Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION - TM-55-3150009

TM 55-315

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1-1. Purpose and Scope

a. This manual provides guidance for Army personnel concerned with the safe transport of radioactive materials

other than weapons. It is designed mainly to help interested persons identify the pertinent provisions of applicable

Federal and Army regulations. Nuclear weapons and components shipments are covered in AR 55-203 and AR 50-5.

Unwanted radioactive material is covered in TM 3-261 and AR 385-11.

b. This manual covers those Federal and Army regulations that apply to shipments of radioactive materials, other

than weapons, by commercial and military transport and the United States mail. It describes in nontechnical language,

so far as possible, the limitations, exemptions, standards, procedures, and precautions applying to packing, packaging,

marking, labeling, documentation; loading, transport, and unloading of radioactive materials. To facilitate use of the

manual, each guidance chapter has a checklist, which is cross-referenced to applicable detailed coverage in the text.

c. Persons responsible for shipping radioactive materials must have access to Federal and Army regulations and

be familiar with the complete regulations and applicable carriers' tariffs to comply with the latest changes and revisions.

d. The masculine gender, when used in this manual, represents both the masculine and feminine genders unless

otherwise specifically stated.

1-2. Reporting of Recommendations and Changes

Users of this publication are encouraged to recommend changes and submit comments for its improvement. Comments

should be prepared on DA Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) and forwarded to

Commander, Military Traffic Management Command Transportation Engineering Agency, ATTN: MTT-TRA (W. Dixon),

PO Box 6276, Newport News, VA 23606-0276. (Electrically transmitted messages should be addressed to: CDR

MTMCTEA FT EUSTIS VA //MTT-TR//.)

1-3. Applicability

The policy of the Department of the Army, as stated in AR 385-11, is to comply with all Federal, State, and local

transportation laws, ordinances, and regulations. The procedures outlined in this manual apply to military shipments

within or greater than that required in interstate commerce. In oversea areas, the policy of the Department of the Army is

to conform with the requirements of the nation(s) in which the shipment moves and to provide a level of protection equal

to that required in the United States.

1-4. Application of Federal Regulations

a. Availability of Regulations. Copies of Federal regulations pertaining to transport of radioactive material are

available at installation JAG offices and from installation transportation officers.

b. Citation of Regulations. The approved citation of the Code of Federal Regulations is CFR. Thus the citation

"49 CFR 1.1" refers to section 1.1 of title 49. The references used in this manual and the applicable CFR citation are as

follows:

(1) Title 10, 10 CFR.

(2) Title 39, 39 CFR.

(3) Title 49, 49 CFR.

1-5. Responsibilities

a. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The NRC approves the packaging of fissile materials and large

quantities of radioactive materials. Pertinent CFR references are:

(1) 10 CFR 20.

(2) 10 CFR 71.

(3) 10 CFR 73.

b. The Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT (including the Federal Aviation Administration and the

United States Coast Guard) regulates interstate shipment and/or movement of radioactive materials by all transport

modes (except the US mail). Pertinent reference is 49 CFR 171-178. (Commercial versions of these regulations are

contained in Bureau of Explosives Tariff BOE 6000-A.)

(1) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA regulates movements of radioactive materials

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