Larco Safety Mat Systems User Manual
Safety Mat Systems
Installation, Use and
Maintenance Guide
Installation, Use and
Maintenance Guide
Important Safety Message ..........................................................3
Getting Started
a. Required Tools ............................................................................................4
b. Mounting Surfaces and Preparation ............................................................4
..........................................................................3
Unpacking & Handling Mats & Trim .............................................5
a. Visual Inspection .........................................................................................6
b. Electrical Inspection .................................................................................... 6
Positioning Mat(s) ......................................................................6
a. Joining Trim and Cord Routing ....................................................................7
b. Perimeter Trim and Cord Clearance ............................................................7
Securing Mats in Place ...............................................................9
a. Active Threshold Trim ................................................................................10
Electrical Connections ...............................................................10
Periodic Mat System Testing
a. Recommended Testing Intervals ................................................................11
b. Mat Design Characteristics ......................................................................... 11
c. Testing Activation and De-activation ..........................................................11
.....................................................10
Use and Periodic Maintenance ...................................................12
Safety Publications ...................................................................12
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Installation, Use and
Maintenance Guide
Important Safety Message
Larco safety mat systems are general-purpose presence-sensing devices designed to help protect personnel working
around moving machinery. As with any device of this type, the user must comply with applicable local and national codes
and regulations.
There are several organizations that publish information regarding the proper use of safety devices in machine guarding
applications. In particular, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publishes a number of standards containing
information on proper selection, application, installation, maintenance, operation, training and responsibility for safety
systems use. Larco safety mat systems are designed for easy compliance with these standards. Even though these standards
are voluntary in nature, it is common for regulating organizations, such as the Occupational Safety & Health Administration
(OSHA), to refer to ANSI standards in the course of compliance checking.
A partial list of organizations who publish safety standards can be found on page 12 of this manual. Contact Larco for more
information about safety standards.
WARNING! Usage of safety mats and safety mat devices is governed by each user’s local codes and applicable
industry standards. Improper usage of these devices could result in severe injuries. Applications must be
limited to machines that can be stopped consistently and immediately at any point during the hazardous portion
of the cycle or stroke. In the event that Larco safety mats do not prevent all access to the hazardous operation,
the unprotected access must be guarded by other appropriate safeguarding devices or barriers.
Getting Started
Please read through this installation manual, review any installation drawings specific to your application and familiarize
yourself with the planned installation before opening any cartons.
This manual will help guide you through a logical installation sequence beginning with site preparation and installation,
continuing through testing and ending with use and maintenance.
Instructions for other components of the overall safety system, such as a Zone Monitor safety control interface, contain their
own specific set of instructions and will be used in conjunction with this manual. Be sure to follow all appropriate instructions
relative to the particular component of the system, as well as instructions and safety information from the manufacturers of
any tools used during the installation process.
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Installation, Use and
Maintenance Guide
a. Required Tools
Below is a list of typical tools and their uses in the installation of safety mat systems. Your installation may not require the use
of every tool shown, as certain options available from the ATEK would eliminate the need for some on-site operations. For
example, aluminum trim kits typically used to anchor the mats in place can be fabricated on site from stock length extrusions
or can be purchased from ATEK completely machined and ready to install.
For All Installations
Razor knife Trimming away vinyl edges of mats IF instructed to do so
Wire stripper Stripping wire insulation to make electrical connections
Shop vacuum or broom Cleaning the safety mat mounting surface
Ohm meter Testing the safety mats if shipping damage is suspected
Personal protective wear Safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, etc.
For Screw and Anchor-type Installations with Aluminum Mounting Trim
Drill & drill bits Drilling anchor holes in the mounting surface
Phillips screw driver Fastening trim screws
Lightweight hammer Tapping screw anchors into pre-drilled holes
Aluminum saw Cutting cord exits in aluminum trim
Aluminum file Removing sharp edges around cord exits on aluminum trim
For Fabricating Aluminum Mounting Trim on the Job Site
Chop saw or miter box Cutting aluminum profiles to the correct size/shape
Drill & drill bits Drilling and countersinking screw holes in aluminum trim
Tape measure Measuring for correct profile dimensions prior to cutting
For Labor Saver Self-Adhesive Mat Mounting
50/50 solution of
Isopropyl alcohol & water
Clean rags Wiping the mounting surface
Cleaning the mounting surface. Refer to mat cleaning instructions at
www.larco.com/resources
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