A CT installation involves three connected spaces: the scan room (gantry and table), the control room (operator console), and an equipment alcove for the power-distribution and cooling components. Ground-floor placement is the default — structural capacity is easiest to verify at grade, the lead shielding mass is simpler to support, and delivery avoids rigging up stairs or through elevators.
The technologist must keep continuous visual contact with the patient, so a large viewing window, intercom, and safety systems are critical to maintain workflow and security.
| Space | Recommended Size / Requirement |
|---|---|
| Scan Room — Minimum | 18' x 20' (~360 sq ft) |
| Scan Room — Typical | 20' x 24' to 24' x 32' |
| Ceiling Height | 8'-0″ clear min; 9'-0″ preferred |
| Control Room | 10' x 12' minimum |
| Equipment Alcove | 6' x 8' minimum, adjacent |
Shielding is the single most consequential element of a CT site plan, and every plan must be calculated and stamped by a qualified medical physicist based on workload, kVp, and adjacent occupancy. The guidance below is typical practice — the physicist's signed report is what you build to.
| Element | Typical Lead Thickness |
|---|---|
| Walls | 1/16″ min; 0.5″–1.0″ for high-workload rooms |
| Doors | 0.25″–0.5″ lead equivalent |
| Ceiling | 1/16″ min when occupied space is above |
| Operator Barrier | 0.25″–0.5″ with leaded viewing window |
| Concrete Equivalent | 4–6″ standard concrete ≈ 1/16″ lead |
Wall shielding extends continuously from floor to at least 7 ft above finished floor, lapped at all seams. All planning operates under ALARA — occupational safety first.
A CT X-ray tube dissipates 7–10 kW during scanning. Water-cooled gantries route a closed chilled-water loop out of the room for tighter temperature control and quieter operation, at the cost of more involved installation and maintenance. Air-cooled gantries dump heat into the room — faster and cheaper to install, but the room HVAC must be sized for that thermal load.
CT scanners are designed to run continuously, so the HVAC serving the suite must run 24/7 — not on the building schedule that powers down after hours.
| Parameter | Recommended Range |
|---|---|
| Scan Room Temperature | 64°F – 75°F |
| Relative Humidity | 30% – 60%, non-condensing |
| Air Changes | ≥ 6 per hour |
| Filtration | MERV 13 or better |
CT scanners draw substantial power with sharp current spikes during exposure. All work must comply with local electric codes and be performed by a qualified contractor.
| Item | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Main Service | 208V or 480V three-phase, dedicated |
| Continuous Load | 20–50 kVA (by slice count and cooling type) |
| Peak Scanning Load | Up to 100 kVA |
| Emergency Power Off | Required button located in the scan room |
A modern multi-slice CT gantry weighs 4,000–6,500 lb plus a 400–600 lb table. Confirm whether rigging is included in your purchase agreement before final delivery.
| Access Route Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Clear Width Along Path | 8'-0″ minimum |
| Clear Ceiling Height | 9'-0″ minimum |
| Doors Width | 4'-0″ minimum wide active leaf |
Permanent radiation warning signage and pregnancy-notification signage are required at suite and scan-room entries. A well-designed suite ensures comfortable and efficient movement of patients from reception to discharge.
A refurbished CT installation typically runs 4 to 8 weeks — significantly shorter than MRI because there is no superconducting magnet, RF shield test, or complex cryogen logistics.
Our project management team will walk your site, identify the radiation shielding requirements specific to your space, and build a realistic timeline and budget around your facility.
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