When configuring a laser safety booth or containment system, one important consideration is how operators and equipment will enter and exit the controlled area.
At Laser Safety Industries, we offer two softwall door configurations: overlapping flap doors and standard two-panel curtain doors. Both provide flexible access to the laser work area, but each offers different advantages depending on how the space will be used.
Both configurations can also accommodate optional laser safety viewing windows for observing operations from outside the controlled area.
Option 1: Overlapping Flap Doors — Flexible Access for Large Equipment
Overlapping flap doors are particularly useful for applications where operators frequently move equipment, materials, or larger workpieces in and out of a laser controlled area.
Unlike traditional two-panel curtain doors, overlapping flap doors can be configured to virtually any width — including the entire length of a laser safety booth or containment system.
This means customers aren't limited to a designated doorway. For applications involving large workpieces, carts, or machinery, the entire side of the containment system can function as an accessible entrance.
Advantages of overlapping flap doors:
Customizable entrance width: Flap doors can be manufactured to virtually any width, from a standard doorway to an entire side of a containment system.
Access across the entire booth: An entire wall can consist of overlapping flaps, allowing operators to move equipment through different portions of the opening.
Convenient for large equipment: Particularly useful when moving oversized workpieces, machinery, carts, or materials into and out of the laser controlled area.
Flexible personnel access: Operators can pass through the overlapping sections without opening full curtain panels.
Optional laser viewing windows: Viewing windows can be incorporated into wider fabric sections, including a center panel.
Cost Considerations
Overlapping flap doors require additional material and fabrication compared with standard solid curtain sections. As a result, overlapping flap configurations have a higher cost per square foot than standard laser safety barrier material.
Customers can choose to incorporate overlapping flaps only where additional access is needed or extend the design across an entire side of the containment system.
For applications where equipment access is important, the additional flexibility may justify the increased cost.
Can You Add a Viewing Window to an Overlapping Flap Door?
Yes. Laser safety viewing windows are available as an additional-cost option.
For configurations that include a wider center fabric panel, a 12" × 12" laser safety viewing window can be positioned near the center of the doorway at approximately eye level.
The window is installed in a clear pocket with a protective fabric flap that can be secured above the window when viewing is needed or lowered to cover the window.
This design allows customers to incorporate external viewing capability without switching to a traditional two-panel door configuration.
Option 2: Standard Two-Panel Curtain Doors — Ideal for Routine Personnel Access
Our standard curtain door configuration consists of two large fabric panels that meet at the center of the doorway.
This option is generally ideal when operators primarily need to enter and exit the laser controlled area without regularly moving large equipment through the opening.
Advantages of standard two-panel curtain doors:
Simple entry and exit: Operators can separate the two panels to enter the controlled area.
Straightforward design: A practical option when personnel access is the primary requirement.
Two equal panels: The doorway is divided into left and right sections.
Optional laser viewing windows: A window can be installed on either the left or right panel.
Can You Add a Viewing Window to a Standard Curtain Door?
Yes. A 12" × 12" laser safety viewing window can be added to either curtain panel for an additional charge.
The window has to be positioned toward the outer side of the selected panel rather than directly at the center opening.
Like the overlapping flap door configuration, the viewing window features a clear pocket and protective fabric flap. The flap can be secured in the raised position when viewing is needed and lowered to cover the window when not in use.
Customers can choose the viewing window location based on their equipment layout and preferred observation position.
Comparing the Two Door Options
Feature | Overlapping Flap Door | Standard Two-Panel Door |
Best suited for | Frequent movement of equipment and materials | Routine personnel entry and exit |
Entry design | Multiple overlapping fabric sections | Two large curtain panels |
Moving large workpieces | Generally more convenient | Requires opening the curtain panels |
Optional viewing window | Yes | Yes |
Window placement | Can be centered in a wider middle panel | Left or right panel |
Window cost | Additional charge | Additional charge |
Important Considerations for Laser Viewing Windows
Laser viewing windows are optional accessories and are not included in the standard door configuration unless specifically selected or quoted.
The appropriate viewing window depends on the laser wavelength, power, exposure conditions, and other application-specific requirements.
A laser safety window should be selected for the intended application, and operators should understand that the viewing window and surrounding barrier material may have different laser protection characteristics.
The protective fabric flap is intended to cover the window when viewing is not required. When the flap is raised, the window must provide appropriate protection for the intended viewing conditions.
For more information about how viewing windows are incorporated into softwall barriers and curtains, see our article:
Which Door Configuration Should You Choose?
The best configuration depends primarily on how the laser controlled area will be accessed.
Choose overlapping flap doors if personnel frequently move large workpieces, carts, or equipment through the entrance and want convenient access without opening full curtain panels.
Choose standard two-panel curtain doors if the primary requirement is routine personnel access and larger equipment rarely needs to pass through the opening.
Both options offer flexibility, and optional laser safety viewing windows can be incorporated into either configuration.
Laser Safety Industries can help customers customize the size, door configuration, and viewing window placement to fit their application.
As with any laser containment system, the final configuration and suitability of the selected materials and entryway controls should be evaluated by the facility's Laser Safety Officer (LSO) based on the specific laser application and applicable safety requirements.