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Old 04-29-2002, 06:19 PM   #1 (permalink)
 
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Are there different kinds? How do I know which one is right for me?

Also, I seem to remember a post by you on proper usage of these, but I can't find it in the search. Could you help me out here?

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Old 04-29-2002, 09:19 PM   #2 (permalink)
 
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Don would be the best to answer this one!
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Old 04-30-2002, 02:43 AM   #3 (permalink)
 
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Shallee:

Too tired tonight but I will answer your question tomorrow.

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Old 04-30-2002, 08:31 PM   #4 (permalink)
 
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Don,
Where are you?
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Old 04-30-2002, 10:45 PM   #5 (permalink)
 
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OK folks, let's talk about hand-held radiometers.

1. The "gold standard" for measuring the irradiance (output) of either a sunlamp or a sunbed will ALWAYS be a spectroradiometer. However, the cost of a spectroradiometer will prevent most tanning salons from buying one.

2. The "difference" between a spectroradiometer and a hand-held radiometer (HHR) is that the former measures the source (non-weighted) irradiance of each and every wavelength from 280 - 400 nm (the UVR range) while a hand-held radiometer looks at a small portion of the complete unweighted spectrum.

3. Both spectroradiometers and hand-held radiometers have their place in the testing of sunlamps and sunbed. Either of them, used properly (i.e., under standardized conditions) can provide valid information; used incorrectly either of them produce GIGO (garbage in - garbage out) data.

4. The most common HHR is the Solartech Model 5.0 that is calibrated to measure total UVA and UVB (280 - 400 nm). The second most common HHR is the Model 6.0 UVB unit that is calibrated to measure UVB (280 - 320 nm). Used together, tanning salon owners can determine an "estimation" of (1) the UVA %; (2) the UVB %. Also, by "reading" the sunlamps in a sunbed when "new" and then measuring them periodically, tanning salon owners can determine the "optimal" time to change their sunlamps (which is at the end of their "useful" life!). In addition, the UVB unit will be the first to "signal" the fact that your acrylic shields are losing their ability to "transmit" UVR.

[Note: Most sunlamp companies recommend that you change your sunlamps when they have lost 30% of their original irradiance (output). In an experiment conducted several times, we have found that very few clients will complain until the sunlamps are between 55 - 60% of original and almost all of them will complain when they reach 50 - 55% of original. Thus, defining the end of their useful life as a 30% decrease from their "new" output (irradiance) gives you a 10% "safety margin" to rely upon.]

5. The next two meters have the same "optics" and they are both reflecting a "weighted" action spectrum but they are calibrated to read differently. The Model 6.5 is calibrated to "read out" in UVI (Ultraviolet Index) units and the Model 7.0 is calibrated to "read out" in MED/hour units. Both units have their place but I believe that the Model 7.0 MED/hour meter is the most valuable of the two (for reasons that will be explained later on).

6. The last HHR is the Model 8.0 that is calibrated to read the UVC wavelength "band" from 246 - 263 nm (254 nm +(-) 8 nm). Other than for research and germicidal lamp testing, this HHR doesn't have much practical application.

So, Let's suppose that you have purchased a Model 7.0 MED/hour HHR and now we will talk about how to control all of the variables so that your results will be comparable to other locations using this same protocol.

1. Canopy vs bench. We have yet to find a sunbed where the irradiance of the bench is "stronger" than the irradiance of the canopy. Thus, the "reading" of the canopy is the most important.

2. Canopy vs facial lamps. In addition, we have not yet seen irradiance from a HP (or tube type) facial lamp that was stronger than the canopy.

3. Measuring the canopy.

[Note: A word about "performance degredation" in sunbeds which will help explain why it is so important to "standardize" all of the testing variables. Over time, the "heat" build up in the sunlamps and the sunbed will "decrease" the irradiance level (i.e., degrade the performance of the unit). With our new "real time" spectroradiometer, we can measure the "rate of change of change" as the performance of the sunbed degrades and you can "see" the same thing with your HHR by taking and recording the "readings" every minute during the session. However, since this is not practical if you have to read 10 - 15 sunbeds, the way to "control" this factor is to read EVERY sunbed at a predetermined time.]

A. We have found that reading our sunbeds the first thing in the morning (when the sunbed is cold) and making the reading 5 minutes into the session is best.

B. We make the reading of the canopy at a point 25 cm above the mattress or bench acrylic at a point directly above where the "belly button" of a tanner would be.

[Note: Buy a 50 cent plastic ruler that is calibrated in both inches and centimeters. Cut the ruler off at 25 cm and attach a piece of "velcro" to both the ruler and the back of the HHR so that the 6 mm "detector" is even with the 25 cm point.]

[Note: With another ruler, measure how far the canopy acrylic is above the 25 cm measurement point. You only have to do this once for each of your sunbeds. This will allow you to see how the "dome" of the canopy affects the irradiance of your sunbeds. The higher the "dome", the farther away from the body are the lamps.]

