Prevent Accidents with Emergency Escape release
Maximize Safety in Hazardous Industrial Zones
In industrial environments where personnel can enter fully enclosed, safeguarded spaces, preventing unexpected machine restarts is essential. The chosen approach to prevent unexpected start-up depends on the risk assessment. While it often involves using manual reset devices with full visibility or presence sensors, these may not always be practical in larger or complex spaces. In such cases, proactive or reactive inhibit functions offer reliable alternatives.
Proactive Inhibit Functions: Prevent entrapment
What are proactive inhibit functions? Proactive Inhibit functions allow personnel to prevent machine restarts while they are inside the safeguarded zone. An example is placing a personal safety padlock on the interlock or taking a personal safety key into the safeguarded area. In both cases, the interlock cannot be locked, and restart is impossible until the person has exited the area.
Reactive Inhibit Functions: Emergency Escape
When a machine accidentally restarts, a reactive inhibit function provides an emergency option for safe escape.
A reactive inhibit function typically involves two main actions:
1. Initiating an immediate stop command to stop the machine.
2. Unlocking the interlock so personnel can exit safely.
Unlike proactive inhibit functions, that prevent machine restarts if personnel are present, reactive inhibit functions are designed for situations where someone is already inside a safeguarded area and needs to escape quickly. The escape release function is a good example, often used with a warning system to ensure personnel are alerted.
Activating the escape release initiates a stop command and unlocks the interlock. The interlock must be accessible and operable from within the safeguarded area under all operating conditions, even in the event of a power failure. This makes an emergency release function critical for whole-body access applications, allowing personnel to exit the area quickly and safely.
Fortress Safety Interlocks with Escape Release function
Fortress provides a range of interlocks with escape release options, tailored for various applications. These interlocks ensure easy operability from within safeguarded areas, maintaining safety under all conditions.
amGard Pro
amGard Pro features a single-action escape release handle and push-release option, designed for heavy-duty industrial conditions. Available in variable lengths up to 300 mm.
tGard
tGard escape release is available in standard 60mm length or variable lengths, allowing for customization for application with wall thickness of up to 300mm.
Alfred
Alfred, a customizable EX interlock with a push escape release to keep personnel safe in hazardous and/or explosive areas.
Atom
The Atom is designed to use for whole-body access applications in small and narrow spaces, ATOM’s escape release feature allows a safe exit from small, confined areas, ideal for installations where quick evacuation is essential, but space is limited.
Safety Without Compromise
Fortress interlocks equipped with an escape release function provide practical safety while meeting strict standards. These interlocks are designed to be easily openable from inside the safeguarded space in all operating conditions —ensuring a reliable escape route.
At Unique Safety Products, we offer Fortress interlocks for various industrial applications. To learn more about how these solutions can make your workplace safer, contact our experts for personalized advice.
