Radiation Shielding Design: A Physicist’s Guide to Safe and Compliant Imaging Spaces
- Lancer Smith
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 5
Radiation is one of the most powerful tools in modern healthcare—but only when used responsibly. Whether it’s a dental CBCT unit, an interventional cath lab, or a standard X-ray room, every imaging system that emits ionizing radiation must be thoughtfully shielded to protect workers, patients, and the public.
That’s where a shielding design comes in.
in this guide, we’ll walk through the fundamentals of a shielding design: what it is, why it matters, when it’s required, and how to ensure your facility remains compliant with state and federal regulations. If you're opening a new clinic or upgrading imaging equipment, this is the place to start.
What is Radiation Shielding?
A shielding design is the process of determining the appropriate thickness and placement of radiation barriers (like lead, lead glass, or other shielding materials) to ensure radiation exposure stays below regulatory limits.
In simpler terms, it’s how we make sure walls, doors, and viewing windows around an X-ray room keep people safe.
A well-executed shielding design accounts for:
The type of radiation-producing equipment (X-ray, CT, CBCT, fluoroscopy, etc.)
Workload (how often the equipment is used)
Distance from the source to surrounding areas
Occupancy (how often nearby rooms are used and by whom)
Applicable dose limits from NCRP reports, state rules, and ALARA principles
Why a Shielding Design Matters
Poor shielding design can lead to:
Regulatory violations
Delays in equipment approval
Expensive retrofit costs
Unnecessary radiation exposure to staff and the public
Most state regulations require shielding plans to be reviewed by a qualified expert before a new or modified imaging room is approved. Failure to meet these standards could halt your practice before it even opens.
At Heartland Physics, we’ve worked with dozens of dental, chiropractic, and medical clinics who’ve needed shielding support—often after a failed inspection or design oversight. When shielding is done right the first time, you save time, money, and frustration.
When is Shielding Required?
A shielding design is required whenever:
Installing a new X-ray machine, fluoroscopy unit, CBCT, CT scanner, or any X-ray producing equipment.
Making renovations that impact the walls, floors, or ceilings of an X-ray room
Moving equipment to a new location
Changing your modality (e.g., upgrading from panoramic X-ray to CBCT)
Operating a mobile imaging unit in a permanent or semi-permanent space
Even portable equipment can require shielding calculations if it’s routinely used in one room. In most states, shielding must be reviewed before first use—and compliance must be demonstrated with either a shielding design report or post-installation radiation survey.
How is Shielding Calculated?
A shielding design isn’t guesswork—it’s science backed by national guidance documents such as:
NCRP Report No. 147 (Diagnostic Imaging)
NCRP Report No. 151 (Radiation Therapy)
NCRP Report No. 144 (Occupational Dose Limits)
Your state radiation control regulations
We start by collecting data on:
Machine type, manufacturer, model, and kVp
Typical workload (e.g., exams per day/week)
Room layout and adjacent room usage
Control booth location and construction materials
Using this information, we calculate how much radiation could scatter or leak through walls, ceilings, or floors. Then, we determine the shielding thickness required to bring dose estimates below allowable limits—often using lead or lead-equivalent materials like leaded glass or specialty shielding panels.
Common Shielding Materials
Some of the most common shielding materials include:
Material | Use Case |
Lead Drywall | Walls |
Lead glass | Viewing windows |
Lead or Steel Doors | Doors where standard door construction is not sufficient. |
Solid Wood Core Dore | Doors where standard door construction is not sufficient but lead or steel may not be required. |
Concrete | Floors, ceilings, and sometimes walls. |
When choosing a material, it’s essential to verify its lead equivalency rating and compatibility with NCRP standards.
How to Get it Right the First Time
Here’s what we recommend for any medical facility planning a new imaging room:
Contact a qualified physicist early. The sooner shielding is considered in the planning process, the more cost-effective the design will be.
Submit your floor plans. A professional shielding evaluation starts with reviewing the architectural drawings.
Ensure proper installation. Even the best design can fail if shielding is installed incorrectly or without documentation.
Get a post-installation survey. Some states require radiation measurements to confirm that actual exposure is below design limits.
Why Work with Heartland Physics
At Heartland Physics, we specialize in:
We serve clients across Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Arizona, California, and across the United States—ensuring your shielding is not only safe but compliant with your local regulatory body.
As recogonized qualified physicists, we bring hands-on expertise to every project—not just calculations, but practical design guidance and post-installation testing where needed.
Need a Shielding Plan?
Whether you’re starting from scratch or correcting a failed inspection, Heartland Physics can help. Let’s make sure your facility is protected—physically and legally.
Contact Us to request a shielding design evaluation or learn more about your state’s requirements.
📞205-265-0635
