N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 428: Section BC 428: Uses and Occupancies Involving Radioactive Materials and Radiation-Producing Equipment

428.1 Scope.

This section shall apply to the construction, alteration, and use of buildings or spaces for radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment.

428.2 City, state and federal regulations.

In addition to the requirements of this section, occupancies involving radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment shall also comply with applicable requirements of the New York City Health Code, and applicable state and federal regulations.

428.3 Laboratories.

All laboratories utilizing radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment required to register under the requirements of the New York City Health Code shall comply with the requirements of Sections 428.3.1 through 428.3.7.

428.3.1 Construction.

All buildings in which such laboratories occur shall be of Type I or II construction.

428.3.2 Floors.

All floors shall comply with the fire resistance requirements for the class of construction, and provide the degree of radioactive resistance required by applicable city, state, and federal regulations. A finished material shall be applied to provide a continuous nonporous surface, which may be readily removed.

4285.3.3 Interior finish.

All insulation of acoustical treatments and interior partitions shall be of noncombustible material. Walls and ceilings shall have nonporous finishes of Class A rating.

428.3.4 Sprinkler protection.

Automatic sprinkler protection complying with the construction provisions of Chapter 9 of the New York City Building Code shall be provided, and such protection shall be designed for the type of combustible materials wherever such material is used, and for the radioactive material that may be expected to melt, vaporize, or oxidize under fire conditions. Laboratory equipment susceptible to damage from water or other materials used in the sprinkler system may be shielded by hoods except when the equipment provides a source of combustion. Where sprinkler protection uses water, or small water-spray installations are used to fight small isolated fires, floors shall be provided with drainage so that water may be carried to retention tanks for later disposal as required by the New York City Health Code when contamination of the water is to be anticipated.

428.3.5 Electrical controls.

Electrical controls and equipment shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the New York City Electrical Code.

428.3.6 Ventilation.

Exhaust air from areas in which radioactive materials are used or stored shall be exhausted to the outdoors in such manner as not to create a health hazard, and shall not be recirculated to other areas of the building. Air pressure in rooms in which radioactive materials are used or stored shall be maintained below the air pressure of adjoining rooms, so that there is no flow of radioactive gases or dusts into adjoining rooms.

428.3.6.1 Ducts.

Ducts shall be of sheet steel of not less than No. 16 manufacturers' standard gauge or of other equivalent noncombustible material having a melting point above 1800°F (982°C). Exhaust ducts within the building, on the discharge side of the fan, shall be welded airtight. Exhaust ducts within the building, on the suction side of the fan, shall have laps in the direction of airflow with smoke-tight joints, and shall be subjected to a smoke test in accordance with the requirements for chimneys in the New York City Mechanical Code. Access hatches with tight-closing covers shall be provided for cleaning and for fire-fighting in the exhaust system ducts.

428.3.6.2 Fume hoods.

Fume hoods shall be exhausted to the outdoors. Controls for hood fans shall be interlocked so that contaminated air cannot be drawn into any space from a hood where the exhaust fan is not in operation.

428.3.6.3 Fans.

Fan equipment other than the impeller and impeller housing shall be located outside the exhaust stream.

428.3.6.4 Exhaust.

When the degree of contamination of the exhaust stream exceeds the concentration limits permitted by the health code, the duct system shall be equipped with devices to decontaminate the air to a safe level before discharging to the outdoor air.

428.3.7 Plumbing.

Drainage lines from sinks used for radioactive wastes shall be without traps, and shall lead to retention tanks when required by the provisions of the New York City Health Code.

428.4 Radiation machines.

Radiation machines or particle accelerators, linear accelerators, cyclotrons, synchrotons, betatrons, or bevatrons shall be located only in buildings of Type I or II construction; however, this requirement shall not apply to conventional medical, dental, research, or industrial x-ray machines of less than one million-volt capacity.

428.5 Storage.

Radioactive materials shall be stored in sealed containers. When required by the commissioner to avoid too concentrated an exposure within any one space, radioactive materials shall be stored in vaults designed in accordance with the radiation shielding or other requirements for the materials to be stored, and with the requirements of Sections 428.5.1 through 428.5.3.

428.5.1 Fire protection.

When any materials are subject to melting, vaporization, or oxidation under fire conditions, the storage vaults shall be constructed of walls having a fire-resistance rating of at least 4 hours, and the vaults shall be equipped with automatic sprinklers complying with the construction requirements of Chapter 9 and shall be vented through devices to decontaminate the air to a safe level.

428.5.2 Doors.

Doors opening into storage vaults shall meet shielding requirements and have a fire-protection rating of not less than 3 hours.

428.5.3 Bins, shelving, partitions and pallets.

All bins, shelving, partitions, and pallets in storage vaults shall be of noncombustible materials. Other methods of storage permitted by the health department or applicable state and federal regulations, such as storage under water, may be used.