Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Richard McLellan
A question from my troops. Should the use of an air powered hacksaw be considered an ignition risk in Zoned areas?. I suppose the case of an enthusiastically wielded hand powered hacksaw should also be considered.
Do the teeth cut with no risk of incendive spark? I'm assuming steel is being cut - no exotic metals.
Richard
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Paul Oliver
We are currently using air powered hacksaws on site (oil storage terminal) using a general work permit as it is deemed that the saw would not generate sparks during its use cutting through carbon steel pipes.
I would reccomend that you determine what you will be cutting and then carry out a test in a the fab shop to see what happens.
Paul
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Martin C
The saw may not produce sparks but it may produce very hot particles that are above ignition temperature for some chemicals and the blade itself can get very hot. Is it possible to use a water based or other non-flammable coolant on the blade to reduce temperature and therefore fire risk. Sparks are only small particles that are well over their oxidising temperature, a spark is not the only thing that will cause ignition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Richard McLellan
I would not really feel reassured by lack of observable sparks, because Martin is right and we must also consider hot particles. Our working environment is offshore and the most probable danger is ignition of hydrocarbon gas / air mixtures (discounting flammable liquids / solids which we can remove by good housekeeping)
For other work involving heating steelwork we set a limit of 220 C.
The temperature limit of 200 degrees centigrade is set to comply with Directive 99/92/EC (also known as ‘ATEX 137’ or the 'ATEX Workplace Directive’) limit for T3 Temperature classification of gases. The flammable gasses likely to be found in our operations will not be ignited by an equipment surface temperature of 200 degrees. Would cutting particles exceed 200C?
It also makes me think about use of air powered drills - reflecting my own DIY experiences of an unlubricated drill tip glowing red!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By William
I believe we are talking about cenger saws, we use them offshore and they are perfectly safe so long as they are used correctly, if you are concerned however just ensure that you use a lubricant such as green oil to prevent too much heat or sparks from friction, and don't forget the coshh for that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.