IEC TR 60825-3:2008

Safety of laser products - Part 3: Guidance for laser displays and shows

This part of IEC 60825, which is a technical report, gives guidance on the planning and design, set-up and conduct of laser displays and shows that make use of high power lasers. The laser power needed to produce effective theatrical or artistic displays in large spaces such as theatres, arenas, or architectural sites is great enough to pose a severe accidental exposure hazard, even when personal exposure is very brief. For this reason, subclause 4.1.5 of IEC/TR 60825-14 specifies that only laser products that are Class 1, Class 2 or visible-beam Class 3R should be used for demonstration, display or entertainment purposes in unsupervised areas. Laser products of other classes should only be permitted under carefully controlled conditions and under the control of a trained experienced operator. The guidance provided in this technical report is not intended to include the display or demonstration of scientific, medical or industrial laser products. However, many of the principles in this guidance may be relevant. This guidance provides recommendations for safety for those laser displays or demonstrations that are shows, artistic displays, advertising or light sculptures, or museum pieces used to demonstrate optical principles, etc. Laser products available for use in a domestic environment or for use by people who cannot be expected to have received a suitable level of training should be Class 1, Class 2 or visible beam Class 3R. Therefore, such equipment is outside the scope of this guidance. This guidance is intended to be used by those who:
- design, manufacture, assemble, install or operate laser products that are Class 4, Class 3B, or non-visible beam Class 3R for display and entertainment purposes;
- operate arenas, theatres, planetaria, discotheques or other places where such laser products may be installed and operated; or
- are responsible for reviewing the safety of such equipment, installations or displays.
This guidance is not normative, but rather a code of practice for the design, installation, operation and evaluation of the safety of laser light shows and displays, and the equipment employed in their production. This guidance is also intended for persons who modify laser display installations or equipment. This guidance contains safety criteria for the protection of the public or persons in the vicinity of laser displays in the course of their employment. In some countries, there may be specific requirements, such as government permissions or notifications of shows, or prohibitions, such as against laser scanning of spectators without appropriate safeguards. This guidance is not to be understood as in conflict with such requirements but merely to be supplementary. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1995. It constitutes a technical revision. The main changes since the first edition include
- clarification of the scope;
- specific guidance on factors to take into account regarding scanning safeguards;
- clarification of the records to be maintained; and
- modification of the requirements for the zones where unattended laser projectors are used.

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