Are All Air Tools Safe??

Air tools are well known for being a safe choice in potentially explosive environments.  They normally do not overheat or “burn out” and the motor will not throw sparks.  Many engineers use them in hazardous areas without a second thought. 

However, not all air tools are safe - for example grinders will throw dangerous sparks, and high speed drills may generate enough heat to spark an explosion.  Temperatures of above 90^OC are dangerous when certain gases are present.

We all know a risk assessment should be done on any piece of equipment going into a workplace; however we see people automatically assuming that all air tools are safe in an area where there is a risk of explosion. 

If the work place is likely to have an explosive atmosphere due gases, the use of ATEX approved pneumatic tools will give the risk assessor a higher level of confidence about the tool.  The ATEX approval will state the temperature class that is safe for that tool.

The ATEX approval is a European standard for equipment that is used in explosive atmospheres.  To use the approval, the tool manufacturer has to supply tools and operating instructions to an independent testing facility.  The tools are then tested and rated according to their maximum surface temperature, and the temperature of the material being worked on.  Information about hazardous area specific instructions and surface temperature rating must also be included in the operating instructions.

All of our Pneumatic Saws are ATEX certified.