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Release Date: 02/27/04 00:00:00
Contact: 202-282-8010
February 27, 2004
The Department of Homeland Security, through its Science and Technology division, has adopted the following standards for radiation and nuclear detection equipment. The standards, which are outlined below, were developed in partnership with the Department's Office of Domestic Preparedness; the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology; the Department of Energy's National Laboratories; the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
ANSI N42.32: Performance Criteria for Alarming Personal Radiation Detectors for Homeland Security - This standard describes design and performance criteria along with testing methods for evaluating the performance of instruments for homeland security that are pocket sized and carried on the body for the purpose of detecting the presence and magnitude of radiation. This standard specifies the performance criteria for radiation detection and measurement instruments that may be used in a variety of environmental conditions. The performance criteria contained in this standard are meant to provide a means for verifying the capability of these instruments to reliably detect significant changes above background levels of radiation and alert the user to these changes.
ANSI N42.33: Radiation Detection Instrumentation for Homeland Security - This standard establishes design and performance criteria, test and calibration requirements, and operating instruction requirements for portable radiation detection instruments. These instruments are used for detection and measurement of photon emitting radioactive substances for the purposes of detection and interdiction and hazard assessment. The informative annexes of this standard provide reference information.
The standard covers portable instruments used for:
>>Detection of radioactive substances on or in people, containers, and vehicles, including:
>>Determination of exposure rate with alarming capability for Homeland Security personnel including:
This standard also includes:
ANSI N42.34: Performance Criteria for Hand-Held Instruments for the Detection and Identification of Radionuclides - This standard addresses instruments that can be used for homeland security applications to detect and identify radionuclides, for gamma dose rate measurement, and for indication of neutron radiation. This standard specifies general requirements and test procedures, radiation response requirements, and electrical, mechanical, and environmental requirements. Successful completion of the tests described in this standard should not be construed as an ability to successfully identify all isotopes in all environments.
ANSI N42.35: Evaluation and Performance of Radiation Detection Portal Monitors for Use in Homeland Security - This standard provides the testing and evaluation criteria for Radiation Detection Portal Monitors to detect radioactive materials that could be used for nuclear weapons or radiological dispersal devices (RDDs). Portal monitors may be used in permanent installations, in temporary installations for short-duration detection needs, or as a transportable system. These systems are used to provide monitoring of people, packages and vehicles to detect illicit radioactive material transportation, or for emergency response to an event that releases radioactive material.
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This page was last reviewed/modified on 02/27/04 00:00:00.