What are non-sparking tools?

What Are Non-Sparking Tools?

Non-sparking tools help prevent fires and explosions while working in atmospheric explosive zones. The tools are made of non-sparking materials, such as copper-nickel, brass, copper-aluminum, bronze and copper-beryllium alloys. These hand tools are often found in industries that work with a high risk of fire, such as the oil and gas industry and the automotive industry (mostly for working on fuel tanks).

Abolox carries several non-sparking tools for those working in explosive atmospheres.

Industries That Use Non-Sparking Tools

While non-sparking tools are not required in some industries, such as automotive repair, it’s a good idea to have them when working on fuel tanks. Some industries and jobs require non-sparking tools. Those industries and jobs include:

• Oil refineries
• Offshore oil rigs
• Chemical industry
• Paint warehouses
• Spray booths
• Grain silos
• Coal mines

Non-Sparking Tools at Abolox

At Abolox, we carry several non-sparking tools, including:

• Ball-peen hammers
• Metric combination wrenches
• Standard combination wrenches
• Offset striking wrenches
• Structural box-end wrenches
• Flat striking wrenches
• 90-degree center punches
• 50-degree prick punches
• Long handle sledge hammers of various weights
• Short handle sledge hammers of various weights
• Box-end wrenches
• Cold-cut chisels
• Long drift punches
• Structural open-end wrenches
• Phillips screwdrivers
• Flat-blade screwdrivers

When purchasing non-sparking tools, some of the considerations you should make include the material, resistance and task to be completed. When you choose the right non-sparking tool, you minimize the risk of accidents, infrastructure damage and material damage.

What Makes Tools Non-Sparking?

The materials used to make the tools do not contain steel or iron, which create hot sparks when you hit them. The non-sparking tools create cold sparks that cannot ignite flammable substances. The alloys used to make non-sparking tools are usually non-ferrous alloys. Common non-ferrous alloys include:

• Beryllium Copper: High hardness from 280 to 350 Brinell, usually used to produce cutting hand tools such as cutting pliers and screwdriver tips.
• Aluminum Bronze: Absorbs more energy, has a higher resistance to shocks, and is flexible. Generally used for hammers and striking wrenches.

Special Care for Non-Sparking Tools

Non-sparking tools are not as strong as steel tools, so they do need some special care to keep them from wearing out too quickly. To extend the life of non-sparking tools:

• Always use the correct tool for the task.
• Do not drop the tools.
• Always clean your tools when finished with them to help prevent corrosion.
• Always check your striking tools frequently, as they are susceptible to wear.
• Do not let non-sparking tools come into contact with corrosive products, including ferrous and other contaminants that affect non-sparking properties.
• Minimize excessive overstrikes, as they can cause shaft damage.
• Never use non-sparking tools in environments with acetylene, as it causes explosive acetylides.
• Follow normal safety procedures when sharpening non-sparking tools, including wearing the proper personal protective equipment.
• Do not store tools that have wooden parts in places where the wood can dry out and shrink.
• Try to purchase non-sparking tools with fiberglass handles instead of wood handles, as they have more advantages in resistance and can tolerate bad environmental conditions better.

Non-Sparking Tool Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are non-sparking tools so important? Certain industries have a higher risk of explosions and fires. Sparks can ignite fumes from flammable products, such as gas if the fumes are lingering in the air. The “cold” sparks made by non-sparking tools do not ignite flammable materials or their fumes.
2. Is brass a non-sparking material? Depending on the composition, brass can be non-sparking. All non-sparking tools must be tested and certified per the relevant IS4595 Safety Standard.
3. Why are non-sparking tools not made from aluminum? If the aluminum is pure, it is not non-sparking. It must be mixed. Aluminum copper is non-sparking. Aluminum-bronze has about 11 percent aluminum, 5 percent iron, 10 percent nickel, and 74 percent copper.
4. Is stainless steel non-sparking? No. If you strike stainless steel against another hard metal or stone, it creates a hot spark, which can ignite flammable materials and flammable gases in the atmosphere.
5. Is galvanized steel a non-sparking material? No. Galvanized steel produces hot sparks.
6. Do I have to use non-sparking tools? If you work in an environment that requires non-sparking tools, you must use them. They are made of metal that creates cold sparks instead of hot sparks. The cold sparks will not ignite flammable fumes and materials. Non-sparking tools are made of materials such as copper beryllium, aluminum bronze, and copper titanium.
7. Does copper create a spark? Copper does not create a hot spark, but it can create a cold spark under the right conditions. While hot sparks can ignite flammable materials and gases, cold sparks do not.
8. Are non-sparking tools magnetic? No. Some non-sparking tools are often referred to as non-magnetic as they allow magnetic fields to pass through them. Copper beryllium and copper titanium allow complete magnetic fields to pass through, while aluminum bronze contains some iron and nickel, which are magnetic. If your job requires non-magnetic tools, use only copper beryllium and copper titanium.
9. What are the standards used for non-sparking tools? Three global standards test and determine whether an alloy is non-sparking:
   
   • The Indian Standard IS 4595-1969(2006) was created in 1969 and reaffirmed in 2006.
   • FM 7190.
   • BAM Certification by an institute in Germany.

   Since all of these check the spark generation capability of an alloy or material, they are all acceptable standards.

10. As an auto technician who often works with flammable gases, what non-sparking tools do I need? If you work with gas tanks, including removing them, removing fuel pumps from gas tanks, and repairing gas tanks, you should use non-sparking hammers, punches, wrenches and other hand tools that meet any of the three standards, including IS 4695-1969(2006), FM 7190 and BAM Certification. Neve ruse “jugaad” tools when working with or around flammable gases, as it could compromise your safety.
11. Which countries manufacture non-sparking tools? The first non-sparking tools were manufactured in the United States in 1922 by the American Metal Products Company.
12. Are non-sparking tools good for electricians to use? No. Non-sparking tools conduct electricity. Instead, use insulated tools

Contact Abolox for Non-Sparking Tools

Abolox carries quality brands of hand tools and personal protective equipment. If you need to add non-sparking tools to your collection, visit Abolox to find many types of non-sparking hand tools. If you don’t see what you need on our site, call the office, and we’ll source it for you.