BRITISH STANDARD BS ISO

8529-3:1998

Reference neutron
radiations —
Part 3: Calibration of area and personal
dosimeters and determination of their
response as a function of neutron
energy and angle of incidence

ICS 17.240
BS ISO 8529-3:1998

National foreword

This British Standard reproduces verbatim ISO 8529-3:1998 and implements

it as the UK national standard.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee
NCE/2, Health physics instrumentation, which has the responsibility to:
— aid enquirers to understand the text;
— present to the responsible international/European committee any
enquiries on the interpretation, or proposals for change, and keep the
UK interests informed;
— monitor related international and European developments and
promulgate them in the UK.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
Cross-references
The British Standards which implement international or European
publications referred to in this document may be found in the BSI Standards
Catalogue under the section entitled “International Standards Correspondence
Index”, or by using the “Find” facility of the BSI Standards Electronic
Catalogue.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of
a contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct
application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
the ISO title page, pages ii to iv, pages 1 to 12 and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

This British Standard, having Amendments issued since publication

been prepared under the
direction of the Engineering Amd. No. Date Comments
Sector Committee, was
published under the
authority of the Standards
Committee and comes
into effect on
15 February 1999

© BSI 06-1999

ISBN 0 580 30927 4

 BS ISO 8529-3:1998

Contents

Page
National foreword Inside front cover
Foreword iii
Text of ISO 8529-3 1

© BSI 06-1999 i
ii blank
BS ISO 8529-3:1998

Contents
Page
Foreword iii
Introduction 1
1 Scope 1
2 Normative references 1
3 Definitions 2
4 Procedures 4
4.1 General principles 4
4.2 Monoenergetic and polyenergetic reference neutron fields 5
4.3 Measurement procedures 6
5 Procedures for calibrating and determining the dose
equivalent response of portable and installed area dosimeters 7
5.1 Quality to be measured and conversion coefficients 7
5.2 Irradiation conditions 7
5.3 Evaluation of measurement 7
6 Procedures for calibrating and determining the dose
equivalent response of personal dosimeters 8
6.1 Quantity to be measured and conversion coefficients 8
6.2 Irradiation conditions 8
6.3 Evaluation of measurement 10
7 Determination of the dose equivalent response
in stray neutron fields 10
8 Presentation of results 10
8.1 Records and certificates 10
8.2 Statement of uncertainties 10
Annex A (informative) Statement of reference conditions and required
standard test conditions 11
Annex B (informative) List of symbols used in this part of ISO 8529 11
Bibliography 12
Table 1 — Conversion coefficient hÍ * (10; E) from neutron
fluence Í to ambient dose equivalent H*(10) for monoenergetic
neutron radiation (ICRP 74[11]) 8
Table 2 — Conversion coefficient hÍ * (10) from neutron
fluence Í to ambient dose equivalent H*(10) for
ISO-recommended radionuclide sources —
Average value, h * ( 10 ) (ICRP 74[11]) 8
Í
Table 3 — Conversion coefficient hpÍ (10; E, µ) from neutron
fluence Í to the dose equivalent Hp(10) in the ICRU tissue
slab phantom (see 3.1.3) for monoenergetic and parallel
neutron radiation (expanded field) (ICRP 74[11]) 9
Table 4 — Conversion coefficient hpÍ(10; µ) from neutron
fluence Í to the dose equivalent Hp(10) in the ICRU tissue
slab phantom (see 3.1.3) for parallel neutron radiation
(expanded field) — Average value h ( 10; µ ) (ICRP 74[11]) 9
Í
Table A.1 — Radiological parameters 11
Table A.2 — Other parameters 11

Descriptors: Nuclear energy, nuclear radiation, neutrons, radiation protection, radiation

measurement, radiation measuring instruments, exposure meters, calibration, reference sources.

ii © BSI 06-1999
 BS ISO 8529-3:1998

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide
federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of
preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical
committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that
committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental,
in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are
circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International
Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
International Standard ISO 8529-3 was prepared by Technical Committee
ISO/TC 85, Nuclear energy, Subcommittee SC 2, Radiation protection.
ISO 8529 consists of the following parts, under the general title Reference
neutron radiations
— Part 1: Characteristics and methods of production;
— Part 2: Calibration fundamentals related to the basic quantities
characterizing the radiation field;
— Part 3: Calibration of area and personal dosimeters and determination of
their response as a function of neutron energy and angle of incidence.
Annex A and Annex B of this part of ISO 8529 are for information only.

