CHARM Facility – Terms and Conditions for Users

The CHARM facility is operated by the CERN Beams Department (BE-CEM-EPR section) as a shared research infrastructure.
Access to the facility and the provision of irradiation services are granted under the following terms and conditions, which apply to all users and teams performing experimental activities within CHARM.

By submitting a CHARM Test Request Form and participating in an irradiation campaign, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to these Terms and Conditions, as well as to the CERN Data Privacy Protection Policy.

1. Communication and Coordination

  • Users must keep the CHARM coordination team informed of any modification to their test setup, configuration, or irradiation conditions compared to what was indicated in the original request form.
  • Any change in planning, including postponements or cancellations, must be requested at least five (5) weeks in advance.
  • The CHARM coordination reserves the right to adjust or reschedule tests in order to maintain safe and efficient operation of the facility.

2. Handling and Transport of Irradiated Material

  • After irradiation, setups are temporarily stored in the RP buffer zone 157/R-O21 until they can be safely released.
  • Users must initiate the transport formalities for their irradiated equipment as soon as it becomes available outside the controlled area.
  • If no transport request has been initiated within five (5) weeks after availability, the CHARM team will automatically trigger the transport procedure to the destination specified in the request form.
  • The Budget Code indicated in the request will be charged for the associated transport costs and handling by CERN logistics or external services.
  • Long-term storage of irradiated items at CHARM or in RP buffer zones is not permitted.

3. Safety and Radioprotection

  • All users and team members involved in experimental activities at CHARM must fully comply with CERN Safety and Radioprotection regulations and follow the instructions provided by the CHARM and Radiation Protection (RP) teams.
  • Access to controlled areas is subject to valid CERN training and dosimetry requirements.
  • Users are responsible for ensuring that their setups and activities do not compromise safety, facility operation, or other users’ tests.

4. Dry Run Procedure

  • Before any irradiation campaign, each user team must perform a dry run of their setup under non-irradiated conditions.
  • The dry run allows verification of mechanical integration, cabling, electrical connections, and remote control functionalities of the experiment.
  • The CHARM coordination team will review and validate the outcome of the dry run.
  • Only after a successful dry run can the setup be scheduled for exposure to the radiation field.
  • If a setup fails the dry run or requires modifications, the irradiation may be postponed until all issues are resolved to the satisfaction of the CHARM coordination.

5. Dosimetry and Reference Conditions

  • The dosimetry provided by CHARM refers to the position of the setup facing the target, on the irradiated surface exposed to the particle field.
  • Reported dose or fluence values correspond to these reference conditions and should not be extrapolated to other regions of the setup without appropriate modelling or measurements.

6. Conduct and Responsibility

  • Users must respect the facility schedule, operational limits, and coordination procedures defined by the CHARM team.
  • Failure to comply with the above terms, safety rules, or coordination procedures may result in:
    • Suspension or cancellation of the ongoing test;
    • Revocation of access to the facility;
    • Exclusion from future CHARM campaigns.
  • Users remain responsible for ensuring their equipment, data, and materials are handled according to CERN and national regulations.

7. Data Privacy and Contact

Personal data collected through the CHARM Test Request Form are processed in accordance with the CERN Data Privacy Protection Policy, exclusively for operational, safety, and administrative purposes related to the irradiation activities.

For any question regarding these Terms and Conditions or operational matters, please contact:
CHARM Coordination – BE-CEM-EPR, CERN
charm.coordination@cern.ch

Acknowledgement

By submitting a CHARM Test Request, the user confirms that:

  • They have read and accepted the present Terms and Conditions;
  • They understand and agree to the operational, safety, and administrative rules described above;
  • They acknowledge that failure to comply may result in test revocation and possible restrictions to future access.