What does 49 CFR 173.427 (Transport requirements for low specific activity (LSA) Class 7 (radioactive) material and surface contaminated objects (SCO)) require?

As Ask X3, your fleet-compliance assistant, here are the requirements under 49 CFR 173.427 for transporting low specific activity (LSA) Class 7 radioactive material and surface contaminated objects (SCO):

* External Dose Rate: The external radiation level cannot exceed 10 mSv/h (1 rem/h) at 3 meters (10 feet) from the unshielded material.

* Conveyance Quantity Limits: The quantity in a single conveyance cannot exceed the limits specified in Table 5 of the regulation.

* Fissile Material: LSA and SCO that are or contain fissile material must meet the requirements of § 173.453.

* Contamination and Radiation Controls: Packaged and unpackaged materials must comply with the contamination control limits in § 173.443 and the external radiation limits in § 173.441.

* Packaging Requirements: Except when transported unpackaged (under specific LSA-I and SCO-I conditions) or when exceeding limits (which require 10 CFR part 71), LSA and SCO must be packaged in:

* An industrial package (Type IP-1, Type IP-2, or Type IP-3) subject to Table 6 limits;

* A DOT Specification 7A Type A package;

* An authorized Type B(U) or B(M) packaging pursuant to § 173.416;

* A packaging meeting § 173.410 for domestic exclusive use shipments of less than an $A_2$ quantity; or

* Portable tanks, cargo tanks, and tank cars as provided in § 173.411(b)(4) and (5).

* Exclusive Use Shipments: If consigned as exclusive use, shipments must meet specific operational controls, including:

* Loading by the consignor and unloading by the consignee;

* No loose radioactive material in the conveyance (or no leakage if the conveyance itself is the packaging);

* Bracing to prevent cargo shifting under normal transport conditions;

* Specific instructions for maintaining exclusive use controls provided by the offeror to the carrier and included with the shipping papers;

* Proper placarding under 49 CFR part 172, subpart F;

* For domestic transport under an $A_2$ quantity, an exception from standard marking and labeling (except subsidiary hazard labeling), provided the exterior is stenciled or marked "RADIOACTIVE—LSA" or "RADIOACTIVE—SCO" (and "RQ" if it contains a hazardous substance); and

* Prohibition of aircraft transport unless using an authorized industrial, Type A, or Type B package.

* Unpackaged Transport (LSA-I and SCO-I): Can be transported unpackaged only if there is no escape of radioactive contents or loss of shielding under routine transport, the conveyance is under exclusive use (with specific exceptions for certain SCO-I contamination levels), measures are taken to prevent the release of non-fixed contamination on inaccessible surfaces, and highway/rail conveyances are properly placarded.