Geotechnical measurements Approval to Acquire
The acquisition of radiation sources is regulated under the Radiation Safety Act 1999 to minimise the risks associated with radiation. This includes sealed radioactive substances in portable density and moisture gauges.
To purchase or otherwise obtain a radiation source for your geotechnical measurement business you will need an Approval to Acquire and a licence to possess the radiation source. This process helps to ensure that the necessary safety and risk measures are in place and that the radiation sources meet generally acceptable safety requirements.
Geotechnical measurement equipment includes:
- Cs-137 and Am-241/Be in a portable density/moisture gauge
- Cs-137 in a portable density gauge
- Am-241/Be in a portable moisture gauge.
This page contains the following Geotechnical measurements Approval to Acquire application form:
Who needs this approval?
Every time you seek to purchase or otherwise obtain a new sealed radioactive substance in a portable density/moisture gauge you will need to hold an Approval to Acquire the radiation source. This approval is needed before you can take overall ownership and control. Your Possession Licence will detail the type of radiation source you are allowed to possess and what type of radiation practice it can be used for.
Radiation sources are commonly acquired for geotechnical measurement purposes, which include:
- density/moisture measurements for road base preparation
- density measurement for testing asphalt compaction
- moisture measurement for testing soil hydrology.
Apply for an Approval to Acquire a sealed radioactive substance in a portable density/moisture gauge
Application for Approval to Acquire a sealed radioactive substance (PDF 852 kB)
Use this form each time you seek to purchase or otherwise obtain a sealed radioactive substance for a portable density and moisture gauge.
Your application needs to include:
- your Possession Licence number and expiry date
- details of the radiation source and supplier (including radionuclide, chemical form and activity for radioactive substances)
- details of how any radioactive substance will eventually be disposed of (where applicable)
- a copy of the sealed radioactive substance certificate from the manufacturer (where applicable).
Approval duration
Time limited approval is granted to allow the change of ownership and transfer of control of the radiation source to occur. Approval durations generally last 1 month to allow the physical transfer to occur.
Fees
You will need to pay an application fee.
See Schedule of fees to determine the fee you will need to pay. Your form will only be considered a complete application once the appropriate fee has been paid.