Section 325.5711. Enclosures

(1) A fixed CT scanner enclosure shall be a permanent part of the building or equipment.  Portable shields shall not be used for  permanent installations.

(2)      The degree of protection required for a CT scanner enclosure shall be determined by the workload, use, and occupancy factors and the kilovoltage, milliamperage, mechanical movement, and distance factor, and  is  subject  to design approval by the department.

(3)       Protective barriers shall be provided in the ceiling, floor, and walls of a fixed CT scanner enclosure.

(4)     The control panel for a fixed CT scanner shall be shielded by a protective barrier which cannot be removed from a protective position between the operator and the radiation source during machine operation.

(5)     Movable barriers with electrical interlocks shall not be approved in lieu of compliance with subrule (4) of this rule.

(6)     The operator of a fixed CT  scanner  shall   be  able  to  see   and communicate with the patient from a shielded position at the control panel. When an observation window is provided, it shall have a lead equivalence at least equal to that required of the control barrier in which it is installed.

(7)    Mobile or portable CT scanners used routinely in 1 location shall be considered a fixed installation and shall comply with  the requirements of subrules (1) to (6) of this rule.

History: 2011 AACS.