ANSI N42.32-2006 pdf download American National Standard Performance Criteria for Alarming Personal Radiation Detectors for Homeland Security
3.2 acceptance test: Evaluation or measurement of performance characteristics to verify that certain stated specifications and contractual requirements are met. 3.3 accepted ambient photon background: The background radiation as measured using a high pressure ionization chamber, an energy compensated Geiger-Mueller (GM) tube, an energy compensated proportional counter, a tissue equivalent plastic scintillator, a scintillator with spectral compensation, or any other exposure rate instrument having a nearly constant energy response (±30% in the energy range from 60 keV to 1.5 MeV).
3.4 accredited testing laboratory: Testing laboratory that has been accredited by an authoritative body with respect to its qualification to perform verification tests on the type of instruments covered by this standard.
3.5 accuracy: The degree of agreement between the observed value and the conventionally true value of the quantity being measured.
3.6 adjust: To alter the reading of an instrument by means of a built-in variable (hardware or software) control.
3.7 alarm: An audible, visual, or other signal activated when the instrument reading or response exceeds a preset value or falls outside of a preset range.
3.8 calibrate: To adjust and/or determine the response or reading of a device relative to a series of conventionally true values.
3.9 calibration: A set of operations under specified conditions that establishes the relationship between values indicated by a measuring instrument or measuring system, and the conventionally true values of the quantity or variable being measured.
3.10 check source: A not-necessarily calibrated source that is used to confirm the continuing functionality of an instrument.
3.11 coefficient of variation (COV) (%): The square root of the variance, σ 2 , divided by the mean value of “n” number of readings times 100.
3.12 conventionally true value (CTV): The commonly accepted best estimate of the value of that quantity.
NOTE—This and the associated uncertainty will preferably be determined by a national or transfer standard, or by a reference instrument that has been calibrated against a national or transfer standard, or by a measurement quality assurance (MQA) interaction with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or an accredited calibration laboratory. (See ANSI N42.22 and ANSI N42.23.) 6
3.13 decade: A range of values for which the upper value is a power of ten above the lower value.
3.14 detection limits: The extremes of detection or quantification for the radiation of interest. NOTE—The lower detection limit is the minimum statistically quantifiable instrument response or reading. The upper detection limit is the maximum level at which the instrument meets the required accuracy.
3.15 detector: A device or component designed to produce a quantifiable response to ionizing radiation normally measured electronically.