Original instructions, Determining the safety distance, Us safety distance formula – Rockwell Automation 440L GuardShield Type 2 Safety Light Curtain User Manual User Manual
Page 8: Osha safety distance calculation formula, The ansi safety distance formula, European safety distance formula
GuardShield™ Type 2 Safety Light Curtain Installation Instructions
6
R
Original instructions
Determining the Safety Distance
The light curtain must be mounted with proper safety distance
• From the point of danger
• From reflecting surfaces
US Safety Distance Formula
This distance, referred to as the safety distance, must be properly 
calculated prior to determining the safety light curtain protective height 
and mounting the light curtains on the machine. Failure to properly 
calculate this safety distance may result in operator injury.
In the United States there are two formulas that are used to properly 
calculate the safety distance. The first, the OSHA formula, is the 
minimum requirement for the calculation of the safety distance. The 
second formula, the one recommended by Rockwell Automation, is the 
ANSI formula, which incorporates additional factors to be considered 
when calculating the safety distance.
OSHA Safety Distance Calculation Formula
The OSHA safety distance formula as specified in CFR Subpart O 
1910.217 is as follows:
Ds = 63 X T
S
Ds
Safety Distance
63
Is the OSHA recommended hand speed constant in inches 
per second 
Ts
Is the total stop time of all devices in the safety circuit, 
measured in seconds. This value must include all 
components involved in stopping the hazardous motion of 
the machinery. For a mechanical power press it is the 
stopping time measured at approximately the 90º position of 
the crankshaft rotation.
Note: The T
S
number must include the response times of all
devices, including the response time of the safety light 
curtain, the safety light curtain controller (if used), the 
machine’s control circuit and any other devices that react to 
stop the hazardous motion of the machinery. Not including 
the response time of a device or devices in the stop time 
calculation will result in insufficient safety distance for the 
application. This may result in operator injury.
The ANSI Safety Distance Formula
The ANSI safety distance formula, which is the Rockwell Automation 
recommended formula, is as follows:
D
S
= K x (T
S
+ T
C
+ T
r
+ T
bm
) + D
pf
Ds
Minimum safety distance between the safe guarding device 
and the nearest point of operation hazard, in inches.
K
Hand speed constant in inches per second. The ANSI 
standard value is 63 inches per second when the operator 
begins reaching toward the point of operation hazard from 
rest. NOTE: ANSI B11.19 1990 E4.2.3.3.5 states “The 
value of the hand speed constant, K, has been determined 
by various studies and although these studies indicate speeds 
of 63 inches/second to over 100 inches/second, they are 
not conclusive determinations. The employer should 
consider all factors, including the physical ability of the 
operator, when determining the value of K to be used.”
Ts
Stop time of the machine tool measured at the final control 
element.
Tc
Response time of the control system
Note: T
s
and T
c
are usually measured by a stop time measuring
device.
Tr
Response time of the presence sensing device (safety light 
curtain) and its interface, if any. This value is generally stated 
by the device manufacturer or it can be measured by the 
user.
Tbm
Additional time allowed for the brake monitor to 
compensate for variations in normal stopping time.
Dpf
Depth penetration factor. It is an added distance to allow 
for how far into the protective field an object, such as a 
finger or hand, can travel before being detected. D
pf
is
related to the safety light curtain’s object sensitivity. Object 
sensitivity is the smallest diameter object which will always 
be detected anywhere in the sensing field.
European Safety Distance Formula
A safety distance must be maintained between the light curtain and the 
point of danger. This safety distance helps ensure that the point of danger 
can only be reached after the dangerous state of the machine has been 
completely removed.
The safety distance as defined in EN ISO 13855 and EN ISO 13857 
depends on:
• Stopping/run-down time of the machine or system. (The
stopping/run-down time is shown in the machine documentation 
or must be determined by taking a measurement.)
• Response time of the protective device, e.g. GuardShield Type 2
(for “Response Time” see page 5).
• Reach or approach speed.
Determining Stop Time: The measurement of 
stopping time (Ts) must include the stopping 
times of all devices in the stop circuit. Not 
including all device and control system 
elements when calculating Ts will result in an 
inaccurate safety distance calculation.
IMPORTANT
ATTENTION
The GuardShield Type 2 safety light curtains 
must be mounted at a sufficient distance 
from the pinch point or point of operation 
hazard to ensure that the machine stops 
before a person’s finger, hand, arm(s), or 
Regardless of the calculated safety distance, 
GuardShield Type 2 safety light curtains 
should never be mounted closer than six 
inches from the point of operation or pinch 
IMPORTANT