Standards Development

ORAU lends health physics expertise to the development of industry standards

Experience matters when it comes to developing the technical standards that will lay the operational groundwork for an entire industry.

Through its expertise in the areas of environmental assessments and health physics, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) has worked to gain the trust and confidence of federal agencies for more than 25 years.

Our knowledge and understanding of the process has enabled us to take an instrumental role in the development of new or revising existing standards, including:

• Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM)
• Manual for Conducting Radiological Surveys in Support of License Termination (NUREG/CR-5849)
• Background as a Residual Radioactivity Criterion for Decommissioning (NUREG-1501)
• A Nonparametric Statistical Methodology for the Design and Analysis of Final Status Decommissioning Surveys (NUREG-1505, Rev. 1)
• Minimum Detectable Concentrations with Typical Radiological Survey Instrumentation for Various Contaminants and Field Conditions (NUREG-1507)
• Radiological Surveys for Controlling Release of Solid Materials (NUREG-1761)
• Performance and Documentation of Ionizing Surveys (ANSI N13.49)
• Training Requirements for Homeland Security Responders Using Radiation Detection Instruments (ANSI N42.37), which also references:
• Use of personal radiation detectors (ANSI N42.32)
• Portable radiation detection instruments (ANSI N42.33)
• Portable radionuclide identifiers (ANSI N42.34)
• Portable radiation monitors (ANSI N42.35)
• Characterization of Land Areas and Structures in Support of Decommissioning (ANSI N13.59)

We also continue to provide support to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and its regulatory guide update program.