Fermilab

ORC Guidelines

The full set of information that constitutes official ORC guidelines is in the Fermilab ES&H Manual (FESHM). The inspection is based largely on the Hazard Awareness Checklist which constitutes the last page of the experiment’s TSW.

  • Flammable (gases or liquids)
    • In your TSW, specify the total amount of each type of gas to be used, the flow rate and the capacity of the device in which the gas will be used.
    • FESHM chapter 6020.3 Outlines the requirements and flammable gas requirements provides the documentation needed for use of flammable gases.
    • It is best to use the flammable gas Infrastructure already in place, but the above documentation is required even if you do.
    • Any flammable materials and/or systems need to be labeled; the FTBF coordinator has signs available for your use
  • Gases
    • example: wire chambers, GEMs, and other gas detectors
    • Every type of gas that will be used needs to be indicated so that safety personnel can determine if permitting is required
    • In your TSW specify the total amount of each type of gas to be used, the flow rate, and the capacity of the device in which the gas will be used
    • 0.1 pounds/hr of flow of gas emissions will require a permit
    • Green house gases, air pollutants, or scrap, waste, etc. may trigger the need for a IEPA permit
    • The need for a IEPA permit may delay installation for three months
    • Environmental safety ORC review tips
  • Hazardous chemicals
    • Any experiment using flammable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic materials will need to post the Material Safety Data Sheets at the entrances of the enclosure.
    • MSD sheets can be found here.
  • Radioactive sources
    • are they being used as a calibration (temporary use) or do you need them in the enclosure while beam is being run (permanent installation)?
    • a list of sources can be found here, we are located at Meson Det West Box 07
    • Sources can be requested from the ES&H source manager
    • anyone using sources will need Source Training (as well as Rad Worker)
  • Target materials
    • certain materials require additional training for handling
    • targets may require additional safety reviews/inspections/approval
    • any material put in the beam will need to be surveyed by a Rad Control Tech upon removal from the beam enclosure
  • Nuclear materials
    • No nuclear material shall be shipped to Fermilab without notification and prior approval of the Fermilab Nuclear Materials Representative.
    • Nuclear materials defines nuclear materials in accordance with DOE O 474.2, Chg.2, Nuclear Material Control and Accountability, dated 11/19/12.
  • Lasers
    • Use of a class 3b or class 4 laser at Fermilab must be approved by the Laser Safety Officer prior to operation
    • Anyone working with a laser will have to take the Laser Safety Training Class and have a laser eye exam done.  This can be arranged through the Fermilab Medical Office (x3232) medical_office@fnal.gov
    • Ensure that proper enclosures, interlocks, and personal protective equipment are in place.
    • Necessary documentation:
      1. Registration form
      2. written Standard Operating Procedures
    • Fill out the above forms and send to the Laser Safety Officer (LSO), upon aproval the LSO will issue laser registration labels
    • Place laser registration labels on the laser after receipt from LSO
    • The laser will have a final review of the setup done by the LSO as part of the ORC Inspection.
    • NOTE: The process of registering and properly configuring a class 3b or class 4 laser for use can take a significant amount of time and resources.  Please consult with the LSO as soon as you identify a need for such a laser.
  • Electrical equipment
    • Electrical Safety ORC Review Tips
    • Necessary documentation:
      1. Simplified (block) electrical diagram of entire installation, including commercial components, with special emphasis on power handling issues. These must be of sufficient detail that reviewers can verify the experimenters have observed good systems engineering practices and have used proper fusing, wire sizes, insulation, termination, etc.
      2. Line diagrams of custom manufactured circuitry or modifications of commercial components of similar detail.
  • Mechanical structures
    • Many test apparatuses are relatively small and are placed on the movable table in the enclosure. In this case, you need to make sure that the table is grounded and that its motion stops are in place. FTBF staff are quite familiar with these 2 simple steps.
    • Exercise motion table to ensure cable slack & motion interlock stops correctly positioned
  • Vacuum vessels
    • Apparatuses containing vacuum vessels will need to be inspected by the ORC committee. Vacuum vessels must comply with FESHM 5033 or FESHM 5033.1.
  • Pressure vessels and pressure piping
    • Apparatuses containing pressure vessels and piping will need to be inspected by the ORC committee. Pressure vessels and piping must comply with FESHM 5033 or FESHM 5033.1.
  • Cryogenics
    • Apparatuses containing cryogenics will need to be inspected by the Cryogenic Review Committee who will issue an engineering note upon approval. This note will be referenced by the ORC chairperson as part of the ORC inspection
  • Other hazardous/toxic materials
  • Fire-life safety
    • As a general practice, the use of combustibles within FTBF should be limited. If there are questions regarding the combustibility of building materials (cables, foam board, plastics, etc.), please obtain a sample of the material and contact the FTBF coordinator. There is a system in place to test these materials.
    • Fire life safety guidelines
  • Radiation safety
    • the Accelerator Division Radiation Safety Group inspects the area to look for issues that may result in adverse radiological consequences, each time an experiment sets up to take beam.
    • AD_RadSafety_Checklist
  • Other safety considerations: Besides all of the above things, safety inspectors will be looking out for the following:
    • Trip hazards. Be sure cords are secure, taped down, or covered.
    • Falling hazards. Be sure equipment is mounted in a secure way and can not fall off tables, carts, etc. If you need to, strap it down.
    • Strain relief. Be sure your cables are not reaching too far, even if the table moves.