Who Provides the Information You Need for a Shielding Quote?

When you contact Intech for a radiation shielding quote, we’ll ask a set of questions: How much shielding is required? Which walls? What thickness? Do you need windows, doors, or curtains? You don’t have to know all the answers off the top of your head—different people on your project team hold different pieces of that puzzle.

This article walks through the main players involved in a new X-ray room, CT suite, CBCT room, or NDT bay, and explains what information each person can give you so you can send Intech a clear, complete request for pricing.

1. Medical / Health Physicist – “How Much Shielding and Where?”

The physicist is the source for the most important piece of information Intech needs: the shielding requirements.

• What they decide:
  • Required lead equivalency for each barrier (for example, 1/16" Pb in walls, 1/8" Pb in the door).
  • Which surfaces are primary vs. secondary barriers (walls, ceiling, floor, control window).
  • Any special needs, like extra protection around a hot spot or high-occupancy area.
• What to collect before contacting Intech:
  • A copy of the stamped shielding plan or table showing required mm Pb for each wall, door, and window.
  • Any notes about preferred materials (for example, “lead-free acceptable for secondary barriers”).

How Intech uses this: We match the mm Pb values to products like lead-lined drywall, leaded glass windows, lead bricks, or lead/lead-free curtains and size them correctly for each surface.

2. Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) – “Policies and Lead vs. Lead-Free Choices”

The RSO oversees your facility’s radiation safety program. They often work closely with the physicist but focus more on policies and long-term safety.

• What they clarify:
  • Whether your facility prefers lead-free shielding where possible, especially for curtains, barriers, or wall panels.
  • Any internal rules beyond code requirements (for example, stricter dose limits in public areas).
  • Plans for future expansion that might affect shielding choices now.
• What to ask them for:
  • A note on where lead-free is preferred (e.g., “Use lead-free curtains at doorway” or “Allow lead-free wall panels for secondary barriers”).
  • Any extra design guidance that should be passed on to Intech.

How Intech uses this: We can propose lead-free curtains, lead-free soft shielding, or adhesive wall panels where appropriate, and traditional lead products where they’re still the best fit.

3. Equipment Vendor – “What Room Layout Does the Machine Need?”

The imaging or NDT equipment manufacturer doesn’t tell you the final shielding thickness, but they do provide the geometry and workload data the physicist uses.

• What they provide:
  • Room layout drawings for the specific model.
  • Beam directions, isocenter, or tube head locations.
  • kVp ranges, duty cycles, and suggested operating conditions.
• What to pass to Intech (if available):
  • A copy of the vendor room drawing, especially if it shows preferred control room and viewing window locations.

How Intech uses this: Seeing the vendor layout helps us make sure window sizes and barrier locations we quote line up with the way the equipment will be used.

4. Architect / Designer – “What Are the Room Dimensions and Wall Types?”

The architect turns the shielding plan into actual walls, doors, and windows in your building drawings. From Intech’s point of view, they are the best source for dimensions and substrates.

• What they know:
  • Room dimensions and wall lengths.
  • Wall construction type (steel stud, wood stud, concrete, etc.).
  • Locations and sizes of doors and any viewing windows.
• What to gather:
  • A floor plan that shows wall lengths and door/window openings.
  • Any notes about ceiling height and whether shielding is needed above or below.

How Intech uses this: We calculate how many sheets of lead-lined drywall are needed, size leaded glass units correctly, and make sure doors and panels will fit into the planned openings.

5. Structural Engineer – “Can the Building Carry the Weight?”

Some shielding materials are heavy—especially lead bricks, thick plate, or concrete. The structural engineer confirms that the building can safely support them.

• What they decide:
  • Allowed loads for floors and walls.
  • Whether very heavy options (like stacked lead bricks) are acceptable in specific areas.
  • If reinforcement is needed under vaults or caves.
• What to ask them for:
  • Any restrictions on weight per square foot or limits that would rule out heavy brick “caves” or thick plate in certain locations.

How Intech uses this: If heavy shielding is not feasible, we can recommend alternative solutions such as lead-free curtains or lighter wall systems for scatter, and reserve bricks or plate for the areas that truly need them.

6. General Contractor – “How Will It Be Installed and When?”

The general contractor manages the build on site. They understand sequencing, trades, and what installation methods will work best.

• What they contribute:
  • Project schedule and target installation dates.
  • How materials will be unloaded (dock, forklift, liftgate needs).
  • Preferred installation approach (for example, stick-built walls vs. adhesive panels).
• What to pass along:
  • Timeline for when shielding materials need to arrive.
  • Any freight details: dock access, limited hours, or special requirements.

How Intech uses this: We plan shipments that line up with your schedule, avoid extra freight charges, and choose products that match your team’s installation plan—such as self-adhesive wall panels or traditional drywall systems.

7. Specialty Installers – “Practical Notes from the Field”

Installers who handle shielded drywall, doors, glass, and curtains often have useful “on the ground” knowledge.

• What they can tell you:
  • Preferred sheet sizes or panel sizes that fit your building’s elevators, corridors, and lifts.
  • Track styles or hardware that work best for lead or lead-free curtains in your space.
  • Any past lessons learned (for example, “Avoid oversized windows here; hard to install.”).
• What to share with Intech:
  • Notes like “Max sheet size __×__ due to elevator” or “Use ceiling-mounted curtain track.”

How Intech uses this: We size sheets, windows, and curtain systems so they’re practical for your site and easy to install.

8. Inspectors and Survey Teams – “What Needs to Be Documented”

Inspectors and survey teams confirm that the room is safe before use. They don’t usually help before the quote, but they influence what documentation you’ll need later.

• What they look for:
  • Labels showing mm Pb equivalency on products.
  • Product data sheets and submittals for drywall, glass, bricks, and curtains.
• What to request from Intech:
  • Submittal sheets and labels for all shielding products in your order, so you’re ready for the final survey.

9. Facility Leadership / Purchasing – “Budget, Preferences, and Big Picture”

Purchasing and leadership teams make sure the project stays on budget and aligns with your organization’s goals.

• What they decide:
  • Budget range for shielding materials.
  • Preference for domestic manufacturing and lead-free options.
  • Whether to consolidate multiple rooms into one purchase to save on freight.
• What to share with Intech:
  • Number of rooms/phases you’d like quoted together.
  • Any strong preferences (for example, “prioritize lead-free where possible” or “domestic materials only”).

How Intech uses this: We can group rooms to cut shipping costs, suggest lead-free substitutions where they make sense, and tailor options to fit your budget while still meeting the shielding plan.

Putting It All Together: What Intech Needs for a Strong Quote

Here’s a short checklist that ties everything above into one place:

• From the Physicist / RSO: Stamped shielding plan with mm Pb requirements for each surface; any lead-free preferences.
• From the Vendor / Architect: Room layout with wall lengths, door and window locations, and ceiling height.
• From the Structural Engineer: Any limits on weight or restrictions on heavy materials.
• From the Contractor / Installers: Timing, delivery details, and practical notes on sizes and mounting methods.
• From Leadership / Purchasing: Number of rooms, budget expectations, and any sustainability or sourcing goals.

Ready to Turn Your Team’s Information into a Quote?

Once you’ve gathered these pieces, you’re ready to talk to Intech. We’ll translate your plan into a complete material package using products like lead-lined drywall, leaded glass windows, lead bricks, and lead/lead-free curtains.

Contact Intech with your shielding plan and room drawings, and we’ll help you turn your team’s information into an accurate, inspection-ready shielding quote.