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DURRIDGE RAD7 User Manual

Radon detector
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RAD7 RADON DETECTOR
User Manual
Owner__________________________
Serial #______________
SERVICE RECORD
Date
Service
It is recommended that the unit be returned to DURRIDGE Co annually, for recalibration.
DURRIDGE COMPANY Inc.
7 Railroad Avenue, Suite D
Bedford, MA 01730
Tel: (781) 687-9556
Service@durridge.com
© 2009 DURRIDGE Co.
www.durridge.com

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  • Page 1 User Manual Owner__________________________ Serial #______________ SERVICE RECORD Date Service It is recommended that the unit be returned to DURRIDGE Co annually, for recalibration. DURRIDGE COMPANY Inc. 7 Railroad Avenue, Suite D Bedford, MA 01730 Tel: (781) 687-9556 Service@durridge.com © 2009 DURRIDGE Co.
  • Page 2 WARNING The mains plug for this instrument shall only be inserted in a socket outlet provided with a protective ground contact. Any interruption of the protective conductor may make the instrument dangerous. Opening the cover of this instrument is likely to expose dangerous voltages. Disconnect the instrument from all voltage sources while it is being opened.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ....................GETTING STARTED: ................YOUR FIRST DAY WITH THE RAD7 Unpacking ....................General Safety Instructions ..............Taking a Look ..................Starting a Two-day Test ................Starting a Sniff Test ................BASICS OF RAD7 OPERATION ............Introduction ....................
  • Page 4 Special Serial ........................2.5.15 Special Beep ........................2.5.16 Special Relays ........................Infrared Printer ..................Alpha Energy Spectrum BASICS OF RAD7 TECHNOLOGY: ..........HOW IT WORKS Introduction .................... Radon Decay Chain ................Radon and Thoron decay chains 3.2.1 Radon-222 (Radon) ......................
  • Page 5 Spectrum Examples ................3.13.1 Operational Radon Spectra ....................3.13.2 Thoron Spectra ........................3.13.3 Combination Spectra ......................3.13.4 Pathological Spectra ......................USING THE RAD7: ................GOOD OPERATING PROCEDURES Introduction .................... Continuous Monitoring ................4.2.1 Preparation ........................4.2.2 Purging ..........................4.2.3 Test Location ........................
  • Page 6 ................. 5.1.1 Capabilities ........................5.1.2 Hardware Bridge ........................ 5.1.3 Software Bridge ........................5.1.4 Applications ........................5.1.5 Technical Specifications for the RAD7 ................5.1.6 Serial Port Output ......................RADLINK ....................5.2.1 Capabilities ........................5.2.2 Requirements ........................5.2.3 RAD7 Remote Command Format ..................
  • Page 7 ......................CAPTURE ....................Introduction .................... Installation ....................File from disk ..................Downloading from RAD7 ..............6.4.1 Connection to RAD7 ..........................6.4.2 RAD7 Setup 62 6.4.3 CAPTURE Setup ............................ 6.4.4 Initiating download ..........................Parsing ....................Thoron Parameters ................. 6.6.1 Spill factor 63 6.6.2 Thoron sensitivity...
  • Page 8 ................. 7.3.1 Calibration ......................... 7.3.2 Repair ..........................7.3.3 Shipping ..........................7.3.4 Upgrades ..........................RAD7 Quality Assurance ............... 7.4.1 Spectrum ..........................7.4.2 Spill Factor ......................... RAD7 Specifications ................DURRIDGE COMPANY Inc. 7 Railroad Avenue, Suite D Bedford, MA 01730 Tel: (781) 687-9556 Fax: (781) 687-0955 email: Service@durridge.com...

  • Page 9: Introduction

    While you can start to make good measurements on the first day of ownership of the RAD7, it can take years to master the subtleties of radon and thoron behaviour, and to appreciate the full capabilities of the instrument.

  • Page 10: Getting Started

    RAD7 outlet to exhaust into the interior shown below or on the packing list enclosed with of the bag will keep the RAD7 in a clean and dry the shipment. If anything is missing, please call environment.

