E-stop cover?
E-stop cover?
(OP)
I've just got the strangest request by one of my clients: COver the E-stop.
While he does not give any specific requirements, he insists that the E-stop should be covered and personnaly, I think it's pretty strange and it defeats the purpose of an e-stop.
Do you guys know any article or laws that I could use to dissuade him ??? I'm I even allowed to do that? I bet I'm not...
I'm pretty confused over this so any help is most appreciated!!
Thanks!
Fred
While he does not give any specific requirements, he insists that the E-stop should be covered and personnaly, I think it's pretty strange and it defeats the purpose of an e-stop.
Do you guys know any article or laws that I could use to dissuade him ??? I'm I even allowed to do that? I bet I'm not...
I'm pretty confused over this so any help is most appreciated!!
Thanks!
Fred






RE: E-stop cover?
RE: E-stop cover?
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Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...
RE: E-stop cover?
RE: E-stop cover?
This would effect which rules are in effect.
RE: E-stop cover?
The question has to be answered in the context of the equipment and the operating envornment. Is someone likely to become entangled in the machine and is an immediate stop required? If the additional time required to lift a cover, or break some glass could mean injury ( additional harm or injury ) then don't do it.
You could tell the owner where to buy one but i wouldn't even document that.
I ahve seen E-Stops that were in the wrong place and got bumped or for some reason caused a lot of nussiance tripping. Some owner think the way to fix that problem is to cover the button. If that's what your client is doing help him out to the point of being an accessory in getting someone hurt or killed. There are standards and requirements for estops.
RE: E-stop cover?
RE: E-stop cover?
RE: E-stop cover?
Use a button with a raised ring surounding it. This is still a one handed, one step, operation but the button must be pushed with a finger and it has some protection from being operated by an inadvertent bump.
A cover makes it a two step operation.
respectfully
RE: E-stop cover?
If it's an emergency shutdown button on boiler or turbine, I don't see a problem with the cover. Guarded pushbuttons are often used instead of covers.
It is common to require that TWO pushbutttons be pushed for boiler trips and turbine trips. One plant I worked at had two PBs from emergency boiler trip. One was labeled "TRIP", the other was labeled "THINK".
RE: E-stop cover?
If you can't find one with a 'ring' around it then putting a separate guard around it may work. Either something in sheet metal or a couple of 'U' shapes, one either side, made from rod (some kinds of draw/door handles would work) might be adequate.
I've actually hit the E stop button on a tool by accident, it was back in a summer job at uni. I was cleaning the room and moved a chair out of the way and the chair hit the E stop. The tool was already off but I think hitting the E stop moved it to some default 'safe' position and being pneumatically driven it made a terrible hiss and I nearly wet myself!
I'd still try and find the relevant legal standards though.
RE: E-stop cover?
RE: E-stop cover?
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RE: E-stop cover?
Also, Sprecher & Schuh make collars that fit around their 22mm E-Stop mushrooms. Doesn't stop the protrusion out of the panel, does make it that much harder to accidentally press, and it will still activate if belted with the palm of your hand. I left the company before I received any client feedback on this type of arrangement. I'm sure that other manufacturers will have similar.
As others have said, if its a safety issue, I'd not want to be installing it. We actually used the recessed version on one system as the client insisted that we cover it, and we refused.
RE: E-stop cover?
I've got enough hints to submit something to my client. I thought E-Stops were more strict than that. FYI, My application does not present risks of mutilation, strangulation.
Thanks
RE: E-stop cover?
I have frequently seen the requirement for a 'palm operated device' to preclude the cover or excessively tall rings or barriers around e-stops. I requested a clarification from NFPA in a data center years ago and was given a formal interpretation at that time that covers or excessive barriers around e-stops defeated the intent of the function and were not permitted. I have not seen a break glass switch listed by an NRTL for Emergency use. May be out there, I just haven't seen it yet.
Good Luck