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Befahren des Apparates

English translation: when using the device/apparatus

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12:26 Jul 24, 2007

German to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Mechanics / Mech Engineering / Contract

German term or phrase: Befahren des Apparates

Can someone please tell me what is meant by Befahren des Apparates in the following:

Es ist eine ausreichende Belüftung des Apparates sicherzustellen. Vor dem ***Befahren des Apparates*** hat eine Freigabe durch hierzu authorisiertes Personal zu erfolgen.

I thought "befahren" was just something you did with roads and not an Apparat... The only other possibilities I can come up with is that it means "einfahren" or (perhaps most likely but I can only find reference to it in one dictionary and no confirmation anywhere else) that it is another way of saying "besichtigen".... Is that right? Many thanks for any help

Charles Stanford KudoZ activity Questions: 381 (2 open) (10 without valid answers) (2 closed without grading) Answers: 98 Czech Republic
Local time: 23:43

English translation:when using the device/apparatus

Explanation:
A guess based on the limited context. Whatever the Apparat is, I'd say "befahren" here means not driving on but simply driving i.e. using. This is not standard usage in German, but it would make sense here.
The "Belüftung" implies that the Apparat is enclosed - so something like "lift/elevator" would be feasible (also in an oil rig context).
But only you will be able to find out for sure what Apparat refers to here ...

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Note added at 20 mins (2007-07-24 12:46:18 GMT)
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See here:
http://www.bgm-s.de/downloads/btr0032.doc

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Note added at 22 mins (2007-07-24 12:48:23 GMT)
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In that case, it would indeed mean moving/driving INTO the lift.

Selected response from:

xxxFrancis Lee
Local time: 23:43

Grading comment

thank you Francis
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

2 +4

when using the device/apparatus

xxxFrancis Lee

operating the device

Barbara Schiefer

accessing (or gaining access to)

Dr. Fred Thomson

running the device

Robin Salmon

Discussion entries: 3

Answers

18 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

when using the device/apparatus

xxxFrancis Lee
Local time: 23:43
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 12

Grading comment

thank you Francis

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)

agree

LittleBalu: *To use a machine* is one possible meaning of "befahren" according to LEO: http://dict.leo.org/ende?lang=de&lp=ende&search=befahren // Stimmt, aber kannst du machen/sagen nix, oder?

56 mins

-> Thanks. It's frustrating when you make an effort to explain etc. and other Askers seem to pick where you left off, right?/ Und ich (darf) schon gar nicht, gelle?

agree

SusieZ: consider your answer acknowledged on my part...:)) The proposed answer seems as vague as the German, but I would definitely use device...

1 hr

-> Thanks. I'll stop sulking now ...

agree

Rebecca Garber: Prior to use is nice, vague, and encompasses start up, normal operation, following maintenance, all of those specific machine operations.//Maybe it's one of those huge jobs and only translator 1 knows what the Apparat is...

2 hrs

-> That's a very useful solution - esp. as we (bizarrely) don't even know what kind of Apparat is involved./ A-ha! That possibility hadn't occured to me. Or else training instructions for Homer Simpson ("Press a button - any button")

agree

jccantrell: I would vote with use, operation, etc., in this sense.

2 hrs

28 mins confidence:

running the device

Explanation:
Just wondering if that might fit.

Robin Salmon
Australia
Local time: 07:43
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 28

1 hr confidence:

operating the device

Explanation:
"Befahren" im Sinne von "benutzen"?

Barbara Schiefer
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:43
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 12

20 mins confidence:

accessing (or gaining access to)

Explanation:
Before accessing the xxxx, one must

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Note added at 1 hr (2007-07-24 14:06:25 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

You may also translate "befahren" by "to get into."

Dr. Fred Thomson
United States
Local time: 15:43
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 185

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Befahren des Apparates

English translation: when using the device/apparatus

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Befahren des Apparates

English translation: when using the device/apparatus

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