© BSI 06-1999 iii

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 BS ISO 8529-3:1998

Introduction The determination of the response of dosimeters is

essentially a three step process. Firstly, a primary
This part of ISO 8529 is closely related to two other
quantity such as the neutron fluence is determined
standards concerning the calibration of dosimeters
at the point of test. Secondly, the reference point of
and dose-rate meters for neutron radiation. The
the device being calibrated is then placed at the
first standard, ISO 8529-1 (in preparation), point of test to determine the fluence response.
specifies the reference neutron radiations, in the Thirdly, the response of the device with respect to
energy range from thermal up to 20 MeV, and their
the appropriate operational quantity is then
production methods. The second standard,
determined by the application of conversion
ISO 8529-2 (in preparation), describes
coefficients that relate the physical quantity (the
fundamentals related to the physical quantities
fluence) to the operational quantity (the dose
characterizing the radiation field and calibration equivalent). This part of ISO 8529 will describe the
procedures in general terms, with emphasis on methods and the conversion coefficients to be used
active dose-rate meters and the use of radionuclide
for the determination of the response of personal
sources. ISO 8529-2 and this part of ISO 8529
and area dosimeters in terms of the respective ICRU
replace ISO 10647:1996, Procedures for calibrating
operational quantities for neutrons.
and determining the response of
neutron-measuring devices used for radiation 1 Scope
protection purposes.
This part of ISO 8529 deals with dosimeters for area This part of ISO 8529 provides guidance for those
and individual monitoring; area dosimeters are who calibrate protection-level dosimeters and
often called area monitors or survey meters, and dose-rate meters for area and individual monitoring
dosimeters for individual monitoring are often with reference neutron radiations. This includes the
called personal dosimeters. This part of ISO 8529 determination of the response as a function of
describes procedures for calibrating and neutron energy and angle of incidence. The
determining the response in terms of the operational quantities recommended in ICRU
International Commission on Radiation Units and Report 43 ([4] in the Bibliography) and in
Measurements (ICRU) operational quantities. accordance with ICRU Report 47 ([5] in the
These are defined in ICRU Reports 39, 43, 47 Bibliography) are considered. In addition to the
and 51 ([3], [4], [5] and [6], respectively, in the description of procedures, this part of ISO 8529
Bibliography). For radiation protection purposes, includes appropriate definitions and conversion
these operational quantities are considered to be a coefficients and provides guidance on the statement
sufficiently accurate approximation to the of measurement uncertainties and the preparation
protection quantities. For the purposes of this part of calibration records and certificates.
of ISO 8529, neutrons of all energies are considered NOTE The characteristics of the reference radiations, their
methods of production and their application are described in
to be strongly penetrating and the emphasis will be ISO 8529-1 and ISO 8529-2.
on the evaluation of the operational quantities
at 10 mm depth in the body or in the appropriate 2 Normative references
phantom. Cold neutrons may present special
problems in dosimetry, which are outside the scope The following normative documents contain
of this part of ISO 8529, as are the photon provisions which, through reference in this text,
calibrations of instruments designed to measure constitute provisions of this part of ISO 8529. For
both photons and neutrons. dated references, subsequent amendments to, or
revisions of, any of these publications do not apply.
However, parties to agreements based on this part
of ISO 8529 are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of
the normative documents indicated below. For
undated references, the latest edition of the
normative document referred to applies. Members
of ISO and IEC maintain registers of currently valid
International Standards.
ISO 8529-1:—, Reference neutron radiations —
Part 1: Characteristics and methods of production1).

1) To be published. (Revision of ISO 8529:1989)

© BSI 06-1999 1
BS ISO 8529-3:1998

ISO 8529-2:—, Reference neutron radiations — NOTE A list of influence quantities is given in Annex A.
Part 2: Calibration fundamentals related to the 3.2.2
basic quantities characterizing the radiation field2). reference conditions
represent the set of influence quantity values for
3 Definitions which the calibration factor is valid without any
For the purposes of this International Standard, the correction
following definitions apply: [See also the note to 3.2.3.]
3.1 quantities and units NOTE The value for the quantity to be measured may be chosen
freely in agreement with the properties of the instrument to be
3.1.1 calibrated. The quantity to be measured is not an influence
dose equivalent quantity (3.2.1).
H 3.2.3
product of Q and D at a point in tissue, where D is standard test conditions
the absorbed dose at that point and Q the quality represent the range of values of a set of influence
factor: quantities under which a calibration or a
H = QD determination of the response is carried out
[ICRU 51, 1993[6]] NOTE Ideally, calibrations should be carried out under
reference conditions. As this is not always achievable or
NOTE The unit of the dose equivalent is joule per kilogram convenient, a (small) interval around the reference values can be
(J.kg–1) with the special name sievert (Sv). used. The deviations of the calibration factor from its value under
3.1.2 reference conditions caused by these deviations should in
principle be corrected for. In practice, the uncertainty aimed at
ambient dose equivalent serves as a criterion: whether the influence quantity has to be
H*(10) taken into account by an explicit correction or whether its effect
may be incorporated into the uncertainty. During type tests, all
dose equivalent at a point in a radiation field that values of influence quantities which are not the subject of the test
would be produced by the corresponding expanded are fixed within the interval of the standard test conditions. The
standard test conditions, together with the reference conditions
and aligned field in the ICRU sphere at a depth applicable to this part of ISO 8529, are given in Annex A.
of 10 mm on the radius opposing the direction of the
3.2.4
aligned field
calibration conditions
NOTE 1 The unit of the ambient dose equivalent is joule per
kilogram (J.kg–1) with the special name sievert (Sv). those within the range of standard test conditions
NOTE 2 In the expanded and aligned field, the fluence and its actually prevailing during the calibration
energy distribution have the same value throughout the volume
of interest as at the point of test in the actual field; the field is 3.2.5
unidirectional. point of test
3.1.3 point in the radiation field at which the
personal dose equivalent conventional true value of a quantity (3.2.9) to
Hp(10) be measured is known
dose equivalent in soft tissue (ICRU 51,19931[6]) at 3.2.6
a depth of 10 mm below a specified point on the body reference point
NOTE1 The unit of the personal dose equivalent is joule per point of a dosimeter which is placed at the point of
kilogram (J.kg–1) with the special name sievert (Sv).
test, for calibration or test purposes
NOTE2 In Report 47[5], the ICRU has considered the definition
of the personal dose equivalent to include the dose equivalent at NOTE The distance of measurement refers to the distance
a depth d in a phantom having the composition of ICRU tissue. between the axis of symmetry of the radiation source and the
Then Hp(10), for the calibration of personal dosimeters, is the reference point of the dosimeter. For further explanation
dose equivalent at 10 mm depth in a phantom composed of ICRU see 4.1.5.
tissue (see 6.1), but of the size and shape of the phantom used for 3.2.7
calibration (see 6.2.2).
reference direction
3.2 calibration factor and response
determination direction in the coordinate system of the dosimeter,
with respect to which the angle of the direction of
3.2.1 radiation incidence is measured in unidirectional
influence quantity fields
quantity that may have a bearing on the result of a
measurement without being the subject of the
measurement

2) To be published.

