On a survey map, what does a triangle indicate?

• A. Location of a smear
• B. Dose rate measurement
• C. Step-off pad
• D. Location of air sample

Answer: (D)

Survey maps use symbols to show where different monitoring activities were conducted, so you can trace results back to specific locations. A triangle on the map is used to mark where an air sample was taken, helping you track airborne radioactivity and assess inhalation risk at that spot. This is different from where surface contaminations are sampled (smears), where the symbol is typically something else, or from dose rate measurements, which are marked with their own symbol. The step-off pad location, being a physical feature rather than a sampling point, would also be represented by a different symbol. Always refer to the map legend, but in standard survey maps the triangle designates an air sample location.