Performance specifications, design criteria, and testing methods are provided for the evaluation of radiation detection instruments that are pocket sized and carried on the body.

This standard describes design and performance criteria along with testing methods for evaluating the performance of instruments for homeland security that are pocket-sized and worn on the body for the purpose of rapid detection of radioactive materials. These instruments are used for detection of photon-emitting, and optionally neutron-emitting, radioactive substances for the purposes of detection, interdiction, and prevention. The performance criteria contained in this standard are meant to provide a means for verifying the capability of these instruments to reliably detect significant changes above background levels of radiation and alert the user to these changes. This standard does not apply to instruments that are primarily intended to provide a measurement of dose equivalent, or dose equivalent rate. However, devices that comply with this standard can provide an approximate value of exposure rate.

The purpose of this standard is to specify performance criteria and test methods used to evaluate selfreading, alarming, radiation detection instruments that are pocket-sized, worn on the body, and used to detect the presence of ionizing radiation.