N. C. Regulations for Protection Against Radiation

15A NCAC 11 .0803          EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

(a)  A safety device which prevents the entry of any portion of an individual's body into the primary x‑ray beam path of which causes the beam to be shut off upon entry into its path shall be provided on all open‑beam configurations.  A registrant or licensee may apply to the agency for an exemption from the requirement of a safety device.  This application shall include:

(1)           a description of the various safety devices that have been evaluated;

(2)           the reason safety devices cannot be used; and

(3)           a description of the alternative methods that will be employed to minimize the possibility of an accidental exposure, including procedures to assure that operators and others in the area will be informed of the absence of safety devices.

(b)  Open‑beam configurations shall be provided with a readily discernible indication of:

(1)           X‑ray tube status (ON‑OFF) located near the radiation source housing, if the primary beam is controlled in this manner; and

(2)           Shutter status (OPEN‑CLOSED) located near each port on the radiation source housing, if the primary beam is controlled in this manner.

Warning devices shall be labeled so that their purpose is easily identified.  On equipment installed after the effective date of this Rule, warning devices shall have fail‑safe characteristics.

(c)  Unused ports on radiation source housings shall be secured in the closed position in a manner which will prevent casual opening.

(d)  All analytical x‑ray equipment shall be labeled with a readily discernible sign or signs bearing the radiation symbol and the words:

(1)           "CAUTION ‑ HIGH INTENSITY X‑RAY BEAM," or words having a similar intent, on the x‑ray source housing; and

(2)           "CAUTION ‑ RADIATION ‑ THIS EQUIPMENT PRODUCES RADIATION WHEN ENERGIZED", or words having a similar intent, near any switch that energizes an x‑ray tube, if the radiation source is an x‑ray tube; or

(3)           "CAUTION ‑ RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL", on the source housing, if the radiation source is a radionuclide.

(e)  On open‑beam configurations installed after the effective date of this Rule each port on the radiation source housing shall be equipped with a shutter that cannot be opened unless a collimator or a coupling has been connected to the port.

(f)  An easily visible warning light labeled with the words "X‑RAY ON" or words having a similar intent, shall be located outside each entrance into the room containing an analytical x‑ray tube and shall be illuminated only when the tube is energized; or in the case of a radioactive source, shall be illuminated only when the shutter is open.  On equipment installed after the effective date of this Rule, warning lights shall have fail‑safe characteristics.

(g)  Each x‑ray tube housing shall be so constructed that when all shutters are closed the leakage radiation measured at a distance of five centimeters from its surface is not capable of producing a dose in excess of 2.5 mrem in one hour.

(h)  Each x‑ray generator shall be supplied with a protection cabinet which limits leakage radiation measured at a distance of five centimeters from its surface such that it is not capable of producing a dose in excess of 0.04 mrem in one hour.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 104E‑7;

Eff. February 1, 1980.

NC Radiation Protection, 1645 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, NC  27699-1645  919-571-4141  Fax  919-571-4148