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Chambers Application Instructions
1. Purpose of this Document
Through its National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP), the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) certifies radon measurement and mitigation professionals. Individuals and or firms who analyze radon or radon decay product measurement devices are required to demonstrate proficiency through blind performance tests.
The purpose of this document is to establish the minimum criteria by which an entity may be approved by NEHA to conduct performance tests on behalf of individuals or firms seeking certification by NEHA as Radon Measurement Service Providers and Analytical Laboratories. An entity meeting or exceeding these criteria, both initially and throughout the course of providing performance test services, shall be referred to as a NEHA NRPP Approved Performance Test Chamber, herein referred to as a Chamber. It is the sole obligation of the Chamber to determine an individual’s passage of a performance test. NEHA’s approval of an entity as a Chamber does not convey any assumption of liabilities by NEHA on behalf of the approved chamber.
2. Chamber Protocols
The minimum procedures by which a Chamber demonstrates its proficiency and conducts performance tests are detailed in the document Guidance for the Certification of Radon and Radon Decay Product Chambers, herein referred to as Chamber Protocol, dated September 1999 (attached). It is the obligation of the approved Chamber to determine if more stringent procedures are necessary to adequately represent to NEHA the successful passage of a performance test for a NEHA NRPP certified measurement provider or analytical laboratory. Should a Chamber want to require additional procedures, the Chamber is to provide in writing to NEHA a description of amendments for review. NEHA’s review shall be limited to a determination if proposed amendments are more stringent but shall not include specific approval of proposed amendments.
1. Intercomparisons
As a minimum, an approved Chamber shall participate in an annual intercomparison with a Primary Radon Chamber, herein known as Primary Chamber, as specified by NEHA. NEHA has arranged for intercomparisons with the radon chamber housed at the US EPA Radiation and Indoor Environments National Laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chambers will be obligated to participate in additional intercomparisons requested by NEHA in order to maintain status as a NEHA approved chamber.
The NEHA administrative offices shall notify Chambers a minimum of four weeks in advance of scheduled intercomparisons.
Chambers that previously participated in intercomparisons with the US EPA facilities in Las Vegas, Nevada, or Montgomery, Alabama, may submit documentation of performance for NEHA’s consideration for interim approval. Chambers receiving interim approval must successfully participate in the next scheduled intercomparison to obtain full NEHA approval. Interim status will expire after the next scheduled intercomparison.
Intercomparison Schedule
NEHA anticipates intercomparisons occurring on a quarterly basis. Chambers seeking NEHA approval must successfully participate in an intercomparison prior to NEHA approval. The intercomparison is to be completed in accordance with the Chamber Protocol and procedures detailed in Section 2.1.2 of this document. The schedule for the next year is:
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Radon
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Working Level
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| December 4-14, 2000 |
January 23-24, 2001 |
| March 5-16, 2001 |
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| June 4-15, 2001 |
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| September 3-14, 2001 |
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Intercomparison Procedure
Chambers seeking NEHA approval must submit the documentation listed in Section 6 no less than two weeks prior to the scheduled intercomparison date. Applicants will be notified of the date by which intercomparison devices are to be received at the Primary Chamber (see Chamber Protocol). The address of the Primary Chamber and an intercomparison number will be provided to the Chamber applicant at that time.
It is the obligation of the Chamber or Chamber Applicant to ship devices to the Primary Chamber on the appointed date and time and to arrange for devices to be returned to the Chamber at its own expense and liability.
The Chamber or Chamber Applicant is to submit the results of its intercomparison measurements directly to NEHA’s main offices. The intercomparison results are to be in written format, signed by an officer of the company and sent via certified mail to:
National Environmental Health Association
NRPP Intercomparison
720 South Colorado Boulevard
South Tower, Suite 970
Denver, CO 80246
Results of the intercomparison must include the date(s) on which the devices were exposed at the Primary Chamber. The NEHA intercomparison number provided upon receipt of initial Chamber Application materials must accompany the results.
A NEHA employee will assess the accuracy of the result reported by the applicant by comparing it to the primary radon chamber concentration as reported directly to NEHA by the Primary Chamber operator (US EPA).
1. Administrative Procedures
1. Performance Test Chambers: Schedules for Performance Tests
The scheduling of individual performance tests for NEHA NRPP certified Measurement Providers and Analytical Laboratories is the obligation of the Chamber. NEHA shall advise new applicants of the requirements for performance tests through its literature and Web postings.
NEHA shall advise Chambers in advance of anticipated high levels of participation in or requests for performance tests.
