Innovative Laser Technologies, Inc.

Customer: Innovative Laser Technologies, Inc

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Application: Protective Enclosures for Laser Equipment

Product: Omniflex 300 Fire & Sound

Benefits Provided:

• Walls made of fire retardant materials
• Open design, utilizing pre-existing lighting & sprinkler system
• Laser safety glass windows in doors

The Situation

Innovative Laser Technologies is a world-wide leader in the design and build of laser workstations and laser machinery in order to meet an assortment of manufacturing needs within a variety of industries.

ILT required the construction of a structure to house their laser workstations, which would serve as a protective barrier for personnel outside of the enclosures from the laser process.

Though ILT had a budget in place for this project, there were specific safety precautions that would need to be considered in order to meet the safety codes inherent with highly specialized laser equipment. The enclosures needed to provide optimal lighting within the room, as well feature an emergency sprinkler system to meet fire safety codes. The enclosures also needed to be constructed of a fire retardant material for added safety.

The Solution

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Based on the clients safety requirements, PortaFab chose to use the Omniflex 300 Fire & Sound Wall System, which would provide optimal protection in the case of a fire emergency situation.

Because of the budget in place for the project, PortaFab opted to design the enclosures as free-standing walls without ceilings. This open design made use of the existing lighting and fire suppression already in place at the facility. The reduction in roofing materials also saved time in the installation, and ensured the project would fall within budget.

In order to meet code, PortaFab designed the 8 foot high, free-standing walls to meet lateral loads of 5 pounds per square foot.

Given the importance to protect the outside personnel from the laser process, PortaFab recommended that the structure be built with minimal windows and doors.

For any doors added to the enclosures, PortaFab recommended the placement of small glass windows to avoid accidents with personnel exiting and entering the structure. PortaFab provided 12" x 12" laser glass in each door to accommodate these extra safety concerns.