Regulation · 8 min read

How does ORNI work in Switzerland?

The Swiss ORNI (NISV) is among the strictest non-ionising radiation ordinances in the world. Here is how the 1 µT installation limit value actually applies in practice.

Two levels of limits

ORNI distinguishes exposure limit values, derived from ICNIRP and aimed at acute health protection, from installation limit values, which apply precautionarily to individual installations.

For 50 Hz installations the installation limit value is 1 µT, evaluated at places of sensitive use in the operating mode that produces the highest field.

Places of sensitive use

These include rooms in buildings where people regularly spend extended periods: apartments, offices, schools, hospitals, and also designated but not yet built plots of land.

Technical rooms, corridors, garages and storage areas are generally not places of sensitive use, which frequently opens practical design freedom.

The approval path

A compliance dossier is submitted with the building or installation permit. It must document sources, currents, geometry and the resulting predicted field at all relevant points.

Cantonal authorities review the dossier, and verification measurements are typically required after commissioning. Planning compliance early is far cheaper than retrofitting shielding into a finished building.

Start a project

Tell us the field level you need. We will tell you how to reach it.

A first assessment by one of our engineers is free of charge and usually takes less than 48 hours.