TESTING OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN TRITIATED ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

Kinectrics has designed, manufactured, and commissioned a tritium facility, referred to as the Tritium Exposure Box (TEB) for the purpose of testing the performance of radiological respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in tritiated atmospheres. The TEB is an instrumented, self-contained enclosure that permits the use of a full-size mannequin fitted with protective equipment for testing in a tritium oxide atmosphere. Tritium concentrations of up to 3.7×10⁸ Bq/m³ may be generated and maintained inside the TEB. A breathing circuit allows for simulation of respiration, while in-line tritium monitors measure the tritium concentrations upstream and downstream of the RPE. This paper provides an overview of the facility, discusses previous work programs in testing air-supplied plastic suits, and describes Kinectrics’ most recent campaign testing wetted paper cartridges for Comfo half-mask respirators.