2 © BSI 06-1999
 BS ISO 8529-3:1998

3.2.8 NOTE Normally, the calibration conditions are the full set of
reference orientation standard test conditions (see Annex A). A routine calibration can
be performed, under simplified conditions, either to check the
orientation of a dosimeter for which the direction of calibration carried out by the manufacturer or to check whether
incident radiation coincides with the reference the calibration factor is sufficiently stable during a continued
long-term use of a dosimeter. In general, the methods of a routine
direction of the dosimeter calibration will be worked out on the basis of the results of a type
3.2.9 test or it may be one of the objectives of a type test, to establish
the procedures for a routine calibration in a way that the result
conventional true value of a quantity of a routine calibration approximates that of a calibration under
best estimate of the value of the quantity to be standard test conditions as closely as possible.
measured, determined by a primary or secondary 3.2.12
standard or by a reference instrument that has been calibration factor
calibrated against a primary or secondary standard N
NOTE A conventional true value is, in general, regarded as
being sufficiently close to the true value for the difference to be
conventional true value of the quantity the
insignificant for the given purpose. instrument is intended to measure, divided by the
instrument’s reading, M (corrected if necessary)
3.2.10
response EXAMPLE
R The calibration factor of a dosimeter with respect to
personal dose equivalent is given by:
quotient of the reading M of a measuring
instrument and the conventional true value of the H P ( 10 )
N = -------------------
-
measured quantity M
NOTE 1 The type of response should be specified, e.g. “fluence NOTE 1 The calibration factor N is dimensionless when the
response” (response with respect to fluence Í): instrument indicates the quantity to be measured. A dosimeter
M indicating the conventional true value correctly has a calibration
R = ----- factor of unity.
9 9
or “dose equivalent response” (response with respect to dose NOTE 2 The reciprocal of the calibration factor of a dosimeter
equivalent H): is equal to the response under reference conditions. In contrast to
the calibration factor which refers to the reference conditions
RH = M ----- only, the response refers to any conditions prevailing.
H NOTE 3 The value of the calibration factor may vary with the
NOTE 2 The value of the response may vary with the magnitude of the quantity to be measured. In such cases, the
magnitude of the quantity to be measured. In such cases an dosimeter is said to have a non-linear response.
instrument is said to be non-linear.
NOTE 3 The response R (with respect to fluence or dose
3.2.13
equivalent) usually varies with the energy and directional normalization
distribution of the incident neutrons. It is, therefore, useful to
procedure in which the calibration factor is
consider the response as a function R (E, Ë) of the energy E of multiplied with a factor in order to achieve, over a
certain range of influence quantities, a better
incident monoenergetic neutrons and of the direction Ë of
estimate of the quantity to be measured
incident monodirectional neutrons. R(E) describes the “energy
NOTE A normalization may be practical when a dosimeter will
dependence” and R Ë the “angle dependence” of the response; for be used mostly under conditions differing from the reference
conditions. In this case, the normalization takes account of
the latter, Ë may be expressed by the angle µ between the differences in response under reference conditions and under
reference orientation of the device and the direction of an conditions of normal operation.
external monodirectional field.
3.3
NOTE 4 Some evaluation algorithms of multi-element
detectors may not be additive, if the dosimeter is irradiated by a neutron fluence-to-dose equivalent
combination of radiations of various energies and angles of conversion coefficient
incidence. For example, if there are two such contributions to the
dose equivalent, H1 and H2, the sum of the two corresponding h9
readings may differ from the reading caused by a single quotient of the dose equivalent,H, and the
irradiation with H1 + H2, i.e, MH,1 + MH,2 ¹ MH1 + H2. In such fluence, Í at a point in the radiation field:
cases, the function R (E, Ë) , dealt with in the previous note is
not sufficient to characterize the dosimeter in all radiation fields.
hÍ = H
-----
Í
3.2.11
calibration
quantitative determination, under a controlled set
of standard test conditions, of the reading given by
a dosimeter as a function of the value of the quantity
to be measured

© BSI 06-1999 3
BS ISO 8529-3:1998

NOTE Any statement of a fluence-to-dose equivalent 4.1.3 Standard test conditions

