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X-Ray Room —Specs for Lead Wall

| Posted in General Discussion on March 18, 2000 06:28am

*
I thought regular rock was fun to hang , but this must be REAL FUN. Can you get 16′ panels for the lid? can you get 10 people under 1 sheet to put it up? I think i will stick to residential.
tim h. where theres still plenty of snow on the ground

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  1. ave_d | Mar 22, 2000 05:43pm | #7

    *
    Caught your question late, so you may have already discovered this. Some states have an agency which regulates anything x-ray (or radiation) related. In Texas, it's something like the Texas Bureau of Radiation Control and has authority over industrial and medical x-ray equipment. They will specifically lay out protection requirements.

    For what it's worth, I used to investigate personal injury claims and know that an insurance company may deny payment of the radiological portions of a claim if inspections by the Bureau are not up to date. Ran into several licensed radiologists who weren't aware (or so claimed) that the Bureau even existed or that facilities needed to be licensed.

    My point is, I'd be cautious, there's some potential liability that may come back and bite someone, sometime in the future.

    Dave

  2. Guest_ | Mar 23, 2000 02:57pm | #8

    *
    Gentlemen, I appreciate the info. I will let you know how I'm making out or if there are any more questions as the job progresses. Thanks

  3. AlanD | Mar 24, 2000 01:36pm | #9

    *
    Dave-I'm a DIYer in my offtime but work for an oil company most of the time, or at elast it feels like it. But we deal with radiation everyday.

    Everyone was right-- but recent changes in the laws governing allowable radiation doses have gotten a lot tighter. The guys are right--talk to a government office on this. They are going to want to know how big of source the doctor is going to use since that will set the parameters of how far people have to be away from the machine as well as how much shielding is going to be needed. But--most of the time X-rays are not that bad because the radiation is focused within a certain area--not like a shotgun effect. If there is no one above--then there is no problem there. If you're on a ground floor--then mother nature does an excellent job of absorbing the rays. Normally lead lined doors would not be required if you use a maze effect to get in and out. Since the radiation doses are usually short, there won't be a lot of requirements for installing a lot of lead. The best thing is to locate the equipment as far away from other people as you can--distance is the secret since radiation exposure is based on the inverse square law. Concrete filled blocks is probably all you'll need. But check before you do anything-- or you'll be back doing it over--

    I would like to say that I enjoy following all the threads on FH-- you all have something that is worth listening to and thinking about. It's refreshing to see professionals truly concerned about the quality of their work and have pride in what they do.
    AlanD

  4. Guest_ | Mar 24, 2000 01:36pm | #10

    *
    I was contacted last week about specs for an X-Ray room. A local doctor is purchasing a home which is also going to be his place of practice. One of the rooms is going to be made into an X-Ray room. Does anyone know what thickness of lead I'll need, and who supplies the stuff? The room is located on the first floor and two of the walls are outside walls. Your time and thoughts are appreciated.

    Dave

    1. Guest_ | Mar 13, 2000 04:21pm | #1

      *ask the Doctor for the name of the company who will be moving or selling the Xray equip... they will have the specs for the walls, tell them you're going to be doing the work.... you need a lot of coordiantion to install this... you, the xray company , and an electrician...the xray equip. co. does this all the time and can really be helpful...if the Doctor doesn't have a company... he's got the cart before the horse...help him out...

      1. Guest_ | Mar 16, 2000 07:04am | #2

        *Dave,Get a hold of your drywall supplier. I have used Sheetrock Brand 5/8" drywall with a Lead sheet applied to the back. They should also have the proper screws for this. The screw has a washer made of lead simlar to automotive trim screws.AE

        1. Tim_H | Mar 18, 2000 06:28am | #3

          *I thought regular rock was fun to hang , but this must be REAL FUN. Can you get 16' panels for the lid? can you get 10 people under 1 sheet to put it up? I think i will stick to residential.tim h. where theres still plenty of snow on the ground

          1. Guest_ | Mar 20, 2000 01:34am | #4

            *Dave, you may need to have a lead-lined door, too. If you do, I'd suggest you give attention to the framing for the rough opening, since the door will be HEAVIER than any door you've likely seen before, and will need a strong mounting on the hinge side.I don't know who supplies the lead-lined doors, but you may need special jambs with gasketing material, in which case a pre-hung unit would make sense.My experience is limited to helping lift an x-ray room door... two people. Next day, blood in my urine, then a bunch of tests, etc. Cost me hundreds in medical expenses. Be careful with that heavy stuff.Good luck, Steve

          2. Guest_ | Mar 20, 2000 02:39am | #5

            *The rock I used came in 12' by 4'. It was about 150 lbs. and required a drywall lift for the ceilings. Remember to increase your dead load!!!!In some cases you wont need to do the ceiling. Are ther inhabited spaces above?? As for doors most comercial door manufacturers shold be able to help. You might need to go up to a 3'6" because of bringing in the equipment. Also go with a steel knock-down frame. Apply a layer of brown coat plaster to the inside of the jamb you stand the frame. This will solidify the feel of the door as it swings and cut out that metal to metal sound as the door closes. The seals are similar to copper or brass seals only lined with lead and the sweaps have a lea mesh embeded in the rubber. If he plans on an MRI or Cat scan the room needs a copper screen behind the rock to protect from the high magnetic energy.If I can be of further help let me know, My best friend is still in this field.EA

          3. Guest_ | Mar 20, 2000 03:33am | #6

            *you really have to start with the equipment supplier..my understanding was this was to be installed in private practise... some of the newer equip. doesn't need the lead lined walls and doors... also solid fill masonry units are equivelent or at least provide the protection neccessary for some of the modern equip....get the specs....and get the electrical wiring specs too..

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