scope:

This document provides requirements and specific guidance for the safe operation and maintenance of optical fibre communication systems (OFCSs). In these systems, optical power is possibly accessible outside the confines of the transmitting equipment and/or at great distance from the optical source.

This document requires the assessment of hazard level at each accessible location of the OFCS as a replacement for product classification according to IEC 60825-1. It applies to the installed OFCS as an engineered, end-to-end assembly for the generation, transfer and receipt of optical radiation arising from lasers, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or optical amplifiers, in which the transference is by means of optical fibre for communication and/or control purposes.

NOTE 1 Throughout this document, a reference to 'laser' is taken to include LEDs and optical amplifiers.

Individual components and subassemblies that fall under the definition of a laser product are subject to the applicable subclause(s) of IEC 60825-1. This document is applicable to individual components and subassemblies intended to be installed within OFCSs.

This document does not apply to optical fibre systems primarily designed to transmit optical power for applications such as material processing or medical treatment.

In addition to the hazards resulting from laser radiation, OFCSs possibly give rise to other hazards, such as fire.

This document does not address safety issues associated with explosion or fire with respect to OFCSs deployed in explosive atmospheres.

NOTE 2 The hazard presented by optical radiation emerging from a fibre is determined by the wavelength and power emerging from the fibre and also by the optical characteristics of the fibre itself (see Annex A).