ANSI HPS-N43.1-2011 pdf download Radiation Safety for the Design and Operation of Particle Accelerators
1.3 Introduction Accelerators of varying types and sizes have different power capabilities, operational modes, and/or applications and can vary widely in their potential to pose a hazard. Therefore, this standard takes a graded approach and sets forth requirements and recommended practices based on the accelerator facility’s complexity and hazard levels. For example, an accelerator may be lowpower, small, and self-shielded and have incorporated engineered controls limiting access to radiation levels of concern. These accelerators may be obtained as a pre- manufactured unit with safety operating procedures provided by the manufacturer or may be assembled from component parts in a small room.
Due to their inherently safe nature (limited maximum radiation output and/or shielding containment), these accel- erators may have simple radiation safety programs that require minimal radiation safety support and limited user training or operational requirements. The other end of the spectrum includes complex accelerator facilities covering up to several square kilometers delivering kilowatt to megawatt peak or average beam power and involving many distinct beam enclosures.
These large accelerator facilities typically require extensive radiation safety programs as well as significant support by radiation safety professionals and welltrained accelerator operation staff (Operations). Within a complex, high-hazard accelerator facility, there may be subfacilities or secondary beamlines with low radiation hazard and uncomplicated safety requirements. However, the principles of radiation safety should be consistently applied across the entire facility.
This standard uses the word “shall” to identify a required practice or the minimum acceptable level of performance. The word “should” is used to identify good practices (preferred practices) recommended by this standard. The word “may” is used to identify permitted practice (neither a requirement nor a recommendation). “Shall” is used in the non-normative appendices not to indicate mandatory practice but to indicate an elevated level of importance.