Full Calibration Measurements on Remote Afterloader Units

(A) A licensee authorized to use a remote afterloader unit for medical use shall perform full calibration measurements on each unit: (1) Before the first medical use of the unit; and (2) Before medical use under the following conditions: (a) Following replacement of the source or following reinstallation of the unit in a new location outside the facility; and (b) Following any repair of the unit that includes removal of the source or major repair of the components associated with the source exposure assembly; and (3) At intervals not exceeding one quarter for high dose-rate, medium dose-rate, and pulsed dose-rate remote afterloader units with sources whose half-life exceeds 75 days; and (4) At intervals not exceeding one year for low dose-rate remote afterloader units. (B) To satisfy the requirement of 105 CMR 120.577(A), full calibration measurements shall include, as applicable, determination of: (1) the output within +/- 5%; (2) Source position accuracy to within +/- 1 millimeter; (3) Source retraction with backup battery upon power failure; (4) Length of the source transfer tubes; (5) Timer accuracy and linearity over the typical range of use; (6) Length of applicators; and (7) Function of the source transfer tubes, applicators, and transfer tube-applicator interfaces. (C) In addition to the requirements for full calibrations for low dose-rate remote afterloader units in 105 CMR 120.577(B), a licensee shall perform an autoradiograph of the source(s) to verify inventory and source(s) arrangement at intervals not exceeding one quarter. (D) A licensee shall use the dosimetry system described in 105 CMR 120.575(A) to measure the output. (E) A licensee shall make full calibration measurements required by 105 CMR 120.577(A) in accordance with published protocols accepted by nationally recognized bodies. (F) For low dose-rate remote afterloader units, a licensee may use measurements provided by the source manufacturer that are made in accordance with 105 CMR 120.577(A) through (E). (G) A licensee shall mathematically correct the outputs determined in 105 CMR 120.577(B)(1) for physical decay at intervals consistent with 1% physical decay. (H) Full calibration measurements required by 105 CMR 120.577(A) and physical decay corrections required by 105 CMR 120.577(G) must be performed by the authorized medical physicist. (I) A licensee shall retain a record of each calibration in accordance with 105 CMR 120.592(F).