Wednesday 17^th May 2006
National Physical Laboratory

Present:

Chairman:		Steven Judge		National Physical Laboratory
Acting Secretary:		Lynsey Keightley		National Physical Laboratory
		Arzu Arinc		National Physical Laboratory
		John Bennett		DSTL
		Trevor Birkett		AWE
		Reg Bosley		RWE Nukem
		Cherrill Boucher		Health Protection Agency
		Derek Brazer		AWE
		Peter Burgess		National Physical Laboratory
		John Caunt		John Caunt Scientific
		Ludovic Chevallereau		Serco Assurance
		Peter Danyluk		DRMS, AWE
		Julian Dean		National Physical Laboratory
		Chris Gilligan		National Physical Laboratory
		Penny Giorgio		Surrey University
		Steve Grubb		Serco Assurance
		Paola Hayes		HMS Sultan
		Les Howard		Centronic
		Clare Lee		National Physical Laboratory
		Will MacIvor		Johnson Controls
		Andrew Main		Johnson Controls
		Duncan McClure		Health Protection Agency, Radiation Protection Division
		Jan McClure		Health Protection Agency, Radiation Protection Division
		Timothy Miller		AWE
		Máirín Colmáin		Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland
		Max Pottinger		Thermo Electron Corporation
		David Rawlings		Newcastle General Hospital
		Dave Rayner		National Physical Laboratory
		Tony Richards		Consultant
		Keith Simmons		MoD Nucleonic Calibration QP Committee
		John Simpson		RWE Nukem
		Neil Smart		NDA
		Sinclair Tait		RWE Nukem
		Graeme Taylor		National Physical Laboratory
		Russell Truman		DERA Radiological Protection Service
		Jonathon Wardle		AWE
		Andy Weeks		BNFL Instruments
		Laura Wong		HPS
		Michael Woods		IRMC

Poster presentations:

Calibration of extremity dosemeters - David Rawlings, Newcastle General Hospital

31.1 Welcome

Steven Judge welcomed delegates to the 31^st meeting of the IRMF. He gave an overview of the IRMF and its role in supporting the ionising radiation metrology community.

Steven outlined the agenda, which covered various aspects of ionising radiation metrology and thanked Dagmara Tyler for organising the meeting and Lynsey Keightley for standing in as secretary on the day.

There was one correction to the Minutes of the 30th IRMF meeting: to include John Simpson as a member of the GPG 14 review working group.

Matters arising:

• 30.1: Corrections to GPG 14 and GPG 30 - Pete Burgess agreed to lead a small working group. Meetings organised by Pete will begin shortly.
• 30.9: Testing of monitors - Duncan McClure has written to Ian Chell at the Department of Health concerning the procedures needed for testing radiological instruments held in hospital Accident and Emergency Departments.
• 30.9: Problems with passivated EPD LTC batteries - following a summary from Bill Croydon, this issue can now be closed.
• 30.9: Presentation on Criticality measurements - No one was available to give a presentation at this meeting. Action held over for the next IRMF meeting, in November 2006.

View Welcome presentation

31.2 Keynote Presentation

Research and development in the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)

Dr Neil Smart (Nuclear Research Coordinator, NDA) gave an overview of the issues concerned with decommissioning the UK's nuclear sites.

The role of the NDA is to ensure that the 20 civil nuclear sites are decommissioned safely, securely, cost effectively and in ways that protect the environment for this and future generations.

The availability of skills in the future is a key issue. The NDA have many research opportunities and have set aside funding for PhD students.

Further details on research opportunities with the NDA are given on www.nda.gov.uk

View Neil Smart's presentation

31.3 Electronic Personal Dosimetry (EPD) Working Party

Jan McClure (HPA) gave an overview of the EPD working party and the testing required for EPDs.

There has been an increase in the number of requests for testing EPDs over the last 2 years, largely due to the increasing number of users from outside the nuclear industry who are less familiar with the characteristics of EPDs.

A working group has therefore been formed to produce a Good Practice Guide for the testing of EPDs, from type tests through to periodic testing.

Denise Delahunty (RRPPS) raised the point that approximately 35000 EPDs are used by paramedics. There is not enough funding for the NHS to do all of the required tests on all of the EPDs.

View Jan McClure's presentation

31.4 Why do Geiger Muller tubes sometimes fail at high dose rates?

Pete Burgess (NPL) gave an interesting and interactive presentation outlining the problem of instruments based on Geiger-Muller (GM) tubes 'failing to danger' (i.e. underestimating or failing to operate when exposed to high dose rates). He described in detail the common causes of this event.

Dave Rawlings of Newcastle General Hospital asked if frequent high dose rate tests would 'kill' the GM. Pete thought that it would damage the electronics before the GM, then went on to demonstrate the common problem of mechanical damage to GM tubes by popping one with a pen.

View Pete Burgess' presentation

31.5 NPL Programme Formulation

The national infrastructure for the measurement of ionising radiation (including this Forum, Good Practice Guides and the provision of primary and secondary measurement standards) is supported by the Department of Trade and Industry, through the National Measurement System. Dave Rayner (NPL) gave an introduction to the National Measurement System and information on how to get involved with the formulation of the 2007-2010 programme at NPL.

