scope:

Scope and object

This International Standard is applicable to X-ray systems designed for screening people to detect if they are carrying objects that could be used for criminal purposes, e.g., terrorist use, drug smuggling and theft. These objects include weapons, explosives, chemical and biological agents and other concealed items.

Three types of X-ray screening systems are currently in use. These are backscatter systems, transmission systems and combination backscatter/transmission systems. With backscatter systems the X-rays are used to detect objects hidden under or within the person's clothing. With transmission systems objects swallowed or hidden in body cavities may be detected. Combined devices can be used to get both pieces of information simultaneously.

The object of this standard is to lay down standard requirements and also to specify general characteristics, general test procedures, radiation characteristics, electrical characteristics, environmental influences, mechanical characteristics, safety requirements and to provide examples of acceptable methods in terms of dose to the whole or part of the body for each screening procedure and the time taken for each screening procedure.

In particular the standard addresses the design requirements as they relate to the radiation protection of the people being screened, people who are in the vicinity of the equipment and the operators. The standard does not address the performance requirements for the quality of the object detection.