conversion coefficient requires a statement of the type of dose
equivalent, e.g. ambient or personal dose equivalent. The Calibrations and the determination of response
conversion coefficients h * (10) for the ambient dose equivalent should be performed under standard test conditions.
Í
and hpÍ(10) for the personal dose equivalent both vary strongly The range of values of influence quantities within
with neutron energy. For hpÍ(10), there is an additional variation
with the direction of the incident radiation. It is, therefore, useful the standard test conditions are given in Annex A.
to consider the conversion coefficient as a function hÍ(E) of the 4.1.4 Variation of influence quantities
energy E of monoenergetic neutrons at several angles of
incidence. This set of basic data is frequently called a conversion For those measurements intended to determine the
function. effects of variation in one influence quantity on the
response, the other influence quantities should be
4 Procedures maintained at fixed values within the standard test
4.1 General principles conditions, unless otherwise specified.
4.1.1 Neutron fields 4.1.5 Test point and reference point
This part of ISO 8529 deals with neutron fields Measurements should be carried out by positioning
(reference neutron radiations) chosen from and the reference point of the dosimeter at the point of
produced in accordance with ISO 8529-1 and test. The reference point and the reference direction
characterized using the techniques of ISO 8529-2. of the dosimeter to be tested should be stated by the
In general, when selecting an appropriate neutron manufacturer. The reference point should be
field, it will be useful to take into account the marked on the outside of the dosimeter. If this
specified energy and dose or dose-rate ranges of the proves impossible, the reference point should be
dosimeter to be tested. The basic quantities indicated in the accompanying documents supplied
characterizing the radiation fields (energy and with the instrument. All distances between the
angle distribution of the neutron fluence) should be radiation source and the dosimeter should be taken
determined and all corrections necessary to allow as the perpendicular distance between the axis of
the use of the conversion coefficients should be symmetry of the radiation source and the
considered in accordance with ISO 8529-2. The dosimeter’s reference point.
conversion coefficients given in this part of In the absence of information on the reference point
ISO 8529 refer to the nominal energies or reference or the reference direction of the dosimeter to be
spectra given in ISO 8529-1; experimental tested, these parameters should be fixed by the
deviations with respect to the spectral distribution testing laboratory. They should be stated in the test
should be taken into account (see 4.2.3). certificate.
4.1.2 Conversion coefficients For most applications, the reference point of the
All of the conversion coefficients given in Table 1 to dosimeter will be closely related to the dosimeter’s
Table 4 pertain to broad parallel neutron beams or sensitive volume. Personal dosimeters should be
fields composed of such beams. It is understood that, fixed on the phantom front face in such a way that
for calibration and test purposes, the neutron fields their reference direction coincides with the normal
used should be regarded as sufficiently broad, to the front face.
i.e. extending over the whole device to be calibrated NOTE 1 For personal dosimeters that are substantially
(area dosimeter or phantom with personal sensitive to radiation backscattered from the phantom
(particularly the albedo dosimeter), it may be advisable to locate
dosimeter) and are parallel or composed of parallel the reference point on the back surface of the dosimeter so that it
beams. For calibrations of bulky devices in coincides with that point on the front surface of the phantom
divergent beams as described in detail in where the dosimeter is fixed. When several such personal
ISO 8529-2, geometry corrections are introduced to dosimeters are irradiated simultaneously on a phantom surface,
corrections may need to be applied for variations over the
correct for inhomogeneous irradiation of the device phantom surface in the magnitude and energy and angle
at close distances from point sources. distributions of the backscattered field, the effects of which are
dosimeter dependent. In addition, consideration may need to be
The fluence to which the conversion coefficients given to the perturbation of the radiation field incident on the
refer should be measured at the point of test; it is phantom by the array of dosimeters (see also 6.2.3).
then assumed that this fluence is homogeneous on NOTE 2 In the case of point sources (and in the absence of
the whole front face of the dosimeter or phantom scattered radiation) where the dose rate changes with the inverse
square of the distance l, a misplacement of the dosimeter’s
and the fluence-to-dose equivalent conversion reference point in the beam by the amount of %l in the direction
coefficient can be applied without any further of the main beam will lead to a relative error in the calibration
considerations. factor of (% d/l)2 at the distance l. Misalignment perpendicular to
the beam axis by %d causes a relative error of %d/l2 If several
personal dosimeters are irradiated simultaneously on a phantom
surface, they should be fixed at equal distances from the
radiation source to the point of test or corrections should be made
to take account of the differences in distance.

4 © BSI 06-1999
 BS ISO 8529-3:1998

4.1.6 Axes of rotation 4.2.2 Measurements with monoenergetic

To examine the effect of the direction of radiation neutrons
incidence, a rotation of the area dosimeter or of the Measurements of the dose-equivalent response may
combination of personal dosimeter and phantom is be necessary over a wide neutron-energy range.
required. The variation of response with direction of Methods of production of neutron fields in the range
radiation incidence should be examined by rotation from thermal to 20 MeV are described in
around at least two axes perpendicular to the ISO 8529-1. In order to obtain the response of an
direction of beam incidence. The directions of the instrument as a function of incident energy, the
axes should be mutually perpendicular to each reading of the instrument exposed in the reference
other, if two axes are used. The axes of rotation radiation and the conventional true value of the
should pass through the reference point of the measurand at the point of test shall be corrected for
dosimeter. any contributions due to radiation other than the
NOTE For an irradiation on a phantom, it may be practical to desired monoenergetic neutrons (see ISO 8529-2).
rotate the phantom only around one axis and to place the The fluence response is then obtained as:
dosimeter alternatively in two mutually perpendicular
orientations on the surface of the phantom. M
R Í = -----
4.1.7 Condition of the dosimeter to be Í
calibrated where
Before any calibration is made, the dosimeter M is the reading corrected as mentioned;
should be checked to ensure that it is in good Í is the fluence of monoenergetic neutrons. The
serviceable condition and is free of radioactive dose equivalent response is derived as:
contamination. Where appropriate, the operation of
the instrument should be checked electronically. RÍ
RH = M
----- = -------
-
The set-up procedure and the mode of operation of H hÍ
the measuring instrument should be in accordance where hÍ is the appropriate fluence-to-dose
with its instruction manual. equivalent conversion coefficient.
4.2 Monoenergetic and polyenergetic Numerical values of fluence-to-dose-equivalent
reference neutron fields conversion coefficients for various irradiation
4.2.1 General considerations conditions are given in clauses 5 and 6.
The response or calibration factor of a dosimeter is NOTE The above formulation of deriving RH from RÍ is
equivalent to the following: first the conventional true value of
a unique property of the type of dosimeter, and will the dose equivalent quantity H at the point of test is determined
in general depend on the neutron fluence spectrum as H = hÍÍ Then the dosimeter is placed at the point of test and
and the angle of incidence of the neutrons, but its dose equivalent response is derived as RH = M/H.
should not be a function of other characteristics of 4.2.3 Measurements with polyenergetic
the calibration facility or of the experimental neutrons
techniques employed. Hence, the procedures for
Reference neutron radiations from radionuclide
calibration or determining the response should
sources (see ISO 8529-1) with well-known spectral
ensure that the results are independent of the
distributions of the fluence rate are used for
technique, and of such factors as the
dosimeter calibrations, i.e. the determination of a
source-to-device distance and room size (for
calibration factor for a set of specified conditions.
exceptions see clause 7). For determining their
Procedures for the calibration of radiation
response or calibration factor, instruments are
protection instruments using radionuclide neutron
placed in a reference radiation field of known
sources and for the correction of unwanted effects
free-field fluence rate and known spectral
are described in ISO 8529-2.
distribution. In accordance with the above, the
reading shall be corrected for all extraneous effects, Numerical values of fluence-to-dose equivalent
if they are not required by the calibration conversion coefficients for various irradiation
conditions, including effects from neutrons having conditions are given in clauses 5 and 6.
other than the desired energies or from neutron NOTE For a spectral fluence distribution ÍE(E), the dose
scattering by the air and by the walls, floor and equivalent response is:
ceiling of the calibration room (see ISO 8529-2).

