Knauf Safeboard - Alternative Product to Lead Lined Plasterboard

Building rooms for x-ray usage - whether it is for hospitals, veterinary practices or dentistry (stomatology) uses - is usually a precise, technical and complicated affair using specialised materials including heavy mass filled products, possible double layered walls, lead lined backing boards with joints lined with lead.

Welcome to a new era as we are now stocking the all-new Knauf Safeboard panels and Knauf Safeboard Joint Filler.

These boards effectively shields against x-rays without adding a lead lining. They are suitable for use on walls, partitions and ceilings. There are great advantages to this new board as they do not contain lead which is an expensive material and complicated to handle due to its toxic nature.

The new Knauf SAFEBOARD BR13 from the Knauf Safeboard range is a 12.5mm thick gypsum plasterboard, measuring 625mm wide x 2400mm long, and is compliant with NF EN 520:2009, with an ivory facing on the visible side. The longitudinal edges are Round Edges and the transverse edges are Straight Edges. In addition to gypsum, the board contains a new compound, made from a specialised gypsum based product containing barium sulfate, that gives it the power to act as a barrier to the emission of X-rays into adjacent premises (provided that the joints are treated with the associated Knauf Safeboard plaster Joint Filler and Tape). The board has a yellow colour to its interior core.

Advantages to Knauf Safeboard

  • Being a non-toxic material, as opposed to lead, this product is safer and more environmentally friendly.
  • It is easier to handle, cut and install compared to lead sheets allowing for a faster and simpler installation.
  • Safeboard panels provide a seamless protection when correctly installed and does away with a need for additional lead linings or barriers.

Another plus, if the use of the room changes from being used for x-rays, these SafeBoards can be kept in place, being lead free.

A bit of advice, before starting your X-ray room build or upgrade, a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) must be consulted as they will assess the level of shielding required in the walls. This level or grading will differ dependent upon the usage of the room. A RPA will also verify health and safety guidance regarding ionising radiation regulations. HSE provides more details on the rules and regulations of radiation within the Approved Codes of Practice guidance.

To build the walls, partitions, it is recommended to use metal studs instead wood due to their durability and fire resistance qualities. Studs are to be spaced according to the structural requirements of the wall, partition and based on its height but studs are generally spaced with a maximum of centres at 600mm c/c.

Knauf Safeboards are generally installed vertically, ensuring a snug fit between panels. Generally, appropriate screws for plasterboards can be used, with typical spacings for plasterboards.

Some rooms or uses may require a radiation protection primer (shielding layer) to ensure any remaining micro-gaps are covered for full protection, especially if the room has a very high radiation output. Always consult the Knauf Safeboard product guidance or a radiation expert on this requirement.

Of course, always wear appropriate PPE when handling, cutting and working with the materials such as gloves, appropriate type of face dust masks and eye protection wear.

If a double layer of boards is required or preferred, stagger the joints between boards to avoid leakage along and through joints.

A crucial part of installation is to use Knauf’s specialised accessories including their SafeBoard Joint Filler and Tape to ensure the required sealing for joints, fillings and any small holes.

Cover all joints with the appropriate Knauf Joint Tape, embedding it in the filler to ensure a smooth and uniform seal. If more than one layer of boards are used, repeat the filling and taping per board layer for complete protection.

Apply Knauf Safeboard Joint Filler fully between the panel’s joints, including corners, floor and ceiling junctions, to create a seamless shield. Thus to ensure that there are no gaps where radiation could escape. Screw heads should be covered with the filler.

In a subsequent operation, create a smooth and levelled transition to the board surface with Knauf Uniflott.

Once the walls are fully built, arrange for a radiation leakage test to be done by a qualified and certified technician to check for any potential gaps or weak points in the shielding of the construction. If any areas are identified as inadequate, apply additional SafeBoard layers or filler as necessary.

A finished painting coat can be applied with a suitable finish as appropriate.

Openings within the walls, such as for doors and windows, must provide a solid barrier and may require additional metal framing to accommodate radiation-shielded doors and leaded glass to be used for the windows. Lead lining and proper sealants are to be placed around door and window openings (including windows within doors) to prevent radiation from escaping.

An appropriate solid concrete floor should be in place, of an adequate thickness, to prevent radiation passing through the slab.

Knauf SAFEBOARD BR13 from the Knauf Safeboard range is primarily intended for use in partition walls, partitions and ceilings in:

  • New construction or renovation
  • Interior spaces classified as EA - EB
  • Areas requiring protection against ionising radiation
  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Universities and laboratories
  • Research institutes
  • Radiology and dental practices
  • Temporary storage of contaminated sources or products

In summary, the use of Knauf Safeboard ensures effective radiation shielding while simplifying the installation process, allowing facilities to meet safety standards. In many cases, it can replace plasterboard combined with lead sheets.

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Addendum

Knauf SafeBoard Filler:

Substrate and pretreatment

The substrate must be stable, dry, firm and sufficiently dimensionally stable. Safeboards should be mounted on a solid construction, be dry, clean and the joint areas should be free from dust.

Application

  • Sprinkle Knauf Safeboard Filler in cold clean water up to close below the water line (5 kg in approx. 2 l water). After waiting for 2-3 minutes, mix the powder and water with a mechanical mixer at low speed a homogeneous mixture is obtained.
  • Water and plaster should not be added to the dough mortar.
  • Application should be done in cases where there is no dimensional change due to humidity or temperature differences.
  • Apply in usually two operations; fill joints fully in the first operation with
  • Knauf Safeboard Filler. Create a smooth and levelled transition to the board surface with Knauf Uniflott in the second operation.
  • Screw heads should be covered with filler.
  • It is recommended to sand with a fine sandpaper after drying.