4.12.3.USE OF PORTABLE RADIOGRAPHY
STEP 1 – STORAGE, MAINTENANCE AND PREPARATION
Only appropriately trained and authorised personnel should be involved in the storage, maintenance and preparation of X-ray equipment. X-ray equipment is generally more delicate than other EOD equipment. It can be easily broken and does not respond well to shock. It should be stored and transported in appropriate storage cases that offer suitable protection. Prior to use there will be a degree of preparation required which will differ between different brands and models. The IEDD operator should be familiar with these requirements. Usually the equipment will need to be prepared prior to transportation to the task site (batteries charged, etc.) with further actions necessary prior to deployment to the target. As much of the preparation as possible should be done in the CP / safe area prior to moving to the target.
X-ray equipment will require maintenance and servicing, as defined in the maintenance and servicing manual. When not in use, equipment should be secured against unauthorised use.
STEP 2 – DEPLOYMENT
ׁ WARNING. NMAAs may have established regulations and requirements around the use of X-ray / radiography equipment. It will be the MA organisation’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of any regulations and that they are compliant. This may include exposure limits and wearing an exposure badge.
Items to be X-rayed should be defined in the MA organisation’s SOPs. However, it is not possible to cover every situation and produce a definitive list. The IEDD operator will need to use their training and threat assessment to know when it is appropriate. When deploying radiography, the X-ray generator will be placed a suitable distance in front of the target with the image capture screen behind. Depending on the density of the target to be X-rayed, different control settings will be set into the X-ray generator by the IEDD operator. These control settings will also vary depending on the type of X-ray generator equipment used and how it produces the radiation (via continuous wave or pulsed). Most user manuals will give a maximum penetration level and a guide for the best settings to use with different targets. However, this will rarely be exhaustive and is only an indication. The IEDD operator will need to draw on their experience and should therefore practice using the equipment on representative inert training IEDs. Modern radiography equipment for EOD applications has made image capture much easier. Many of the difficulties associated with photographic wet film radiography have been removed through the use of digital radiography and image enhancing software.
ׁ HINT. When taking a radiograph, the IEDD operator should consider which plane(s) will yield the best image. They may need to compromise to give access to the image plate and generator. Taking two radiographs at 90 degrees to each other will allow for three-dimensional analysis and interpretation.
IEDD techniques and procedures
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