Use of the scanner room door

Purpose

This page details how to properly use the RF-shielded door that separates the MR control rooms from the scanner rooms.

Introduction

MR scanner rooms are RF-shielded boxes, a.k.a. Faraday shields.  In order for them to efficiently shield the scanner from all kinds of RF interference, there can be no unfiltered "holes" in the room.  The HVAC vents are filtered, the windows are shielded, and the waveguides are of a dimension that prevent RF from leaking in.  The last penetration point is the door, and the ones we use are somewhat new to the field.  This page explains how to use them, and what to do if they don't pressurize.

Instructions 

1. Make sure that the switch on the "control room side" of the door is off.  The door won't close if it's on, and you could damage the seal by trying to close it while on.
2. Close the door by pulling firmly on the handle provided, making sure that the door is filly closed - seated tightly in the door jam.
3. Flip the switch on the door to the "on" position, and wait about 5 seconds.
4. Test to make sure the door is secure by pushing on the handle just hard enough to make sure it doesn't easily open.
5. When ready to open the door, flip the switch to the "off" position, wait a few seconds, and then press on the handle.

Troubleshooting

The most common problem is that the door will not pressurize when the switch is on.  This is almost always caused by the switch on the "scanner room side" of the door being in the "off" position.  On the backside of the door is another switch.  It has to be "on" for the door to pressurize.  If it isn't, flip it to "on" and try the procedures listed above again.  This switch exists as a sort of escape switch; if you're trapped in the room, you can depressurize the door to get out.  But, of course, it has to be deactivated for the door to work.