UKR6011 - X-ray IAEA Specification

calibration system for Revision 0.2

SSDLs Dated [2015-12-01]

SPECIFICATIONS

Calibration system for protection level kilovoltage X-ray

dosimetry at the SSDL level

Prepared by: Ahmed Meghzifene, Technical Officer for the IAEA TC Project

UKR6011 Date: 2015-12-17, Rev.03 P.Toroi

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1. Scope
These specifications describe the main technical requirements for a n X- ray calibration system
to be installed at the Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory (National Scientific Center
-Institute of Metrology) in the framework of the IAEA Technical Cooperation project
UKR/6/011. The layout of the room is given in Appendix 1.

The SSDL is licensed by the regulatory authority in Ukraine for the import and use of the X-
ray system for dosimetry calibration purposes.

2. Applicable documents

1 . INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, “Radiation Protection and Safety of

Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards” General Safety Requirements Part 3
No. GSR Part 3 (Interim) ISBN 978–92–0–120910–8, Vienna 2011

2 . INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, “Calibration of Radiation Protection

Monitoring Instruments”, Safety Reports Series No. 16., IAEA Vienna (2000) http://www-
pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/P074_scr.pdf

3 . INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, "Dosimetry in diagnostic radiology: An

international code of practice", Technical Reports Series No. 457, IAEA, Vienna (2007),
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/TRS457_web.pdf

4 . INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, "Implementation of the International

Code of Practice on Dosimetry in Diagnostic Radiology (TRS 457): Review of Test Results",
IAEA Human Health Reports No.4, IAEA, Vienna (2011), http://www-
pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1498_web.pdf

5 . INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION, “Medical diagnostic X-ray

equipment - Radiation conditions for use in the determination of characteristics”, IEC 61267,
Geneva, Switzerland 2005

6 . INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION, X and gamma reference

radiation for calibrating dosimeters and dose rate meters and for determining their response as
a function of photon energy, ISO, Geneva, ISO 4037 (1999)

7 . The Consultative Committee for Standards of Ionizing Radiations (CCRI), X-ray beam
qualities, Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM),
http://www.bipm.org/en/scientific/ionizing/dosimetry/x-ray/

8 . INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, "Calibration of Reference Dosimeters

for External Beam Radiotherapy (TRS 469)”, Technical Report Series No. 469, IAEA, Vienna
(2009), http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/trs469_web.pdf

9 . INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY Radiation Protection in the Design of

Radiotherapy Facilities: SAFETY REPORTS SERIES No. 47, ISBN 92–0–100505–9, Vienna,
2006, http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1223_web.pdf

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3. Abbreviations
SSDL: Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory
HVL: Half Value Layer
SDD: Source to detector distance
FSD: Field Size Diameter (defined at 50% isodose)
CBA: Calibration Beam Axis

4. Requirements
4.1. Functional requirements.
The system shall generate kilovoltage X-ray radiation beams qualities required for calibration
of dosimetry equipment used in radiation protection measurements.
4.2. Performance requirements
All performance specifications and tests shall comply with the relevant standards of the IAEA,
IEC and ISO, specified in the references [herein chapter 2]
4.3. Technical specification
The X-ray calibration system shall include the following components:
• One X-ray tube with HV cables
• Shielding cabinet for the X-ray tube assembly
• High voltage generator
• Cooling system
• System control panel
• Beam shutters
• External filter assembly
• Beam collimation system
• HVL (Half Value Layer) measurement assembly
• Calibration bench
• Ancillary devices
• Equipped with interlocks for safety items

4.3.1. X-ray tube with HV cables

The X-ray tube and HV cables shall meet the following requirements:
a. Unipolar metal-ceramic type

b. X-ray tube voltage range, at least: 10 kV - 200 kV

c. Anode material: Tungsten

d. Continuous rating power at least 3 kW

e. Thickness of the exit window: max 1 mm

f. Material of the exit window: Beryllium

g. Anode angle: < 30 degrees

h. Focal spot size, max: 10 mm

i. Cooling medium: oil and water

j. The X-ray tube must be compatible with the HV generator, allow safe connection between
the tube head and the HV generator, and shock proof with a special rubber cone plugs. HV
cable length should be at least 5m, with quick lock or flange connections with rubber cone
plugs or maintenance-free angle plugs.
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4.3.2. Shielding cabinet

