Non-sparking tools are often referred to as safety tools and rightly so. Why? The answer lies in their name itself. They do not cause a spark and thus reduce the chances of fire and explosion to a large extent. They facilitate a smooth and safe operation. This makes them ideal for use at home and garage but more so at the oil and gas factories as they are more susceptible to fire incidents. These tools are an apt choice for the novice as well as the experienced handymen. However, it is important to learn how to use and maintain them in order to carry out the tasks safely.
Let us take a closer look at the making and working of these safety tools.
Materials Used to Make Non-Sparking Hand Tools
Non-sparking or spark resistant tools are crafted with non-ferrous metals such as brass, copper-nickel alloys, copper-aluminium alloys and bronze as these materials lower the risk of spark substantially. Wood, plastic and other bad conductors of fire are also used in their making to prevent fire and explosion. Aluminium copper tools are not just spark resistant but also quite durable. They offer good value for money as they remain in good working condition for a long time. Beryllium copper tools are even more sturdy and durable. They can be used for carrying out heavy duty tasks. Brass tools are also reliable and durable. However, they are comparatively expensive. You may even go for plastic tools. There is just no scope of sparking when you use tools made of plastic. This makes them an ideal choice for environments that are highly prone to explosions and fire.
Non-sparking tools are mostly softer compared to the hand tools that are made of iron or steel. However, as stated above some of them are highly durable and offer great value for money. Besides, the main advantage is that they keep you and your surroundings safe by preventing fire which makes them an ideal purchase.
Care and Maintenance of Tools
As already mentioned, non-sparking hand tools are not as sturdy as the usual tools available in the market. This is why it is essential to pay special attention towards their care and maintenance in order to keep them in good working condition and ensure they last long. Here are a few quick tips to help you in this regard:
- Clean your tools properly after every use to keep them intact. Do not forget to conduct a frequent cleaning session even if you do not use them often. This helps in keeping them in good condition.
- Tools like hammers and wrenches are likely to damage faster therefore it is important to take better care of such tools. Keep a proper check on them.
- You must ensure that your tools do not come in contact with corrosive material.
It is important to follow the aforementioned diligently as lack of it will shorten the life of your tools. They won’t serve you for long thereby adding to your expenses. In addition to this, it is also essential to ensure you go for tools in the correct size and appropriate non-sparking material based on the work to be handled in order to prevent unnecessary slipping and breakage. For instance, if you require carrying out heavy duty work then beryllium copper tools are a better choice.
The Art of Using Non-Sparking Tools
As important as it is to choose the right tools and maintain them well, it is equally essential to use them the right way. Here is a quick glance at how to use non-sparking safety tools appropriately in order to ensure complete safety:
- Your tools must be sharpened frequently in order to ensure they work properly with little effort. Take necessary precautions and use the correct procedure to do so in order to prevent getting hurt.
- Do not use non-sparking tools in acetylene environments particularly in the presence of moisture as this combination is highly likely to cause explosion.
- While using non-sparking tools in an environment that is more susceptible to catching fire, it is essential to ensure there is proper ventilation. This will help clear the space of flammable vapours.
There are many online tutorials that teach how to use different tools appropriately. We suggest you go through a few of them before starting with your task to ensure further safety.
Quality is of Utmost Importance
You may come across quite a few non sparking tools manufacturers in the market. But can you buy tools from just about anyone merely based on your budget? No! Not all of them are likely to offer high quality tools that are actually safe to use. And if they do not fulfil this criterion, they wouldn’t serve your purpose and may prove to be hazardous. So, before you go and check that price tag, it is essential to assess the quality. How? To start with, check the material used to craft those tools. Non-ferrous metals such as bronze, copper and aluminium are used in the making of non sparking hand tools. Wood, plastic, leather and other bad conductors of heat and fire are also used to make these tools. Tools made with any of these materials can safely be termed as safety tools. They boast of good quality. However, whether they are fit for the task you need to perform or not is something you need to consider. With little research, you should be able to understand which material is appropriate as per your requirement.
Some research will also help you figure out as to which non sparking tools manufacturers you can truly rely upon when it comes to buying safety tools and which ones you should avoid completely. Thus, whether the tools you are picking are truly safe for use or not depends to a large extent on the manufacturer you choose.
We hope the information shared here gives you a clear idea about why non-sparking tools are known as safety tools. Those that deal with flammable liquids and vapours should especially invest in these tools. You can ensure added safety by picking good quality tools, using them correctly and maintaining them well.