© BSI 06-1999 5
BS ISO 8529-3:1998

4.3 Measurement procedures 4.3.3 Measurement using a standard

4.3.1 Procedure characteristics instrument
The procedure for calibration or determining the In certain cases, for example in reactor or
response of a dosimeter involves the determination accelerator-produced neutron fields, the calibration
of the corrected dosimeter reading and of the factor or dose equivalent response of a dosimeter
conventional true value of the measurand (see 4.2). can be determined using a standard instrument.
The procedure may depend on the knowledge of the Standard instruments for neutron radiation usually
reference radiation: in the simplest case, the do not measure dose equivalent, but a more basic
primary quantities characterizing the reference physical quantity like fluence or absorbed dose. The
field (fluence rate, spectrum) are known from equations in this subclause are given for the case of
previous investigations or from the radiation source standard instruments calibrated in terms of fluence.
characteristics and are stable with time. In other If the fluence rate in the radiation field is stable over
cases, the reference radiation may have to be a time span that is long enough for calibration
characterized by a standard instrument. If results of the required accuracy to be obtained, the
necessary, a monitor can be used for correcting standard instrument and the dosimeter under test
variations in fluence or dose equivalent rate during can be irradiated sequentially at the point of test for
the calibration procedure. the same time; the calibration factor is then
4.3.2 Measurement in a known neutron determined by:
radiation field hÍ NA MA
N B = -------------------------
Neutron dosimeters are usually calibrated in MB
neutron fields of known energy (and angle) where:
distribution of the fluence rate. For example, when
using radionuclide sources, the fluence rate Î is NA is the calibration factor of the standard
determined using the neutron source strength B instrument;
and the angular source strength BË (Î -= BË/l2,
l being the distance from the source axis of MA is the measured value of the standard
symmetry, see ISO8529-2). The conventional true instrument at reference conditions.
value of the measurand H is then determined from
the fluence and the appropriate fluence-to-dose Calibrations may also be performed by
equivalent conversion coefficient. Then, the simultaneous irradiation of the detectors of the
calibration factor, NB is obtained by: standard instrument and the instrument under test
in a field, by locating them symmetrically to the axis
hÍ Í of the radiation field at the same distance from the
NB = ------------
MB source. This procedure is sometimes used with
accelerator-based radiations and the calibration of
where
area dosimeters. The distance between the two
detectors shall be sufficiently large that the reading
NB is the calibration factor of the dosimeter of either instrument is not influenced by the
under calibration; presence of the other to an extent exceeding 2 %.
MB is the measured value (at reference To eliminate the influence of asymmetry of the
conditions) of the dosimeter under radiation field, the measurements may be repeated
calibration, corrected, if necessary, for all after exchanging the positions of the two
extraneous neutron-scattering effects; instruments and the calibration factor determined
Í is the neutron fluence at the point of test; using the geometrical mean of the readings:
hÍ is the fluence-to-dose equivalent
conversion coefficient pertaining to the
energy and angle distribution of the
neutron fluence at the point of test.