  • Page 11: Taking A Look

    Chapter 1 Taking a Look The RAD7 Professional Electronic Radon Detector Power Socket Printer RS-232 Serial Port Air Outlet Air Inlet Filter On-Off Switch Infra-red Menu Key Enter Key Left Arrow Key Right Arrow Key...

  • Page 12: Starting A Two-Day Test

    Switch off the RAD7. Switch on the printer, now switch the RAD7 back on. The printer will If you allow the RAD7 to complete a run, it will print out something like the following: print out a summary of the entire run, including:...
  • Page 13 3.71 pCi/L, or 137 Bq/m To terminate the run early, you may switch off the RAD7. The data collected, to the end of the last completed cycle, is automatically stored in the RAD7 memory, and available for later display, printing or download to a PC.

  • Page 14: Starting A Sniff Test

    Attache the filter to the Inlet port of the Push [MENU], [ENTER], [➔]. You RAD7. Make sure it is firmly fit onto the inlet. should see on the LCD display: Test Start The air sampling system is now set up for the Push [ENTER].
  • Page 15 Po-216, has a very short half life (150 downloading to a PC. ms), so the response of the RAD7 to thoron is virtually instantaneous. For thoron, the first 5- minute cycle is as good as any other.

  • Page 16: Basics Of Rad7 Operation

    [ENTER]. The enter key Lower left shows the count-down timer (00:30:00 tells the RAD7 that you have made your selection. = 30 minutes) which counts down to zero when You are telling it what you want it to do.

  • Page 17: Quick Save-And-Restart

    ➔ to advance to B, C, D, etc. reading. When testing, maintain this value at 10% or less, by using the desiccant. The RAD7 records 8 windows (A - H) every time you make a measurement. They separate counts Bottom left is the battery voltage. This should due to daughters of radon and thoron, and the range from about 6.00 to 7.10.

  • Page 18: Test Start And Test Stop

    >Test Save or >Test Clear before continuing. This will In order to dry out the RAD7 without using up terminate the suspended test, store it to memory much desiccant, connect the hoses from the (Save) or wipe it out (Clear), and clear the RAD7 to the drying unit, as a loop.

  • Page 19: Test Lock

    If the key pad was locked during a measurement, Data then the readings will continue as normal, with the RAD7 recording all the data, until the end of the run. The Data group of commands retrieves data from memory, displays it, prints it, reports it Switching the unit off, while locked, will stop the graphically, and outputs it to the serial port.

  • Page 20: Data Print

    0501 2.69 " 2.83 Sniff FRI 21-MAY-99 19:41 If no data are available to print, the RAD7 will 26.8 EC RH: 7% B:7.06V beep and display No tests stored. Line 1 is the run/cycle number, the radon To abort a printout, press the menu key, then press concentration, the uncertainty, the units indicator the printer paper advance button.

  • Page 21: Data Summary

    Chapter 2 chapter on Data Communication, Chapter 5, for 910 cycles free. more detail. The RAD7 can store up to 999 cycles of data. As 2.3.4 Data Summary the memory fills with data, the Data Free indicator decreases. If the Data Free indicator...

  • Page 22: Data Erase

    Setup Cycle Setup How long a test do you want, and how often do you want the RAD7 to take a reading (a cycle)? The Setup group of commands configures the A typical radon test is made up of many cycles.

  • Page 23: Setup Mode

    How long a test do you want, and how often do benefit of the Sniff mode’s quick response, while you want the RAD7 to take a reading (a cycle)? the latter parts of the run will benefit from the You determine the length of your test by choosing Normal mode’s superior statistical precision.

  • Page 24: Setup Pump

    Four settings are available: Auto, On, Grab, and setting, anyone will recognize a radon "gusher" by Off. the rapid-fire chirping the RAD7 produces. Auto means that the RAD7 switches the pump on 2.4.8 Setup Format and off according to a predetermined pattern that allows for sufficient sampling of air while Select >Setup Format to change the way data are...

  • Page 25: Setup Savuser

    72-hour protocol by Use the arrow keys to toggle between Yes and No. selecting >Setup Protocol User, any time she If you confirm Yes, the RAD7 will sit, waiting for wishes. a data string at the RS232 port. To recover, push [MENU].

