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Medicine

Medical Radiation Protection for Hospitals, Radiology and Practices

Medical radiation protection is a legal requirement. TÜV NORD supports you with initial inspections and recurring expert assessments in diagnostic radiology – ensuring maximum patient safety and full legal compliance.

Patientin bei einer CT-Untersuchung mit Röntgentechnik – medizinisches Fachpersonal im Hintergrund

Medical radiation protection is of vital importance in all areas – whether in hospitals, radiology practices, dental surgeries or veterinary medicine. The use of ionising radiation is subject to strict legal requirements. The Radiation Protection Ordinance (StrlSchV) sets out clear obligations regarding notification, licensing and inspections.

TÜV NORD reliably supports you in all radiation protection procedures – from initial inspections to recurring expert assessments. Whether diagnostic radiology, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine or veterinary X-ray technology: we support your facility with officially recognised expertise, decades of experience and practice-oriented solutions.

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Our Services at a Glance

TÜV NORD provides support services for the safe and legally compliant use of ionising radiation – including specialist training courses and inspections in accordance with the Radiation Protection Ordinance (StrlSchV) and the guidelines of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection.

  • Inspections within notification and licensing procedures under the Radiation Protection Ordinance (StrlSchV) for dental practices, hospitals, radiology facilities (including CT, CBCT, mammography and interventional radiology) as well as veterinary medicine
  • Recurring expert inspections of X-ray devices, accelerator facilities and irradiation systems
  • Training courses and specialist knowledge programmes for medical and veterinary personnel
  • Support with the implementation of sector-specific regulations on medical radiation protection

Radiation Protection Requirements at a Glance – Depending on Facility Type

  • Legal basis: §§ 17–25, 88 StrlSchV
  • Notification or licensing requirement depending on output & design
  • Acceptance test (§ 88 StrlSchV) prior to commissioning by an expert
  • Recurring inspections every 5 years or after modifications
  • Quality assurance: daily, monthly and annual constancy tests
  • Guidelines: X-ray Ordinance (RöV) was incorporated into the StrlSchV in 2018

  • Legal basis: §§ 26–31, 72–76 StrlSchV
  • Subject to licensing with extensive safety documentation
  • Radiation protection assessment & shielding design required
  • Dose monitoring & workplace concepts mandatory
  • Radiation protection officers with specialised expertise required

  • Legal basis: §§ 31, 76, 108 StrlSchV
  • Subject to licensing with involvement of building authorities
  • Radiation physics calculations and verifications required
  • Measurements of secondary radiation necessary
  • Frequently with additional involvement of the GAA or regional authority

  • Legal basis: Annex XIII StrlSchV
  • Classification according to activity limit & substance type
  • Category A: high activity → highest requirements
  • Ventilation systems, decontaminability and shielding are decisive
  • Licensing requirement & conditions for waste disposal
  • Special requirements for radiation protection personnel

  • Legal basis: §§ 56–60 StrlSchV
  • Definition & classification based on dose rate values
  • Structural proof of shielding required (calculation + inspection)
  • Access regulations, signage and entry control
  • Obligation for personnel dose monitoring

  • Legal basis: §§ 66–68 StrlSchV
  • Licensing required if exemption limits are exceeded
  • Requirements for security, labelling and ventilation
  • Regular inventory, documentation and, if necessary, clearance measurement

How the Inspection of Your Facility is Carried Out

1

Appointment Scheduling & Preliminary Che

We coordinate the inspection date with you and clarify all key aspects in advance – from the required documentation to any specific features of your facility. This ensures you are optimally prepared.

2

On-site Inspection by Experts

Our accredited experts inspect your facility directly on site – technically, in terms of radiation protection compliance, and under real operating conditions.

3

Assessment of Protective Measures & Docu

We review the structural shielding, safety installations and organisational protection measures. In addition, we ensure that all statutory documentation requirements are met.

4

Inspection Report & Regulatory Evidence

You will receive a complete inspection report suitable for submission to the authorities, including all measurement results and assessments – providing a legally compliant record for your files and for presentation to the competent authority.

Expert Inspection for X-ray Equipment – Frequently Asked Questions

The expert inspection is a legally required technical and radiation protection review of your X-ray facility. It must be carried out prior to first commissioning (initial inspection) and at defined intervals or after significant modifications. The aim is to ensure the safe and legally compliant operation of the facility.

The recurring expert inspection is generally required every 5 years. In the event of significant modifications to the facility (e.g. structural changes, relocation, technical alterations), a new inspection must be conducted before recommissioning.

Only independent experts officially recognised by the authorities are permitted to conduct this inspection. TÜV NORD is recognised nationwide and fulfils all requirements under the Radiation Protection Act (StrlSchG) and the Radiation Protection Ordinance (StrlSchV).

The inspection covers, among other things:

  • Technical safety of the facility
  • Radiation dose and emissions outside the controlled area
  • Functionality of safety devices
  • Compliance with structural shielding requirements
  • Completeness of documentation and labelling
  • Conformity with the licence or notification

Yes, the facility must be taken out of operation during the inspection. However, the timeframe can be planned in advance and integrated into regular operations to minimise downtime.

If safety-relevant defects are identified, these must be rectified before recommissioning. TÜV NORD can, upon request, support you with defect assessment and renewed acceptance testing.

Required documents include, among others: the licence or notification, technical documentation of the facility, maintenance records, dose rate measurements, quality assurance evidence and, if applicable, room or shielding plans.

The costs depend on the type of facility, the scope of the inspection and the location. We will be happy to prepare an individual quotation – simply contact us.

Your Partner for Safe Radiation Protection

As a nationally recognised and independent expert organisation, we have been supporting hospitals, practices and research institutions reliably for decades. Our legally compliant acceptance and expert inspections in accordance with § 88 StrlSchV guarantee the highest standards in radiation protection. With target group-specific training for radiation protection officers in medicine and veterinary medicine, as well as customised solutions tailored to facility type, field of application and discipline, we provide sector-specific support from a single source.

Contact

Do you require a licence, inspection or training in radiation protection? Use our contact form or write to us directly by email.

TÜV NORD EnSys GmbH & Co. KG | Strahlenschutz

tnr@tuev-nord.de
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