ASTM C1615-05

Mechanical drive systems operability and long-term integrity are concerns that should be addressed primarily during the design phase; however, problems identified during fabrication and testing should be resolved and the changes in the design documented. Equipment operability and integrity can be compromised during handling and installation sequences. For this reason, the subject equipment should be handled and installed under closely controlled and supervised conditions.

This standard is intended as a supplement to other standards, and to federal and state regulations, codes, and criteria applicable to the design of equipment intended for this use.

This standard is intended to be generic and to apply to a wide range of types and configurations of mechanical drive systems.

1.1 Intent

1.1.1 The intent of this standard is to provide general guidelines for the design, selection, quality assurance, installation, operation, and maintenance of mechanical drive systems used in remote hot cell environments. The term mechanical drive systems used herein, encompasses all individual components used for imparting motion to equipment systems, subsystems, assemblies, and other components. It also includes complete positioning systems and individual units that provide motive power and any position indicators necessary to monitor the motion.

1.2 Applicability

1.2.1 This standard is intended to be applicable to equipment used under one or more of the following conditions:

The materials handled or processed constitute a significant radiation hazard to man or to the environment.

The equipment will generally be used over a long-term life cycle (for example, in excess of two years), but equipment intended for use over a shorter life cycle is not excluded.

The equipment can neither be accessed directly for purposes of operation or maintenance, nor can the equipment be viewed directly, for example, without radiation shielding windows, periscopes, or a video monitoring system.

1.2.2 The system of units employed in this standard is the metric unit, also known as SI Units, which are commonly used for International Systems, and defined, by ASTM/IEEE SI-10 Standard for Use of International System of Units.

1.3 User Caveats

1.3.1 This standard is not a substitute for applied engineering skills, proven practices and experience. Its purpose is to provide guidance.

The guidance set forth in this standard relating to design of equipment is intended only to alert designers and engineers to those features, conditions, and procedures that have been found necessary or highly desirable to the design, selection, operation and maintenance of mechanical drive systems for the subject service conditions.

The guidance set forth results from discoveries of conditions, practices, features, or lack of features that were found to be sources of operational or maintenance problems, or causes of failure.

1.3.2 This standard does not supersede federal or state regulations, or both, and codes applicable to equipment under any conditions.

1.3.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.