IEC 61331-1-2014 PDF

Full title and description

Protective devices against diagnostic medical X-radiation — Part 1: Determination of attenuation properties of materials. This IEC standard specifies methods to determine and indicate attenuation properties (attenuation ratio, build-up factor, attenuation equivalent), and to report homogeneity and mass per unit area for sheet-form materials used to manufacture protective devices against diagnostic X‑radiation and certain photon‑emitting radionuclides.

Abstract

IEC 61331-1:2014 (Edition 2.0, May 2014) defines standardized test geometries (narrow beam, broad beam, inverse broad beam), measurement procedures (air‑kerma rate, detector selection, signal‑to‑noise criteria), calculation methods for radionuclide photon emissions, and rules for expressing shielding performance (including lead‑equivalent classes). It is intended for material characterization and product specification of protective materials (lead and non‑lead) rather than for routine in‑service checks of completed protective clothing.

General information

• Status: Published / Current (2nd edition, 2014).
• Publication date: 6 May 2014 (Edition 2.0, 2014-05).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 11.040.50 (Radiographic equipment); often cross‑referenced with radiation protection categories (e.g., 13.280).
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2014).
• Number of pages: 50 pages (IEC edition pagination).

Scope

Applies to sheet‑form materials used to manufacture protective devices against X‑radiation generated with X‑ray tube voltages up to 400 kV and to gamma radiation from radionuclides with photon energies up to 1.3 MeV. The standard specifies methods to determine attenuation ratio, build‑up factor and attenuation equivalent, and gives rules for indicating homogeneity and mass per unit area. It excludes routine periodic checks of protective garments in service and structural shielding (walls, fixed installations).

Key topics and requirements

• Defined test geometries for attenuation‑ratio measurement: narrow beam, broad beam and inverse broad beam.
• Measurement procedures based on air‑kerma rate measurements, detector specification, and signal‑to‑noise requirements.
• Calculation method for attenuation ratios for photon‑emitting radionuclides and verification of mass‑attenuation coefficients.
• Definition and use of build‑up factors and first half‑value layers (HVLs) to account for scatter and material behavior.
• Introduction of lead‑equivalent classes and rules for stating compliance and lead‑equivalent values.
• Requirements for reporting homogeneity and mass per unit area and for preparing statements of compliance.

Typical use and users

Manufacturers of protective materials and garments (lead and lead‑free), independent testing and calibration laboratories, regulatory bodies, hospital radiation safety/medical physics departments, and R&D groups developing new shielding materials use this standard to characterise and specify attenuation performance and to support conformity statements and product labelling.

Related standards

IEC 61331 is a multi‑part series; related parts include IEC 61331-2:2014 (Translucent protective plates) and IEC 61331-3:2014 (Protective clothing, eyewear and protective patient shields). The standard references and aligns test radiation qualities with ISO/IEC reference radiation documents (for example ISO 4037 series for reference X and gamma radiation) and is used alongside medical electrical equipment and radiation protection standards (e.g., collateral standards in the IEC 60601 family for diagnostic equipment).

Keywords

attenuation ratio; build‑up factor; lead equivalent; protective devices; X‑radiation; diagnostic radiology; gamma radiation; air kerma; homogeneity; mass per unit area.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61331-1:2014 is the first part of the IEC 61331 series and specifies methods to determine and report attenuation properties of sheet materials used in protective devices against diagnostic medical X‑radiation and certain radionuclide photon emissions.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test geometries (narrow, broad and inverse broad beam), measurement procedures (air‑kerma rate, detectors, signal‑to‑noise), calculations for radionuclide emissions, build‑up factor and HVL data, lead‑equivalent classification, and reporting of homogeneity and mass per unit area. It is intended for material characterisation, not for routine in‑service checks of garments.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Material and protective‑garment manufacturers, test/calibration laboratories, hospital medical physics and radiation safety personnel, regulators and standards bodies, and research groups developing shielding materials.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 61331-1:2014 is the second edition (2014) that cancels and replaces the 1994/2002 earlier edition(s). Public records and national adoptions (EN/BS variants) show the 2014 edition as the active published edition; no later IEC revision was indicated in the checked sources as of the time of this summary. Users should always verify the IEC webstore or national standards body for any amendments or newer editions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 61331 is a multipart series titled "Protective devices against diagnostic medical X‑radiation". Part 1 is material attenuation (this document), Part 2 addresses translucent protective plates, and Part 3 addresses protective clothing, eyewear and patient shields (all issued in the 2014 revision cycle).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Attenuation ratio, build‑up factor, lead equivalent, HVL (half‑value layer), narrow/broad/inverse beam, air kerma, homogeneity, diagnostic X‑radiation.