SECTION 252:410-11-41. Additional design requirements for <1 MeV systems capable of operating above 50 kVp

(a)   Communication and viewing requirements. Therapeutic systems with energies of less than 1 MeV that are capable of operating above 50 kVp must provide the operator at the control panel:

(1)   a means of two-way communication with the patient at all times. This communication must be aural unless excessive noise levels or treatment requirements make an alternate method of communication necessary; and

(2)   a means to be able to continuously observe the patient from the treatment control panel during irradiation via a primary viewing system such as a window, mirror, closed-circuit television or the equivalent. When the primary system is electronic, an alternate viewing system, which may also be electronic, must be available in case the primary system fails. Should both viewing systems fail or become inoperative, treatment must be stopped until at least one of the systems is restored.

(b)   Additional requirements for <1 MeV systems capable of operating above 150 kVp. In addition to subsection (a) of this Section, <1 MeV systems capable of operating above 150 kVp must have the following features:

(1)   all protective barriers must be fixed except for entrance doors or beam interceptors;

(2)   the control panel must be located outside the treatment room; and

(3)   the system must have interlocks which require all entrance doors to be closed, including doors to any interior booths, before treatment can be begin or continue. If the radiation beam is interrupted by any door opening, the system must be designed to:

(A)   reduce the exposure at a distance of 1 meter from the focal spot to less than 100 milliRoentgens per hour; and

(B)   prevent operation from being resumed until the door is closed and the operator reinitiates irradiation by manual action at the control panel.

[Source: Added at 17 Ok Reg 1136, eff 6-1-00]