  • Page 26: Special Ident

    "Special SPrOff" command. displayed as a graph of the energy spectrum. When you turn off the RAD7 and turn it on again, it always restores output to the infra-red printer. 2.5.9...

  • Page 27: Special Beep

    ‘Enable’ causes the Recycle: 48 function to go into effect. Note that the command Mode: Auto to the relays is sent after the RAD7 has finished Thoron: Off printing data at the end of the cycle. ‘Disable’ Pump: Auto...

  • Page 28: Alpha Energy Spectrum

    Chapter 2 correspond to the different alpha energies in the are followed by a bar chart, showing the variation spectrum. of radon concentration from cycle to cycle throughout the run. Finally, it prints a cumulative Long format adds, to the short and medium spectrum, see figure 6, showing the distribution of formats, a printed spectrum of the alpha energies, energy of all the alpha decays counted during the...

  • Page 29: Basics Of Rad7 Technology

    RAD7. It is not necessary to A decay chain is a series of distinct master the underlying physics to become transformations. A uranium-235 nucleus goes...

  • Page 30: Radon And Thoron Decay Chains

    Chapter 3 Radon and Thoron decay chains...

  • Page 31: Radon-222 (Radon)

    Polonium-210 has a half-life of 138 days and beta particles, or gamma rays, or combinations of decays with a 5.30 MeV alpha particle to these. The RAD7 was designed to detect alpha Lead-206, which is stable. The 5.30 MeV alpha particles only, so we will emphasize alpha particle from Polonium-210 creates unwanted radiation .

  • Page 32: Sniffers

    RAD7 are able to do this. Unique to the RAD7 is the ability to sniff for A distinction should be made between true, real- thoron. Polonium-216 has a 150 ms half life, so time continuous monitors, and other instruments the instrument response is virtually instantaneous.

  • Page 33: Rad7 Solid-State Detector

    The radon in the RAD7 chamber decays, producing detectable alpha emitting progeny, particularly the polonium isotopes. Though the The RAD7 spectrum, see figure 6, is a scale of RAD7 detects progeny radiation internally, the alpha energies from 0 to 10 MeV. Of particular...

  • Page 34: Windows

    A or B or C or D, the RAD7 is probably The RAD7 spectrum shows radon daughters, but not working properly.

  • Page 35: Isotope Equilibrium

    C. We call window C the of radon-222 within the RAD7 sample chamber. "old radon" window, since it represents counts from radon that was present in the RAD7 an hour For the first 5 minutes or so, the count rate or more before.

  • Page 36: Modes: Sniff And Auto

    For real-time monitoring, you are always better half-life of 10.6 hours, so that, with other radon off to leave the mode in AUTO. The RAD7 is up monitors, if you build up huge amounts of this to speed quickly, and is not influenced by old daughter, you may have to wait one to two days measurements.

  • Page 37: Adsorbed Radon Gas

    3.11.5 Contamination by Radon, or Thoron, Producing Solids. Radon atoms can adsorb on or absorb into internal surfaces of the RAD7, on the inside of tubing or If radon- or thoron-producing solids, such as on desiccant granules. This radon can stay behind...
  • Page 38 " 2%. The uncertainty chambers run by the U.S. EPA and the U.S. values reported by the RAD7 are estimates of Department of Energy. We estimate the accuracy precision based on counting statistics alone, and of the master instrument to be within "...

  • Page 39: Spectrum Examples

    The count rate in window C is about the same as in window A. III. New radon The RAD7 spectrum after less than one hour of exposure to radon. The peak in window C is just beginning to grow in, but its count rate is still much less than in window A.

  • Page 40: Thoron Spectra

    Chapter 3 3.13.2 Thoron Spectra V. New thoron The RAD7 spectrum while continuously sampling thoron laden air 6.78 MeV Po216 VI. Thoron in equilibrium The spectrum after continuously sampling thoron laden air for more than 12 hours. The count rate in window A should be about half the count rate in window D 6.05 MeV...

  • Page 41: Combination Spectra

    Chapter 3 3.13.3 Combination Spectra Radon and thoron spectra can add together to The RAD7 takes this into account, and always form combination spectra. Peaks in window B adjusts the window A count rate to correct for the and/or D come from thoron, while a peak in Bi212 count, before calculating the radon window C comes from radon.
  • Page 42 Chapter 3 b. Equilibrium radon with old thoron The count rate of A is roughly the rate of window C plus half the rate of window D. c. Old radon with old thoron. Looks like spectrum k:, but the count rate in window A is no more than about half the count rate of window D.

