a non toxic simulant such as LS1 from Safe Training Systems can be applied to a surface where it will slowly evaporate leaving a small gas cloud, a modified contamination meter can then be used to detect this apparent radiation causing the meter to display counts as if seeing real radiation.

Radiation field simulation is based on the use of a radiofrequency source and detector – the limitation to the range is the available power of the transmitter which in the case of the mini-Source range from STS is approx. 15m.

The radio frequency system used by STS will be attenuated by various materials to varying degrees, glass and thin wood will have a small effect whilst brickwork or concrete walls will cause much higher attenuation and metal will shield the source entirely.

Inverse square law can be demonstrated used the STS radiation field simulation systems – these operate using radio waves which like ionising radiation have an inverse square response.

Liquid (LS1) and solid (SS4) simulants from STS have a shelf life of 5 years from date of manufacture.