Many hospitals, medical clinics, and doctors’ offices have X-ray facilities on-site, and these types of labs or rooms are occasionally expanded, reconfigured, or renovated to allow for more equipment or various types of imaging options.
When this happens, the contractor for the project has the ability to make changes in the current types of X ray lead shields that are currently used. In most cases, and due to the nature of the material, it is essential to replace any type of lead shielding used in construction, particularly lead-lined plywood or lead-lined gypsum board.
The exception to this would be lead bricks, which can be used in a variety of applications. These bricks can be moved, reconfigured, and used to create the most comprehensive types of lead shields for applications where significant levels of radiation are a concern. Typically, if lead bricks are used, they are powder coated, painted or otherwise finished to eliminate any risk of lead exposure during construction or once in place.
Building Materials
The two most common options in most clinics and office settings for X ray lead shields are lead-lined plywood and lead-lined gypsum board. Contractors can work directly with lead manufacturers in the United States to customize the thickness and protective value of the lead sheet used to create the building materials.
With unpierced lead sheet laminated directly to plywood or gypsum board, these X ray lead shields offer complete protection for walls, ceilings, and floors, as well as for shielding for technicians. Adding X-ray glass to the technician area allows for full visibility without limiting the shielding capabilities.
Lead bricks can be standard flat bricks, or they can be designed to interlock. Interlocking bricks come in a variety of sizes and configurations, which makes it possible to use this material in the development of even complex shapes and building requirements.
