Shielding Evaluation and Acceptance Testing of a Prefabricated, Modular, Temporary Radiation Therapy Treatment Facility

Abstract

Abstract: We have recently commissioned a temporary radiation therapy facility that is novel in two aspects. It was constructed using modular components, and the accelerator was installed in one of the modular sections before it was lifted into position. Additional steel and granular fill was added to the modular sections on site during construction. The building will be disassembled and removed when no longer needed. This paper describes the radiation shielding specifications and survey of the facility and also the ramifications for acceptance testing occasioned by the novel installation procedure. The accelerator is a Varian 21EX operating at 6 and 18 MV. The radiation levels outside the vault satisfied the design criteria, and no anomalous leakage was detected along the joints of the modular structure. At 18 MV and 600 monitor units/minute, the radiation levels outside the primary barrier walls was 8.5 uSv/hr of photons and no detectable neutrons. Outside the direct-shielded door, the levels were 0.4 uSv/hr of photons and 3.0 uSv/hr of neutrons. The isocentricity of the accelerator met the acceptance criteria and was not affected by its pre-installation into an integrated baseframe and subsequent transport to the building site.