X-Ray Doors
Introducing radiation shielding doorsets
Dortek have developed their existing range of fire or non fire rated, hinged and sliding, GRP doorsets to include various levels of X-ray protection. Manufactured to have an equal appearance to standard Dortek doors without lead protection, the built in colour is aesthetically pleasing and requires no maintenance.
Dortek leadline doorsets incorporate lead sheeting in a range of thicknesses and particular care is taken to ensure this protection extends through the door frames. As the lead is encapsulated during the moulding process, the door & frame are completely seamless, forming an effective barrier to radiation in all directions.
X-ray doors are available with or without flush mounted windows.
Why X-ray doors?
Lead lined X-ray doors are normally used in hospitals to shield people from the harmful effects of X-rays. They can also be found in dental surgeries and animal health clinics.
Like all other forms of ionising radiation, X-rays are harmful to our health. In sufficient doses they disrupt the cells of the body.
In medical use the harmful effects of the X-rays are out-weighted by the medical benefits.
Where are Lead lined Doors specified?
Within the hospital, lead lined doors will be used in the following:
1. X-ray room:
When the targeted X-ray beam hits the human body, a small amount of the beam is deflected by the body and scatters outwards, hitting the walls, floor, ceiling and door of the X-ray room.
It is this small amount of X-ray that we help to contain using our X-ray doors.
2. CT scan room;
The 3-D computer image of the body is built up by taking multiple X-rays at incremental steps. The image is then viewed on a computer screen.
Like the simple X-ray machine, the X-ray beams direction are known and easily absorbed. Some scatter still occurs and has to be contained.
3. Radio-therapy room;
The radio therapy room is used for the treatment of patients. Radio therapy is the use of X-rays and similar rays to treat disease. The X-rays are targeted at the treated area in short bursts over a number of days.
Lead lined doors are not suitable for MRI rooms. MRI does not use X-rays. Dortek do not produce products for this application.
What are the governing regulations?
‘The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999’ The legislation sets out the doses that all workers (medical staff) can be exposed to during their working day. This ensures that every effort is made to keep the levels of X-ray used in hospitals to a minimum, thus making shielding easier.
‘The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000’ The controlling body for this requirement is the National Radiological Protection Board and guidance on the lead thickness necessary for specific situations should be sought from it. To have an X-ray machine in place, it must be registered with the authorities Radiation Protection Advisor (R.P.A), and they have overall responsibility for the safe operation of the X-ray machines on their site.
Specifications
Lead, having a high density is the material of choice for X-ray protection doors.
Leadline doorsets incorporate lead sheeting in a range of thickness and this protection extends through the door frames, forming an effective barrier to radiation in all directions. The appropriate lead thickness is specified by the Radiation Protection Advisor using the British Standard code number (e.g. BS Code 5 and BS Code 6, where Code 5 is lead of 5 lb/sq.ft and Code 6 is lead of 6 lb/sq.ft.
Whilst every attempt is made to make the X-ray door as impervious as possible to X-rays, some gaps will exist (under the door, the key hole in the lock etc). As we are only involved in containing scatter, this is acceptable.
Options available on Dortek doors
| Door Type | BS Code Lead (Thickness) | Fire Resistance | Door Weight (kg/m2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code 3 | 1.25mm | Yes | 14.63 |
| Code 4 | 1.80mm | Yes | 19.48 |
| Code 5 | 2.25mm | Yes | 24.41 |
| Code 6 | 2.70mm | Yes | 29.28 |
| Code 7 | 3.00mm | Yes | 34.18 |
| Code 8 | 3.40mm | Yes | 39.06 |
The door blade is moulded with the required lead sheet in it. This may add to our standard 40 mm thickness.
Ironmongery, hinges & door closers especially need to be considered with regard to the additional weight in a lead lined door.
Vision panels
As lead cannot be used in the vision panel, special x-ray glass which contains large quantities of lead oxide is used. The glass is specified in terms of ‘equivalent mm of lead’ or ‘Code 5 glass.