Type-A Shipping ContainersType-A packages are one type of neutron shipping container commonly used to transport radioactive material between facilities and end user sites. Frontier designs and fabricates Type-A shipping packages of various sizes, shielding capacities, and configurations for rental or purchase.

All of our Type-A shipping containers are designed and constructed in-house to ensure highest quality. They adhere to international shipping regulations and protect their contents from damage during shipping. Our containers also meet certification requirements such as USDOT Type-A, and are Specification 7A packages.

Please note that Frontier’s Type-A containers are not suitable for gamma-ray sources, which require lead containers.

Standard Type-A Neutron Shipping Containers

Frontier designs and fabricates “Type-A” shipping packages of various sizes, shielding, capacities, and configurations for use, rental, or purchase by our customers. All packages are designed and constructed in-house to ensure that the highest quality standards are met.

Containers meet international shipping regulations, protect the sources from damage during shipping, and are certified by Frontier as USADOT Type-A Specification 7A packages.

Model 50240

Model 50240 Type-A Shipping Container

Dimensions & Details

MODEL 50240:Up to 10 ug
Size:5 Gallon
Weight:45 lbs
20.5 kg
Perm:100 lbs
Dimensions:12” x 12” x 14”
30 cm x 30 cm x 35 cm

Model 50220

Model 50220 Type-A Shipping Container

Dimensions & Details

MODEL 50220:Up to 50 ug
Size:30 Gallon
Weight:275 lbs
125 kg
Perm:500 lbs
Dimensions:22” x 22” x 34”
51 cm x 51 cm x 76 cm

Model 50200

Model 50200 Type-A Shipping Container

Dimensions & Details

MODEL 50200:Up to 110 ug
Size:55 Gallon
Weight:500 lbs
227 kg
Perm:880 lbs
Dimensions:25” x 25” x 35”
61 cm x 61 cm x 89 cm

Custom Type-A Shipping Containers — For Rental

MODEL 50120MODEL 50110MODEL 50100MODEL 50300
StubbyBabyTwinLong Ton
Up to 700 ugUp to 1870 ugUp to 5000 ugUp to 4000 ug
1860 lbs3940 lbs7400 lbs6900 lbs
Perm: 1920 lbsPerm: 4300 lbsPerm: 8000 lbsPerm: 8000 lbs
42” x 30” x 38”47” x 41” x 43”64” x 51” x 53”16’ x 50” x 50”

Type-A Container Requirements and Testing

Federal regulations require that these containers protect their contents from breaches or contamination and maintain sufficient shielding under normal transportation conditions.

At Frontier we use several tests to evaluate our Type-A containers’ integrity:

  • Water spray for one hour to simulate rainfall of two inches per hour
  • Free-fall drop test onto a hard, flat surface to ensure structural integrity
  • Compression of at least five times the weight of the package
  • Penetration tests that involve dropping a 13-lb., 1.25”-diameter bar vertically onto the package from 3.3’ in the air

Type-A shipping containers are used for storing and transporting small quantities of radioactive materials, based on their radioactivity, type, and form. They generally consist of a metal outer container lined with shielding material to fully and securely enclose the material.

"*" indicates required fields

Consulting for Package Design, Sizing and Shielding

Type-A Radioactive Shipping ContainersOur team will work with you to find the best Type-A radioactive packaging solution for your needs. The suitability of packages for source storage depends on both source size and external radiation levels specified by the customer.

 

Type-A Containers for Depleted Source Disposal

As part of our commitment to the long-term management of radioactive sources, we offer disposal services at no charge to all our customers. Any depleted californium-252 neutron source fabricated in our facility can be returned to us at any time using our Type-A radioactive shipping containers. Customers only pay for shipping.

 

Type-A Radioactive Container Requirements

The US Department of Transportation defines several types of containers suitable for transporting radioactive materials between production facilities and end-user sites as well as for onsite source storage. These storage containers must withstand a series of tests that simulate conditions that are normally encountered during transportation without releasing or leaking any of their contents.

Type-A packaging is required for small amounts of some types of radioactive waste and radioactive sources like californium-252 (Cf-252) that are used in industrial applications and some non-liquid nuclear medicines and radiopharmaceuticals.

To learn more about your application’s specific regulations, please refer to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s documents and regulations for the packaging and transportation of radioactive material.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Cf-252 shipped?

With proper shielding, Cf-252 can be safely shipped to virtually any location worldwide (please note that Frontier Technology Corporation does not ship to countries on the embargo list). The key to proper shielding is the use of Type-A radioactive neutron shipping containers. Frontier’s Type-A containers are made with a steel outer shell and filled with proprietary water-extended polyester (WEP) shielding material for safety. They comply with 10CFR50 Appendix B, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) regulations.

All of Frontier’s radioactive shipping containers are tested to ensure their ability to maintain integrity during normal transport conditions. This includes specific testing to withstand jostling, drops and impact as well as exposure to precipitation.

What is the proper label for shipping containers containing Cf-252?

UN3332
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
TYPE-A PACKAGE
SPECIAL FORM, NON-FISSILE
CLASS 7

What is the proper labeling format for EMPTY shipping containers that previously contained radioactive material?

UN2908
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
EXCEPTED PACKAGE, EMPTY PACKAGING
CLASS 7

Types of Radioactive Shipping Containers

At Frontier Technology Corporation, we design and create radioactive shipping containers that can hold californium-252 and other neutron sources (with the exception of gamma sources – these require lead containers) during transport to a facility or field site. These containers can also eventually be used to send depleted sources back to our location for proper disposal.