Non-sparking maintenance tools increase safety

RS Components has introduced a new range of ‘non-sparking’ tools from EGA Master for use by maintenance engineers in hazardous or potentially explosive environments, where a spark could ignite gases, chemicals or other volatile substances and materials.

Maintenance will always need to be carried out on equipment whatever the application or environment. However, using standard tools in hazardous or even potentially explosive environments could be catastrophic. Non-sparking tools generate low-energy sparks that are always below the ignition energy of the hazardous substances – either gas or dust – that are present in the environment, making them safe for use in explosive environments.

Now available from RS is a wide portfolio of non-sparking tools from EGA Master, with a choice of nearly 500 tools ideal for maintenance engineers working in hazardous environments. The range includes: screwdrivers; sledgehammers; socket sets; socket wrenches and other socket accessories; combination, adjustable and non-impact spanners; pliers including combination and long-nose types; cutters; and a wide selection of hex-key sets.

These tools are manufactured from commonly used materials to deliver non-sparking abilities, including copper-beryllium alloy (Cu-Be) and aluminium- bronze alloy (Al-Br). In addition to being non-sparking, these materials have non-magnetic properties and are also highly corrosion resistant, making them ideal for marine work in particular.

A key target market for these tools is the oil and gas industry, as well as other industries with potentially explosive environments such as in flour or paper mills where a high concentration of fine combustible particles in the air can cause combustion under certain circumstances, along with the presence of an oxidant such as oxygen and an ignition event. The use of non-sparking tools, in conjunction with other vital preventative measures, can help to remove the ignition component in this equation. Other target industries for these tools include aerospace, marine, automotive and mining, as well as other important sectors such as chemicals, petrochemicals, paint manufacturing and brewing, among many others.

For maximum safety, EGA Master marks all tools with the respective alloy in order to ensure that the right tool is used. All EGA Master non-sparking tools are certified by the German BAM laboratory, which offers a third-party assurance that the tools are safe to be used in explosive environments.

The EGA Master non-sparking tool range is in stock now at RS in EMEA and Asia Pacific and support RS solutions for the marine and offshore industry.