100% Radiation Containment: Custom Lead Cabinet Engineering for Nuclear Pharma Research
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Mars Metal Company/MarShield, Burlington, ON
Posted on Aug 18, 2026
Key Takeaways:
- Tailored Lead Attenuation: To achieve total radiation containment within a compact footprint, MarShield engineered a custom cabinet lined on all six sides with ½” ASTM 99.9% pure lead after standard units failed to meet spatial and workflow requirements.
- Integrated Precision Features: Technical specifications were customized for seamless daily laboratory use, incorporating adjustable shelving, proprietary locking door handles, levelling legs, and a spot-free safety finish.
- Turnkey Safety Compliance: MarShield provided end-to-end management, ensuring long-term durability and regulatory compliance for high-risk nuclear radiopharma environments.
A leading nuclear pharmaceutical research company required a secure and highly effective storage solution for radioactive materials used in research and development activities. The facility needed to reduce radiation exposure for personnel, ensure compliance with stringent radiation safety regulations, and improve the organization of radioactive source storage within a limited laboratory footprint.
Standard storage options did not provide the required shielding performance or accommodate the company’s specific operational workflow.
The client needed a custom lead shielded cabinet capable of safely storing radioactive materials while providing easy access for researchers and maintaining a safe working environment.
How Were Facility Requirements Evaluated to Design the Nuclear Storage Cabinet?
MarShield collaborated closely with the client’s radiation safety team and laboratory personnel to assess shielding requirements, storage capacity needs, and facility constraints.
A comprehensive design review was conducted to determine the appropriate lead shielding thickness, cabinet dimensions, shelving configuration, and access requirements.
Several design iterations were developed and reviewed to ensure the cabinet would provide optimal radiation attenuation, operational efficiency, and long-term durability.
How Were Shielding and Storage Features Integrated into the Cabinet Design?
The custom lead lined cabinet was designed to successfully meet all project objectives and provide the client with a reliable long-term storage solution for radioactive materials. The dimensions of the cabinet were 6’ in height, 3.5’ in depth, and almost 4’ in width.
What Was the Lead Purity and Thickness of the Cabinet?
To ensure complete radiation attenuation, the cabinet was lined on all six sides with ½” ASTM 99.9% pure lead, featuring fully sealed double-door seams and overlap strips.
How Did the Custom Nuclear Storage Cabinet Improve Laboratory Safety and Efficiency?
The final design balanced safety, usability, and compliance while integrating seamlessly into the client’s existing laboratory environment.
The cabinet successfully:
- Reduced radiation exposure levels for laboratory personnel, and improved radiation safety throughout the workspace.
- Enhanced organization and accessibility of radioactive material storage.
- Provided support for regulatory compliance and radiation safety protocols.
- Increased operational efficiency through a customized storage layout.
The completed solution was engineered to provide comprehensive radiation protection while supporting the client’s daily storage and handling requirements. Its durable construction is designed for years of continuous use in a demanding research environment.
Which Manufacturing Protocols Ensured Shielding Integrity and Compliance?
MarShield worked closely with the client to provide a complete turnkey solution. Our process involved:
Radiation shielding assessment and consultation.- Custom cabinet design and engineering.
- Fabrication using heavy-duty steel construction and ASTM pure lead shielding.
- Design of reinforced shelving to support shielded containers and radioactive materials.
- Installation of lockable access doors for enhanced security.
- Quality control inspections to verify shielding integrity and construction accuracy.
- Manufacturing in accordance with ISO-certified processes and industry best practices.
MarShield performed state-of-the-art manufacturing, project management, quality control, and white-glove delivery for this cabinet to meet the stringent requirements of a nuclear radiopharma client.
The customer was highly appreciative of the timely project delivery, open communication, and quality levels delivered by the MarShield team. The cabinet met and exceeded all of the customer’s required criteria and is going to serve the customer’s needs for decades to come.
Facing Complex Shielding and Space Constraints in Your Lab?
Standard, off-the-shelf shielding often falls short when facing unique spatial limitations, high-attenuation demands, or strict workflow requirements. With 45 years of industry experience and CSA N299.3-16 certification, MarShield provides the technical precision and quality assurance required for high-risk nuclear and medical environments.
Partner with our radiation safety and design experts to solve your facility’s toughest radiation protection hurdles. Contact our engineering team today to review your project specifications and receive a custom proposal.
Source Destination: https://marshield.com/nuclear-storage-cabinet-case-study
