Accurate measurement of radiation dose received by patients undergoing radiotherapy or medical imaging is essential for ensuring effective and safe healthcare. Equally, accurate measurement of radiation dose is required to guide employers in protecting their workforce from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratories (SSDLs) are specialist laboratories used to provide calibration and guidance for end users in hospitals and industry. This publication provides detailed technical information for countries on how to establish an SSDL, including planning processes, cost estimates and timelines. The technical descriptions and guidelines may also be helpful to existing SSDL radiation metrology staff when upgrading calibration facilities or purchasing new equipment.

• 1. INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1. Background
  • 1.2. Objective
  • 1.3. Scope
  • 1.4. Structure
• 2. FEASIBILITY STUDY AND MASTER PLANNING
  • 2.1. Introduction
  • 2.2. The status of the national metrology system
  • 2.3. Legal considerations
    • 2.3.1. Regulatory requirements
    • 2.3.2. Ownership of the land and planning permission
  • 2.4. The need for an SSDL and calibration services
  • 2.5. Infrastructure considerations
    • 2.5.1. Site location
    • 2.5.2. Premises
    • 2.5.3. Technical infrastructure
  • 2.6. Human resource considerations
    • 2.6.1. Feasibility study and planning team
    • 2.6.2. Implementation team
    • 2.6.3. SSDL staff
  • 2.7. Financial considerations
    • 2.7.1. Startup and human resources
    • 2.7.2. Technical infrastructure and operational costs
  • 2.8. Project risk assessment
  • 2.9. Typical time frame for the establishment of an SSDL
  • 2.10. IAEA support
• 3. STAFF COMPETENCIES
  • 3.1. SSDL staff functions, responsibilities and roles
  • 3.2. Qualifications
• 4. SSDL FACILITY DESIGN
  • 4.1. Safety, security and radiation protection management
    • 4.1.1. Room classifications
    • 4.1.2. Safety interlocks
    • 4.1.3. Safety and security culture
    • 4.1.4. Shielding considerations
    • 4.1.5. Radiation monitoring
    • 4.1.6. Security of radioactive sources
  • 4.2. Site considerations
    • 4.2.1. Supplies
    • 4.2.2. Environmental conditions
  • 4.3. Bunker construction
    • 4.3.1. Bunker design
    • 4.3.2. Floor and ceiling
    • 4.3.3. Ducts between the bunker and control room
    • 4.3.4. Bunker doors
    • 4.3.5. Lights
    • 4.3.6. Bunker for radiation protection calibrations
    • 4.3.7. Bunker for external beam radiation therapy calibrations
    • 4.3.8. Bunker for brachytherapy calibration
    • 4.3.9. Bunker for X ray calibrations
  • 4.4. Other space and rooms
• 5. IRRADIATION UNITS AND POSITIONING SYSTEMS
  • 5.1. Irradiation units
    • 5.1.1. Radiation beam set-up, quantities and radiation qualities
    • 5.1.2. Safety items related to irradiators
  • 5.2. Gamma beam irradiators
    • 5.2.1. Sources
    • 5.2.2. Source container and shutter
    • 5.2.3. Timers
    • 5.2.4. Collimators for gamma beam irradiators
    • 5.2.5. Gamma beam irradiators for external beam radiation therapy
    • 5.2.6. Gamma beam irradiators for radiation protection calibrations
  • 5.3. Brachytherapy afterloaders
  • 5.4. X ray irradiators
    • 5.4.1. X ray tube and generator
    • 5.4.2. X ray housing
    • 5.4.3. Shutter
    • 5.4.4. Collimators for X ray systems
    • 5.4.5. Radiation qualities and filters for X rays
    • 5.4.6. Half value layer measurement assembly
    • 5.4.7. Monitor chamber
    • 5.4.8. Standard radiation qualities for radiation therapy calibrations
    • 5.4.9. Standard radiation qualities for radiation protection calibrations
    • 5.4.10. Standard radiation qualities for diagnostic radiology calibrations
    • 5.4.11. Special collimators for diagnostic radiology
  • 5.5. Calibration bench
  • 5.6. Ancillary equipment for positioning and reading dosimeters
• 6. MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT
  • 6.1. Introduction
  • 6.2. Ionization chambers
    • 6.2.1. Reference standards for radiation therapy calibrations
    • 6.2.2. Reference standards for radiation protection calibrations
    • 6.2.3. Reference standards for diagnostic radiology calibrations
  • 6.3. Electrometers
    • 6.3.1. Charge or current measurements
    • 6.3.2. Data acquisition software
  • 6.4. Cables, connectors and adapters
    • 6.4.1. Cables
    • 6.4.2. Connectors
    • 6.4.3. Adapters
  • 6.5. Phantoms
    • 6.5.1. Phantoms for radiation therapy calibrations
    • 6.5.2. Phantoms for radiation protection calibrations and reference irradiations
  • 6.6. Equipment for monitoring ambient conditions
    • 6.6.1. Thermometers
    • 6.6.2. Barometers
    • 6.6.3. Hygrometers
• 7. BRINGING AN SSDL INTO OPERATION
  • 7.1. Commissioning
    • 7.1.1. Installation and acceptance
    • 7.1.2. Commissioning process
  • 7.2. Establishment of the services
  • 7.3. Quality systems
    • 7.3.1. Quality management system
    • 7.3.2. Quality assurance
    • 7.3.3. Quality control
  • 7.4. Interlaboratory comparisons and audits
    • 7.4.1. IAEA comparison and audit services
    • 7.4.2. Key comparisons
    • 7.4.3. Supplementary comparisons
    • 7.4.4. Other comparisons
  • 7.5. Recognition of the SSDL
• Appendix TEMPLATE OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
• REFERENCES
• ABBREVIATIONS
• CONTRIBUTORS TO DRAFTING AND REVIEW