Many people in the Laser Light Show industry for one reason or another are under the assumption that the New York State regulations as they relate to lasers were originally intended for only industrial lasers. They say, "oh yeah, that certification is really only good if you want to become a carpenter and learn how to align walls straight." Or I've even heard, "now you'll be able to certify laser-cutting machines." This is simply not the case! Back in 1978, about six years after the original Code Rule 50 was composed, the Department of Labor issued a document about the guidelines of Laser Light Shows for New York State. So even back then they knew about laser light shows, and Code Rule 50 "lasers" coincides with laser light show regulations greatly. The following is a copy of the document, "New York State Guidelines for Laser Light Shows" - revised Febuary, 1978:
( 1 ) Each laser facility and mobile laser shall be registered in
accordance with the provisions of Code Rule 50.
( 2 ) The laser operator shall demonstrate his competency to operate
laser safely by having taken and passed an acceptable laser
training course such as given at several universities or
sponsored by technical organizations or have at least one year
experience as a laser operator and be certified as a mobile laser
operator in accordance with provisions of Section 50.9 of Code
Rule 50.
( 3 ) Before a laser show is permitted to open (either at a permanent
or temporary site) the show's laser safety officer (LSO) shall
provide principal Radiophysicist, Radiological Health Unit,
Division of Safety and Health, with a sketch showing the beam
path, velocity of scanned beam in occupied areas or where beam
strikes the wall or other structure. In case of open air shows
where the laser is projected into the sky the LSO shall provide
the spot power and energy densities at 0.5 and 1 miles from laser
and contact Federal Aviation Administration for air space
approval. Include in report an analysis to show that laser beam
exposure levels in occupied areas and where beam strikes the wall
or other structure are as fellows:
Less than or equal to 1 microwatt per cm2, CW mode and
Less than or equal to 1 microjoule per cm2, pulse mode,
in spectral range from 400to 700 nanometers.
( 4 ) The laser shall meet the following specifications:
( a ) Total maximum laser power output for all laser lines and
before optics shall be less than 5 watts.
( b ) The spectral laser emission shall be in the range from 400 to
700 nanometers only.
( c ) A conveniently accessible point near the output of the laser
shall be available to insert a power meter to
check the laser power level or such power measurement
capability shall be built into equipment for direct read-out.
( 5 ) The following precautions shall be taken during alignment
procedures:
( a ) Alignment of laser optics:
( i ) This will be done only by a qualified individual with
beam power turned down as far as practicable,
( ii ) The public shall not be present,
( iii ) Protective goggles shall be worn where necessary.
( b ) Alignment of scanning laser beam patterns:
( i ) This will be done by person approved in Item (2),
( ii ) The laser shall, be in scanning mode,
( iii ) In spectral range from 400 to 700 nanometers the
maximum permissible exposure levels of the scanning
laser beam shall be as follows:
less than or equal to 1 microwatt per cm2, CW mode and
less than or equal to 1 microjoule per cm2,
pulse mode in all occupied areas and where the beam
strikes the wall or other structure.
( iv ) No laser radiation outside spectral range between 400
to 700 nanometers shall be emitted.
( 6 ) The laser system shall be rigidly fixed on a secure mounting.
( 7 ) Unless the scanning laser beam has two independent interlocks
which shall turn the beam off: or deflect beam away from exit
aperture, in case the beam stops scanning, the laser beam must be
terminated by the fire retardant material.
( 8 ) On-stage an area on both sides of laser beam path shall be
designated a high radiation area and barriers shall limit access
to this area while laser is operating.
( 9 ) The laser control console shall be sited in a position such that
the acting area, beam path and laser display can be viewed by
operator.
( 10 ) In cases where "mirror balls" are used the maximum permissible
exposure levels as given in (5) (b) (iii) for the spectral range
from 400 - 700 nanometers shall be measured or calculated while
mirror ball is in stationary mode.
( 11 ) No specularly scattering foils or metallic strips shall be
injected into laser beam during light show.
( 12 ) The laser shall be capped or effectively enclosed while not in
use.
( 13 ) Before each laser show the output laser beam power shall be
checked and recorded and all safety interlocks shall be checked.
( 14 ) The laser shall be equipped with a key operated "ON-OFF" switch
and when the authorized operator leaves the laser area he shall
turn off the laser and remove key.
