How To Keep Your Non Sparking Hand Tools In Repair

For many working in hazardous environments, the risk of danger lies behind every spark. A single burst of heat at the wrong time or in the wrong place could spell disaster for a welder and their project. That’s why, when working in these conditions, they turn to non sparking tools.

Non sparking tools come in a variety of makes and materials. Perhaps the most common of these are beryllium copper tools. As the name suggests, they’re created using beryllium; it is the hardest and strongest of any copper alloy, possessing a tensile strength of 1280 to 1480 MPa.

However, these hand tools have less tensile strength than your typical steel standard tools. This means that they possess less durability and resistance to being worn down, broken, or damaged. As a result, beryllium copper tools require more frequent maintenance and repair.

Unfortunately, even non sparking hand tools are not completely spark-proof. They are less likely to create a spark than a traditional tool, but they still pose a hazard under the right circumstances.

Some instances where a spark might occur are:

Ignition By Friction

If the tool impacts on another of its make or on materials such as steel or concrete, this can generate a spark. Generally this requires some sort of heat to occur, and that heat needs to last long enough to raise air-vapor temperatures well above the ignition temperature.

Ignition By Chemically-Generated Spark

A chemically-generated spark is typically caused by an impact of non sparking hand tools and an oxygen-containing substance like rust. Considering that rust is also known as iron-oxide, it’s clear that there’s oxygen present.

In order to prevent sparks, or assist in their prevention, you must take care of your non sparking tool kit to the best of your ability. Regular maintenance by yourself or a tool repair shop can go a long way to keeping your tools spark-free.

Some ways to keep your tools in good condition are:

• Making sure all tools are kept clean and free from contaminants, which might hamper the non sparking properties.
• Ensuring no tools come into direct contact with materials like acetylene, which can cause an explosive reaction, especially around moisture.
• Using local or mechanical ventilation systems when you’re cleaning your tools or working in your work place, to remove dust and vapors that might cause sparks or cling to the tools.

Use non sparking hand tools when possible, and make sure that you take good care of them to avoid creating a workplace hazard.