Radiation Safety Training

Survey Meter Use

Washington State University

Radiation Safety Office
 What is a Survey Meter?
 A survey meter is a portable handheld, electronic
instrument used to detect radiation, often called a
“Geiger counter”.
 Choosing a Survey Meter
 Portable survey instruments can be very useful in
aiding workers in locating radioactive contamination.
However, the type of detector (or probe) must be
chosen according to the kind of radioactive material
that is being used.
 Choosing a Survey Meter
(cont.)
 Generally, thin window Geiger-Mueller (GM) probes
are best suited to detect beta radiation with energies
above 70 keV

 while sodium iodide (NaI) scintillators are best for

gamma radiation.
 Choosing a Survey Meter
(cont.)
Radioisotope Half-life Principal Average Energy Hand-held
Emission (KeV) instrument.
H-3 12 years Beta 18.6 None
C-14 5730 years Beta 157 Geiger-Mueller (GM)
P-32 14 days Beta 1709 Geiger-Mueller (GM)
P-33 24.4 days Beta 249 Geiger-Mueller (GM)
S-35 83 days Beta 167 Geiger-Mueller (GM)
I-125 60 days Gamma 35 sodium iodide
(NaI) scintillators
I-131 8 days Gamma 364 (NaI) or (GM)

Ensure that the probe you are using is capable of detecting

the isotope you are using. If you are unsure, consult with the
manufacturer, your Authorized User or the Radiation Safety
Office.
 Know Your Meter!
 Unless you know exactly what you are measuring and
understand the limitations of detection instruments, it
is possible to draw misleading conclusions from your
readings.
 Know Your Meter!
Here is one example.
 The radiation from some isotopes can cause a Geiger-
Mueller (GM) tube to overexcite and indicate a higher
level of radiation than is actually present. Americium
241 is an example of this phenomenon.
 Know Your Meter!
Read the meter's operating manual to gain
familiarity with the controls and operating
characteristics of your meter.
 Meter Parts.
 The detector or probe is the device which produces
electrical signals when exposed to radiation. It usually
has a window through which radiation can penetrate
its cavity.
 Meter Parts. (Cont.)
 The dial or readout is the gauge which indicates the
amount of radiation exposure present. It often has two
scales, mR/hr and/or CPM. The selector switch is a
switch to turn the meter on-off, check the meter
batteries, and/or select a scale multiplier.
 Meter Parts. (Cont.)
 The reset button allows the meter reading to be zeroed.
When the level of radiation or the number of counts
exceeds the highest reading at a particular scale multiplier,
switch the scale multiplier to a higher range and push the
reset button. This causes the readout needle to reset to zero
so the user can accurately determine the count rate.
 Meter Parts. (Cont.)
 The response button adjusts the response time of the
meter. When this switch is on “F” the meter will have a
faster response but, the meter readings will be less
stable. For routine work set the response button to the
slow mode “S”.
 Meter Parts. (Cont.)
 The speaker is an audible device connected to the
radiation monitor. It may be located outside or inside
the meter and may have its own battery. The speaker is
in-line with the detector so each count produces an
audible click on the speaker.
 Listen!
 Always use the instrument's audible response while
conducting surveys. The audible response is much faster
than the meter indication. While scanning areas, listen to
the "clicks" of the instrument rather than relying on meter
deflection. What you are listening for is any increase in the
rate of "clicks" above normal background levels. When you
note any increases, stop and scan that area more
thoroughly. Any sustained increase above background
levels should be investigated.
 Survey meter use.
 1) Check the meter for any physical damage. Check the
cord for damage or wear. Make sure the probe window
has not been punctured.
 Survey meter use.
 2) Before using your meter, check the calibration sticker.
Most meters are calibrated once a year. Be sure your meter
is in calibration. If it is not, do not use it and contact the
Radiation Safety Office.
 Survey meter use.
 3) Perform a battery check. This is performed differently
on different meters. So please become familiar with your
meter. Turn the selector switch to BATT position. The
needle must be within BATT OK range. If not, the
batteries are weak and must be replaced.
 Survey meter use.
4) Check the background radiation levels. Remember
there is always background radiation. Record the
background reading in the Survey Meter Quality
Assurance Notebook.
 Survey meter use.
 5) Check your meters response to a known radiation
source. This meter has an attached check source. If
yours does not, use the source in the meter notebook.
 Survey meter use.
Every survey meter should have a “Survey Meter Quality Assurance Notebook”.
Be sure the cover page of your note book is filled in properly.
Fillin
Fill inprobe
metermodel
manufacturer
number and
and serial
serial number.
number.
Ludlum 3 111111111
44-9 22222222

Fill in Meter storage location.

Fill in Authorized User or Equipment
Fulmer 123 Coordinator’s name and
contact phone number and the same for an alternate contact.
Arthur Dent
555-4242
Ford Prefect
555-5883
 Survey meter use.

This is the Response Check Source page in the notebook.

Place the meter probe over the check source to get the
check source reading. Record this reading on the next page
of the notebook.
 Survey meter use.
Ludlum 3 1111111111 450
44-9 222222222

Be
Thesure the information
Expected responsehas been filled
to check source,in on this page.
should have Meter
been
andfilled
serial
1/1/11 Dr.
in number.
Who Probe and
50
by the Radiation 450 serialOffice.
Safety number.
Verify the calibration status of the meter.
Record the background
Record thereading andyour
date and the name.
response check reading.

The meter is now ready to be used for the radiation safety

survey.
 Survey meter use.
Use of Survey Meter review.

 Check for Calibration Sticker

 Check battery

 Check background radiation

 Check meter response to a known

radiation source.

 Record the check source results and

background readings in the meter notebook.
 Start the Survey.
 The detector's "window" (probe) should be held as
close as possible (within about 1 cm (1/2 ")) to the
surface being measured. Use extreme care to avoid
actually touching surfaces and spreading radioactive
contamination to the detector. Remove plastic
coverings, if present, from the detector window as this
will effectively shield out lower energy radiations and
preclude their detection.
 The Survey (Cont.)

 Scan surfaces slowly enough to detect the presence of

low levels of radioactive contamination. Typically, the
rate of detector movement should not exceed about 1"
to 2" per second.
 The Survey (Cont.)
 Ensure that you select the proper scale on the
instrument for conducting the survey. Whenever
scanning surfaces for radioactive contamination,
always use the lowest scale (i.e., x0.1 or x1 scale)
available. Select higher range scales as necessary to
obtain maximum readings if contamination or other
measurable radiation is detected.
 The Survey (Cont.)
Be sure to survey all areas of the lab. That have to
potential for radioactive contamination and other areas
that you might not think are contaminated. Such as
Telephones, door knobs, and lab coat sleeves. Always
survey the bench tops, floors, and equipment used in the
experiment.

Everyone uses survey meters.

 Test Time!
 Follow this link to the test.
https://myresearch.wsu.edu
 Use your WSU user name and password to sign in.
 Click on the training tab.
 Then click on the available training tab
 Find the radiation safety training Survey Meters
course, in the “OR” section, click on it and take the
test.