Explosion proof tools.

J

John165

Member
Location
New Mexico
Occupation
Journeyman
One of our guys is on an explosion proof job, and says he needs a wrench for a 6" box. Is there any such thing?
 
If you really need the non-sparking tools, you better also be using a supplied air respirator. NIOSH says that any atmosphere over 10% of LEL is Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health. IDLH atmospheres require the use of supplied air.
 
I helped a guy wire a fuel transfer dock on the Mississippi River one time . He had a set of basic hand tools that were required for that location . They all seemed to have a brass coating on them .
 
It is my understanding that if the atmosphere is constantly monitored, and is of a low enough LEL (I forget how low), special precautions are not required.
 
TwoBlocked said:
It is my understanding that if the atmosphere is constantly monitored, and is of a low enough LEL (I forget how low), special precautions are not required.
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Well , in our situation the oil company furnished the tools so I guess THEY required them . They were to be left in the little store room on the dock for the people that did the unloading . Those tools were so cute ..... :D
 
TwoBlocked said:
It is my understanding that if the atmosphere is constantly monitored, and is of a low enough LEL (I forget how low), special precautions are not required.
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Our "hot work permits" in Class I, Division 2 locations permitted the use of electric tools as long as the LEL was below 10%.
 
DJohns said:
I helped a guy wire a fuel transfer dock on the Mississippi River one time . He had a set of basic hand tools that were required for that location . They all seemed to have a brass coating on them .
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Unlikely. I worked in an explosives plant several decades ago. Non-sparking tools were all made out of solid bronze. I'd bet that his were as well.
 
We had a natural gas leak in a concrete pool room, and the plumber blew himself up when he hit his steel pipe wrenches together and sparked them while tightening a gas line. That's what he said anyway. He was pretty much ok, I think he was back to work in the same week, but the walls of the room were pushed outward a few inches. Natural gas explosions can be pretty tame compared to other gasses.
 
Explosion proof or not I'm still trying to figure out what a "wrench for a 6" box" is ??
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
The ones I have seen were made of a Beryllium Copper alloy.

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Now that you mention it, some of the stuff was Beryllium/Copper. I know we had knives, screwdrivers, hammers, adjustable and monkey wrenches. I think the tin-knockers had some more trade-specific items.
 
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