Radiation protection

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radiation protection

Lead - the best defence against radiation protection 

When specifying products for radiation protection you need a product and supplier you can trust. Lead is regarded as the most reliable barrier against ionising radiation, providing excellent, durable protection at minimal thickness.  Here at Midland Lead, we’ve been supplying lead for radiation protection for decades. We understand the technical requirements and the regulatory standards and can help you specify the best lead-based solution for your clients’ needs. 

benefits of lead

Why choose lead for radiation shielding? 

Lead is dense

Lead contains a large number of atoms in a small volume. This high density makes it very effective at absorbing and scattering ionising radiation such as X-rays and gamma rays

Lead is cost effective

Lead is relatively inexpensive and widely available compared to other dense metals like gold or platinum

Lead is flexible

Lead is soft and malleable, allowing it to be shaped easily to form snug barriers around equipment, or to create tailored radiation shields

Lead is thin

Lead provides effective radiation shielding even in thin layers. This is particularly beneficial in areas where space is limited, such as medical facilities, nuclear plants, and portable shielding equipment

Lead is stable and durable

Lead is chemically stable and doesn’t corrode easily. It’s resistant to damage from radiation exposure, ensuring long-lasting radiation protection

meeting or exceeding regulatory standards

Safety, service and experience 

When supplying lead for radiation protection, the safety of patients and healthcare staff is Midland Lead’s top priority.

We take this responsibility very seriously, so you’ll find that all our products meet or exceed the latest regulatory standards: 

  • Our product range is compliant with European and International standards.

  • ISO 9001 accredited quality process and BS, EN and ISO standards where applicable 

  • Our lead bricks meet ISO 7212 and ISO 9404 for use in lead shielding 

  • British Board of Agrément (BBA) certification 

  • CE mark BS EN 14783, confirming our lead sheet’s suitability for use as an internal lining material 

  • Compliance with the Ionising Radiations regulations 1999 (IRR99) and the Environmental Permitting regulations 2010 (EPR2010) for use of radiation protection in healthcare and veterinary settings 

  • Working to NHS Estates Health Building Note guidance 

assured safety

Lead bricks 

Lead bricks offer assured safety where higher levels of radiation protection are required, such as gamma knife radiosurgery units, high dose radiation (HDR) and multi-modality rooms. Our lead bricks come in a range of standard and bespoke sizes and weights, and all meet ISO 7212 and ISO 9404 standards for use in lead shielding.  

These chevron blocks or interlocking bricks are designed with interlocking v-shaped edges, to eliminate leakage at corners, edges or curves.  

trusted by builders and contractors

Lead-lined boards 

Midland Lead offers the widest range of standard and bespoke lead-lined boards in the UK, all carefully made by our friendly team at our manufacturing site in Derbyshire. Our lead-lined boards are trusted by builders and contractors nationally and globally to provide dependable protection against harmful levels of radiation.  

Product information

Depending on the application, you can choose lead sheet board lining in varying thicknesses, ranging from Code 1 (0.45mm) through to Code 8 (3.55mm) and many thicknesses between.

Our lead sheet can also be bonded to various types of board material – in most cases plasterboard/gypsum, but other base materials are available. Encapsulation and laminating finishes are also available, and we can accommodate bespoke board sizes in addition to our standard board size (2.4m x 600mm).  

Flexibility is our middle name here at Midland Lead!  Whether you are planning a major project or just need some advice, contact us to discuss your requirements. 

industry standards

We partner with the industry experts in radiation protection

We work closely with Radiation Protection Advisors (RPAs), plus industry bodies such as The Society for Radiological Protection (SRP) and the British Institute of Radiology (BIR). This ensures we remain at the forefront of new developments and industry standards.  After all, RPAs, Midland Lead and our customers all share a common goal – to protect staff and patients from hazards associated with ionising radiation, whilst working together to create quality, efficient workspaces.  

Protecting healthcare facilities all over the world 

Our lead-lined boards and lead bricks provide radiation protection in hospitals, clinics, dental surgeries and veterinary practices all over the world.

  • Birmingham Dental Hospital

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  • CT scanning facility for veterinary hospital Northwest Surgeons

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  • Hope Dental Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania

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  • Imaging Centre for Excellence, Glasgow

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  • MTX Provide New Hospital Facilities

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  • The Royal Liverpool University Hospital

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  • The Royal London Hospital

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  • State-of-the-art CT Scanning Suite Fitted Out for Willows Veterinary Hospital

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  • Sidra Medical & Research Centre, Qatar

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frequently asked questions

Radiation Protection FAQs

Lead sheet can be bonded to various types of boards, and we don’t suggest that one type of board is better than another.

In most cases we use plasterboard/gypsum – an excellent choice for screens and window coverings. But other types of board are also available, including MDF and Plywood (lead bonded to plywood is a good choice for floors and ceilings)
The thickness of the lead you need is dictated by the x-rays (in kv) that you will be protecting against. We can supply thicknesses from 1.0 mm (giving protection against 75 kv) up to 9mm.

Please refer to a Radiation Protection Advisor for official approval of your specific requirements.
It depends! A great feature of thin lead sheet is its adaptability. It is a malleable material, so it can be wrapped around pipes or used in aprons and curtains as well as being built into walls, doors and window frames.

Lead-lined boards provide heavy-duty protection even where there aren’t any walls for you to bond lead sheet onto. Lead-lined boards also provide portable protection, including x-ray screens.

We generally use 2.4m x 600mm x 12.5mm plasterboard/gypsum – and can supply boards up to a maximum length of 3.0m.

For other types of boards – plywood and MDF – we offer different thicknesses, from 4mm up to 25mm, depending on the board type.

For gypsum boards, our standard width is 600mm.