Choosing the right hardware and materials is the very first step in minimizing workplace hazards. To ensure full institutional compliance and a safe working environment, all newly acquired 3D printing equipment and feedstocks at Berkeley Lab must meet the following safety criteria.
Air Quality and Standard Compliance
Protecting indoor air quality from harmful emissions is a top priority.
- The Standard: All new 3D printers and feedstocks must meet the ANSI/CAN/UL 2904 Standard or carry official GREENGUARD certification.
- Why it matters: This standard sets strict maximum allowable emission rates for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and ultra-fine particles.
Electrical Safety and Inspections
Before any 3D printer can be plugged in or turned on, it must verify its electrical safety through one of two pathways:
- Certified Equipment: All printers must be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). Please note that a CE mark is not a substitute for an NRTL listing.
- Experimental and Non-NRTL Units: Custom, non-commercial, or experimental printers must pass a formal LBNL Electrical Equipment Inspection. Once approved, they will receive a green AHJ sticker and barcode allowing them to operate.
- Field Evaluations: High-value or highly complex items will require a third-party field evaluation prior to energization.
Hardware Enclosures
- Enclosure Recommendations: Enclosures are highly recommended in office settings to improve overall fire safety, reduce ambient noise, and capture airborne particulates.
Industrial vs. Nonindustrial Hardware Rules
Equipment classifications dictate exactly how a printer must be labeled and operated on-site.
- Industrial 3D Printers: Must be listed and labeled in strict accordance with UL 2011 or formally approved for use based on an agency field evaluation. The approval for the agency is determined by the Fire Marshal.
- Nonindustrial Printers: Must be listed and labeled under UL 2011, UL 60950-1, or UL 62368-1. These units must also verify that:
- They are entirely self-contained.
- They use a maximum of 30 liters of prepackaged production materials.
- Their operation will not create a fire hazard (classified) electrical area outside the unit.
- Any internal fire hazards are safely contained using intrinsically safe construction or approved protection methods.
- They do not utilize inert gas or an external combustible dust collection system.
Filament Selection and Material Compatibility
Selecting the right printing media is vital to keeping airborne hazards low.
- Prioritize PLA: Utilize PLA (polylactic acid) whenever feasible. It has been proven to release significantly lower VOC and particle emissions than ABS or nylon.
- Compatibility: All materials must be 100% compatible with your printer based on the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Authorization Requirement: Any material not explicitly listed in your equipment’s manual, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and authorized under your specific WPC (Work Planning and Control) Activity is prohibited.
Laser Safety and Non-ionizing Radiation
Advanced printers utilizing specialized light sources must feature hardware-level safeguards.
- Interlock Requirement: Any printer utilizing lasers or non-ionizing radiation must feature physical safety interlocks.
- Automatic Shutoff: These interlocks must instantly disable the radiation source the moment the machine’s enclosure is opened.
Contacts and Support
If you have questions regarding equipment listings, field evaluations, or specific material safety, reach out to our LBNL institutional experts:
- Electrical Safety Assistance: Consult the Electrical Safety Program for NRTL guidance or email EESP@lbl.gov.
- Laser Safety Questions: Consult with the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) for specialized guidance.
- General Hazards: Check the Whom To Call – EHS directory to find your dedicated representative.
Resources
UL 2011
Category: Outline of Investigation for Machinery
Scope: Covers industrial machinery, factory automation equipment (like robotic work cells and assembly machines), and robotic equipment. It evaluates machines that operate up to 1000V.
Definition Type: Prescriptive. UL 2011 acts as an interim document that closely mirrors the guidelines set by NFPA 79 (the Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery).
Context: Because industrial control panels (UL 508A) do not cover the safety of a whole standalone machine, UL 2011 is used for comprehensive, end-to-end industrial machinery safety evaluations.
UL 60950-1
Category: Information Technology Equipment (ITE) — Legacy Standard
Scope: Historically covered computers, telecom equipment, and related office machinery designed to be plugged into standard outlets.
Definition Type: Prescriptive. It relies heavily on strict, design-based guidelines (e.g., specifying exact materials, distances, or grounding methods) to address risks of shock, fire, and energy hazards.
Context: It has been superseded by UL 62368-1 globally. New product designs must generally meet UL 62368-1, though older hardware may still carry legacy listings in some regions.
UL 62368-1
Category: Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Equipment
Scope: Covers consumer electronics (laptops, TVs, phones), business machines, and telecommunications gear with a voltage rating under 600V.
Definition Type: Hazard-Based Safety Engineering (HBSE) principles. Rather than providing rigid, old-school design checklists, it identifies potential energy sources (Class 1, 2, or 3) and requires manufacturers to implement adequate safeguards to prevent pain, injury, or fire.
Context: It is the harmonized successor that effectively unified and replaced the legacy standards UL 60950-1 and UL 60065.
NFPA 70, Article 500: An area where a fire or explosion hazard may exist due to the presence of flammable gases, vapors, combustible dusts, or ignitable fibers/flyings, requiring special precautions for electrical equipment and wiring.
