Yearly criticality test 2014

Criticality accidents require specialized dosimetry techniques, which differ markedly from those used in routine radiological protection. In the first place, the technique must allow a quick separation of exposed and non-exposed persons after the accident. In the second place, the technique must be able to separate the neutron and the gamma component of the dose. Another feature of the criticality dosimetry system is that doses must be reconstructed within an uncertainty of less than 50% within 48 hours and less than 25% four days later, and this should be done for a broad dose range spanning from 100 mGy up to 10 Gy. The criticality dosimetry service provided by the SCK•CEN to their customers is accredited according to ISO17025 by the Belgian Accreditation Organisation BELAC. The service is based on dosemeters with a set of four activation detectors (Au-197 with and without Cd cover, In-115 and S-32). This document reports on the yearly test incorporated in the quality assurance program.