FAQs

Laser & fibre safety

Monitor with Integrity

Customer safety is of foremost importance to Sensornet. This is why we only sell DTS systems with a Class 1M rating*. This means that the DTS laser is safe under all reasonable circumstances, provided that you do not view the end of the fibre with optical aids. The 1M laser safety rating means that an onsite laser safety supervisor is not required at site of installation.

Laser Classifications

Lasers vary greatly in output power and other parameters. They are categorised by the relevant safety standard (i.e. BS EN-60825, IEC 60825-2) into four classes of increasing risk level:

  • Class 1 (e.g. CD writer, laser printer) - safe under all foreseeable conditions 
  • Class 1M (e.g. Sensornet DTS) - do not use optical instruments
  • Class 2 (e.g. Laser pointers)
  • Class 2M
  • Class 3R (e.g. CD laser diode) - damaging to the eye
  • Class 3B - up to 500mW
  • Class 4 (e.g. laser welding machines) - damaging to eye and skin

Sensornet DTS Safety Features

The DTS has numerous laser safety features to make the instrument as user friendly and safe as can be. Sensornet carries out training courses to ensure that your DTS operators are completely familiar with safety precautions. We incorporate several main safety features into our DTS units:

  • Laser key switch
  • User remote interlock feature
  • Shuttered fiber connector

Laser Safety Precautions

Please remember that the light emitted from the DTS laser is INVISIBLE. Sensornet highlights the following main laser safety precautions to be put into practise whenever using any DTS instrument: 

  • Never look directly into the laser emission aperture
  • Never look directly into the end of a fiber cable
  • Always ensure laser is OFF before disconnecting the optical path
  • Keep fiber and cable ends clean
  • Never attempt to open the cover of a DTS unit

General Fibre Optic Safety

Sensornet recommends the following safety practises to be taken into account at all times: 

  • Optical fibres are very sharp and can get embedded in the skin
  • Dispose of all fragments properly – use sharps box
  • Pick up with tape or tweezers – not fingers 
  • Wear smooth clothing
  • Sharps containers – dispose of properly, and do not overfill
  • Beware where others are working and consider safety of others 
  • Keep food & drink away

*The Sentinel DTS has been independently classified to EN 60825-1 (2001-03) as a Class 1M laser product.


Examples of typical laser safety warning labels:

 

 


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