All radio frequency (RF) transmitters shall be operated using the appropriate safety authority and RPO/RSO approved procedures with the appropriate controls established. The RPO/RSO shall specify minimum power levels below which RF transmitters are exempt from controls.
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8.3.1. RF Operations General Requirements
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Non-ionizing radiation operations involve RF transmitters in the range of 3 kHz to 300 GHz and optical devices such as lasers.
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8.3.1.1. Before transmitting, areas in which power density levels exceed permissible exposure limits shall be controlled to restrict access.
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Area control may be accomplished using appropriate warning signs, lights, and access barriers.
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8.3.1.2. The RPO/RSO shall survey RF transmitting devices as required.
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8.3.1.2.1. The payload project shall comply with the survey recommendations.
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8.3.1.2.2. Where applicable all safety devices shall be checked by site personnel before operation to ensure proper function. If transmission is required while performing these checks, the tests shall be performed at low output power or with a dummy load.
Note: A safety device (or feature) is levied on the system design to control the cause of an identified hazard or to mitigate the effect of a hazard once the cause has been satisfied. As a result, the probability and/or severity of a hazard can be reduced to an acceptable level. Safety devices (or features) can take numerous forms in a design. No matter what form a safety device (or feature) takes, its purpose is to prevent an undesirable (hazardous) event from occurring. Safety devices (or features) may be wholly or partly mechanical, electrical, or software in nature. A safety device (or feature) may inherently be part of the system or be specifically added to a system. Safety devices (or features) may include the following:
Barriers - a physical means to keep personnel away from hazardous energy or to contain/deflect hazardous energy if it were released.
Fail-safe design - a design feature in which a system reacts to a failure by switching to or maintaining a safe operating mode that may include system shutdown.
Inhibit - a device that prevents system operation if a predetermined condition is not satisfied.
Interlock - a device that may be inserted into the system to prevent system operation (often used in maintenance).
Interrupt - a device that disrupts system operation if a predetermined condition is violated.
Redundancy/failure tolerance - the built-in ability of a system to provide continued correct operation in the presence of a specific number of failures.
Special system features - systems or devices, such as fire suppression and hazardous gas detection, that control and/or warn of system hazards.
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8.3.1.3. All new, modified, or relocated RF transmitters shall be reported to the appropriate safety authority and the RPO/RSO so that potential hazards can be evaluated.
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8.3.2. RF Transmission Operations for EEDs and Open Grain Solid Propellant
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8.3.2.1. As determined by analyses and tests, local or range-wide RF silence is required during periods of EED installation, removal, and electrical connection or disconnection. At a minimum, RF silence within the complex or area shall be required.
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8.3.2.2. Radio transmitters shall be kept away from systems with installed EEDs in accordance with the guidance found in AFMAN 91-201 and NASA-STD 8719.12, Safety Standard for Explosives, Propellants, and Pyrotechnics.
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The 25-foot radio transmission distance requirement is the minimum requirement; however, this requirement does not take into account situations where EEDs are RF sensitive and leads are unshielded. Based on the specific radio, ordnance, and area involved, an RF analysis performed in accordance with MIL-STD-1576 may be provided to the appropriate safety authority for consideration to reduce this requirement.
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8.3.2.3. Transmitting devices shall be kept a minimum of 50 feet from a fueling area unless they are intrinsically safe.
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