For the reference conditions, the dose equivalent

response is determined as
MB
R H = ------------
hÍ Í

6 © BSI 06-1999
 BS ISO 8529-3:1998

4.3.4 Measurement using a monitor 5.2 Irradiation conditions

Variations of the fluence or dose equivalent rate 5.2.1 Required response characteristics
during the calibration procedure (short-term Ideally, ambient dose equivalent meters or ambient
variations occurring at reactors or accelerators) can dose equivalent rate meters should have a fluence
be corrected for by using a monitor instrument and response independent of the direction of neutron
by irradiating a standard instrument and the incidence and with an energy dependence similar to
dosimeter under test sequentially. The monitor that of the fluence-to-ambient dose equivalent
reading shall have a fixed relationship to the conversion coefficient.
reference radiation: the detector of the monitor
instrument may be positioned symmetrically to the 5.2.2 Instrument conditions
dosimeter under test in the field (with the The measurement should be performed free in air
aforementioned precautions, a 4.3.3) or at a place under a controlled set of conditions required by the
not disturbing the dosimeter calibration but manufacturer in the accompanying documents or by
measuring a representative part of the field, or it a product standard. Annex A lists standard test
may measure another quantity with a fixed conditions and reference conditions for an electronic
relationship to the field. This technique relates the direct-reading dose-rate meter.
measured values MA and MB to the respective 5.2.3 Irradiation geometry
readings of the monitor instrument:
Calibrations or determinations of the response are
h Í N A ( MA ¤ m A ) ideally performed in broad, parallel beams of
NB = ------------------------------------------
-
M B ¤ mB neutrons providing a uniform irradiation of the total
where: volume of the instrument. With the use of point
sources (accelerator targets, radionuclide neutron
sources), this can in general only be achieved by a
mA is the measured value of the monitor
sufficient distance between source and instrument,
instrument at reference conditions for the
the minimum distance being dependent on the size
irradiation of the standard instrument;
of the instrument. For spherical devices, a geometry
mB is the measured value of the monitor correction has been developed allowing smaller
instrument at reference conditions for the distances between source and instrument
irradiation of the instrument to be (ISO 8529-2). If a narrow, collimated beam of
calibrated. neutrons is used, such as is usually found at
reactors, a broad-beam irradiation shall be
NOTE 1 In practice, if the irradiations of the secondary
standard instrument and the instrument to be calibrated are simulated by moving the instrument appropriately
performed shortly one after another, the ambient conditions of across the beam.
the monitor instrument remain the same and corrections of the
indicated value of the monitor instrument to reference conditions 5.3 Evaluation of measurement
are unnecessary. The response (or calibration factor) of the
NOTE 2 In cases where the monitor instrument has a good
long-term stability, it may serve as the reference instrument
instrument under the conditions specified in 5.2 is
itself after having been calibrated using the standard obtained by determining
instrument. — the reading of the instrument, corrected for
extraneous effects;
5 Procedures for calibrating and
— the fluence of incident neutrons, corrected for
determining the dose equivalent
unwanted contributions;
response of portable and installed
and applying the appropriate
area dosimeters
fluence-to-dose-equivalent conversion coefficient
5.1 Quantity to be measured and conversion according to 5.1 (see also clause 4).
coefficients
The quantity to be measured in area monitoring is
the ambient dose equivalent, H*(see 3.1.2). Table 1
* ,
and Table 2 contain conversion coefficients, hÍ
converting neutron fluence to ambient dose
equivalent for the reference radiations
recommended in ISO 8529-1.

© BSI 06-1999 7
BS ISO 8529-3:1998

Table 1 — Conversion coefficient h * (10; E) 6.2 Irradiation conditions

Í
from neutron fluence Í to ambient 6.2.1 Required response characteristics
*
dose equivalent H (10) for monoenergetic
neutron radiation (ICRP 74[11]) Ideally, personal dosimeters should have a fluence
response with an energy and angle dependence
Neutron energy * (10; E)
hÍ similar to that of the fluence-to-personal dose
keV pSv·cm2 equivalent conversion coefficient, if it is fixed on the
appropriate phantom (see 6.2.2). It is then assumed
Thermal 10,6
that it measures the personal dose equivalent when
2 7,7
fixed on the body. The range of angles within which
25 19,3
the tests are performed is given by national
144 127
regulations or other standards.
250 203
565 343 6.2.2 Calibration phantom
1 200 425 Measurements of the response as a function of
2 500 416 neutron energy and direction of radiation incidence
2 800 413 and calibrations of personal dosimeters should be
3 200 411 carried out on a phantom of outer
5 000 405 dimensions 30 cm × 30 cm × 15 cm made of PMMA
14 800 536 walls (front wall 2,5 mm thick, other walls 10 mm
19 000 584 thick) and filled with water, termed the ISO water
slab phantom. First, the personal dosimeter is fixed
Table 2 — Conversion coefficient hÍ * (10) from
on the front face of the phantom in such a way that
neutron fluence Í to ambient dose equivalent the reference direction of the dosimeter coincides
H*(10) for ISO-recommended radionuclide with the normal to the phantom front face. Then,
* ( 10 ) (ICRP 74[11])
sources — Average value, h Í the reference point of the dosimeter is placed at the
* (10)
hÍ point of test and the dosimeter together with the
Neutron energy phantom turned around an axis through the
pSv·cm2
reference point so that the reference direction of the
252
Cf(D2O-moderated) 105 dosimeter forms the desired angle with the direction
of radiation incidence.
252
Cf 385
When the ISO water slab phantom is used as
241Am-B (!,n) 408 described above, no corrections shall be applied to
the reading of the personal dosimeter under test due
241
Am-Be (!,n) 391 to differences in backscatter between this and the
ICRU tissue slab phantom (see also
6 Procedures for calibrating and McDonald et al., 1995[12]).
determining the dose equivalent
response of personal dosimeters
6.1 Quantity to be measured and conversion
coefficients
The quantity to be measured for individual
monitoring is the personal dose equivalent, Hp(10)
(see 3.1.3). Table 3 and Table 4 contain conversion
coefficients, hpÍ, for converting neutron fluence to
Hp(10) at 10 mm depth below the front-face centre of
a 30 cm × 30 cm × 15 cm slab phantom of the
four-component ICRU tissue-equivalent material
with a density of 1 g cm-3 (ICRU tissue) (ICRU 47[5])
for the reference radiations recommended in
ISO 8529-1.