The Shielding cabinet shall meet the following requirements:
a. The X-ray tube should be placed preferably vertically in respect to their anode to cathode direction
on a rigid metal holder within the cabinet. The holder shall be adjustable (transverse X and Y,
rotation) to align the central beam axis of the tube into the right irradiation direction, and allow
tilting of the tube to compensate the anode heel-effect as well.

b. The shielding cabinet shall totally enclose the X-ray tube with shutter and cables, provide
mechanical support for a remote controlled filter changing device.

c. The enclosure shall allow access to the tube and shutter, preferably through a cabinet door with
an interlock that disables the power when opened.

d. The ambient dose equivalent rate at 1 m from the cabinet shall be less than 1 µSv/h when the X-ray
system runs at full power with closed shutter, except at directions of the primary radiation beam on
CBA. The design shall ensure that the leakage radiation complies with the International Basic
Safety Standards [1]

4.3.3. High voltage generator

The High voltage generator shall meet the following requirements:
a. Unipolar system, high frequency, constant potential type, output power at least 3 kW, ripple less
than 10V/mA (with 5 m high voltage cable), 40 kHz.

b. High voltage output range, at least: 10kV - 200kV, 0.1 kV steps, with better than ± 1% accuracy and
0.05% reproducibility.

c. Output current range, at least: 0.5 mA to 40 mA, 0.1 mA steps with better than ± 1% accuracy and
0.05% reproducibility.

d. It shall operate at mains input 220 V single phase / 50 Hz or 380 V three phase / 50 Hz, and shall not
be affected by ±10 % fluctuation of the mains input voltage.

4.3.4. Cooling unit

The oil to water cooler system including pumps and heat exchanger shall have sufficient
capacity to allow safe and stable operation of X-ray tube at the maximum power for several
hours. The cooling water supply can be plumed.

4.3.5. System control panel

The X-ray system shall be operated from a remote control panel located in the control room. The
control system shall have at least the following features:

a. Pre-selection of high voltage in steps of 0.1 kV

b. Display actual value of HV (at least 4 digits)

c. Pre-selection of tube current in steps of 0.1 mA

d. Display actual value of current (at least 4 digits)

e. Pre-selection of exposure time in steps of 1 sec

f. Display actual value of exposure time (at least 4 digits)

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g. Remote control of the beam shutter (On/Off) by selected exposure time

h. Memory for setup of X-ray tube parameters

i. Digitally assigned limit data (high voltage, current, anode power dissipation)

j. Warm up programs for X ray tube (manual and automatic mode) with history

k. Emergency stop button

l. Indication X-ray beam Off/On

m. Connection possibilities to safety interlocks (door switch, door eye beam, radiation monitor signal) to
avoid unintended exposure of staff.

n. Shall be equipped with PC interface allowing remote controlled operation.

o. Shall have safety features against overload of the X-ray tube (excess tube voltage, current and power,
over temperature, low coolant flow), and the respective messages shall be indicated on the control panel

4.3.6. X-ray beam shutter

a. The shutter shall be mounted inside the shielding cabinet in the front of the exit window of the
X-ray tube (preferably right after the primary collimator).

b. The tungsten shutter must be thick enough to attenuate the radiation beam to 0.1% for the highest
energy reference radiation to be used.

c. The shutter shall be remotely controlled from a stand-alone device, or built into the System control
panel. The actual shutter status (Open/Close) shall be indicated.

d. The transit time shall be less than 0.2s with high reproducibility. Its actual value together with its
uncertainty shall be measured according to [3] and stated by the manufacturer.

