It is a task of the national authorities to define those circumstances where radioactive effluent monitoring is a mandatory requirement. However, this standard defines acceptable forms of such monitoring, provides some general guidance as to the possible sensitivity and capability of such equipment as may be envisaged and indicates when and where its uses may be practicable.
For further guidance, reference may be made to the I.A.E.A., 1978, Safety Series, No. 46: Recommendations — Monitoring of airborne and liquid radioactive releases from nuclear facilities to the environment.
This standard is applicable to equipment for continuously monitoring radioactivity in gaseous effluents during normal operations and during anticipated operational occurrences. Such equipment may, nevertheless, function during accident conditions.
This standard may not apply to equipment specifically for use in accident conditions and which may require additional capabilities.
This standard is restricted to equipment for continuously monitoring effluent streams. It does not deal with sample extraction and laboratory analysis which may be essential to a complete programme of gaseous effluent monitoring.