RE: Glass/perspex Surfaces

Certainly in N.Ireland  the blinds are always sandwiched between the two
plates of glass, to satisfy infection control. From the point of reflection
it is a case of trying to minimise the number and size of the windows and
question whether they are needed at all. The viewing panels on the theatre
doors are also a  potential problem and standard blinds tend to get broken
and are also a problem for infection control. We have normally minimised any
risk (or perceived risk) by recommending black ( instead of the usual
translucent)  vistamatic systems. Obviously all above really depends on a
proper hazard calculation for the particular type of laser.


regards Ian Gillan




-----Original Message-----
From: British Medical Laser Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Boyle, Gerard (MPBE)
Sent: 16 April 2002 15:36
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Glass/perspex Surfaces


Hello All,

Blinding of windows in laser theatres appears to be generally
recommended to prevent transmission of stray
laser light to the outside world.  Co-incidently blinding also happens to
prevent
any risks from reflections off the internal window surfaces back into the
rooms.

Recently I've come across windows where the blind is sandwiched between
the two plates of glass in the window, which is obviously better from
an infection control point of view.  But now the reflection hazard is not
eliminated.
And I'm starting to wonder if reflections from glass/perspex surfaces are
really
such a big deal, and maybe the sandwiched blind is better.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Regards,

Gerard Boyle



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