Shielding Design and Radiation Protection Consulting

What is radiation shielding design?

Radiation shielding design calculates the thickness and composition of shielding materials — typically lead or concrete — needed to protect occupied areas from radiation exposure. Proper shielding keeps staff, patient, and public doses below regulatory limits while allowing efficient facility operations.

DRPS provides board-certified shielding solutions for new construction, renovations, and equipment upgrades — bridging complex regulatory requirements and seamless architectural integration.

What we deliver

Pre-construction shielding calculations

Detailed calculations for walls, floors, ceilings, and doors, accounting for equipment specs, room layout, occupancy factors, and regulatory dose limits.

Data-driven shielding analytics

Unlike one-size-fits-all reports, we run workload- and occupancy-specific analyses to optimize shielding thickness — reducing construction cost without compromising safety margins.

Architectural plan review

We work with architects and contractors to make sure shielding is correctly incorporated into the drawings — and flag issues before they become change orders.

Material specifications

Lead sheet thickness, concrete density, and door/window shielding specs selected for safety and cost.

Post-construction verification

On-site radiation surveys to confirm installed shielding meets regulatory limits in all occupied areas, with final documentation required before clinical operations begin.

Certification letters

Signed certification from a board-certified medical physicist — required for regulatory submissions and building permits.

Modalities we shield

• CT — high-energy X-ray beams and scatter across gantry rotations and adjacent rooms
• PET/CT — combined gamma (from radiopharmaceuticals) and CT X-ray shielding
• MRI — RF shielding coordination, magnetic fringe-field zoning, and quench-vent review
• Nuclear medicine — hot labs, injection rooms, imaging suites, and radiopharmaceutical therapy suites
• Diagnostic X-ray — primary beam, scatter, and room-layout factors
• Fluoroscopy — extended exposure times and scatter patterns
• Mammography — lighter designs for low-energy X-rays

Regulatory framework

Our designs meet NCRP standards (Reports 147, 151, 49) and NRC 10 CFR Part 20, and are tailored to state radiation-control filings (FL, MD, VA, CA, NV, NY, PA, NJ, DE), local building codes, and ACR/IAC accreditation requirements.

The DRPS advantage — Compliance as a Service

We don't just deliver a PDF. We act as your embedded consultant — coordinating directly with architects, engineers, and contractors so that radiation safety shielding becomes a seamless part of your facility's build schedule and operational efficiency, from first-floor-plan to first-patient scan.

FAQ

How long does shielding design take?

Calculations typically take 1–2 weeks; plan reviews often turn around in days. Post-construction surveys are scheduled around construction completion.

What do you need from us to start?

Equipment specs (make, model, max kVp, workload), room layouts with adjacent-area occupancy, and architectural drawings showing wall/floor/ceiling construction.

Can you work with our architect and contractor?

Yes — we coordinate directly with architects, engineers, and GCs throughout design and construction.

What if the post-construction survey finds a gap?

We recommend targeted remediation. In most cases, additional shielding can be added without major rework.

Can you help with an existing room?

Yes. We assess existing shielding and design upgrades or modifications for new equipment or changed use.