Answer to Question #8785 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Medical and Dental Equipment/Shielding — Shielding

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q
How important is it to protect/shield the "floor" of the x-ray room in a hospital, especially if the x-ray facility in the premises is situated directly above the doctor consultation chamber?

A
All barriers must be evaluated for shielding when designing a diagnostic x-ray room. This includes all walls (including the wall to the control area), the ceiling, and the floor. It is not uncommon to not have to add additional shielding to the floor or ceiling if the floor is constructed of either concrete or concrete on a metal pan base. In any case, this should be evaluated by your medical physicist during the shielding design phase.

Kennith "Duke" Lovins, CHP


Answer posted on 14 January 2010. The information posted on this web page is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may affect the applicability of concepts, materials, and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice. To the best of our knowledge, answers are correct at the time they are posted. Be advised that over time, requirements could change, new data could be made available, and Internet links could change, affecting the correctness of the answers. Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society.