Hi Brian,

I’ve dealt with many related questions on my blog, machinerysafety101.com 
https://machinerysafety101.com/series/emergency-stop/, but not these specific 
questions, so I’ll answer them now. Then I’ll add them to the blog (thanks for 
the inspiration!). 

1) How mushroom-shaped is enough?

There’s no hard answer to this, but I can say this: there are three fundamental 
shapes for push button operators, flush, extended, and mushroom. The intent is 
that neither flush nor extended head operators be used for e-stop functions. 
More info in IEC 60947 on that. 

2) Yellow background. Yellow backgrounds have to be big enough to provide clear 
contrast with the red button operator. A tiny ring, or just a yellow stripe 
around the base of the button is not enough in my opinion. Typical rings are 2x 
the operator nominal size, i.e., 30 mm buttons get a 60 mm ring, 22 mm buttons 
get a 44 mm ring. These are common practice recommendations. 

3) Printing “emergency stop” on the yellow ring is not required in any 
jurisdiction anymore, and has been removed from NFPA 79, as well as IEC 
60204-1. Just leave it off, as the red/yellow combination is internationally 
recognized as the sign for e-stop and emergency switching off devices. 

Best,
Doug Nix

d...@ieee.org
Mobile: (519) 729-5704
Office:(519) 650-4753

> On Apr 24, 2019, at 12:49, John Woodgate <j...@woodjohn.uk> wrote:
> 
> Mushrooms come in all sorts of shape, so the description is not very 
> scientific.  It's only a concern if the AHJ thinks it is!
> 
> Whether the English is acceptable is a matter for national legislation, so 
> there are probably several incompatible answers.
> 
> Best wishes
> John Woodgate OOO-Own Opinions Only
> J M Woodgate and Associates www.woodjohn.uk
> Rayleigh, Essex UK
>> On 2019-04-24 17:43, Brian Kunde wrote:
>> I am constantly being asked three questions about E-Stops which I cannot 
>> find the answers to.
>> 
>> 1. "Mushroom Shape" is specifically called out in some standards but the 
>> newer style e-stop switches are becoming less and less Mushroom Shaped.  If 
>> this a concern?
>> 
>> 2. "Yellow Background" is getting smaller and smaller. Some small e-stop 
>> switches has no yellow background but has a small area on the shaft of the 
>> switch that is yellow. This is not technically the "background".  Is this 
>> acceptable or is a yellow background required in addition?  The size of the 
>> yellow area is not specified as far as I have found. 
>> 
>> 3. English text "Emergency Stop" printed on the button or on the yellow 
>> background ring:  Is this a problem in non-english speaking countries?  Do I 
>> have to translate (like in French for France and Canada) or are these words 
>> "globally acceptable"?  I have been telling our engineers to choose e-stop 
>> switches and yellow rings without text but some manufacturers only provide 
>> it with the text.  
>> 
>> Thanks to all.
>> 
>> The Other Brian
>> -
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