Section 221.72. Facility design requirements for systems capable of operating above 50 kVp

(a) Provision shall be made to permit continuous observation of and communication with the patient during irradiation.

(b) Windows, mirror systems or closed-circuit television viewing screens used for observing the patient shall be so located that the operator can maintain direct surveillance over both the control panel and the patient.

(c) Treatment rooms which contain an X-ray system capable of operating above 150 kVp shall meet the following additional requirements:

(1) Necessary shielding, except for a beam interceptor, shall be provided by fixed barriers.

(2) The control panel shall be outside the treatment room or in a shielded booth.

(3) Doors of the treatment room shall be electrically interlocked to the control panel so that X-ray production cannot occur unless entrance doors are closed.

(4) Interlocks shall be provided so that, when a door of the treatment room is opened, either the machine will shut off automatically or the radiation level within the room will be reduced to an average of not more than two milliroentgens (.52 µC/kg) per hour and a maximum of ten milliroentgens (2.58 µC/kg) per hour at a distance of 1 meter in any direction from the target; or interlocks shall energize a conspicuous visible or audible alarm signal so that the individual entering and the operator are made aware of the entry. After a shut-off or reduction in output, it shall be possible to restore the machine to full operation only from the control panel.

(5) Treatment room entrances shall be provided with warning lights, which will indicate when the useful beam is on, in a readily observable position near the outside of access doors.

The provisions of this § 221.72 adopted December 18, 1987, effective December 19, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 5235.

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 221.72 issued under section 302 of the Radiation Protection Act (35 P. S. § 7110.302); and section 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 510-20).