Document ZnV5g5KNz4525je8QDVVmMwYL

IONIZING RADIATION the other hand, if only small amounts of radioactivity exist, a catastrophe probably would not be much more costly. Each industrial process should be care fully studied in the light of what might pos sibly occur so that suitable measures for prevention and control of fire and explo sion can be set up Warning systems for early discovery and control of fire are even more important when fires can involve radioactive materi als To cause large dollar-losses, it is not, of course, necessary that the radioactive materials themselves bum Losses may also be senous if the materials are spread around as die result of damage to their containment vessel (or system) or scat tered by high-pressure hoses and run-off water during fire extinguishing activities Fires in dry boxes containing radioactive materials must be anticipated The spread of a fire to contaminated filters in ventila tion systems must also be considered In some cases, fires of pyrophoric radioactive metals must be fought with special extin guishment methods A plant volunteer company or a munici pal fire department should receive advance training in fighting these type fires This will pay off in the long run by reducing the damage that can occur in fighting a fire that involves a large amount of radio active material 0 See Radiation Hazards of Radioactive Isotopes so Fire Emergencies, an Introduc tory Report, June 1950, and Radiation and Monstormg Fundamentals for the Ftre Service, 1955 (International Association of Fue Chiefs), Radiation Hazards in Firefighting. Safety & Fire Protection Techni cal Bulletin No 4,1955 (AEC) PPOTECT/ON METHODS EXTERNAL DISTANCE SHIELDING BEHINO 9HII IOING : LESS RADIATION RECEIVED TIME LESS TIME SPENT : LESS RADIATION RECEIVED INTERNAL UMIT AVAILABLE CURIE CONTENT IN AIR, WATER, FOOD PROTECTIVE CLOTHING RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT Fig 42-16. Humans can be protected from radioactivity by these methods Courtesy Hanford Atomic Products Operation, General Electric Company 42-37