Laser safety curtains must be selected based on the specific wavelength, laser power, beam characteristics, and application. Final selection should always be reviewed by a qualified Laser Safety Officer (LSO) familiar with the operating environment and ANSI Z136 guidelines.
Laser safety curtains are used to help contain hazardous laser radiation and establish safer laser-controlled areas around Class 3B and Class 4 laser systems.
They are commonly used to:
Separate personnel from active laser processes
Reduce exposure risks from direct or reflected laser radiation
Create enclosed laser-controlled work areas
Section off laser operations within larger facilities
Support compliance with ANSI Z136 laser safety practices
Laser safety curtains are widely used in:
Handheld laser welding
Industrial manufacturing
Research laboratories
Medical laser environments
Universities and photonics labs
Aerospace and defense facilities
Laser safety curtains must be selected based on the specific wavelength, power level, beam characteristics, and application. Final selection should be reviewed by a qualified Laser Safety Officer (LSO).
Common Applications for Laser Safety Curtains
Handheld Laser Welding
Laser safety curtains are commonly used around handheld fiber laser welding systems to help contain hazardous reflections and separate nearby workers from active welding operations.
In manufacturing environments, laser curtains are often installed around welding cells or laser work areas to create dedicated laser-controlled spaces without requiring permanent hardwall construction.
Industrial Laser Systems
Manufacturers often use laser curtains around:
Robotic laser welding systems
Laser marking stations
Laser cutting equipment
Automated production lines
Laser safety curtains help establish controlled work areas while still allowing facilities to maintain adaptable manufacturing layouts and controlled access points.
Research and Laboratory Environments
Research laboratories commonly use laser safety curtains around optical tables, experimental beam paths, and testing environments where configurable laser containment is needed.
Medical and Healthcare Lasers
Laser safety curtains and window coverings may also be used in medical laser treatment rooms and operating environments to help contain hazardous laser radiation.
Are Laser Safety Curtains the Same as Laser Barriers?
Laser safety curtains are one type of laser barrier.
In practice, laser barriers may include:
Softwall laser curtains
Hardwall barriers
Fixed containment walls
Laser window coverings
Modular laser containment systems
Laser curtains are commonly used when facilities need large-area laser containment without constructing permanent hardwall rooms.
Final Thoughts
Laser safety curtains are used to help contain hazardous laser radiation and create safer work areas around industrial, medical, research, and welding laser systems.
They are commonly used as part of a broader laser safety program that also include laser safety eyewear, interlocks, warning signs, SOPs, and administrative controls.