This part of ISO 10648 applies to enclosures or enclosure lines intended to be used for work on:

• radioactive and/or toxic products where containment is required for protection of personnel and environment,
• sensitive products requiring a special atmosphere and/or a sterile medium.

This part of ISO 10648 deals with three types of containment enclosure:

• glove boxes,
• tong boxes, and
• containment enclosures with larger dimensions, used with remote manipulators mounted behind independent shielding.

Some dimensions of the last two types will be given in a subsequent International Standard dealing with the mounting of tongs and manipulators.

The following enclosures have been deliberately excluded from the scope of this part of ISO 10648:

• pressurized vessels,
• ventilated hoods,
• shielded enclosures, manufactured from concrete only, with or without cladding, or from lead only,
• sealed sources,
• transport packaging for radioactive materials,
• enclosures, primary circuits and vessels of nuclear reactors.

This part of ISO 10648 describes the use and principles of design for containment enclosures chosen as reference examples of the three following types:

• plastic enclosures,
• metal-framed enclosures,
• hot-worked metal enclosures.

The last two types can be mounted behind shielding or can have directly attached shielding.

Where standard dimensions are not suitable, other dimensions may be chosen but the containment enclosure shall comply with this part of ISO 10648 in design principles, mounting and assembly. It shall also comply with relevant safety standards and regulations.

Examples of various seals available and the assembly of containment enclosures are shown in annexes A and B. ISO 10648-2 gives the classification of containment enclosures according to their leak tightness and associated checking methods.

Associated equipment will be detailed in future International Standards.