AGREEMENT FOR DEVICE EVALUATION

The National Radon Safety Board ("NRSB") has been requested by the equipment manufacturer or its authorized agent, _____________________ to evaluate _________________, for inclusion in the NRSB list of approved measurement devices.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has agreed to cooperate with the NRSB in this device evaluation process.  This letter of understanding details the responsibilities of the  _________________________ and those of the NRSB in this device evaluation process.

The following information is to be supplied to the NRSB Office, 14 Hayes Street, Elmsford, NY  10523 and a check payable to NRSB in the amount of $1,000.  It is general information that is required in the draft Instrument Evaluation Program Handbook that was prepared by SC&A for U.S. EPA September 6, 1995.  This information will be used to help the NRSB work with the manufacture to document the measurement system and place it in the context of other systems already evaluated.

Four (4) sets of the following information are to be provided in letter format from the manufacturer to the NRSB:

              •    The manufacturer name, location, and the identification of the line of detectors to be evaluated, and the name of a contact person to answer technical questions;

              •    References in published journals (including copies of reprints if available);

              •    Unpublished technical reports;

              •    A description of the device’s history in terms of EPA or other proficiency program experience (e.g., whether the manufacturer has submitted a similar system for evaluation in the RMP Program or the Instrument Evaluation Program); and

              •    Information regarding the results of participation in any performance evaluations, such as those sponsored by other federal agencies or states.

Technical Information

              •    A complete description of the design of the system. For passive systems this includes the devices as well as the analysis equipment, and for active systems this includes components. Features particularly important to the operation of the system should be described, with schematics and the materials used.

              •    The passive systems, submit four (4) samples of test kits.  For continuous radon monitor, submit one device or photos and pictures.

              •    The procedures for using the measurement system to perform measurements, including any time requirements (e.g., deploying the instrument or device for the appropriate time period, starting and ending the measurement, and obtaining the measurement results).

              •    If a pump is used, the technical specifications for the pump operation, the procedures for verifying and adjusting pump flow rate and checking the filter(s), if applicable.

              •    The radon entry method, either pump or passive diffusion, and the method for eliminating the entry of radon decay products into the chamber, if appropriate.

              •    A complete description of the various options for performing measurements with the equipment (e.g., various measurement durations).

              •    A complete description of the calibration and recalibration process, including:

                   ‑    the procedure for obtaining and rechecking the background of the system (and components, if appropriate); and

                   ‑    the recommended frequency of the recalibration procedures.

              •    A general description of the technical basis for the calibration factors and background used, including:

                   ‑    the range of detector sensitivities and efficiencies;

                   ‑    the results of studies of background and the range of values generally found;                                                                               

-      the results of studies on the effects of parameters that may affect the system’s

-      efficiency, such as humidity, temperature, barometric pressure, etc. .

              •    The results of field studies on the ability to store measurement information during shipping.

              •    The effects of thoron and procedures for its discrimination.

              •    The routine equipment performance checks that are recommended with the system, including:

              ‑    the corrective action limits used for assessing the results of the checks; and

-      the frequency and recommended documentation for the results.

              •    A description of other quality control procedures that are not already covered.

              •    Tamper‑detection features and recommended procedures, including guidelines for recommending a retest.

              •    A general description of the system’s ability to perform properly in a wide range of conditions, including:

                   ‑    A range of temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure (including field data

                        (see the Performance Matrix);

                   ‑    the effects of shock (e.g., the results of drop tests);

                   ‑    the effects of vibration (e.g., operation in an industrial setting);

                   ‑    the effects due to external electromagnetic fields; and

                   ‑    the effects from other sources of ionizing radiation.

              •    The limitations of the measurement system in terms of the lower limit of detection, minimum and maximum exposure times, and the system’s response time to changing concentrations.

              •    Complete test results for the various parameters described in the Performance Matrix (see Table 1), with the results of individual measurements, the type and location of the controlled environment (chamber) where the measurements were conducted, the type of instruments used to measure the various parameters, and references to or descriptions of their calibration schedules.

              •    A summary of the information described above in the general format of the Performance Matrix (see Table 1). Participants are required to provide a brief explanation for any areas where test results are not given. The explanation should present the physical principles of the device or components that prevent any effects from that particular parameter.

MATRIX MUST BE FILLED IN COMPLETELY BEFORE APPLICATION CAN BE REVIEWED

Table 1.  Performance Matrix