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1.1 This guide identifies appropriate test methods for determining the sufficiency of radiological shielding for hot cells and shielded enclosures.

1.2 After constructing or modifying radiological shielding, it is necessary to verify that shielding performance meets or exceeds the shielding performance requirements. This is typically accomplished using sealed test sources of much less activity than the design basis. This allows for modifications or correction of any discrepancies identified before the commissioning of the hot cell.

1.3 The guidance and practices recommended by this guide are applicable to both new and existing shielded facilities and enclosures for evaluating shielding suitability and locating the existence of shine paths or other shielding anomalies that result from design, manufacture, or construction.

1.4 Two types of testing may be performed.

1.5 Performance testing should be specified and performed to assess shielding adequacy with sources in all critical locations.

1.6 Requirements for shielding performance testing should be clearly defined in design basis or procurement documentation.

1.7 This guide is not applicable to neutron radiation shielding performance evaluations.

1.8 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.

1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.10 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

5.1 Shielding performance testing should be performed to verify analytical predictions of shielding effectiveness, compliance with design requirements, and determine the location(s) of shielding deficiencies that may require either supplemental shielding, design modification, or changes to operating methods and procedures to resolve.

5.2 Dose rates higher than adjacent shielding may be expected in the vicinity of master-slave manipulator penetrations as a result of cable or tape clearance requirements within the mechanisms where they pass through the shield walls. This is true even with supplemental shielding installed in the manipulator through tube.

5.3 Similar to manipulator penetrations, when sources are placed directly in front of penetrations and gaps resulting from access doors or panels, radiation levels directly on the other side of the gaps or penetrations may be higher than levels in adjacent shielding or analytical predictions. If these test configurations are representative of how the shielded enclosure will actually be operated (that is, the test configuration is representative of engineered source and normally occupied work locations) than the additional expense of designing or modifying the shielded enclosure should be considered if that location is normally occupied and will result in a significant increase of dose rates to personnel.

5.4 Frames around shield windows may have a higher potential for shielding deficiencies.

5.5 Shield walls constructed of concrete may be subject to the formation of void spaces that could result in diminished shielding performance.

5.6 Background radiation levels in the area where the dose measurement data are being gathered shall be monitored and their contribution to measured dose rates accounted for in the data analysis as part of the test report.