One area that often is ignored is the door frame on which dirt and other materials build up over time and can interfere with the shield’s ability to block out radiofrequency waves.

“All HVAC in and out of the room will be a honeycomb mesh,” says Wilkens. “Over time the return will start to collect dust on the mesh and too much will start affecting the HVAC. These are easy to clean with a shop vacuum outside the room and long hose. You do not want to wipe with a rag as they can be bent fairly easy.”
Another overlooked element of shield maintenance involves the installation of new equipment, such as LED lights, which may require particular design and set-up to ensure they will not damage the efficacy of the shield.
Even more complex is breaching the wall where the shield lies to install wires and probes of different devices. This goes for equipment both in and outside the MR room as well as security technology and ferromagnetic detectors.

It is advised that providers seek out experienced contractors and set up communication between them and the shield vendors for extra support and to ensure proper installation.

Shield Edict
The best way to preserve the life of a shield involves prepping for installation, overseeing the installation and setting up a routine check a minimum of once a year following the installation. This includes checking doors for dirt or material buildup, conducting RF interference tests when new magnets are installed and determining the type of care a shield needs based on its location and design. In addition, look to a RF vendor with long term proven solutions and financial strength in case you do run into issues.

Some of these problems can be reduced or simplified, using specific equipment or certain tactics.

"Selecting a door with basic features can provide longer term performance and machined construction,” says Geiger. “High acoustic ratings are the most popular selections. Features with auto retracting latches or automatic opening controls are common issues in any style door that require routine maintenance and upkeep.”

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