FAQ
In our FAQ section, we’ve compiled all the relevant terms related to machine and equipment safety, including Brühl protective fence systems and machine protection gates. Quickly find the term you’re looking for and simply click on the corresponding field to view the explanation.
What is an axle size (AM)?
The axle size is the distance between the center of the first post and the center of the second post.
What is the stop direction?
The hinge side determines the stop direction. The hinge side of a door is the side to which the door hinges are attached. A distinction is made here between DIN left (left-hinged) and DIN right (right-hinged).
What does "opening outwards" mean?
Brühl wing doors are designed by default to open outward (i.e., toward the operator).
What is ground clearence?
Ground clearence refers to the distance from the ground to the bottom edge of the grid element. Ground clearence + grid height = fence height.
What does "opening inwards" mean?
With doors that open inwards, the door leaves open toward the machine side. This may be necessary if, for example, there is insufficient space on the outside. In such cases, it is important to verify whether this is permitted under the relevant safety plan. This option is not available for emergency exit doors; they must always open outward in the direction of escape.
What is a frequency converter?
The frequency converter changes the mains frequency of the AC voltage (three-phase frequency) from 50 Hz to an adjustable value. The speed of the connected motor depends directly on the three-phase frequency and can therefore be controlled by the frequency converter. This means the gate can be operated at any speed, from very slow to very fast, enabling functions such as “creep speed” or “slow start.”
What is a danger area?
A danger area is an area in or around a machine where a person is at risk of injury or harm to their health. The hazard may be present either continuously during the machine’s intended use (movement of hazardous moving parts, electric arcs during welding, etc.) or may occur unexpectedly (unintentional, unexpected start-up, etc.).
What is meant by "truss height"?
The grid element height is the height of a single grid element. Grid element height + ground clearence = fence height.
What is a fighter profile?
The fighter profile is a horizontal connection element of the frame, located above the door wing. This connection between the fighter profile, the hinge post, and the strike post increases the rigidity of the door frame.
What are conventional safety switches?
Conventional safety switches are electromechanical safety switches that are equipped with either an integrated actuator (Type 1) or a separate actuator (Type 2).
What is meant by “open height” (LH)?
The open height corresponds to the actual passage height of doors, measured from the floor to the bottom edge of the door threshold.
What is meant by "open width" (LB)?
The open width corresponds to the actual width of the doorway.
What is meant by the manipulation of a protective facility?
Tampering is the deliberate disabling or bypassing of protective facilities and their components. Safety switches and other safety devices must be designed so that their protective function cannot be altered or bypassed by hand or with a simple tool. Simple tools include nails, pieces of wire, adhesive tape, etc. Methods that cannot be easily circumvented (BGI 575) include removing parts, turning the safety switches out of their safety positions, using a second actuator, bypassing the contacts, etc. In terms of design, care should be taken to ensure that, despite the presence of protective facilities, machines and systems can still be operated easily and in accordance with their intended use.
What is machine safety?
In everyday language, machine safety refers to protective measures on machines and equipment aimed at preventing hazardous situations and the risks they pose. The topic of machine safety is examined from two perspectives. Machine manufacturers are required to place safe machines on the market in accordance with the Machinery Directive and to incorporate safety measures as early as the design phase. The operator of a machine or system is responsible for ensuring safe work with and on the machine to protect their employees.
What is the average speed?
The average speed is calculated as the average of the various travel speeds.
What is a "Performance Level" (PL)?
A “performance level” is a discrete level that specifies the ability of safety-related parts of a control system to perform a safety function under predictable conditions (definition according to EN 13849). Put simply, the performance level is a measure of the reliability of a safety function. A distinction is made between the target Performance Level (PLr; the “r” stands for “required”) and the “actual” PL, which is actually achieved. There are five Performance Levels, each corresponding to a different residual risk.
What are position switches?
Position switches are used to detect the position of movable protective facilities. As soon as a position switch is used as a safety-related component, it is referred to as a position switch with a safety function or a safety-related position switch. In this case, the switching element must contain at least one positively driven normally closed contact.
What is a latch?
The bolt tongue mechanically guides the actuator as it engages with the safety switches. The part of the latch mounted on the door frame consists of a protruding bolt tongue in a guide, a handle, and the actuator. The latch holder and the safety switches are mounted on the jamb side. When the door is closed, the latch holder absorbs the forces acting on the door that would otherwise act on the switch and the actuator and could damage these components.
What are slip classes?
Slip resistance classes determine the slip resistance or surface properties of, for example, floor coverings.
What is a "Safety Integrity Level" (SIL)?
“Safety Integrity Level” describes the probability that a safety-related system will fulfill the required safety functions under specific conditions.
What is a "Safety Light Barrier" (SLB)?
A “Safety Light Barrier” (SLB) detects a person or object and prevents potential hazardous situations.
What are protective facilities?
Protective facilities protect people, production materials, and the environment from hazards.
What is a protective measure?
A protective measure is a means of reducing risk. There are protective measures related to design and protective measures related to the operation of the facility.
What are welding grids/spot-welded meshes?
Spot-welded meshes consist of drawn wires that are electrically connected at their intersections. They are very sturdy.
What are screen printing plates?
Screen printing panels are plywood panels with a slip-resistant surface that are frequently used in automotive manufacturing and for heavy-duty flooring.
What is meant by "load-carrier monitoring"?
The load-carrier monitoring system is an electromechanical safety device designed to prevent the gate leaf from falling by triggering an alarm in the event of a broken lifting chain. Brühl gates equipped with a load-carrier monitoring system always have multiple load-carriers and are designed so that, in the event of a failure in one load-carrier, the monitoring system triggers an alarm and the other load-carrier holds the gate leaf in position. Furthermore, the load-carrier monitoring system can detect malfunctions in the drive unit, causing the door leaf to stop immediately.
What is a tear plate?
Checkered sheet material is a durable and slip-resistant textured sheet material. The sheets are rolled to create their almond-shaped “tears.” The underside, however, remains smooth. The teardrops are arranged in such a way as to provide high slip resistance and ensure optimal drainage.
What is laminated safety glass (LSG)?
Laminated safety glass consists of at least two panes of glass with a safety film sandwiched between them. This means there is no risk of injury if the glass breaks, as the pane does not shatter, even if it develops numerous cracks.
What is laminated safety glass with sound insulation?
In laminated safety glass with sound insulation, a 1-mm-thick cast resin layer or a sound-insulating film is used instead of the safety film. In both cases, very good sound insulation values can be achieved.
What is the fence height?
The fence height corresponds to the total height of the protective fence from the ground to the top edge of the fence panel. Fence height = ground clearence + mesh height.
