The N.O.R.M. Inc.

Bay 6, 18 Burnt Bluff Street

Red Deer, AB Canada
T4N 655
Phone: (403) 755-3912 (24 hrs.)
Fax: (403) 755-3908
PROVIDING OUR VALUABLE SERVICES IN THE
EASTERN HEMISHPERE
PH: 202 2521 8289
FAX: +202 2521 8291
EMAIL: CAIRO@THENORM.CA
Email: info@thenorm.ca
Website: www.thenorm.ca
Morning Calculations
Assume;
1. Source: Ir-192
2. 80 Curies upon manufacture date
3. The source is 42 days old
4. Your equipment utilizes a 10M cable and a 3 meter Head Hose
5. The collimator is a 2 TVL Tungsten Shield
!gp 1: Calculate Half Life
To calculate for "n",
H1 = Remaining Curies
2
n
WHERE,
H1 =Original Curies ~ D a y s Passed
"n" = number of half lives passed Known Half Life
= Number of Half Lives Passed
Therefore
80 =54.2 Curies Remain
2 0.56
42 = 0.56
74
"n" = 0.56
W 2: Convert Curie Amount to GBg units
Therefore;
54.42 X 37 =2013.61 GBq
"37" is the constant factor when converting Curies (imperial) to GBq (Sievert/metric)
!gp 3: Calculate the Specific Output Factor for 2013.61 GBg of Ir-192
The SOF of Ir-192 "Special Form R/A Material" is;
0.15 mSv/hr/Gbq @ 1 meter
Therefore;
2013.61 X 0.15 =302.041 mSv/hr @ 1 meter
.Np 4: Convert mSv to uSv
302.041 X 1000 =302,041 uSv/hr @ 1 meter
This is where the urgency of RADIATION SAFETY and ALARA practices begin to make
sense to the operator!
!gp 5: Calculate the intensity of the "COLLIMATED (2 TVL) Source
T1 = T2
10
n
Therefore;
3 0 ~ 4 1 = 3,020 uSv/hr @ 1 meter "collimated
Where;
T1 = Calculated Source Intensity
T2= The "Shielded" Intensity
"n"= Number of TVL
!gp 6: Calculate the intensity of the "collimated" source at 13 meters
~ ' O I'
DO 0
Therefore;
3,020 = 13
1
2
3,020 = 169 (i)
17.87 uSv/hr @ 13 meters "collimated"
The Equation:
2
io =D
- - 2
i Do
gm 7: Calculate DOSE/Shot
For this example let's assume that your shot time is 1 seconds...
DOSE =Dose Rate X Time
Where;
DOSE =Accumulated Dose
Dose Rate = As calculated OR measured on a working calibrated survey instrument
Time = "calculated" time of exposure
Therefore;
Dose = 17.87 X -l
3600
= 17.87 X 0.002
DOSE = 0.036 uSv/shot
gm 8: Daily "Calculated Dose"
Let's assume 20 shots/hr for 8 hours
20 X 8 = 160 Shots
160 X 0.036 = 5.76 uSv (0.58 mR)
J
THIS CAN BE MADE TO BE LOWER
DO NOT FORGET... There is 7 seconds of travel through the head
hose while the
source is UNSHIELDEIJ1!!
Let's Review...
1. Calculate your HALF LIFE (Now enter the remaining curie amount into your calculator
**LEAVE THIS NUMBER ON YOUR DISPLAY**
2. Remaining Curies X 37 (Constant Factor required to calculate GBq activity
3. Your source has an SOF ("x" 0.15 mSv/hr/GBq)
4. Convert this number to either uSv/hr (X 1000) OR mR/hr (X 100)
5. Calculate Shielding effectiveness (divide by 100 as this is a 2 TVL collimator)
**You nowknowthe intensity of the collimatedsource at 1 meter**
6. Calculate the intensity of the source at the cable crank where you stand
10
d
2
7. Calculate your TOTAL DOSE at the "intended" distance
**DOSE = DOSE RATE X TIME**
More to do...
You must also calculate the distance to your Safe Working Perimeter (SWP)
0
2
= io X d0
2
I
Is it your company policy to calculate SWP with an "unshielded" source? (it should be)
NUMBERS do not lie... they ONLY speak truth. These calculations will lend confidence
In your technician's daily operations. If your operator accomplishes a
TOTAL DOSE (+/- 20%) of the "TRUE" dose received they have accomplished
our (client/service provider) collective goal.
NOTE: The following should be done DAILY both BEFORE and AFTER the daily
inspections carried out by the technician
HAND HELD Survey Instrument
1. Check the physical condition of the instrument
Is it clean?
When you shake it do you hear any rattling?
Is the instrument face clear of moisture or debris?
Do you feel confident using it to PROTECT yourself?
2. Check the Calibration Date sticker on the instrument
Is there one?
Has it been calibrated within 365 days of this moment?
3. Turn it on
Check battery function... does it have sufficient battery power?
Turn it to LOW and walk toward the storage area. Does the dose rate increase?
NOTES;
It is NOT a Radiation Survey Meter. ..
it is called a HAND HELD RADIATION SURVEY INSTRUMENT
This means that this survey instrument MUST be held in hand. This means that this
Must be within 1 meter of the technician at all times when radiographic inspection
projector is operational. Operational means that the equipment is NOT in the shielded
confines of the transport box OR within the locked storage area at the facility.
Daily Radio9.@J?hic Projector Inspection
1. Survey the sides of the device. (ALL 6 SIDES!) are at or below 200 mR/hr
2. Make sure the source tag (BRASS OR STEEL) is securely fastened to the back of the
Projector.
3. Make sure the pigtail/cable connection cap is secure
4. Check ALL labels on the device. Are they legible?
5. Check the projector cap on the front of the device. Is it secure?
6. Check the bottom of the device for wear as well as the other 5 sides. REMEMBER...
the shielding within is U-234 which is also radioactive!
7. If all is in check, place the projector into the transport box and lock the transport box.
8. Pick up your HAND HELD radiation survey instrument and measure the transport
index both on the skin of the vehicle and at 1 meter. Also measure the dose rate inside
the passenger and driver area of the vehicle.
Cable Inspection (Length is Critical - 25 to 50 feet is mandatory),
1. Survey the cables with your HAND HELD radiation survey instrument
2. Physical condition (this is done with your hands and eyes)
3. Inspect the crank
4. Inspect the housing and cover
5. Inspect the cable end projector connector
6. Inspect the cable pigtail connector (use your NO GO GAUGE!)
7. Crank out 1 meter of cable. Inspect the cable for wear (visual)
8. Bend the cable in all directions. If you feel snapping DO NOT USE!
9. Crank the cable back into the housing with extreme force. Make sure the cable end
does not disappear into the cable housing. VERY IMPORTANT!
Head Hose Inspection
1. Survey the head hose with your HAND HELD radiation survey instrument
2. Visually inspect the complete length of the head hose
3. While visually inspecting the head hose run your hands over it feeling for dents or
kinks
4. Inspect the projector connection for damage
5. Inspect the guide tube tip to make sure it is securely fastened to the head hose
Make sure that before performing these inspections that you are
wearing the following;
TLD Badge
Alarming Dosimeter
Personal Dosimeter (zeroed every day)
And that your HAND HELD radiation survey instrument is functioning properly
REMEMBER
These inspections are to be done at the beginning and end of EVERY shift.
A complete survey of the projector and guide tube must be done with your
HAND HELD radiation survey instrument after
EACH AND EVERY projection throughout the day.
These steps are for your and other's safety when actively performing
radiographic inspection.