scope:

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/).