I am looking at this, and am wondering how safe it is. I normally DJ in around 500 square foot rooms, and with my current 20mw 532nm scatter laser, it is not exactly uncommon for someone (including me on accident), and I am wondering how safe that is. Also, I am in the U.S., so is it legal?

Thanks,
Jacob

There are too many beams for any one of them to have enough power to be above MPE. It's safe provided you're not starting into the thing from an inch away.

Ofcourse, all those shows are planned for be shooted on roofs and walls, not for be used pointed directly in the eyes ..... these gratings are in movement, so it's safe enough to have them projected all around, and also if there's some random reflections (trying to point it away from mirrors, ofcourse) , the risk is low .....

If you instead point directly it on your eyes and stay looking at it ..... well, the risk is much more high, but at this point, is the same that using a handgun ..... you know that it's dangerous if you shoot yourself in a foot ..... but one thing is shoot at a target and risk a bounce on your foot, another thing is aiming intentionally at your foot .....

It will probably be safe - but you still need to fill in a variance to use it publically.

Wait... So as a mobile DJ, can I legally use it at someone's party?

We're not DJ's, you are so perhaps you should know the laws of the business that you practice.

No, and you will never be able to get a variance for it either.
this doesn't mean that it isn't safe, it's just not legal.


EDIT: Technically, the CDRH only has Jurisdiction if its in a public space or at an event in which tickets were sold or there is a cover to get in. You are safe at a "house party" or similar PRIVATE event

CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21

You do not need a variance for any Private/Non-commercial events, but as soon as you enter into commerce you will require one.

it is 100% legal for a over 5mw DJ laser show device.
it is not legal just for over 5mw handheld laser pointers

listen to kgb productions...

it is U.S. policies

that is incorrect information in the United States. In the U.S. any laser >4.95mW must adhere to 21 CFR Part 1040. therefore, must require variances to operate in public.

there is some debate whether a variance is needed for a "public" display if it is a Private event and/or if the event in question charges a fee.

As I am in no way the "End all, Be all" of Federal Laser regulations, I have had EXTENSIVE experience with variances, product reports, laser light show reports, and show notifications and *as far as i know, and as far as *I* have been educated on* monetary gain has no bearing on whether a Laser needs to be certified and varianced.

"Technically" a laser light show notification needs to be filed when i demo a laser for a client. At this point, there is no monetary gain and/or "cover charge." However, this is still considered to be a "Laser Light Show" and needs to be presented in accordance with applicable laws.

The bottom line is pretty simple though. In the U.S. Lasers, whether for display, education, industry, medical or any other form, are regulated and controled for safety. If a Laser in question is turned on in a public setting, consider it pretty safe to assume that the laser needs to be certified and varianced. (above 4.95mW). I am sure there may be "grey areas" on this matter. But i assure you, the greay ares do not apply with any sort of lasers being discussed here.

-Marc

He is 100% correct!








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