4.3.7. Beam collimation system

a. The primary collimation shall be a conical tungsten aperture positioned between the X-ray output
window and the beam shutter as close as possible to the tube housing.

b. On the radiation beam axis (preferably between the X-ray tube and the primary collimator) shall be
included manual or automatic filter insert system allowing adding additional filter into the beam line.
The ISO4037 N40-N200 beam qualities require inherent filtration adjusted to 4 mm of Aluminum
above 40 kV (see Appendix 2).
c. The secondary collimation system is used to define a reference filed size at the reference distance
used according to the different irradiation conditions. The secondary collimator shall be placed
between the filter assembly and the monitor chamber.

d. A set of collimators should be provided with various diameters accessible for manual or remote
exchange using remote control to obtain field sizes matching various irradiation conditions. At least,
the following irradiation conditions shall be possible to adjust: FSD=30 cm, FSD=10 cm and FSD=5
cm (for HVL measurements) at the SDD=200 cm.

e. After the secondary collimation system, a holder shall be placed for a monitor ionization chamber
together with an aperture to reduce backscatter radiation to the monitor chamber.

f. The distance between the focal spot of the X-ray tube and the last aperture on the CBA shall not
exceed 40 cm.

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4.3.8. Filter assembly.

a. The filter assembly is used to modify the photon spectrum of radiation beams produced by the
X-ray tube to meet the characteristics of radiation beam qualities required for calibration of
dosimetry equipment (see Appendix 2).

b. A set of metal filters shall be provided for the Narrow-spectrum series beam qualities
given in Table 4 of ISO 4037 Part 1 [3]

c. The metal filters (Al, Cu, Pb, Sn) used for the establishment of required
radiation beam qualities shall have at least a certified purity of 99.9%.

d. The appropriate metal filter sets of beam qualities shall be placed in removable and remotely
controlled carrousel.

e. The control system shall indicate the selected filters positioned in the beam.

f. The carrousel shall be mounted between the shutter and the secondary collimation system

4.3.9. HVL measurement system

a. Manual insert system including removable attenuators (aluminum and copper sheets made of
various thicknesses) shall be possible to place on the calibration bench. The centre of the metal
sheets shall be located on CBA

b. The distance from the focus of the X-ray tube to the position of removable attenuators shall
be 50 cm.

c. Each metal filter shall be accompanied with certificate stating its purity (at least 99.9%) and
thickness, including measurement uncertainty.
4.3.10. Positioning system

a. The positioning system shall allow precise and reproducible positioning of dosimetry
equipment at any distance in the range between 0.5 m and 4.0 m of SDD. The positioning
system consists of linear rails, a bench and a platform.

b. The platform is a top plate of the bench made from a rigid material which shall load at least 50
kg without deflection. The platform should allow easy and reproducible mounting of at least two
instruments to be calibrated (e.g. ion chambers, survey meters). The minimum size of the
platform shall be 50 cm x 50 cm. The instruments are fixed to the platform through a dedicated
holder assembly.

c. The minimum range of the platform movement shall be (i) ±0.5 m, in horizontal direction
perpendicular to the CBA and (ii) ± 0.3 m, in vertical direction perpendicular to the CBA with
a positioning accuracy of less than 1 mm. Calibration bench and the corresponding chamber
positioning system (holders, jigs, range of vertical movement) must allow vertical positioning
of rad. protection chambers (such as the PTW 32002 and 32003) on the CBA.

d. Rotational axis (as an option) – allows to rotate an equipment to be calibrated in the horizontal
plane in the range from 0° to 360° (e.g. for determination of angular dependence of radiation
detectors or for irradiation of personnel dosimeters)

e. Movement of the bench to be performed manually in all directions with brakes on guided
tracks for positioning and alignment of instruments.
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f. As an option, a remote control system allowing automatic adjustment of predefined position (x,
y, z, rotational axis) to be offered.

4.3.11. Ancillary equipment

a. A laser alignment system to define the CBA mounted in the X-ray irradiation room. Its beam diameter
shall be less than 1 mm at the distance of 2 m. Another cross laser mounted on the bench to mark the
perpendicular direction at the CBA height. Both lasers should have red color.

b. An optical positioning system to align detector probes at any SDD (i.e. a telescope on the bench and a
metal scale mounted on the side wall)

c. A detector holder assembly to hold the instrument to be calibrated in predetermined position. Holder
assembly for ionization chambers (3pcs) and survey meters (2pcs) are required. The chamber holder
shall allow fixing the stem of various ionization chambers. The detector holder shall be mounted on a
linear track with at least 10cm travel length in X and Y direction with positioning accuracy of 0.05 mm.