  • Page 43: Pathological Spectra

    It results from the buildup of lead-210 on the detector surface. Lead-210 has a 22 year half-life. It is not a problem for the RAD7 because the peak is outside window A, and thus does not contribute to the background..
  • Page 44 Shifted peaks. Peaks appear normal, but are shifted in position. Shows a malfunction of the RAD7, which should be returned to DURRIDGE for service without delay. ii. Heavy tails on alpha peaks.

  • Page 45: Using The Rad7

    4.2.2 Purging work best for them. For the RAD7 to be all set to go, ready to start a Continuous Monitoring test, it should be purged for at least five minutes beforehand. This may be done in the car, en route 4.2.1...

  • Page 46: Test Protocol

    Once the RAD7 switches (after three hours) to Normal mode, the counts are included from Once set up in location, let the RAD7 continue to Window C, which come from Po-214 atoms. purge until ready to start the test.

  • Page 47: Security And Quality Control

    RAD7, anomalies are clearly revealed. A the end of the run. If the RAD7 can be accessed sudden change in radon concentration and in air before the run is finished, simply place the printer temperature, during the measurement, is a strong in position on the face plate and switch it on.

  • Page 48: Examining The Data

    When moving the RAD7, please treat it with They close up the house, set up the RAD7 in the respect. It is rugged, but it is still an electronic basement, choose a half-hour cycle time and a instrument.

  • Page 49: Preparation

    Chapter 4 close to the entry points. Thoron, therefore, if it is While making this sketch map, the RAD7 can be in the soil gas, can be considered as a tracer for taking a benchmark radon measurement in the fresh radon gas. Sniffing to locate radon entry center of the room.

  • Page 50: Drilled Sampling Points

    Applicability 4.3.6 Drilled Sampling Points When it is not possible to take the RAD7 to the Some mitigators drill a number of test holes location to be measured; when a grab sample is through the concrete slab, to sniff the soil gas...

  • Page 51: Protocol

    4.6.1 Application minutes, and then count for four 5-minute cycles. At the end of the run, the RAD7 will print out a The radon concentration in surrounding soil gas is summary, including the average radon one of many parameters that impact the radon concentration, a bar chart of the four cycles health risk of a house.

  • Page 52: Soil Gas Probe

    Insert the probe. Make sure that there is a to reach the RAD7. This requires an estimate of reasonable seal between the probe shaft and the the volume of the sample path, including the...

  • Page 53: Bulk Emissions

    ‘zero’ air, or nitrogen, is used, then the Once the total emission rate, within the enclosure, RAD7 internal pump may be set to Off, and the has been calculated, it may be divided by the area pressure reduction valve used to control the flow of the surface within the sealed boundary, to rate.

  • Page 54: Thoron Measurement Issues

    And the RAD7 clears just as rate in the D window (around the 8.78 MeV peak rapidly when you purge the instrument with of Po-212) which predicts the amount of thoron thoron-free air.

  • Page 55: Decay Correction, Flow Rate, And Thoron Calibration

    The sample decays slightly in going from the somewhat less accurate than would otherwise be RAD7 inlet to the internal cell, due to internal possible. But if you err, the 10.6 hour half-life of hose and filter volumes. This decay can be...

  • Page 56: Setting Up A Thoron Measurement

    A major concern in radon testing is background. for radon, except it tends to be a little faster. If The RAD7 has a number of features that help to you are just "prospecting", you probably will not keep short and long-term background under be very interested in getting the most accurate control.

  • Page 57: Pc Connection

    PC. Data Terminal Ready (DTR) Signal Ground (SG) You will need the proper cable to link the RAD7 Data Set Ready (DSR) NF serial port to your computer. The cable should be Request To Send (RTS) NF a "null-modem"...

  • Page 58: Serial Port Output

    Bits 0 and 1 indicate concentration unit, 00 = RAD7 Data Record - 23 data fields per record: cpm, 01 = # of counts, 10 = Bq/m3, and 11 = pCi/ 1. Test number - ranges from 001 to 999 Bit2 through Bit6 are not defined.

