The Design of Diagnostic Medical Facilities where ... - ResearchGate

Foreword
The original Code of Practice on The Design of Diagnostic Medical Facilities Using Ionising Radiation was first
published by the Nuclear Energy Board in 1988. In the intervening years the ‘Blue Book’ as it became known
has served the medical community well as the sector has expanded and modernised and the late Dr Noel
Nowlan, then Chief Executive of the Nuclear Energy Board, deserves much credit for initiating this pioneering
contribution to radiation safety in Ireland. There have been significant developments since its publication in
terms of the underlying radiation protection legislation, regulatory practice as well as developments in new
technologies that have given rise to the need for a revision of the Code. This revised Code is based on a
comprehensive draft document produced by the Haughton Institute under contract to the RPII and was
finalised following extensive consultations with the relevant stakeholders.
The revised Code includes a brief review of the current legislative framework and its specific impact on the
management of building projects (Chapters 1 and 2), a presentation of the main types of radiological
(Chapter 3) and nuclear medicine (Chapter 4) facilities, a treatment of the technical aspects of shielding
calculations (Chapter 5) and a discussion of the practical aspects of implementing shielding solutions in a
building context (Chapter 6).
The primary purpose of the Code is to assist in the design of diagnostic facilities to the highest radiation
protection standards in order to ensure the safety of workers and members of the public and the delivery of
a safe service to patients. Diagnostic radiology is a dynamic environment and the Code is intended to be used
in consultation with the current literature, an experienced Radiation Protection Adviser and a multidisciplinary
project team.