Non-sparking hand tools.

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factoryrat

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Sometimes we have to do work in hazardous locations (Class 1 Div 1). An example would be to change a motor. Of course we kill all power to the bad motor and lock out before swapping motors. But the area is a paint mix room with several units running and would still be considered a Class 1 Div 1 area.

My question is should we be using non-sparking hand tools? We usually use the standard issue tools made from steel. My partner said when he was in the Navy they had to use non-sparking tools in hazardous locations. Would this be a safer way to do the job and are there any requirements that mandate the use of non sparking tools?
 
IMO, the use of non-sparking tools is not an acceptable answer. I think you need to get a hot work permit, shut down the process, prove the area is safe, and than work.
 
In oil patch, for a lot of work areas, we carry a meter. The meter will check O2 level, checks for CO, and is H2S way sensitive. meters aren'y cheap! They used to average between $900 and $1800.

Considering industrial, and a lot of serious commercial coatings, I think I'd tend to go with petersonra. Other alternative...can you do the job "after hours" or is this a 24/7 facility?
 
I wholeheartedly agree with Bob (petersonra).

Technically, the NEC doesn?t generally address portable equipment ? it deals with ?installations.? It does recognize there is a danger though. See the FPN to the definition of Electrical and Electronic Equipment in Section 500.2. (My ?portable? pda is listed for Class I, Division 2, Groups A,B,C and D) There are a few other references in Articles 500 &501 to portable/mobile equipment use but they don?t deal with your issue.

A ?hot work? permit documents a temporarily reclassification of a location per Section 500.4.

The military has an entirely different set of rules that permitted the operation your colleague mentioned. The laws of physics don?t change of course but the priorities do.
 
*After hours - Not meant to fudge safety factor of AHJ. I meant it the context that all the hazardous materials could be removed, eliminating the C1D1 temporarily, while potential spark producing work was accomplished.
 
If the area is really operating under Class I, Division 1 conditions you have a lot bigger problem. You would need to be using supplied air breathing apparatus and other PPE. Most flammable products are IDLH (immediately dangerous to life and health) at about 10 to 20% of LEL (lower explosive or flammable limit). A Class I, Divison 1 area is an area where under normal conditions the flammable vapor is with the flammable limits.
Don
 
An example. Toluene has a LEL of 1.1% and UEL of 7.1%. 1.1% is equal to 11,000 ppm. The IDLH for this product per NIOSH is 500 ppm. Ten pecent of LEL would be 1100 ppm or more than twice the IDLH level.
Don
 
Rockyd said:
*After hours - Not meant to fudge safety factor of AHJ. I meant it the context that all the hazardous materials could be removed, eliminating the C1D1 temporarily, while potential spark producing work was accomplished.
Click to expand...

In that case the non-sparking tools would not be an issue.

And the AHJ is not the person that you should worry about. the person you should be worried about is yourself, because you are the one that could go boom.
 
IDLF I Don't Live Here...Immeadiate Danger to Life and Health

SCBA Self Contained Breathing Apparatus

Extra 5 minute SCAT packs?

Confined space training?

Job well done....Priceless!
 
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