About VF laboratory

The VF Calibration Laboratory (VFCL) has been accredited by the Czech Accreditation Institute since 2009. The VF’s metrological centre has two main branches: the accredited VF Calibration Laboratory and a laboratory providing additional non-accredited services.

Personnel includes qualified metrologists certified by the Czech Metrological Society.

The VF Calibration Laboratory is accredited according to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard, which specifies the general requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of laboratories. The laboratory also generates internationally accepted calibration reports.

Designated Institute of the Czech Metrology Institute (ČMI)

In 2024, we became the Designated Institute of the Czech Metrology Institute (ČMI) in the field of radiation accident monitors (high dose-rate up to 25,000 Gy/h). The VF laboratory also became a member of EURAMET, the association for cooperation of European national metrology institutes.

CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS

The metrology centre uses advanced technologies and certified reference materials for calibrations, which are metrologically traceable to the national standards managed by the Czech Metrology Institute.

National standard for exposure, exposure rate, air kerma, and air kerma rate of photon radiation | Czech Metrology Institute (cmi.cz)

National standard for radionuclide activity

The VF Calibration Laboratory has initiated the process of establishing a national standard for high-dose rates. After its official establishment, the VF Calibration Laboratory will become the keeper of this national standard.

HISTORY AND KEY MILESTONES

The original intention behind the establishment of the laboratory was the calibration of our own instruments produced by VF. Later on, we began offering the calibration services to other users as well.

Key Milestones

2006: Completion of the VF Technology Centre;
2006: Installation of the OG-8 Gamma Irradiator;
2009: Accreditation of the VF Calibration Laboratory according to ISO 17025 for the calibration of dosimetric quantities and surface contamination monitors;
2013: Acquisition of a HPGe gamma spectrometry system (CANBERRA)
2015: Installation of the Terabalt irradiator with Co-60 radionuclide;
2016: Acquisition of a climatic chamber for developmental testing and a low-activity alpha and beta spectrometer (PROTEAN);
2018: Installation of an automated surface contamination detectors calibrator;
2023: Extension of accreditation for high-dose rate instrument calibration;
2024: Establishment of the Designated Institute of Czech metrological institute (ČMI) and membership in EURAMET.

LABORATORY FOCUS

Since its establishment, the laboratory has focused on the calibration of dosimetric instruments and surface contamination monitors. Thanks to the high quality of the services provided, we have earned a significant reputation among the most important Czech customers such as ČEZ, a.s. (Nuclear utility), ÚJV Řež, a.s. (Nuclear research centre), Centrum Výzkumu Řež, and the Fire Brigades of the Czech Republic. Our regular customers also include small-scale users of ionizing radiation monitors from industry, science, research, and healthcare.

Additionally, our laboratory provides calibrations of ionizing radiation monitors in the field of volumetric activity of liquids, gases, and aerosols, neutron radiation monitors, and also offers rentals of technologies for developmental testing. We also have technology for spectrometric analysis of gamma sample and alpha and beta sample analysis.

CALIBRATION AND MEASURING EQUIPMENT

• OG-8 Gamma Irradiator

The system is equipped with seven radionuclide sources (Am-241, Co-60 and Cs-137 of different activities) and a calibration bench. The dose rate range is from 200 nGy/h to 9 Gy/h. The technology is controlled by the DaRS data and control software, which controls the operation, manages data, and creates calibration reports.

• Calibrator of Surface Contamination Detectors (KD-PK)

Automated system for the adjustment and calibration of surface contamination detectors and monitors. The calibrator includes a shielded enclosure with 20 certified surface sources and a robotic arm for source handling.

• Terabalt Irradiator

The Terabalt irradiator is equipped with a high-activity Co-60 radionuclide source, which is used for developmental testing and assessing the radiation resistance of devices.

• Neutron Sources

The laboratory has two neutron radiation sources: Cf-252 and Am/Be-241.

• WTB Binder MKF 720 Climatic Chamber

The climatic chamber is designed for developmental testing of devices, with a temperature range from -20°C to 95°C and humidity range from 20% to 90%.

• HPGe Spectrometry System

The HPGe based spectrometry system is suitable for qualitative and quantitative analysis of samples, used for wipe tests and determining the activity of liquid and solid samples. Predefined measurement geometries include a Marinelli beaker and various filters.

• Windowless Proportional Counter Protean

The windowless proportional counter is used for measurement of low activity samples with known alpha and beta radionuclide composition.

CALIBRATION PROCESS

After receiving a request from a customer, a laboratory representative will assess the feasibility of meeting the requirement. Subsequently, the sales department will send a price quotation. After agreeing to the quotation, the customer will send the instrument to the VFCL for calibration. The laboratory then performs the calibration, issues a calibration report, and returns the calibrated devices with the report and handover certificate to the customer. Based on the signed handover certificate, we will send an invoice to the customer.