Publication Laka-library:
Vol II, Appendix B, Part 7: Mound, Site Assessment (1994)
| Author | Plutonium Working Gr US DoE |
| Date | September 1994 |
| Classification | 3.01.5.30/28 (UNITED STATES - GENERAL NUCLEAR WEAPONS PLANTS + CLEAN UP) |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
ES&H VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT FORM Vulnerability #1: Uncertainties in Plutonium Packaging Block #1: Title of Vulnerability (< 20 words) Uncertainty of inner packaging configuration of several older plutonium packages in vault storage that could result in barrier deficiencies Block #2: Executive Summary (<50 words) There are about 37 primary containers, packaged for storage several years ago, that have very little documentation on the nature of the packaging of the inner layers. These packages apparently met the requirements at the time they were placed in storage but there is insufficient information currently available on the packaging to permit a good assessment of all the barriers to the release of material to workers, the environment, and/or the public. Block #3: Describe the material, packaging, barrier and facility combination that contribute to the vulnerability. It was the procedure of the time to package plutonium in at least two layers of sealed metal containers. These double containers were typically placed in a drum or shipping container before storage in the vault. Even though it is believed that this describes the inner configurations of the packages in question, it cannot assure this with reasonable certainty. Block #4: describe adverse conditions, events and related concerns that contribute to the vulnerability. In order for the uncertainty in the inner packaging to contribute to the vulnerability, (1) the material would have to produce sufficient pressure to rupture or cause the successive layers of containment to leak, (2) the material would have to be subjected to fire sufficient to cause the successive inner layers of containment to rupture or leak or (3) the drum or shipping vessel would have to be punctured by a forklift to release Pu to the vault. Block. #5: Describe the compensatory measures that reduce the severity of the vulnerability. In the T-Building vault, the plutonium packages are stored in drums or shipping containers. There are two layers of structural barriers: the vault and the building walls. The vault and the building are fully sprinkled. The vault is monitored continuously for release of airborne Pu particulates. The vault and packages are smeared for radioactivity frequently. A release could be detected quickly and mitigated.
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