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Date: 23 May 2012
Time: 17:01
Doserate instrument tests
Instruments' responses to high doserates
It is necessary to test instruments up to the maximum doserate they are likely to encounter in practice. This may be in excess of the maximum indication on the display.
One of the tests carried out is to confirm that the display indicates off-scale for approximately 30 seconds during the high doserate test.
Scale linearity
A single Cs-137 (662keV) source is used with a range of attenuators to provide a full range of traceable air kerma rates to confirm:
- the instrument has a linear response over the full scale
- the response of the monitor to high-energy radiatons
Energy dependence
An Am-241 source (60keV photon) is used to confirm the energy response of the instrument does not vary significantly from the type test data. Major faults in the construction of a detector can be identified using this test.
Directional dependence
This test is carried out on any new instrument or an instrument that has had a significant repair since a previous calibration to confirm the correct assembly of a detector. For example, energy compensation filters may be missing from a compensated Geiger-Muller detector.
Additional services
We appreciate that users of electronic personal dosemeters, that do not come under the legislation of radiation protection instrumentation, may also required an annual test. The above range of tests is also available for these types of dosemeters but we also offer a functional check whereby the dosemeter undergoes a limited range of tests for a reduced price. Full details available on request.
For further information, please contact:
- Tracie Such (general enquiries)
- Peter Austin (technical enquiries)
- Denise Delahunty (technical enquiries)
RRPPS
63 Melchett Road
Kings Norton Business Centre
Birmingham, B30 3HP
Telephone: 0121 627 2090/1
Fax: 0121 627 2057
Email: rrpps@uhb.nhs.uk
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