1 Scope
This document describes procedures for calibrating and determining the response of
dosemeters and dose-rate meters in terms of the International Commission on Radiation
Units and Measurements (ICRU) operational quantities for radiation protection purposes.
However, as noted in ICRU 56[2], the ambient dose equivalent, H*(10), used for area monitoring, and the personal dose equivalent, Hp(10), as used for individual monitoring, of strongly penetrating radiation, are not
appropriate quantities for any beta radiation, even that which penetrates 10 mm of
tissue (Emax > 2 MeV).
This document is a guide for those who calibrate protection-level dosemeters and dose-rate
meters with beta-reference radiation and determine their response as a function of
beta-particle energy and angle of incidence. Such measurements can represent part
of a type test during the course of which the effect of other influence quantities
on the response is examined. This document does not cover the in situ calibration
of fixed, installed area dosemeters. The term “dosemeter” is used as a generic term
denoting any dose or dose-rate meter for individual or area monitoring. In addition
to the description of calibration procedures, this document includes recommendations
for appropriate phantoms and the way to determine appropriate conversion coefficients.
Guidance is provided on the statement of measurement uncertainties and the preparation
of calibration records and certificates.