Specifications

Safety
7
Classification
Laser products are classified according to the highest level of laser
radiation to which human access is possible during operation only.
In this way very high-powered lasers can be enclosed within very
low hazard rated laser products, if the radiation access is prohibited
during the time of actual operation.
Laser Classes are determined by the power and energy level of the
accessible radiation. Each class has a limit determined by a formula
whose arguments are the energy, wavelength and duration of the
accessible radiation.
Class IV is unlimited in power and is the most potentially hazardous
(skin, eye damage), to humans. Class I is the lowest hazard rating
and products in this Class are considered nonhazardous (for infrared
the power limit to Class I is virtually zero for the purpose of this
guideline. i.e. no radiation is accessible during operation).
For G & K-series CO
2
(infrared) lasers, there are really only two
alternatives (Class I or IV), since Class II, IIIa and IIIb are used only
for visible lasers (red to blue). Most CO
2
(infrared) laser systems, as
delivered from laser manufacturers, without beam delivery and
workstations attached, are Class IV lasers (very hazardous) and
carry the highest warnings and controls (like a loaded rifle). If work-
stations and beam guards are added to such a product, such that no
radiation is emitted (or leaks) during operation, then we can Classify
the product as Class I and apply fewer or less restrictive warnings
and controls for the protection of operators and casual observers.
There are occasions when a supplier or system integrator would,
himself, supply a Class IV product (if, for example he was a subcon-
tractor to another supplier who would finish the installation). Such a
subcontractor is permitted to sell the Class IV product, but must still
certify it as such. Also, if other than a Class I product is being sold
or entered into commerce, the access to necessary radiation must be
documented and justified (manufacturers are required to reduce the
accessible radiation to lowest Class that allows the product to func-
tion. For infrared that means provide a Class I product unless you
can justify a Class IV situation).
As more end user customers become more educated in laser safety,
though, almost all laser products are being required (by purchase
order) to be Class I configuration at the completion of installation
(especially true in automotive industry and EC countries) to facili-
tate worker safety.
Performance
A Protective Housing is required for all laser products. The protec-
tive housing must prevent human access to radiation in excess of
Class I (as above) at all places and times the radiation is not neces-