IEEE N42.38-2015

N42.38-2015 is a standard for based portal monitors used in homeland security, providing guidance for equipment that detects and screens radiation at controlled entry points. It is relevant to fields, waves and electromagnetics as well as power, energy, and industrial applications because these systems depend on reliable sensing and consistent response. For organizations that specify or evaluate portal monitors, this technical document helps support safer operation, clearer procurement, and more consistent performance expectations.

N42.38-2015 overview

This standard addresses the technical context of fixed, based portal monitors used to screen people, vehicles, or cargo for radiological detection purposes. N42.38-2015 is typically associated with performance-oriented requirements, helping define how such equipment should be designed, tested, and compared. In practice, it supports more uniform evaluation of detection behavior, operational readiness, and installation suitability. As a superseded standard, it remains useful for understanding earlier requirements and legacy equipment specifications.

Typical use cases

Based portal monitors are commonly used at checkpoints where controlled screening is needed, such as secure facilities, transportation hubs, border-adjacent inspection points, and industrial sites that handle radioactive materials. N42.38-2015 may be used when selecting or reviewing stationary detection systems, planning acceptance testing, or documenting compliance expectations for homeland security workflows. It is especially relevant where alarm response, monitoring consistency, and equipment placement need to be managed with care.

Why this standard matters

This standard matters because portal monitor performance can affect both security decisions and operational safety. Clear requirements help reduce variability between products, support more consistent testing, and make procurement decisions easier to compare. For operators and specifiers, N42.38-2015 can help establish a common basis for evaluating detection capability, installation configuration, and day-to-day reliability. That consistency is important when screening must be dependable and traceable in high-consequence environments.

• Based portal monitors for fixed screening points
• Homeland security detection applications
• Performance and acceptance evaluation context
• Legacy or superseded compliance reference