C. The "reading" will be in MED/hour and first you must multiply the reading by 1.346 to "adjust" the reading to "match" the FDA/CDRH Erythemal Action Spectrum and then you must "divide" this answer by 60 to get MED/minute. [Note: The reason for the "adjustment" is that the Model 7.0 is calibrated at 210 J/m2 and the FDA/CDRH value is 156 J/m2. Thus 210 / 156 = 1.35 adjustment factor.]

Example: 8.9 MED/hour "reading" X 1.35 = 12 MED/hour / 60 = 0.2 MED/minute

D. Divide 0.75 MED by the MED/minute reading calculated in "C" to get the IST (initial session time) for the sunbed.

Example: 0.75 / 0.2 MED/minute = 3.75 (rounded to 4 minutes) IST for "the most sensitive skin type 2, i.e., our skin subtype 2A).

E. Divide 4.0 MED by the MED/minute reading calculated in "C" to get the te (time to 4.0 MEd) time.

Example: 4.0 MED / 0.2 MED/minute = 20 minutes te time.

[Note: The end of the useful life of the sunlamps in the example above would be when the te time reached approximately 28 - 29 minutes.] [Example: 0.2 X .7 - 0.14 and 4.0 MED / 0.14 = 28.6 minutes te time. Alternatively, working from the "original" unajusted reading of 8.9 MED/hour, the time to change the lamps would be when a reading of approximately 6.2 MED/hour was reached. Thus, the Model 7.0 MED/hour meter is perfectly satisfactory for monitoring the life of your sunlamps as well as for the estimation of IST (time to ).75 MED) and te (time to 4.0 MED) time. This is why I recommend that, if you are only going to buy one HHR, that you buy the MED/hour unit.]

Some "fun" and educational "experiments" you may want to try.

1. Run 5 or 6 sessions in a row with a 5 minute "cool down" period between them. Make your "reading" according to the protocol above for each of the 5 or 6 sessions. What you will find (for most sunbeds) is that the "reading" you get on the 5th or 6th session would lead you to believe that your sunlamps are "worn out" and ready to be changed! Now, do the experiment again with a 10 minute "cool down" period and then with a 20 minute "cool down" period. This will show you the "performance degradation" characteristics of your sunbeds and how long it takes them to "recover" after being used.

2. Open the canopy of your sunbed and turn it on. Measure the irradiance "at the acrylic and then back off 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, etc., feet (depends upon the size of your room) and you will see how quickly the "irradiance" drops off over distance.

3. Set up your HHR at 25 cm above the mattress or bottom acrylic and take readings every minute of the session (i.e., for 20 minutes in a 20 minute MTI sunbed). Plot out the MED/hour (or MED/minute) readings on a graph and you will be able to "visualize" the "performance degredation" from the start to the finish of the session. [Note: You will find that the highest reading will come early in the session.] By comparing the "highest" reading with the "lowest" reading, you can determine the "percentage" decrease in performance (i.e., the "performance degredation" of the sunbed.

Finally, we have now added an infrared thermometer ($60.00 @ RadioShack) to our "standard" test gear. We measure the temperature in the sunbed (once again at 25 cm above the acrylic - put some velcro on the back of the thermometer) and above and around the sunbed. This makes it possible to find out if the "cooling" of your tanning room and the tanning bed is optimal.

The "bottom line" is that spending $180.00 for a Model 7.0 HHR and $60.00 for a infrared thermometer will pay BIG dividends. You will pay for the HHR in the savings you will make by not changing your sunlamps "before the end of their useful life" and you will pay for the infrared thermometer by making your salon more comfortable for your clients.

I hope this helps those of you who want to use a HHR. If you want to discuss your readings, post them on "Ask Don", e-mail me at naatso@aol.com, fax them to me at 1-520-323-9127 or call me at 1-520-975-0180.

[Added later in response to an e-mail question: The reason why 25 cm above the mattress or bench acrylic was chosen as the "measuring point" is because this distance best approximates the top surface (skin) of the average American. Holding the HHR against the mattress or bottom acrylic measures the irradiance at a point equal to the inside of your body!]

Don "Proud To Be A Dork" Smith

PS: I'll cover the Ultraviolet Index HHR next.



[ This Message was edited by: Don Smith on 2002-04-30 22:54 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Don Smith on 2002-05-01 01:05 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Don Smith on 2002-05-01 01:32 ][ This Message was edited by: Don Smith on 2002-05-01 08:10 ]
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Old 09-02-2002, 09:27 PM   #6 (permalink)
 
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bump
Thanks SolarMeter

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[ This Message was edited by: neon on 2002-09-02 21:28 ]
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Old 09-02-2002, 09:47 PM   #7 (permalink)
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shallee, i private messaged don's golden rulle to you.
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Old 09-03-2002, 09:51 AM   #8 (permalink)
 
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"C. The "reading" will be in MED/hour and first you must multiply the reading by 1.346 to "adjust" the reading to "match" the FDA/CDRH Erythemal Action Spectrum..."
--------------------------------------------

Note FYI: Model 7.0 meters above serial #00082 are calibrated to the existing FDA value, so you don't need to "bump" the readings.

In ~2 years, FDA may change to what the meters were originally set at, but we'll cross that bridge if and when the time comes!
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