MARSSIM
Because cleanup projects require thorough reporting and documentation, it is equally important that independent verification follows a standardized approach that verifies whether the cleanup contractor adequately prepared a site for release.
Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) has established a strong reputation of superior quality and service throughout its more than 25-year history. This reputation was a critical element in ORAU’s contribution to the development of the Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM) created by a multi-agency committee representing the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
What was ORAU’s role in the development of MARSSIM?
Published in December 1997, MARSSIM provides detailed guidance for planning, implementing and evaluating environmental and facility radiological surveys to demonstrate compliance with a dose- or risk-based regulation. MARSSIM focuses on the demonstration of compliance during the final status survey once scoping, characterization and any necessary remedial actions are completed.
We maintained an important role in the development of the manual because of our vast experience in designing and performing independent verification. Our qualified staff of radiological professionals have made regular contributions to the development of the manual and have demonstrated their commitment to the standardization of site survey procedures through:
- original MARSSIM workgroup membership
- development of COMPASS software to facilitate the use of MARSSIM
- development of the first MARSSIM training course with more than 70 courses successfully completed
How can MARSSIM benefit my cleanup project?
MARSSIM provides a single, nationally consistent guide for verifying that radioactively contaminated sites have been cleaned up to standards. Combining this information into one manual has increased efficiency, and has eliminated the confusion that can result from contractors having to work from several different manuals.
MARSSIM is flexible enough to use with many existing statutory programs, such as the NRC’s License Termination Rule, EPA’s Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, the Federal Facilities Base Closure and Realignment, and various state programs. MARSSIM’s comprehensive guidance addresses all phases (planning, conducting, evaluating, and documenting) of the survey process for demonstrating compliance with dose- or risk-based requirements.
How can I learn more about implementing MARSSIM at my cleanup site?
ORAU provides five-day training courses for individuals who will be responsible for the decision-making processes involved in the design and implementation of a MARSSIM-based decontamination and decommissioning survey. Topics covered include:
- an overview of radiological survey types
- the data quality objectives process
- selection and application of derived concentration guideline levels
- background reference area selection
- survey instrument detection sensitivity
- area classification
- statistical design of surveys
- measurement uncertainty
- performing statistical tests
This MARSSIM course is offered several times each year and can be tailored for your site-specific needs. Courses are offered in Oak Ridge, Tenn., but can also be arranged to accommodate off-site training requests. Additional information on the MARSSIM course, its schedule, and how to register can be found on the MARSSIM training page.
I’m familiar with or have signed up for the training courses. Is software available to assist with MARSSIM implementation?
The COMPASS custom software was designed to facilitate the use of MARSSIM and guide the user into making informed decisions in designing final status radiological surveys. COMPASS also simplifies the application of the statistical tests by performing the calculations and providing prospective power curves that help determine what level of confidence the user is willing to accept for a particular number of measurements or samples for a survey unit. After performing the final status survey, COMPASS assesses the data for comparison to the release criteria.
Available for Windows operating systems, COMPASS may be downloaded:
- Version 1.1 (.exe)
Planning data generated and stored in COMPASS v1.0 will not be available from COMPASS v1.1 unless re-entered into the newer version. Review the Read Me file for system requirements, installation instructions, and features of the software.
- Version 1.0 (.exe)
Where can I access MARSSIM-related guidance documents?
Interested in learning more about MARSSIM and how ORAU contributed to standards development? Visit our MARSSIM Resources page for a listing of MARSSIM-related presentations and reports.