  • Page 59: Requirements

    Chapter 5 test, stop a test, or receive data from the RAD7. communication package, that can perform these The package permits users to implement functions without additional software. automated communication between the RAD7 and computing equipment for the purpose of 5.2.3...

  • Page 60: Special Keys

    VT-52, or VT-100 mode to get these functions. The function keys F1, F2, F3, and F4 act as a A series of special commands have been added to remote RAD7 keypad, corresponding to the the ordinary RAD7 commands to provide RAD7 keys <menu>, <enter>, <backward functions of special interest to remote control arrow>, and <forward arrow>.

  • Page 61: Capture

    File from disk CAPTURE, after downloading data from a RAD7, saves a raw data file (.raw) with the name Click on the “Graph data from disk” button then and destination chosen by the user, parses the data click on the “choose file” control. This will...

  • Page 62: Downloading From Rad7

    Baud Rate 6.4.2 RAD7 Setup From the drop-down list choose the same baud rate as was set on the RAD7 (see 6.4.2 above). If Set the RAD7 baud rate to 9600 baud (Special, the RAD7 does not have RADLINK installed SetBaud, 9600 [ENTER]).

  • Page 63: Parsing

    For such applications, the thoron data is outside the acceptable range of operation sensitivity in the RAD7 is arbitrariloy set at half there will be a warning message pop up on the the radon ‘sniff’ sensitivity. This is a good guess screen.

  • Page 64: Main Graph

    Automatic means noon to midnight. choosing the same units as those chosen for the original readings on the RAD7 itself. The rest are calculated from the original readings.

  • Page 65: Graph Lines

    Chapter 6 If thoron is displayed, the thoron scale may be 6.7.5 Cursor lines different from the radon scale and be placed on the righthand side of the graph, in green. The two vertical cursor lines define a selection of the data between the two lines.

  • Page 66: Mouse

    Chapter 6 6.7.6 Mouse changes in radon concentration. The mouse may be used 6.8.2 Line weight to drag cursor lines and to drag the selection, see Adjusts thickness of graph line. above. Bringing it close to a data point will show 6.8.3 Units the radon concentration, date and time for that...

  • Page 67: Show Log

    RAD7 at the end of each cycle and at the point. end of the run. In this case, however, the spectrum is based on the total counts in each of 6.10.1 Entire data range...

  • Page 68: Drop Down Menus

    6.11.5 Join Data You can enter a thoron sensitivity and spill factor for each RAD7 you own. These will With this command you are able to join two only apply if you are measuring thoron RAD7 data files together. Any duplication of according to strict thoron protocol.

  • Page 69: Maintenance

    Days tube from the sampling point. The air outlet 23.1 should be left in the container, so that the RAD7 becomes surrounded by clean and dry air. 13.3 Accessories - Usage and Care 13.7...

  • Page 70: Cascading Drying Tubes

    You can cascade several small drying tubes without trouble. Your RAD7 has enough battery capacity to go for two to three days without any external power Do not cascade drying tubes when sniffing for source.

  • Page 71: Real-Time Clock And Non-Volatile Memory

    RAD7 switch is on. Batteries will not charge with with an expected lifetime of ten years. the switch off. Plug the power cord in first, then throw switch to on to put the RAD7 into fast 7.1.8 Printer and Adapter charge mode.

  • Page 72: Service And Repair

    Shipping annual recalibration. DURRIDGE’s standard RAD7 calibration requires four to five working The RAD7 is shipped to you in a plastic bag, days from the receipt of the instrument And we packed in a box with “popcorn, and finally packed...

  • Page 73: Rad7 Quality Assurance

    Specifications for the RAD7 exceed those of all radon gas monitors made in North America, as well as those in its price range world-wide. This is a partial list of specifications that make the RAD7 so highly regarded in the field.
  • Page 74 Individual setups can easily be pre-programmed and saved. Output: RS-232 port, to download to computer. Can also be used for remote control of RAD7 and/or control of external relay box, with optional RADLINK Software. Power: 110V (or 220V) AC.

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