Our facilities perform approximately six-thousand regulatory annual tests including a number carried out at customers' premises. We provide a comprehensive, high quality, fast turn-round testing service for a wide range of monitors and dosemeters. Our experts have in-depth knowledge and experience of a wide range of radiation protection instrumentation, ensuring thorough testing is always carried out.

For some instruments and uses it is important to test using a wide range of radiation types and energies in order to comply with the recommendations of NPL Good Practice Guide (GPG) 14 and GPG113. Examples include instruments used to measure neutron, beta and low energy X-ray dose rates.

We offer an extensive range of facilities including: an X-ray facility providing a full range of ISO filtered X-ray qualities, a number of gamma exposure cells, a beta secondary standard facility unique to the UK, and a neutron facility. The service is a one-stop shop for all radiation instrument testing and development.

Comprehensive instrument test services

  • Dose/dose-rate monitors - economic and efficient testing of dose, dose-rate and alarm functions utilising gamma, X-ray and neutron facilities
  • Contamination monitors - testing using a wide range of alpha, beta and photon-emitting radionuclides
  • Spectrometry instruments - specialist testing of identification functions
  • Specialist instruments - neutron tests for identification, plus, other instruments with neutron detection capability
  • Beta testing - we operate the UK's only beta dose-rate facility
  • Radon - Radon exposure and testing of a wide variety of radon detectors and instruments
  • Environmental chambers - which can vary the temperature and humidity of the test condition

 

The types of testing carried out are:

  • Periodic tests - routine tests required for all users of radiation instruments as required by IRR 2017 regulation 20(3b)
  • Repair service - often provided in conjunction with the annual testing
  • Test before first use - more extensive routine testing required before an instrument is used for the first time. This can be carried out on behalf of the manufacturer or the end user
  • Type testing - specialist testing normally for manufacturers to determine the performance characteristics of their instrument
  • Design and development - earlier stage collaboration with manufacturers to give advice on the design of their instruments
  • Consultancy and evaluation - selection of the best equipment for a specific application

Comprehensive repair service

Most repairs can be carried out on your equipment straight away:

  • Replacing detectors
  • Replacing punctured foils and windows
  • Repairing cable and connector faults
  • Adjusting high voltage settings
  • Replacement of minor items (feet, clips, caps, etc.)

Whenever minimum instrument down-time is business critical, we provide a full onsite test and repair service for contamination monitor devices. Those that perform satisfactorily are returned to use immediately, formal certificates follow rapidly via post.

For more complex repairs we partner with the manufacturer or other 3rd party to ensure your instrument is repaired and returned to you as quickly as possible.

On-site testing service

We can offer a testing service for contamination monitors on customers' premises (minimum quantities apply). Instruments that perform satisfactorily are labelled and may be returned to use immediately. Formal certificates will follow via post.

Benefits include:

  • Reduced administration and transport cost.
  • Minimum instrument down time.
  • Same-day turnaround.
  • Tests performed by experienced personnel.
  • Service available from Chilton, Leeds and Glasgow.
  • Optional repair service.

Dose-rate monitors requiring testing can be collected or returned during the site visit, thus saving you time and money.

Additional Services

We can also provide a range of additional services, including: Energy compensation of x and gamma detectors, instrument design and development, type-testing, test before first use and design of bespoke monitoring system
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