RP-AA-460 — Controls for High and Very High Radiation Areas
⚠️ DRAFT — Reconstructed from exam materials
Purpose
Provides radiological posting requirements and access controls for High Radiation Areas (HRA), Locked High Radiation Areas (LHRA), and Very High Radiation Areas (VHRA).
Key Actions / Information
Posting Thresholds
| Area Classification | Dose Rate Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|
| High Radiation Area (HRA) | > 100 mR/hr at 30 cm | RP-AA-460 |
| Locked High Radiation Area (LHRA) | > 1000 mR/hr at 30 cm | RP-AA-460 Step 4.2 |
Exam — 2022 Q72
An area with 1100 mR/hr readings is a Locked High Radiation Area (LHRA) (> 1000 mR/hr at 30 cm per Step 4.2). Per Step 4.2.5, access into a LHRA requires continuous RP surveillance/coverage. Do not confuse HRA (> 100 mR/hr, periodic RP coverage) with LHRA (> 1000 mR/hr, continuous RP coverage).
Exam — 2019 Q98
LHRA definition confirmed (SRO question): per RP-AA-460, an LHRA has a MINIMUM dose rate of 1000 mrem/hr @ 30 cm. Trap: 100 mrem/hr is the threshold for a High Radiation Area (HRA), not a Locked High Radiation Area (LHRA). Do not confuse the two.
JPM — 2019 RO-A3
HRA entry requirements for Unit 1 Pipe Alley (84 ft Aux Building): per Radiological Survey Map #1108410, area is posted as High Radiation Area (HRA) and Contaminated Area (CA). HRA Briefing Sheet (Attachment 2) requires: lab coat, booties, rubber gloves. Dosimeter dose rate alarm setpoint is 250 mrem/hr. Accumulated dose alarm is 10 mrem. Response to alarm: leave area, close and lock door, notify RP. Check SRO every 15 minutes while in area.
JPM — 2019 SRO-A4
Unit 1 Pipe Alley (Elevation 84 ft, Auxiliary Building) entry for locked valve surveillance: area posting is HRA and Contaminated Area (CA) per Survey Map #1108410. Highest On Contact dose rate = 205 mrem/hr (HRA threshold: > 100 mR/hr at 30 cm). Per P&Ls 2.1.1 and 2.1.3, operators sign onto RWP-1 and receive an HRA brief from Rad Pro before entry.
Unlocked/Unmanned LHRA Response
Exam — 2018 Q45
Per RP-AA-460 P&L: upon finding an unlocked and unmanned LHRA, notify RP immediately, then RETURN to the area and maintain positive control (without personal endangerment) until an RP representative arrives. The Licensed Operator IS required to return — merely notifying RP is not sufficient. LHRA dose rate threshold: greater than a MINIMUM of 1000 mrem/hr @ 30 cm. Trap: 100 mrem/hr is the HRA threshold, not LHRA. The return-and-control requirement is a commonly tested duty of Licensed Operators.
Connections
- Related procedures: RP-AA-203 — Exposure Control and Authorization, RP-SA-102 — Containment Entries at Power, OP-AA-108-101-1002 — Independent/Concurrent Verification, RP-AA-463 — High Radiation Area Key Controls, RP-AA-300 — Radiological Survey Program
- Related exam questions: 2018 Q45, 2019 Q98, 2022 Q72
- Related JPMs: 2019 JPM RO-A3, 2019 JPM SRO-A4, 2022 JPM SRO-A4
- Related exam: 2018 NRC Written Exam, 2019 NRC Written Exam, 2019 NRC Operating Exam, 2022 NRC Written Exam, 2022 NRC Operating Exam