What is a Survey

Meter?
A survey meter is a portable handheld,

electronic instrument used to detect radiation,

often called a Geiger counter.

Choosing a Survey
Meter
Portable survey instruments can be very

useful in aiding workers in locating radioactive

contamination. However, the type of detector
(or probe) must be chosen according to the
kind of radioactive material that is being used.

Meter
(cont.)
Generally, thin window Geiger-Mueller (GM)

probes are best suited to detect beta radiation

with energies above 70 keV

while sodium iodide (NaI) scintillators are best

for gamma radiation.

Meter
(cont.)
Radioisotop
e

Half-life

Principal
Emission

Average
Energy
(KeV)

Hand-held
instrument.

H-3

12 years

Beta

18.6

None

C-14

5730 years

Beta

157

Geiger-Mueller
(GM)

P-32

14 days

Beta

1709

Geiger-Mueller
(GM)

P-33

24.4 days

Beta

249

Geiger-Mueller
(GM)

S-35

83 days

Beta

167

Geiger-Mueller
(GM)

I-125
Ensure

days
Gamma
iodide
that60the
probe you
are using35
is capable ofsodium
detecting
(NaI) scintillators
the isotope you are using. If you are unsure, consult
with the
I-131
8 days
Gamma
(NaI) or (GM)
manufacturer,
your Authorized
User 364
or the Radiation
Safety
Office.

Know Your Meter!

Unless you know exactly what you are

measuring and understand the limitations of

detection instruments, it is possible to draw
misleading conclusions from your readings.

Know Your Meter!

Here is one example.
The radiation from some isotopes can cause a

Geiger-Mueller (GM) tube to overexcite and

indicate a higher level of radiation than is
actually present. Americium 241 is an
example of this phenomenon.

Know Your Meter!

Read the meter's operating manual to gain
familiarity with the controls and operating
characteristics of your meter.

Meter Parts.
The detector or probe is the device which

produces electrical signals when exposed to

radiation. It usually has a window through
which radiation can penetrate its cavity.

Meter Parts.

(Cont.)

The dial or readout is the gauge which

indicates the amount of radiation exposure

present. It often has two scales, mR/hr and/or
CPM. The selector switch is a switch to turn
the meter on-off, check the meter batteries,
and/or select a scale multiplier.

Meter Parts.

(Cont.)

The reset button allows the meter reading to be

zeroed. When the level of radiation or the number

of counts exceeds the highest reading at a
particular scale multiplier, switch the scale
multiplier to a higher range and push the reset
button. This causes the readout needle to reset to
zero so the user can accurately determine the
count rate.

Meter Parts.

(Cont.)

The response button adjusts the response

time of the meter. When this switch is on F

the meter will have a faster response but, the
meter readings will be less stable. For routine
work set the response button to the slow
mode S.

Meter Parts.

(Cont.)

The speaker is an audible device connected

to the radiation monitor. It may be located

outside or inside the meter and may have its
own battery. The speaker is in-line with the
detector so each count produces an audible
click on the speaker.

Listen!
Always use the instrument's audible response

while conducting surveys. The audible response is

much faster than the meter indication. While
scanning areas, listen to the "clicks" of the
instrument rather than relying on meter
deflection. What you are listening for is any
increase in the rate of "clicks" above normal
background levels. When you note any increases,
stop and scan that area more thoroughly. Any
sustained increase above background levels
should be investigated.

Survey meter use.

1) Check the meter for any physical damage.

Check the cord for damage or wear. Make sure

the probe window has not been punctured.

Survey meter use.

2) Before using your meter, check the calibration

sticker. Most meters are calibrated once a year. Be

sure your meter is in calibration. If it is not, do not
use it and contact the Radiation Safety Office.

Survey meter use.

3) Perform a battery check. This is performed

differently on different meters. So please become

familiar with your meter. Turn the selector switch
to BATT position. The needle must be within BATT
OK range. If not, the batteries are weak and must
be replaced.

Survey meter use.

4) Check the background radiation levels.
Remember there is always background
radiation. Record the background reading in
the Survey Meter Quality Assurance
Notebook.

Survey meter use.

5) Check your meters response to a known

radiation source. This meter has an attached

check source. If yours does not, use the
source in the meter notebook.

Survey meter use.

Every survey meter should have a Survey Meter Quality Assurance Notebook.
Be sure the cover page of your note book is filled in properly.
Fillin
inprobe
metermodel
manufacturer
Fill
number and
and serial
serial number.
number.
Ludlum 3

111111111

44-9

22222222

Fill in Meter storage location.

Fill in Authorized User or
Equipment
Coordinators name and
Fulmer
123
contact phone number and the same for an alternate contact.
Arthur Dent
555-4242
Ford Prefect
555-5883

Survey meter use.

This is the Response Check Source page in the notebook.
Place the meter probe over the check source to get the
check source reading. Record this reading on the next page
of the notebook.

Survey meter use.

Ludlum 3
44-9

1111111111
222222222

450

Be
sure
the information
been filled
in on
this page.
The
Expected
responsehas
to check
source,
should
have Meter
been
1/1/11
Dr.
Who
50
450
andfilled
serial
Probe and
serialOffice.
number.
in number.
by the Radiation
Safety
Verify the calibration status of the meter.
Record the background
and
the name.
response check reading.
Record thereading
date and
your

The meter is now ready to be used for the radiation safety

survey.

Use of Survey Meter review.

Check

for Calibration Sticker

Check

battery

Check

background radiation

Check

meter response to a known

radiation source.

Record

the check source results and

background readings in the meter notebook.

Start the Survey.

The detector's "window" (probe) should be

held as close as possible (within about 1 cm

(1/2 ")) to the surface being measured. Use
extreme care to avoid actually touching
surfaces and spreading radioactive
contamination to the detector. Remove plastic
coverings, if present, from the detector
window as this will effectively shield out lower
energy radiations and preclude their
detection.

The Survey

(Cont.)

Scan surfaces slowly enough to detect the

presence of low levels of radioactive

contamination. Typically, the rate of detector
movement should not exceed about 1" to 2"
per second.

The Survey

(Cont.)

Ensure that you select the proper scale on the

instrument for conducting the survey.

Whenever scanning surfaces for radioactive
contamination, always use the lowest scale
(i.e., x0.1 or x1 scale) available. Select higher
range scales as necessary to obtain maximum
readings if contamination or other measurable
radiation is detected.

The Survey

(Cont.)

Be sure to survey all areas of the lab. That have to

potential for radioactive contamination and other areas
that you might not think are contaminated. Such as
Telephones, door knobs, and lab coat sleeves. Always
survey the bench tops, floors, and equipment used in the
experiment.

Everyone uses survey meters.

Test Time!
Follow this link to the test.

https://myresearch.wsu.edu
Use your WSU user name and password to
sign in.
Click on the training tab.
Then click on the available training tab
Find the radiation safety training Survey
Meters course, in the OR section, click on it
and take the test.