Special Requirements for Movement of Fissile Materials, Including Irradiated Fuel Elements

TM 55-315

to be moved and any special movement instructions. The support element providing the hoisting equipment will lift the

heavy cask(s) onto or off transport carriers.

6-16. Special Requirements for Movement of Fissile Materials, Including Irradiated Fuel Elements (10 CFR 71, 49

CFR 173. 448 through 173. 459, AR 385-11, and TM 554470-400-12-1)

a. Fissile radioactive material packages are classified according to the controls needed to provide nuclear criticality

safety during transport, as indicated in paragraph 2-17.

b. Packaging of fissile radioactive materials will conform to the requirements in paragraphs 4-13 through 4-17.

c. Before movement, the NRC will approve the packaging for the movement of licensed materials, including fissile

materials, irradiated fuel elements, and "large quantities". of radioactive materials. Any of these items requiring

movement as a matter of national security are exempt from this provision and will be moved under the authority of the

Secretary of Defense, with appropriate certification to NRC.

d. Fissile Classes I and II shipments that conform to NRC and DOT, FAA, or USCG regulations, as applicable,

normally can be shipped without further control.

e. Mixing of packages of other types of radioactive material, including Fissile Class I with Fissile Class II packages,

is permitted if the total transport index in any one transport vehicle or storage location does not exceed 50.

f. For Fissile Class II packages shipped under the sole-use provision of paragraph 4-14 to provide for packages with

high radiation dose rates, the transport index, which is calculated for nuclear criticality control purposes, must not exceed

10 for any single package or a total of 50 for the full load, unless specifically authorized by DOT for Fissile Class III

shipments.

g. Fissile Class III shipments may be made only according to (1) or (2) below, or according to other procedures

authorized by DOT.

CAUTION

The transport controls must provide nuclear criticality safety and will be carried out by the shipper or

carrier, as appropriate, to protect against loading, transporting, or storing of that shipment together

with other fissile material (49 CFR 173.396).

(1) Transport in a vehicle assigned for the sole use of that consignor, with a specific restriction for such sole use

to be provided in the special arrangements, and with instructions to that effect issued with the shipping papers; or

(2) Transport under escort by a person in a separate vehicle, with the escort having the capability, equipment,

authority, and instructions to provide administrative controls adequate to assure compliance with this manual.

h. When escorted Class III shipments of fissile materials are moved by any transport mode, the escort will be

carefully briefed, by the transportation officer or other qualified person of the shipping installation, on the inherent danger

in the loading and the necessity for maintaining the original load configuration. The escort commander also will be given

written instructions confirming the oral instructions. If no escort is assigned to a shipment, the truck driver, aircraft

commander, or train conductor will be briefed and furnished written instructions on the inherent dangers of the material

and the necessity for maintaining the original load configuration.

i. Fissile Class III shipments generally will not be transshipped en route. If transshipment is required because the

carrier cannot continue to the destination, the shipping installation will be notified immediately. The consignor's ITO will

coordinate with the Army commander and/or military installation nearest the transshipment point to assure that the

material is safely transferred and that the equipment on which the material is loaded is properly inspected for transport of

the material.

Section III. CHECKLISTS

6-17. Use of Checklist

When shipment of radioactive materials is considered or planned, the following checklist can be used as an aid to assure

that all required actions and other considerations are accomplished before the actual movement. The checklist is

designed as a guide to lead the user through a series of questions, each requiring a yes answer to assure compliance.

This checklist will refer the user to other detailed checklists as appropriate. Paragraph references appear after each

question.

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