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Regulatory requirements for EXIT signs
Manufacturers of tritium EXIT signs are "specific licensees," meaning they are licensed by the NRC or an
Agreement State. The signs are considered "generally licensed devices," because they are inherently safe
enough to be handled or used by anyone with no radiation training or experience. Although purchasers –
known as "general licensees" – do not need authorization from the NRC or a state regulatory agency to
possess the signs, they are subject to certain regulatory requirements regarding handling, transfer or disposal
of the signs. For more information, see the NRC website
(http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/fs-tritium.html#_edn2). They are also subject
to NRC or Agreement State inspection and enforcement action (including fines) for violating those
requirements. Manufacturers must inform purchasers of the EXIT signs of the regulatory requirements for
generally licensed devices. The general licensee is required to designate an individual responsible for
complying with the regulatory requirements.
Under NRC regulations, a general licensee using tritium EXIT signs:
•
must NOT remove the labeling or radioactive symbol, or abandon a sign;
•
must properly dispose of an unused sign (see below);
•
must report to the NRC or the appropriate Agreement State any lost, stolen or broken signs;
•
must inform the NRC or an Agreement State of a name change, change of address or replacement of
a general licensee's designated representative;
•
must NOT give away or sell the sign to another individual, company or institution unless the device is
to remain in use at its original intended location; in such a case, the transferor is to notify the recipient
of the regulatory requirements and must notify the NRC or Agreement State of the transfer within 30
days.
Tritium EXIT signs must NOT be disposed of as normal trash. To dispose of a sign properly, a general licensee
must transfer the sign to a specific licensee. This would typically be a manufacturer, distributor, licensed
radioactive waste broker, or a licensed low-level radioactive waste disposal facility. These facilities may
charge a fee for this service.
Within 30 days of disposing of a sign, the general licensee is required to file a report to the NRC or
Agreement State that includes:
•
the device manufacturer's (or distributor's) name, model number and serial number;
•
the name, address, and license number of the person receiving the device; and
•
the date of the transfer.
Reports should be sent to Director, Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management
Programs, ATTN: GLTS, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001.
For more information, see the Fact Sheet on Tritium EXIT Signs on the NRC website
(http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/fs-tritium.html).
Regulatory compliance notices 76
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