Portable radiation surveying instruments

It is necessary to choose monitoring equipment with care, since not all equipment is equally efficient at detecting all types of radiation. There are three basic types of portable radiation surveying instruments (Figure 13.3). 

Portable radiation monitors. Portable measuring instruments include gamma survey meters and neutron dose equivalent meters. The use of portable instruments is helpful, provided that the place and time of measurements are specified and recorded. 

Monitoring requirements have been covered in the section on occupational exposures for adult employees. In addition to personnel monitoring, surveys are required. The surveys can be done with portable instruments or samples can be obtained and tested in laboratory instruments. These surveys are used to evaluate (1) the extent of radiation levels, (2) concentrations or quantities ofradioactive materials,and(3)thepotentialradiologicalhazardsthatcould be present. The equipment used for the surveys must be calibrated periodically for the radiation measured. Normally this is doneatleastannually.A description of personnelmonitoring and survey devices will be found later in this chapter, and recommended survey procedures. 

A. 1207. This section shall describe the radiation and contamination monitoring stations, including fixed hand and foot monitors, portal monitors (if used) and portable activity monitors located at these stations. The portable and laboratory equipment and instrumentation for performing radiation and contamination surveys, for contamination control between different access zones, for airborne radioactivity monitoring/sampling and for personnel monitoring shall also be described. 

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