Posted By Robert. Antony Without specific knowledge of the "potentially flammable area", which I assume is not explosive atmospheres. Segregation of works comes to mind and also that of good general housekeeping.

Posted By Raymond Rapp Antony I have recently written a Confined Spaces procedure, where under certain circumstances only non-sparking tools can be used, for obvious reasons. Ray

Posted By Martin Taylor I might be flying in the face of popular opinion here but during a recent survey of our site for flammable atmpospheres with a nationally recognised consultancy the question of ignition energy from tools came up and I was told - with great certainty - that research showed that it is impossible to create a spark with sufficient energy to ignite flammable atmospheres by the forces that can be imparted by human forces acting on standard tools. This was certainly a change in a strongly held belief of myself - does anybody else have this understanding Martin

Posted By Mitch Martin, "normal use" has never been an issue as far as my experience, garage forecourts etc, it was the dropping and striking of tools that seemed to be the concern. Mitch

Posted By Alan Nicholls The term non sparking hand tools is a little misleading, unless you are talking about wood, plastic or leather. All metal tools are capable of generating sparks, when they impact on another hard surface. Non sparking tools only lessen the likelihood of sparks. If you tools impact with steel or concrete a Frictional spark will be generated. All tools are capable of igniting a flammable mixture by sparks generated by friction impact. However for this to happen the spark must have enough heat content and last long enough to heat the flammable air vapour mixture above its ignition temperature, an example would be sparks from a grinder. On the other hand if you have chemically generated sparks caused by impact with certain metals or oxygen containing substances such as rust,(iron oxide) Non sparking tools which contact oxygen bearing materials rust for example can produce sparks which burn hotter and longer than ordinary sparks. Only specific electric motors and switches are classed as SAFE for use in flammable or explosive atmospheres. By ensuring the work area can't develop an explosive or flammable atmosphere it does not matter what tools you use. That includes good house keeping. That is why we control work in confined spaces monitor atmospheres for build up of chemicals or gasses, explosive or otherwise, etc.. Soap box now put away. Regards Alan N