Guidance

Aviation security equipment exempt from DfT approval

Updated 28 October 2022

The following screening equipments are not tested and listed by the DfT. Although the DfT does not assess these equipments before they are operationally deployed, the directed party (operator) should ensure that the equipment meets the specific functionality and operational tests below. The DfT assesses these under routine compliance inspections on all operational equipment.

X-ray equipment

The DfT does not approve conventional transmission X-ray systems (this applies only to X-ray systems that do not have any EDS capability). Whilst the DfT does not certify or type-test these systems, any X-ray screening equipment must meet the following specification:

Image quality requirement

The image quality requirement for 2D X-ray images can be met by imaging the standard test piece (STP) and confirming that each test is met to the required standard. A satisfactory STP test must be achieved for each image that is available to an operator for screening. UK airports using X-ray equipment are required to test as prescribed in the Single Consolidated Direction.

Image enhancement functions

X-ray equipment must include the following standard image enhancement features to enhance the image deployed on the screen:

• the capability of at least 2 times zoom on any part of the image
• video inversion (the ability to display a monochrome image with white displayed as black, and black displayed as white)
• an edge-enhancement feature
• organic and inorganic stripping
• any selected function shall reset automatically when the next object is being screened
• visual indication of materials it cannot penetrate

Cargo X-ray screening

• all Cargo X-ray screening equipment must have at least dual view capability
• items screened must be examined from at least two different angles with at least 60º and no more than 90º rotation by the same screener
• where the X-ray equipment has an image retention facility, an image of each screened item must be retained for at least 7 days in a format that can be retrieved

Hand-held metal detector equipment (HHMD)

The DfT does not certify or mandate settings for HHMD. Where HHMD is used, it should meet the following minimum specifications:

• HHMD shall be able to detect ferrous and non-ferrous metallic items - detection and identification of the position of the detected metal shall be indicated by means of an alarm
• the means for adjusting the sensitivity settings of HHMD shall be protected and accessible only to authorised persons
• HHMD shall give an audible alarm when it detects metallic items - the alarm shall be noticeable at a range of 1 metre
• performance of HHMD shall not be affected by sources of interference * HHMD shall have a visual indicator to show that the equipment is in operation

There is no current UK test method to ‘approve’ these specifications but if you are purchasing or using HHMD you should satisfy yourself that the equipment conforms to these principles.

Walk through metal detectors (WTMD)

The DfT no longer certifies or provides initial installation settings for WTMD.

Initial settings for any purchased WTMD should be set at installation by the manufacturer. Daily and weekly tests should be carried out by the directed party to ensure compliance with standards defined in the Single Consolidated Direction and in the event of any test failure, sensitivity settings must be optimized to ensure compliance. This may result in different settings being used on 2 examples of the same WTMD type due to environmental conditions at the installation sites.

WTMD must also include the capability for setting an automatic random alarm function on non-alarming passengers.