SOP Number:EHS-SOP-RAD-501.03
Effective Date:8/14/2026
Latest Version By:Liatris Parker-Reece, HP
Approved By:Cade Register, RSO

  1. Purpose: This SOP provides guidance on how to close out a RAM laboratory or room after the use of RAM is discontinued.

     

  2. Scope: RAM users should use this SOP to perform the initial close out of labs and rooms where radioactive material usage is discontinued. Health Physics staff should use this SOP to complete the final room close out process.

     

  3. Definitions:

    1. Close Out Survey – a thorough evaluation of a discontinued radioactive materials area to verify that it is cleared to be released as an unrestricted area.

    2. Generally Licensed Device (GLD) – devices containing radioactive material and are typically used to detect, measure, gauge, or control the thickness, density, level, or chemical composition of various items. Examples of such devices are liquid scintillation counters, gas chromatographs (detector cells), density gauges, fill-level gauges, and static elimination devices [10 CFR 31.5].

    3. RAM – radioactive material. 

    4. Radiation Safety Staff (RSS) – radiation safety professionals, working as part of the University of Missouri’s Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Department, responsible for safety and compliance of all radioactive material and radiation-generating equipment on campus and at university healthcare facilities.

    5. Permitted Individual (PI) – a full-time MU faculty or staff member, or MU employee working part-time, who has primary responsibility for locations where hazardous materials are used. 

       

  4. Procedure Details:

    1. PI Requirements:

      1. Transfer or dispose of all radioactive materials in the lab. This can be done via transferring RAM to another lab under the permit, transferring RAM to another PI, or disposing of RAM as waste.

        1. NOTE: transferring RAM to another PI will require a permit amendment.

        2. If a sealed source or GLD needs to be disposed of, contact the RSS for assistance. These items need to be disposed of through different means than normal radioactive waste pickup.

      2. Verify all RAM waste has been picked up by EHS. RAM waste pickup requests can be submitted through the EHS Assistant website. 

      3. Perform a visual survey of the space to ensure that all RAM has been removed.

        1. Verify all drawers, cabinets, fridges, or any other enclosed areas have been checked.

      4. Complete a full documented survey of the area being closed out using your standard survey map(s). Include the LSC or gamma counter printout. Ensure all items surveyed can be accounted for on the printout (e.g. the number of the swipe matches the item swiped or surveyed by meter).

        1. Meter surveys should be performed at 1 cm from the surface and swipes should be taken over an area of 100 cm2.

      5. If any surveys or swipes are above the release criteria in Table 1: attempt decontamination, perform another survey and swipe, and document results.If decontamination is unsuccessful, the affected area or equipment must be clearly noted on the survey map as contaminated (include the radionuclide if known). 

        Table 1. Release criteria for restricted rooms/labs.
        CategoryReleasable Criteria
        Contamination (beta/gamma)< 200 dpm/100 cm2
        Contamination (alpha)< 20 dpm/100 cm2
        Dose Rate≤ 0.3 mR/hr at 1 cm from surface

      6. If decontamination is unsuccessful, the affected area or equipment must be clearly noted on the survey map as contaminated (include the radionuclide if known). 

        1. Notify the RSS about the contamination when you submit your close out request. Contaminated equipment may be transferred to another AU, if feasible. 

      7. All actions taken and analytical results obtained must be documented and saved.

      8. Submit a request for a final lab close out survey through the EHS Assistant  website (EHSA) using the “RAM Lab Close-Out” form under the “EHS Assessment” tab. Answer all questions and include a copy of your completed close out survey. 

        1. If there are complications with submitting the form online, contact the RSS at rad@missouri.edu.

      9. The RSS will reach out once the RAM Lab Close-Out Form is submitted to confirm the date of the final RSS survey and room de-posting.

    2. RSS Requirements:

      1. Once the RSS receives the request for a final lab close out, the assigned Health Physicist will reach out and coordinate the close out.

      2. The assigned health physicist should perform a close out survey using the worksheet in Appendix A. 

        1. Measure and record background radiation levels.

        2. Swipe and meter surveys should be taken of the following areas:

          1. Floors and floor drains

          2. Sinks and drains

          3. Working surfaces

          4. Equipment

          5. Exhaust openings

          6. RAM storage spaces

          7. Fume hoods (if applicable)

          8. Fridges (if applicable)

        3. All drawers, cabinets, fridges, workstations, and desks should be checked to verify no RAM remains.

          1. Make sure all exempt sources (ex. check sources for detectors) are removed. These can be transported back to the General Services Building for exempt sealed source disposal.

      3. Analyze swipes in the appropriate counter (LSC, gamma counter, proportional counter, etc). 

        1. Review the authorization to determine which radionuclides were approved for use. Alpha and beta emitters should be analyzed on the LSC. Gamma emitters should be analyzed on the gamma counter.

      4. If the swipe and survey results are below the limits listed in Table 1 above, remove or deface all RAM labels and postings before releasing the equipment and space for unrestricted use.

        1. Once all RAM labels have been removed or defaced inside the room, the outside door(s) can be de-posted.

        2. For de-posting doors, remove all “Radioactive Material” stickers, all stickers with a radiation symbol, “Restricted Area” stickers, and update the EHS Hazard Communication sheet posted on the lab door to remove the radiation warning.

      5. Review RAM use in the building to determine if this close out means that the use of byproduct material has ceased in that building. If so, notify the RSO. The building must be evaluated to meet release criteria within 24 months [10 CFR 30.36(d)(4)].

      6. Complete the RAM Close Out Inspection on EHSA.

        1. Upload all survey results, including the original survey done by the PI.

        2. Describe actions taken during close out in the appropriate inspection question.

      7. Update the lab/room information in EHSA. Remove the space from the AU’s authorization via an administrative amendment if necessary. 

        1. If not part of an overall permit inactivation, add a special condition to the PI’s permit stating that the lab has been closed out and cleared for unrestricted use.

           

  5. References:

    1. 10 CFR 30. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, “Rules of General Applicability to Domestic Licensing of Byproduct Material”, U.S. Code of Federal Regulations.

    2. 10 CFR 31. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, “General Domestic Licenses for Byproduct Material”, U.S. Code of Federal Regulations.

    3. Radiation Safety Manual, University of Missouri Environmental Health & Safety, Columbia, MO, June 2024. Accessed: https://ehs.missouri.edu/program-areas/radiation-safety/radiation-safety-manual

    4. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, “Consolidated Guidance About Materials Licenses; Program-Specific Guidance Licenses of Broad Scope – Appendix L”,  NUREG-1556, vol. 11, rev. 1, 2017. Accessed: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1705/ML17059D332.pdf 

    5. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Materials License 24-00513-32, Tie-down Requirements, Sept. 2023.

       

  6. Revisions:

    1. Rev 00 – 2023-5-1 – New SOP.

    2. Rev 01 – 2024-7-10 – Removed references to Radiation Safety Manual section numbers and replaced with section titles.

    3. Rev 02 – 2025-1-17 – Added references to EHSA permit application.

    4. Rev 03 – 2026-8-14 – Revised procedure steps and updated formatting.

 

APPENDIX A

The RAM Lab Close Out form can be accessed under the "Forms" section of the website, or through this link.

 

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