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Our product recommendation is based entirely on the needs of the client.
ANSI Z136.1-2007 section 4.3.10.2.2 provides a choice of three control methods for accommodating a class 4 laser area. The first two methods are known as "non-defeatable" and "defeatable" engineered safety controls. The third method, called the "procedural" method, is recommended if, and only if, the first two methods are not feasible or are inappropriate. The procedural method is not an engineered safety control and should only be used for laser systems in the medical field on a live patient where the laser is under the active control of a trained medical professional.
The links below provide a few case examples of the systems we typically provide to clients:
Figure 1 depicts a typical class 4 laser area utilizing non-defeatable engineered safety controls. Non-defeatable simply implies the interlock cannot be overridden for access. The entryway door is monitored by a safety circuit that shuts down the laser or closes a laser shutter if the door is opened. The system must be manually re-armed to resume operation.
Advantages:
- Highest level of safety
- Lowest cost
- Eliminates the need for laser curtains
Disadvantages:
- Only useful for supervised laser operation (Operator cannot exit room)
Typical Cost: $1100 for a complete system with single door monitor. Additional doors can be monitored as needed by simply adding additional monitoring modules.
figure 1
figure 2
Figure 2 depicts a typical class 4 laser area utilizing defeatable engineered safety controls. This method of control permits unrestricted ingress and egress of qualified laser-trained workers while restricting access to untrained or unauthorized personnel. The system uses a magnetic lock* and coded access controller.
Advantages:
- High level of safety
- Unrestricted access for qualified workers
- Informational electronic tone enunciation of door activity to warn of entry, exit, and door open timer
- Permits long term (hours, days, months...) experiments without interruption
- Laser can run unattended
Disadvantages:
- Curtain or appropriate beam block required to limit exposure at entryway to less than maximum permissible exposure during access
Typical Cost: $2290 for a complete system with single door controls. Additional doors can be configured for defeatable or non-defeatable access as needed.
* For over 40 years, the magnetic lock has been used as the standard means of implementing defeatable access control for laser areas. We offer magnetic lock access systems, but we are also proud to announce the release of our newest product, the LSS-2386 Defeatable Access Control Kit with Electronic Mortise Latch. See our technical data page for more information about this unique innovation.
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