Things To Keep In Mind When Using Non-Sparking Tools
Welding is one of the most important professions in America, with more than 50% of products made in the U.S. requiring it. Everything from cars to furniture and weld on hinges, they all need to have the joints of two metal pieces welded together. But, in some environments, it’s not safe to weld. The sparks could be hazardous. That’s where non sparking tools come into play.
Non sparking tools are a variety of tools that have been designed for potentially explosive environments. They’re not like purge monitors that keep weld sites clear. They’re made of materials that, while not as hard as steel, offer the same utility with a little more effort and care. They might also be non magnetic tools, depending on their make.
But despite their safety rating and preferred nature around potentially explosive environments, there are some things that a user of these tools needs to know in order to continue being safe. There are guidelines to keep in mind, and may only be applicable in certain situations.
One of the weaknesses of NS (Non sparking) tools is that they can be weaker than steel. That means that they need more effort to utilize. For this reason, you want to avoid overstraining and heating, and make frequent checks on the tools to ensure that they’re still in great working condition. They may get damaged during use.
Always make sure that the NS tools are kept clean and free from contaminants, which may hamper the properties of the tool. If the properties are hampered, it may remove the ability to prevent sparks, and create a safety risk for you and those around you. Things like ferrous can cause these properties to fail.
The tool’s surface temperature is another factor to keep in mind, it must not go higher than the present gas’s temperature. This is to minimize the chances of heat creating a spark, or any sort of reaction that might pose a safety risk.
Finally, you should be mindful of your surroundings. Remove any objects that may create a spark when falling or dropped, to maximize the safety of the working environment.
These are just some of the things to keep in mind when using NS tools. If you have any questions feel free to contact us for details.