Users of ionising radiation will be consulted on their requirements between June and October 2006. If there are any key organisations that members think NPL should consult or any further thoughts on this matter, then please contact Clare Lee (NPL).

Jon Wardle (AWE) also added that it is important to put forward work that the community wishes to see continue, not only new ideas.

Contact Details:

Clare Lee - 020 8943 8585

View Dave Rayner's presentation

31.6 Serco Assurance Modelling Capability

Ludovic Chevallereau (Serco Assurance) outlined the history of Serco Assurance then moved on to describe the ANSWERS software suite. This set of software was originally developed as part of the UK's civil nuclear programme and covers:

• Reactor Physics and Nuclide Inventory
• Radiation Shielding and Dosimetry
• Nuclear Criticality Safety
• Heat Transfer, Stress Analysis and Fluid Flow

For further information please contact Ludovic Chevallereau or visit the Serco Assurance Website.

View Ludovic Chevallereau's presentation

31.7 Calibration of extremity dosemeters for ^99mTc, ¹³⁷Cs and X-rays

Dave Rawlings from Newcastle General Hospital gave an interesting presentation on the calibration of extremity TLDs.

View Dave Rawlings' presentation

31.8 Measurement infrastructure for nuclear decommissioning - an update

Julian Dean (NPL) spoke about the outcome of the NPL Decommissioning Workshop 2005.

The workshop had identified needs in bulk monitoring, surface monitoring and radiochemical analysis. One outcome of the workshop was the need for a standard of γ-emitters in soft waste or concrete. A large volume (200 l) drum is currently being prepared and will be circulated to UK laboratories from the end of September 2006.

For further information please contact Julian Dean - 020 8943 6278

View Julian Dean's presentation

31.9 Neutron Comparison

Graeme Taylor (NPL) gave a presentation on the current Neutron Comparison exercise. NPL have finally received the last instrument and results can be found on the NPL website.

Graeme also gave a short talk on dosimetric modelling and QUADOS. The Neutron group at NPL will be participating and will model the manganese bath. The deadline to join QUADOS is 15 September 2006.

For further information please contact Graeme Taylor - 020 8943 7087

31.10 The RPII Calibration Service

Máirín Colmáin (RPII) gave an informative presentation on the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and the service they provide. The laboratory provides a calibration and leak testing service mainly for hospitals, industrial radiographers, universities and colleges. The calibration service has internationally recognised secondary standard status.

Visit the RPII website

View Máirín Colmáin's presentation

31.11 Re-instatement of Instrument Specialist Certificates by RPA2000

Duncan McClure (HPA) led a discussion on the re-instatement of instrument specialist certificates. Many members thought IRMF should be involved in the process and should form a small working group. This will be organised at the next meeting.

Steven Judge agreed to write to RPA2000 to discuss IRMF's involvement.

31.12 Medical X-ray Intercomparison

Tony Richards (Consultant) gave a brief presentation about the progress of the medical X-ray comparison group. Since the last IRMF, the working group have held a short meeting and are currently drafting a protocol to send out by end of July 2006.

There will be an update at the next IRMF meeting, when the intercomparison exercise should be well underway. If you would like to take part in this intercomparison exercise please contact Tony Richards, Denise Delahunty or David Gallagher.

Contact Details:

Tony Richards
Denise Delahunty
David Gallager

31.13 AD or not AD? That is the question

Duncan McClure (HPA) presented the results of a comparison of the various versions of the Thermo (Mini) 900D. It is common for users of these instruments to have both types of Mini 900 D and sometimes transfer the cap between both models.

A degree student, Laura Wong, has been working at HPA on a project looking at the energy response of the Mini 900 D and Mini 900 D H*(10) using different end caps. She has concluded that a cap must be used with either version to prevent over response at low energies and the cap from the Mini 900 D H*(10) (plastic and aluminium) gives a satisfactory ambient H*(10) energy response when fitted to either model.

View Duncan McClure's presentation

31.14 Any other business

Mike Woods (IRMC) asked if the third IRMF comparison of surface contamination monitor calibrations was completed and if it was possible for him to join the working group. The report is near completion and Clare Lee (NPL) will organise for Mike to participate.

Tony Richards (constultant) gave an update on the proposed revisions of ISO7503 Evaluation of Surface Contamination standard. A draft was produced and circulated but feedback from many organisations had pointed out some issues with the approach suggested. The working group are currently working on a revised approach.

Derek Brazer (AWE) informed the IRMF that the Criticality Group have had a number of meetings to discuss various issues in criticality measurements. The Criticality Incident Detection and Alarm System Service Providers Group consists of representatives of UK establishments and organisations actively involved in the use of CID systems. It is the aim of the Group to facilitate the exchange of information regarding UK test and calibration facilities and their efficient use. In furtherance of this aim, the group has produced a Good Practice Guide. The Group would like the GPG to be published through NPL, Steven Judge asked to see a copy of the document for approval from DTI and publishing. Clare Lee to include the topic in the agenda for the next IRMF meeting.

The next meeting will be held on 15th November 2006.

Dagmara Tyler
Lynsey Keightley
Acting IRMF Secretary

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