d. Fine focus camera (auto-focus lens, 20cm to ∞) to read instrument display during calibration (low light
level, solid state, auto iris, manual focus, focal zoom lens) mounted on an adjustable stand, preferably
on the bench platform, connected to a monitor located in both in the irradiation room next to the camera
and in the control room.

e. Electrically activated door interlock switches with mechanically activated contacts to be connected to
the X-ray calibration system.

f. Flashing warning lights: red calotte, with discharge bulbs and a flash rate of 1 to 2 flashes per second,
to be connected to the X-ray shutter system.

g. Radiation monitor for workplace monitoring to be installed in the calibration room. The display shall be
located outside of the irradiation room (in the control room) and indicate radiation exposure in terms of
ambient dose equivalent rate (µSv/h)

h. A visual and audible alarm signals shall be initiated, when the X-ray beam is ON (exposure rate in the
irradiation room is elevated)

i. Video color surveillance system: 2 cameras with wide-angle lenses and wall mounts (each camera to
survey 2/3 of the irradiation room) connected to 2 monitors located in the control room.

j. “Mushroom” type safety buttons, one at the X-ray system and another close to the X-ray cabinet inside
the room.
5. Accompanying documents
The following documents shall be included:
a. Performance specifications
b. Operating instructions
c. Installation instructions
d. Preventive maintenance and service manual
e. Installation requirements
f. Acceptance testing protocol

6. Marking
The X-ray system shall have the safety marking as required by international standards given in
section 2 “Applicable documents”.

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7. Packing
The X-ray calibration system shall be packed in accordance with international standards that are
applicable for the shipment of this type of equipment.
8. Installation
The Contractor shall install the X- ray calibration system at the SSDL of Ukraine.
9. Testing (factory and site) and Acceptance
a. The X-ray calibration system shall be tested in the factory before the shipment (FAT - Factory
Acceptance Testing) to assure that the system is in working conditions and fulfil all technical
requirements. The FAT results shall be submitted to the IAEA (attn. to Technical Officer of
the TC project) before shipping the system to end user. The FAT results shall include at least
the following parameters:
(i) radiation beam profiles for all collimators measured at the distance of 1 m with at least one
beam quality energy
(ii) radiation beam output in terms of air kerma rate (mGy/min) measured on CBA at the
distance of 1m with at least one beam quality for the narrow-spectrum series (see Appendix
2).

b. The X-ray calibration system shall be tested in accordance with the applicable standards
mentioned in chapter 2 by the Contractor together with the SSDL staff to demonstrate that:

a. the performance meets the manufacturer’s performance specifications and the minimum
requirements specified herein as determined by the IAEA
b. the functionalities of the whole system is maintained
c. The results of the testing of the X-ray calibration system shall be documented by the
Contractor in Acceptance Protocol that shall be signed by the representative of the
SSDL.

10. Training

The Contractor shall provide the training in the operation and first line maintenance of the X- ray
calibration system at the SSDL immediately after the installation.
11. Warranty and service

a. A complete warranty for at least 1 year, starting after formal acceptance testing shall be
offered
b. Training for in-house engineers on the first line maintenance shall be provided
c. Availability of manufacturer service at national or regional level (address of the nearest
service location, number and qualification of the maintenance engineers in that location
shall be indicated)
d. The Contractor shall guarantee that replacement parts are available for at least 10 years
after installation of the X-ray calibration system
e. The Contractor shall ensure that service support and further upgrades of the system are
available
f. The Contractor shall indicate maximum time needed for a service representative to arrive to
the SSDL location. In addition the contractor shall specify maximum time needed for
delivery of items to be repaired.
g. An option for maintenance contract (starting after the warranty period) should be included

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APPENDIX 1
Layout of the irradiation room for the X- ray calibration system

The thickness of the walls is 0.5 m and it can be increased, if necessary

Shelf Room 13

Chair

Desk

Room 11

generators
HV
Chair

Remoute control

X-ray stand

HV generators
X-ray calibration system (SSDL)

X-ray stand
6m
ДЕТУ 12-07-02
3.1 m

6.3 m

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APPENDIX 2
BEAM QUALITIES FOR PROTECTION LEVEL CALIBRATIONS

Table 1. Characteristics of X-ray narrow-spectrum series ISO-4037 [6]. The minimum range of
established beam qualities for the SSDL is in the range from N40 to N200

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