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1
Laser Safety
xix
Comparison of Classifications between FDA and ANSI
Class
FDA definition
ANSI description
Class
I/1
Limits applicable to devices that have
emissions in the ultraviolet, visible, and
infrared spectra, and limits below which
biological hazards have not been estab-
lished.
A Class 1 laser is considered to
be incapable of producing dam-
aging radiation levels during op-
eration and maintenance and is,
therefore, exempt from any con-
trol measures or other forms of
surveillance.
Class
IIa/2a
Limits applicable to products whose visible
emission does not exceed Class I limits for
emission durations of 1,000 seconds or
less and are not intended for viewing.
Class 2 lasers are divided into
two subclasses, 2 and 2a. A
Class 2 laser emits in the visible
portion of the spectrum (0.4 to
0 7
)
d
t
ti
i
Class
II/2
Limits applicable to products that have
emissions in the visible spectrum (400 to
710 nm) for emission durations in excess
of 0.25 second, providing that emissions
for other durations and/or wavelengths do
not exceed the Class I limits. Class II prod-
ucts are considered hazardous for direct
long-term ocular exposure.
p
p
(
0.7
µ
m) and eye protection is
normally afforded by the aver-
sion response including the
blink reflex.
Class
IIIa/3a
Limits to products that have emissions in
the visible spectrum and that have beams
where the total collectable radiant power
does not exceed 5 milliwatts.
Class 3 lasers are divided into
two subclasses, 3a and 3b. A
Class 3 laser may be hazardous
under direct and specular re-
fl
ti
i
i
diti
b t
Class
IIIb/3b
Limits applicable to devices that emit in the
ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.
Class IIIb products include laser systems
ranging from 5 to 500 milliwatts in the vis-
ible spectrum. Class IIIb emission levels
are ocular hazards for direct exposure
throughout the range of the Class, and
skin hazards at the higher levels of the
Class.
p
flection viewing conditions, but
the diffuse reflection is usually
not a hazard.
Class
IV/4
Exceeding the limits of Class IIIb and are a
hazard for scattered reflection as well as
for direct exposure.
A Class 4 laser is a hazard to
the eye or skin from the direct
beam and sometimes from a dif-
fuse reflection and also can be
fire hazard. Class 4 lasers may
also produce laser-generated
air contaminants and hazardous
plasma radiation.