8 © BSI 06-1999
 BS ISO 8529-3:1998

Table 3 — Conversion coefficient hpÍ (10; E, µ) from neutron fluence Í to the dose
equivalent Hp(10) in the ICRU tissue slab phantom (see 3.1.3) for monoenergetic and
parallel neutron radiation (expanded field) (ICRP 74[11])
Neutron energy hp9(10; E, µ),in pSv cm2, for angles of incidence, µ, of

in keV 0° 15° 30° 45° 60° 75°

Thermal 11,4 10,6 9,11 6,61 4,04 1,73

2 8,72 8,22 7,27 5,43 3,46 1,67
24 20,2 19,9 17,2 13,6 7,85 2,38
144 134 131 121 102 69,9 22,9
250 215 214 201 173 125 47,0
565 355 349 347 313 245 115
1 200 433 427 440 412 355 210
2 500 437 434 454 441 410 294
2 800 433 431 451 441 412 302
3 200 429 427 447 439 412 309
5 000 420 418 437 435 409 331
14 800 561 563 581 572 576 517
19 000 600 596 621 614 620 568

Table 4 — Conversion coefficient hpÍ(10; µ) from neutron fluence Í to the dose

equivalent Hp(10) in the ICRU tissue slab phantom (see 3.1.3) for parallel neutron
radiation (expanded field) — Average value h ( 10; µ ) (ICRP 74[11])
pÍ

hpÍ(10; µ) in pSv cm2, for angles of incidence, µ, of

Neutron source
0° 15° 30° 45° 60° 75°

252
Cf(D2O-moderated) 110 109 109 102 87,4 56,1
252
Cf 400 397 409 389 346 230
241Am-B (!,n) 426 424 443 431 399 289
241
Am-Be(!,n) 411 409 424 415 389 293

Routine calibrations (see note 2 to 3.2.11) need not 6.2.3 Irradiation geometry
always be performed on the ISO water slab phantom Calibrations or determinations of the response are
but may sometimes be done more simply, e.g. free in ideally performed in broad, parallel beams of
air, or even with a type of radiation different from neutrons providing a uniform irradiation of the total
that which the instrument is intended to measure. volume of the dosimeter and the phantom. With the
Such simplifications, if they are to be applied, shall use of point sources (accelerator targets,
be justified prior to their adoption by demonstrating radionuclide neutron sources), this can in general
that they lead to results identical to those from only be achieved by a sufficient distance between
procedures described in this part of ISO 8529, or source and the point of test. If a narrow, collimated
that any differences can be reliably corrected for. beam of neutrons is used, such as is usual at
This may be done on the basis of type test. A reactors, a broad-beam irradiation shall be
calibration on a phantom is preferable if the simulated by moving the phantom appropriately
dosimeter is very sensitive to backscattered across the beam.
radiation.
The variation of the angle of incidence is effected by
rotating the phantom around a vertical axis which
passes through the point of test.

© BSI 06-1999 9
BS ISO 8529-3:1998

If several personal dosimeters are irradiated 8 Presentation of results

simultaneously on the front face of the slab
8.1 Records and certificates
phantom, they shall be fixed on a circle around the
centre of the front face in such a way that no National regulations often specify details and
sensitive element of the dosimeter is positioned format and the details to be included in both
outside a circle of 15 cm diameter. The effect of calibration records and certificates as well as the
changes in backscatter from the phantom caused by frequency of calibration and the length of time for
partial shielding of the phantom by the array of which calibration records or certificates should be
dosimeters may need to be considered. kept.
For a simultaneous determination of the response of The records or certificates should include:
several dosimeters as a function of the direction of a) date and place of calibration;
radiation incidence, several points of test shall be
b) description of dosimeter, its type and serial
positioned on the axis of rotation.
number;
6.3 Evaluation of measurement c) owner of the dosimeter;
The response (or calibration factor) of the d) details of the radiation sources and field
instrument under the conditions specified above is characteristics and, if applicable, information on
obtained by determining: the standard instrument used;
— the reading of the dosimeter, corrected for e) reference conditions, calibration conditions
extraneous effects, but not for differences in and/or standard test conditions;
backscatter between the ISO water slab phantom
f) results;
and the ICRU tissue slab phantom;
g) name of person carrying out the calibration;
— the fluence of incident neutrons, corrected for
unwanted contributions and applying the h) any special observations.
appropriate fluence-to- dose-equivalent 8.2 Statement of uncertainties
conversion coefficients according to 6.1 (see also
The statement of uncertainties shall be consistent
clause 4).
with the approaches recommended by the Guide to
the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement
7 Determination of the dose (1993)[1] The following component uncertainties
equivalent response in stray neutron shall be taken into account:
fields a) uncertainty of the conventional true value;
Since the dose equivalent response of most b) uncertainty in the exact positioning of
neutron-monitoring instruments is more or less standard and test instruments (see 4.1.5 and
energy dependent, it will often be useful to obtain a ISO 8529-2), to be assessed by the test laboratory;
calibration factor that is not in one of the reference
c) uncertainty of the conversion coefficient; by
fields specified in ISO 8529-1, but in special fields
convention taken to be zero for monoenergetic
produced to closely simulate the existing fields in
neutrons, for broad spectra see also ISO 8529-2;
the workplace. For example, this is especially the
case for the albedo neutron dosimeter. In this case, d) uncertainty due to field inhomogeneities over
the calibration may only be valid for this one field the cross-sectional area of the beam in the plane
and may depend on parameters such as the source of measurement owing to beam divergence;
detector distance or the room size (contrary to the e) uncertainty due to simultaneous irradiation of
general principles described in 4.1). several dosimeters; an estimate on the effect of
In the case of a personal dosimeter, the appropriate absorption of the primary radiation by the
quantity is the personal dose equivalent, Hp(10). An dosimeters shall be made and added to the
investigation of this kind serves to test the component uncertainties, where applicable, with
suitability of the instrument in this special field upper limit 2 %;
rather than to determine a unique calibration factor f) uncertainties due to simplified procedures;
or response. where applicable, to be assessed by the test
laboratory, with upper limit 2 % (see 6.2.2).
The numerical values given are to serve as a
guideline and are quoted as standard uncertainties.
For further information, see ISO 8529-2.

