Radioactive Material Storage

To store radioactive materials the majority of users will have to apply for an Environment Agency permit (or the equivalent as dictated by governing regulations). When assessing the sources to be stored including the radionuclide type, the activity, quantity and the nature of the sources the permit will dictate security arrangements which should be implemented around the sources. This is common sense as there is a vast difference between a high activity Co-60 metallic sealed source with a long half-life and a very low activity liquid Tc-99m source with a short half-life. A publication exists giving guidance on what security should be implemented around particular types of sources and while this is a consistent approach what is required to hold the sources varies depending on the site where they are being stored.

For example for a site which is accessible by members of the public at any time and is typically unoccupied more localised security would be required. For a site which is in the centre of a hospital behind a series of locked, access controlled doors and where an intruder alarm and CCTV are in operation a lower level of localised security may suffice.

An appropriate RPA and CTSA representative should be consulted when making decisions on the level of security required. The key differences between the Radi-tech cabinets and safes are laid out below.