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Description / Abstract:
The scope of this standard is to establish minimum performance
criteria and test requirements for nonalarming radiation detectors
used to manage the exposure of emergency responders to photon
radiation. The detectors shall provide rapid and clear indication
of the level of radiation exposure. Emergency responders include
fire services, law enforcement, and medical services. Other
possible users include critical infrastructure key resources (CIKR)
such as heavy equipment, transportation, and utilities personnel
and members of the public who may be involved in emergency
situations.
Purpose
The purpose of this standard is to specify technical performance
requirements and performance testing requirements for those
purchasing and using non-alarming personal emergency radiation
detectors (PERDs) for Homeland Security and other radiological
emergency applications.
The users of non-alarming PERDs are responders performing
time-sensitive, critical missions such as saving lives, property,
and/or otherwise mitigating the effects of radiological
emergencies.
PERDs can be of two types, either alarming electronic or
non-alarming. Both types of PERDs have radiation response ranges
appropriate for radiation emergencies. Alarming PERDS are addressed
in ANSI N42.49A [B8].1
This standard provides a graded approach to assessing the
performance of multiple types of non-alarming radiation detectors.
The applicability of each type should be evaluated by the user.
Non-alarming PERDs are ionizing photon radiation measuring
detectors that provide a visual indication of the exposure to the
user, and are designed to be worn or carried on the body of the
user. These detectors do not have an audible or visual alarm. These
detectors should provide an indication when levels based on
recommended U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Protective
Action Guides have been reached or exceeded.
These detectors may include carbon fiber detectors and
self-developing photochemical detectors. The carbon fiber detectors
are designed for many reuses as described in ANSI N322 [B9]. The
photochemical detectors are designed for a single emergency
exposure or use.
PERDs are not used to monitor personnel exposure for the
purposes of confirming compliance with regulatory exposure limits,
i.e., their indications are not intended to be used for dose
monitoring records for individuals.
1 ANSI publications are available from the Sales
Department, American National Standards Institute, 25 West 43rd
Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA
(http://www.ansi.org/).