Monitoring

Radiation Survey Meter Use  

The radiation survey meter will not need to be calibrated in the field. Calibration is performed as part of the annual maintenance on the unit by the manufacturer. The radiation survey meter operates on alkaline batteries. The condition of the batteries will be checked prior to each day's activities by using the battery check

function on the meter. If the batteries are low, they will be replaced by spares carried by the field team.

Operation of the meter is as follows:

• Before attaching the probe to the meter, ensure the unit is turned off.
• Attach the probe to the meter and turn the unit on.
• Set the function switch to "Battery Check" and read the display to determine if the batteries need replacing.
• If the batteries are in good condition, set the function switch to read from 0-10 mR/hour.
• Background levels of radiation throughout the United States will typically range between 5 and 100 μR/hr.

The NRC limits the radiation level in an unrestricted area, i.e., an area accessible to members of the public, to no greater than 2 mR/hr. Therefore, while operating the radiation survey meter during fieldwork, if a reading in excess of 2 mR/hr is observed, the area will be immediately evacuated until further guidance is received from the Operation Section Chief.

After use, the unit will be inspected for damage and cleanliness, and repaired or cleaned as necessary. The batteries in the unit will be replaced as necessary.