BT-1 Sample Handling Procedures

This outlines recommendations for use BT-1 and storage and handling of samples. Exceptions from these recommendations will be made for experiments with unusual needs. All experiments at BT-1 will have a NIST employee either as an active participant or as a local coordinator. It is the responsibility of this NIST employee to ensure that users are properly trained, and to ensure that NIST procedures are followed with respect to sample handling.

Prior to experiments

BT-1 users are strongly recommended to evaluate the potential activation for their material using Web form http://www.ncnr.nist.gov/~toby/sample_info.html or by contacting Health Physics.

Qingzhen Huang (x-6164, B105) will provide vanadium sample containers, if available, to users. Requests for cans made at the last minute may not be accommodated.

A BT-1 Sample Tag should be filled out when the sample is loaded into the container. The sample tag should be attached to the sample, or to the outside of a cryostat, furnace, etc, when the sample is not in the instrument.

During Experiments

It is NCNR policy that all samples must be recorded in the log book as well as the instrument monitor (mrat) reading. For proprietary measurements, an approximate empirical chemical formula may be used.

The whiteboard must be updated to show the experiment, the name and phone numbers for an emergency contact and the names and institutions of all experimenters. The BT-1 sample tag(s) are to be hung on the whiteboard, when sample(s) are loaded in BT-1 for measurement.

After Experiments

A survey must be performed before the sample is removed from the instrument.

Until such time as appropriate facilities are available, all irradiated powder samples must be checked by Health Physics before they can be removed from their containers. Since samples are frequently unloaded by someone other than the person who loaded the sample, if special precautions or non-ambient conditions are needed for unloading the sample, note this on a pink sample tag.

The local contact is responsible for assisting users with unloading samples, clearing samples through Health Physics and shipping samples. When users must leave NIST without their samples, either because their experiments are not complete or the materials are neutron activated, the user must complete a BT-1 Sample Shipping Form and either provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or certify their sample is not hazardous (flammable, toxic, etc.). Samples without shipping forms may not be shipped.

Sample containers are to be stored after experiments in the unlocked cabinet adjacent to BT-1. If this is not possible because the sample requires special storage conditions, this should be discussed with a BT-1 instrument scientist prior to the experiment and the location of the sample container should be noted on the signout sheet on the outside of the cabinet. Likewise, if the sample and container will be used on another instrument, the signout sheet must also be used and the container be returned after the measurement. Qingzhen Huang will ensure that cans are returned after experiments and that local contacts unload cans when appropriate. As time permits, he will assist local contacts with unloading and shipping of samples.