Door interlock with escape release

Fortress Interlocks has released the DM-I door interlock that features an internal release mechanism that allows exit from a dangerous area even when the door is locked.

The DM unit is mounted on the outside of the guard, allowing normal entry and exit using a Fortress Key. The DM-I unit is fitted to the doorpost and allows operators to enter through one access point and exit through another in multi-access applications. The DM-I features a large red button that, when depressed, releases the door even though the DM unit is still locked. The action also breaks dual safety circuits wired to the safety system of the machine to ensure it stops. Once the operator has exited, the machine cannot restart until the DM-I has been reset. The DM-I then latches back in place and the machine is able to restart.

The DM-I unit can be mounted on a variety of panel thicknesses. Locks are available as standard DM units which can go up to 10 modules or fully stainless steel, DMS, which can hold up to 5 modules; both feature ±5° fine adjustment.

The DM-I is part of the mGard range of mechanical trapped key products, a modular system where individual modules can be simply added or removed. Suitable for use in applications up to SIL3 (EN/IEN 62061), category 4 and PLe (EN/ISO 13849-1), mGard is also suitable for use in harsh environments.