What does the standard say?

The European safety distance standard EN294, which provides information on acceptable safety distances in hazardous areas, came into force on January 1, 1994. The standard defines acceptable distances for different risk situations.

The figures give examples of safety distances required for two different fencing heights where the risk is considered to be low if somebody reaches into the hazardous area. If there is a risk of direct injury and/or personnel can be dragged into the hazardous area, the safety distances must be increased. For accepted heights and distances, please refer to EN294 and other relevant standards/regulations.

When mesh is used there must be a minimum distance of 200 mm (for persons older than 14 years) for mesh size of 40x40 mm. For shorter distances and for noise reduction, polycarbonate sheet should be considered. When the fence protects, for example, a robot cell, the fence should be placed with a minimum distance of 50 mm between the guard fence and the moving machine part which reaches the furthest (according to EN349). During test driving and programming there has to be space between the fence and moving parts to prevent the operator from being squeezed between them.

JOKAB SAFETY will be pleased to advise on guarding design and safety distances required.

Quick-Guard Fencing System manages safety.

Quick-Guard is a fencing system which is designed to meet the requirements from a safety perspective. It will stop machine parts and material that, during a malfunction, can be thrown against the fence.

We have made collision tests with a large industrial robot, ABB irb 5500, which was driven into the fence at a pace of 3 m/s. Both our Standard and Economy fencing system managed this. Thanks to our patented net-lock, both mesh and polycarbonate panels remained firmly in the aluminum profile. In our tension tests of up to 500 kg, both mesh and polycarbonate panels also remained firmly in the aluminum profiles. The fence was deformed during the collision, but it sprang back with some deformation as a result.

Quick-Guard's Patented Assembly Function

The JOKAB SAFETY patented guide and locking method makes it simple to assemble and dismantle the fencing system. The nut has several advantages. It can easily be located into the profile and automatically positions itself when the screw is turned 90 degrees clockwise. When in this position, the bracket being fixed can be adjusted as required and locked by further turning the screw clockwise. To remove the bracket, the fixing screw is turned counterclockwise until the nut is in line with the profile slot.

Mount the fixtures by first loosening the screw 3/4 turn counterclockwise. Then tighten the screw clockwise. The nut will then automatically mechanically lock the fixture into the profile.