Question 205: (a) 10 CFR 20.1301 (a) (2) requires that
the dose in any unrestricted area from external sources
does not exceed 2 millirem "in any one hour." Since this
is not an instantaneous limit, can the licensee operate at
levels much higher than 2 millirem per hour for a very
short period of time (e.g., 90 millirem /hr for 1 minute,
then no dose for the rest of the hour)? (b) If so, how is
the 2 mrem in any one hour inspectable?
Answer: General response: This requirement in 10 CFR
20.1301 (a) (2) is not new. It is essentially the same as
the requirement in 10 CFR 20.105 (b) (1). Specific
response: (a) Yes.
(b) The licensee must be able to demonstrate compliance
with the dose limits of 10 CFR 20.1301 and the survey
requirements of 10 CFR 20.1501. If an inspector identifies
areas where the radiation levels may be in excess of 2 mrem
in any one hour and the licensee is unable to demonstrate
compliance with the dose limits for an unrestricted area
and with the survey requirements, the licensee may be
cited. (Reference: 10 CFR 20.1301, 10 CFR 20.1501)