NEHA shall provide to Chambers a database of individuals or firms who are required to conduct performance tests as a condition of renewing NEHA certification. NEHA NRPP database information remains the sole property of NEHA and is confidential in nature. Said information is to be used for the express purpose of the Chamber to notify participants of any upcoming need for performance tests and to facilitate Chamber scheduling. Use of the NEHA NRPP database for any other purpose shall lead to immediate termination of approved status. Standard form letters advising participants of performance test requirements shall refer to the NEHA NRPP certification program only, a copy of which is to be submitted to NEHA as part of the initial Chamber application submittal and prior to distribution of any revised versions.
It is NEHA’s intent that certification be as timely as possible. Chambers must develop and demonstrate a means by which applicants can submit devices and receive results of passage in a timely manner and certainly within two weeks after completion of the device exposure. Recurring deviations from this time frame will lead to revocation of approved Chamber status.
2. Determination by Chamber of Performance Test Results
The Chamber shall develop a means by which an applicant will be required to report measurements. (A prototype shall be submitted with Chamber application.)
The Chamber shall determine passage or failure of performance tests in accordance with the Chamber Protocols.
The Chamber shall notify the applicant in writing via a standard form letter (copy of which shall be submitted with the Chamber application) indicating successful or unsuccessful passage of a performance test.
The Chamber is to provide to NEHA, in electronic and Microsoft Access format, a list of all successful performance tests. The Chamber must update said information every week to include a minimum of the following:
Applicant name
Company name
Device(s) tested
Serial numbers of all devices
Affirmation of successful passage (yes or no)
Dates of performance test
NEHA ID number when applicable
The Chamber is to provide a hard copy of the above and accumulated information at the close of every month, signed by an officer of the company, and delivered to NEHA within 20 days after the close of a given month.
3. Confidentiality of Results
Results of performance test are confidential and not to be used for comparisons of devices either anecdotally or in any research-based presentation.
2. Insurance Requirements
The Chamber shall at all times maintain a professional environmental liability policy (also known as Errors and Omissions) with a single limit of a least $500,000 per occurrence and any aggregate limit of not less than $1,000,000. The Chamber shall supply certificates of insurance for both NEHA and its prime sub-contractor, Colorado Vintage Companies, Inc. (CVC). The certificates of insurance shall include provisions for a 30 day cancellation notice to the certificate holders except for a 10 day notification for non payment of premium.
1. Approval Period for Chambers
Approval as a NEHA performance test chamber is contingent upon fulfilling and maintaining all requirements of this document and the attached Chamber Protocols at all times while the Chamber enjoys approval status. Approvals provided during the year 2000 will expire no later than 15 March 2002.
2. Submittal of Chamber Applications
As a minimum, the following documents are to be submitted prior to consideration of NEHA granting interim or full approval of a performance chamber. See application.
Name, address, and telephone/contact information of firm
Company officer, responsible for operation of chamber
Proof of ability to obtain necessary insurance
Affirmation of agreement to follow chamber protocols
Addendum (if any) to chamber protocols
Sample form letter for notifying participants of need for performance testing
Sample failure letter of performance test
Sample passage letter of performance test
Proof and results of previous intercomparisons (if interim approval is requested)
A completed, signed, and notarized signature page of this document
A non-refundable application processing fee of $600 is to be remitted with the chamber application.
After a chamber has submitted all documentation and has passed the initial intercomparison test, a certification fee of $350 is to be remitted prior to final approval.
Chambers are also to submit an initial pricing schedule for performance test services to be offered.
Submittals are to be sent to:
NEHA NRPP Chamber Qualification
c/o NEHA-NRPP Administrative Office
PO Box 2109
Fletcher, NC 28732
1. Signature Page
Chamber(s) hereby agrees and understands that it is an independent contractor. As such, the NEHA NRPP assumes no liability either implied or express for any act related to Chamber performance as an approved Chamber under the program. NEHA NRPP is not responsible for any act, error or omission of any employee, agent or contractor acting on the behalf of or at the direction of said Chamber.
Chamber agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) and its prime sub-contractor, Colorado Vintage Companies, Inc. (CVC) for all liabilities for damages to third parties imposed on NEHA and/or CVC to the proportionate extent such damages are proven to have been caused by the negligent acts, errors or omissions of the Chamber.
All documentation as required by NEHA must be submitted before Chamber approval will be considered. Chambers must maintain professional liability insurance as specified in Section 4 and proof of insurance must be submitted. Failure to maintain liability insurance will result in loss of Chamber approval.
Chamber performance criteria documents are operational standards that must be maintained at all times once approved Chamber approval status is awarded.
I have read the information contained within this document and understand its contents. By signing below and submitting a Chamber Application, I hereby attest that I am over the age of 18 and authorized to represent the Chamber indicated below. By signing this document, I further attest that said Chamber shall adhere to all requirements outlined above and specified by NEHA for an Approved Performance Test Chamber.
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Original Signature:
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Date Signed
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Printed Name:
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Company Name:
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County of
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Affix seal here
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State of
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Signed and sworn to before me this day of
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Signature of Notary Public:
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My commission expires:
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