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Decommissioning (MARSSIM Final Status) Surveys

Dade Moeller specializes in conducting decommissioning (final status) surveys of the following locations.

Buildings Surveys (Structural Surveys)Survey

  • Research Laboratories
  • Hospitals and Medical Facilities
  • Source Production Facilities
  • Building Sub-Surfaces

Environmental Surveys

  • Surface Water and Sediment Surveys
  • Ground Water Surveys
  • Air Sampling
  • Read More about our Environmental Services

Our staff will design and conduct Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM) type final status surveys for facilities undergoing renovation, relocation and/or license termination.

The MARSSIM provides guidance for planning, implementing, and evaluating environmental and facility radiological surveys to demonstrate compliance with a dose or risk-based regulation. Dade Moeller can plan and perform the following key components of the Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Process as outlined by the MARSSIM.

  • Site Identification
  • Historical Site Assessments
  • Scoping, Characterization and Remedial Action Support Surveys
  • Final Status Surveys

Dade Moeller can also provide surveys of equipment following the guidance contained in the Multi-Agency Radiological Survey and Assessment of Materials and Equipment (MARSAME) manual.

Site Identification

Site identification involves the identification of known, likely, or potential sites of radiological contamination. Any facility preparing to terminate an NRC or agreement state license, formerly terminated NRC licensees, military bases and DOE facilities may be identified as a site containing potential radioactive contamination in need of classification and/or remediation.

Historical Site Assessments

Dade Moeller has experience in designing facility Historical Site Assessments (HSA). The HSA is designed to collect information concerning the site and its surroundings. Information will include a review of all historical operations of the site; included but not limited to spill locations, other radioactive release locations, radioactive materials license (or equivalent) to identify the locations, nuclides, and quantities of radioactive materials used.

Scoping, Characterization, and Remedial Action Support Surveys

Characterization survey
Characterization survey of miscellaneous radioactive materials left in storage closet.
If the HSA indicates impacted or possibility impacted areas, Dade Moeller can develop and perform a Scoping Survey or Characterization Survey of your site. Both types of surveys evaluate the site specific radiological conditions. Utilizing the data collected during the HSA and from the scoping, characterization, and/or remedial action support survey(s), Dade Moeller can develop a cost effective Final Status Survey plan for your location. Additionally, utilization of the seven (7) step Data Quality Objective (DQO) Process will ensure that with proper planning, implementation, and reporting, an adequate amount of high quality data are collected. The data will enable characterization of residual radioactivity levels and a determination that building surfaces are appropriate for unrestricted use by members of the public prior to renovation, relocation, and/or license termination.

 

Final Status Surveys

Following MARSSIM guidance, Dade Moeller will develop a Survey Plan which describes the scanning, sampling, and analytical approach to the Final Status Survey. Data collected during the HSA; scoping, characterization, and remedial action supports surveys; and DQO Process will be utilized to develop the Survey Plan. During each Final Status Survey, Dade Moeller will perform the following tasks (additional tasks will be added based on site specific details).

  • Completion of site specific survey (survey unit) drawings.
  • Comprehensive scans of areas indentified in the HSA with the appropriate radiation detection equipment. Additional areas can be added at your request.
  • Static measurements at locations established by the MARSSIM grid structure.
  • Samples for Removable Radioactive Contamination (Smears) - Smear samples will be collected at the following locations based on site specific requirements
    • MARSSIM grid structure
    • Fixed Items - Including but not limited to bench/counter tops, sink surfaces, interior hood surfaces, under and over bench/counter top drawers, cabinets and shelves, and more based on past nuclide usage, survey data gathered onsite, and professional judgment.
    • Chemical fume hood duct work (accessible areas)
    • Sink drains
    • Floor drains
  • Soil, Sediment, and Water Samples

 

 

Characterization survey
Characterization survey of miscellaneous radioactive materials left in storage closet.

Final Status Survey Report

All data collected during the survey will be used to complete a Final Status Survey Report. The report will include in detail all aspects of the survey, including methods, instrumentation, survey drawings, scan/analytical results, and quality control data. The ultimate goal of the report is to support the decision to accept or reject the survey hypothesis generated during the DQO Process with quality, defensible, and reproducible data.

The Final Status Survey report as described in MARSSIM wiill serve as a stand-alone, technically-defensible record of the radiological status of the site to satisfy U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Agreement State, or Department of Energy decommissioning requirements.

Remediation and Waste Removal

Should areas of contamination be found, we will work with you to facilitate collection and removal of radioactive waste. Read more about our Waste Management Service

Areas of fixed raioactive contamination radioactive material high activity source wells
Multiple areas of fixed radioactive contamination found during Final Status Survey of research laboratory. Miscellaneous radioactive material found during Final Status Survey. Characterization of high activity source wells.