. Signs should be mounted on stakes, standards, or may be suspended from a rope barrier if used. The surface on each marker should face away from the contaminated area. Signs are of little or no value if placed flat on the ground.
8. ARM BANDS. If you have a large group, it it advisable to provide identifying colored arm bands for each team. Otherwise it is almost impossible to identify people when they are "suited out" in full protective clothing. The team leaders should be given a distinctive identification such as a double arm band. Reflective tape can be used for night operations.
9. VACUUM CLEANER. This is not a required piece of equipment, at least for the first few exercises. However, when you are prepared to practice interior decontamination, the vacuum cleaner will be a very handy tool. A portable source of electrical power will be necessary if a vacuum cleaner is used.
personnel operating or working on the aircraft at a later date. Radiation will not interfere with the functioning of the engine or any other mechanical or electrical equipment aboard.
11. CONTAMINANT - RADIOACTIVE SAND. If possible, use a material which will simulate fallout in order to gain practical experience in the decontamination processes. Smearing mud on the aircraft has been tried, but without radioactive material in the mud, DECON crews cannot be sure of complete removal. Therefore, obtain a contaminant which will provide a few milliroentgens of gamma and beta radiation.
Such a material is available in the form of uranium-ore sandstone, which is finely ground and ready to use. It will take about 10 pounds of this to conduct one exercise on a light aircraft.
Arrangements can be made with the Homestake- Sapin Partners, P.O. Box 98, Grants, New Mexico, to organize one central distribution point in each state so that you can place your order with that distributor. Your State Department of Aeronautics or the Federal Aviation Agency General Aviation District Offices will be able to advise where this distribution point is in your state. The cost of this radioactive sand, plus shipping charges (motor freight), will be approximately $1 to $1.50 for 10 pounds.
10. AIRCRAFT. It is suggested that a small air- 12. CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT. Some organcraft be used for the exercise until the basic izations may wish to give an award to their lessons have been learned. The contaminated members in recognition of completion of presand will not damage the aircraft and all traces paratory training and successful execution of of radioactive material should be removed dur- this exercise. A suggested format for such a ing the exercise so there will be no danger to certificate is shown on page 20.
Page 20 AC 20-48 1966 Certificate of Achiebement
AWARDED TO for at _ Awarded this day of - 19-