( 15 ) All safety interlocks shall be of the type that will not
automatically restart laser when fault is removed.
( 16 ) All electrical wiring and connections shall meet requirements of
National Electrical Code and local fire codes.
If you have any questions about these New York laser light show guidelines go to the contact page and let me and LaserJockey Inc. know.
( 1 ) Each laser facility and mobile laser shall be registered in
accordance with the provisions of Code Rule 50.
( 2 ) The laser operator shall demonstrate his competency to operate
laser safely by having taken and passed an acceptable laser
training course such as given at several universities or
sponsored by technical organizations or have at least one year
experience as a laser operator and be certified as a mobile laser
operator in accordance with provisions of Section 50.9 of Code
Rule 50.
( 3 ) Before a laser show is permitted to open (either at a permanent
or temporary site) the show's laser safety officer (LSO) shall
provide principal Radiophysicist, Radiological Health Unit,
Division of Safety and Health, with a sketch showing the beam
path, velocity of scanned beam in occupied areas or where beam
strikes the wall or other structure. In case of open air shows
where the laser is projected into the sky the LSO shall provide
the spot power and energy densities at 0.5 and 1 miles from laser
and contact Federal Aviation Administration for air space
approval. Include in report an analysis to show that laser beam
exposure levels in occupied areas and where beam strikes the wall
or other structure are as fellows:
Less than or equal to 1 microwatt per cm2, CW mode and
Less than or equal to 1 microjoule per cm2, pulse mode,
in spectral range from 400to 700 nanometers.
( 4 ) The laser shall meet the following specifications:
( a ) Total maximum laser power output for all laser lines and
before optics shall be less than 5 watts.
( b ) The spectral laser emission shall be in the range from 400 to
700 nanometers only.
( c ) A conveniently accessible point near the output of the laser
shall be available to insert a power meter to
check the laser power level or such power measurement
capability shall be built into equipment for direct read-out.
( 5 ) The following precautions shall be taken during alignment
procedures:
( a ) Alignment of laser optics:
( i ) This will be done only by a qualified individual with
beam power turned down as far as practicable,
( ii ) The public shall not be present,
( iii ) Protective goggles shall be worn where necessary.
( b ) Alignment of scanning laser beam patterns:
( i ) This will be done by person approved in Item (2),
( ii ) The laser shall, be in scanning mode,
( iii ) In spectral range from 400 to 700 nanometers the
maximum permissible exposure levels of the scanning
laser beam shall be as follows:
less than or equal to 1 microwatt per cm2, CW mode and
less than or equal to 1 microjoule per cm2,
pulse mode in all occupied areas and where the beam
strikes the wall or other structure.
( iv ) No laser radiation outside spectral range between 400
to 700 nanometers shall be emitted.
( 6 ) The laser system shall be rigidly fixed on a secure mounting.
( 7 ) Unless the scanning laser beam has two independent interlocks
which shall turn the beam off: or deflect beam away from exit
aperture, in case the beam stops scanning, the laser beam must be
terminated by the fire retardant material.
( 8 ) On-stage an area on both sides of laser beam path shall be
designated a high radiation area and barriers shall limit access
to this area while laser is operating.
( 9 ) The laser control console shall be sited in a position such that
the acting area, beam path and laser display can be viewed by
operator.
( 10 ) In cases where "mirror balls" are used the maximum permissible
exposure levels as given in (5) (b) (iii) for the spectral range
from 400 - 700 nanometers shall be measured or calculated while
mirror ball is in stationary mode.
( 11 ) No specularly scattering foils or metallic strips shall be
injected into laser beam during light show.
( 12 ) The laser shall be capped or effectively enclosed while not in
use.
( 13 ) Before each laser show the output laser beam power shall be
checked and recorded and all safety interlocks shall be checked.
( 14 ) The laser shall be equipped with a key operated "ON-OFF" switch
and when the authorized operator leaves the laser area he shall
turn off the laser and remove key.
( 15 ) All safety interlocks shall be of the type that will not
automatically restart laser when fault is removed.
( 16 ) All electrical wiring and connections shall meet requirements of
National Electrical Code and local fire codes.
If you have any questions about these New York laser light show guidelines go to the contact page and let me and LaserJockey Inc. know.
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