ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Practice Test

What does a rate alarm meter do at a radiation level of 500 mR/h?

1. Sound a continuous audible alarm

2. Produce a visual alert only

3. Activate only in emergency situations

4. Ignore low radiation signals

The correct answer is: Sound a continuous audible alarm

A rate alarm meter is designed to monitor radiation levels and provide alerts when those levels exceed preset thresholds. At a radiation level of 500 mR/h, which is considerably elevated and indicates a potentially hazardous environment, the purpose of the alarm meter is to warn individuals of the elevated radiation dose. When the radiation level reaches or exceeds this threshold, the meter will sound a continuous audible alarm, alerting personnel to the danger and prompting them to take appropriate safety measures. This continuous alarm serves as an immediate warning to ensure that workers can respond promptly to the hazardous conditions surrounding them. The audible alert is crucial in environments with high noise levels where a visual alert alone may not be sufficient to gain attention. Other responses, such as just a visual alert or activating only in emergencies, do not reflect the intent of the rate alarm meter, which is to provide immediate and clear warnings in real-time hazardous situations. Additionally, ignoring low radiation signals is not aligned with the core function of a rate alarm meter, as it is designed to constantly monitor and alert users to all relevant radiation levels, rather than dismissing them.