Hazards associated with the vacuum system are due to the rapid decompression due to a window failure. Loud noise will cause hearing loss. To mitigate the hazard, all personnel in the vicinity of the large chamber with a
window are required to wear ear protection when the chamber is under vacuum. Warning signs must be posted at the area.
The scattering chamber is equipped with a large 7 mil kapton window that allows the spectrometers to swing from 12.5 to 165 on the EA and 12.5 to 140 on the HA.
At the inlet of the sieve slit a moller 4" diameter 5 mil kapton window is provided to separate the target chamber from the spectrometers.
Finally under the detectors a 4 mil titanium window is provided. Eventually this will be replaced with a low mass mylar/kevlar window.
The 1 /s vac ion and the cold cathode gauges operate at several KV; consequently there is also a shock hazard.
Additionally, all vacuum vessels and piping are designed as pressure vessels.