10 © BSI 06-1999
 BS ISO 8529-3:1998

Annex A (informative)
Statement of reference conditions and required standard test conditions
Table A.1 — Radiological parameters
Influence quantities Reference conditions Standard test conditions (unless
otherwise indicated)

Neutron energy 241

Am-Be(!,n)a 241
Am-Be(!,n)a
Angle of radiation incidence Reference orientation Reference orientation ± 5°
Contamination by radioactive elements Negligible Negligible
Radiation background H *(10) < 0,1 4Sv/h H *(10) < 0,25 4Sv/h
a Another radiation quality may be used if more appropriate.

Table A.2 — Other parameters

Influence quantities Reference conditions Standard test conditions (unless otherwise
indicated)

Ambient temperature 20 °C 18 °C to 22 °Cb

Relative humidity 65 % 50 % to 75 %b
Atmospheric pressure 101,3 kPa 86 kPa to 106 kPab
Stabilization time 15 min > 15 min
Power supply voltage Nominal power supply voltage Nominal power supply voltage ± 3 %

Frequencya Nominal frequency Nominal frequency ± 1%

A.C. power supply waveforma Sinusoidal Sinusoidal with total wave-form
harmonic distortion less than 5 %a
Electromagnetic field of Negligible Less than the lowest value that causes
external origin interference
Magnetic induction of Negligible Less than twice the value of the
external origin induction due to the earth’s
magnetic field
Assembly controls Set up for normal operation Set up for normal operation
a
Only for assemblies which are operated from the main voltage supply.
b
The actual values of these quantities at the time of test shall be stated. The values in this table are intended for tests performed
in temperate climates. In other climates, it may be permitted to exceed the ranges of standard test conditions beyond those stated
in this table, where instruments are to be used in these climates.

Annex B (informative)
List of symbols used in this part of ISO 8529

B Source strength
BË Angular source strength
d Distance (misalignment)
D Absorbed dose
E Radiation (neutron) energy
H Dose equivalent
H *(10) Ambient dose equivalent
Hp(10) Personal dose equivalent
hÍ Fluence-to-dose equivalent conversion coefficient

© BSI 06-1999 11
BS ISO 8529-3:1998

h* Fluence-to-ambient dose equivalent conversion coefficient

Í

h pÍ Fluence-to-personal dose equivalent conversion coefficient

I Source-detector distance
M Reading of a measuring instrument (measured value)
MA Measured value of a standard instrument at reference conditions
MB Measured value (at reference conditions) of instrument under calibration
m Measured value of a monitor
N Calibration factor
NA Calibration factor of a standard instrument
NB Calibration factor of instrument under calibration
Q Quality factor
R Response
R9 Fluence response
RH Dose equivalent response
µ Angle between a specified direction and the direction of a parallel neutron field
Î Neutron fluence rate
Í Neutron fluence
ÍE Spectral neutron fluence

Ë Direction of radiation incidence

Bibliography
[1] BIPM/IEC/IFCC/ISO/IUPAC/IUPAP/OIML:1993, Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in
Measurement.
[2] ICRU Report 33:1990, Radiation Quantities and Units. ICRU, Washington, D.C.
[3] ICRU Report 39:1985, Determination of Dose Equivalents Resulting from External Radiation Sources —
ICRU, Bethesda, MD.
[4] ICRU Report 43:1988, Determination of Dose Equivalents from External Radiation Sources — Part 2:
ICRU,Bethesda, MD.
[5] ICRU Report 47:1992, Measurement of Dose Equivalents from External Photon and Electron Radiations.
ICRU, Bethesda, MD.
[6] ICRU Report 51:1993, Quantities and Units in Radiation Protection Dosimetry. ICRU, Bethesda, MD.
[7] IEC 1005:1990, Portable neutron ambient dose equivalent rate-meters for use in radiation protection.
Geneva.
[8] IEC 1525:1996, Radiation protection instrumentation — X, gamma, high energy beta and neutron
radiations — Direct reading personal dose equivalent and/or dose equivalent rate monitors.
[9] ICRP Publication 21:1971, Data for Protection against Ionizing Radiation from External Sources.
[10] ICRP Publication 60:1990, Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological
Protection. Annals of the ICRP, 21, 1-3 (1991).
[11] ICRP Publication 74:1995, Conversion Coefficients for Use in Radiological Protection against External
Radiation. Annals of the ICRP, 27, 4 (1996).
[12] MCDONALD, J.C., TANNER, J.E., STEWART, R.D., MICHEL, R., MURPHY, M.K. and TRAUB, R.J.: Effect of
Phantom Size and Composition on Neutron Dosemeter Reading. Radiation Protection Dosimetry 59 (1995),
pp. 263-268.

12 © BSI 06-1999
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BS ISO
8529-3:1998
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