Non sparking

Beryllium is added to copper to produce an alloy with greatly increased wear resistance it is used for current-carrying springs and non-sparking safety tools. It is also used as a neutron moderator and reflector in nuclear reactors. Much magnesium is used to prepare light nieial allo>s. other uses include the extraction of titanium (p. 370) and in the removal of oxygen and sulphur from steels calcium finds a similar use. 

Beryllium is used as an alloying agent in producing beryllium copper, which is extensively used for springs, electrical contacts, spot-welding electrodes, and non-sparking tools. It is applied as a structural material for high-speed aircraft, missiles, spacecraft, and communication satellites. Other uses include windshield frame, brake discs, support beams, and other structural components of the space shuttle. 

This is a location safer than Zone I with a likelihood of concentration of explosive gases, chemical vapour or volatile liquids during processing, storage or handling. This would become a fire hazard only under abnormal conditions, such as a leakage or a burst of joints or pipelines etc. Such a condition may exist only for a short period. A standard motor with additional features, as di.scussed below, may also be safe for such locations. A non-sparking type. Ex. n , or an increased safety motor, type Ex. e , may also be chosen for such locations. 

Specify intrinsically safe equipment, or total enclosure, or non-sparking apparatus. 

Use of a steel chisel to open a drum of carbide caused an incendive spark which ignited traces of acetylene in the drum. The non-ferrous tools normally used for this purpose should be kept free from embedded ferrous particles [1], If calcium carbide is warm when filled into drums, absorption of the nitrogen from the trapped air may enrich the oxygen content up to 28%. In this case, less than 3% of acetylene (liberated by moisture) is enough to form an explosive mixture, which may be initiated on opening the sealed drum. Other precautions are detailed [2], Use of carbon dioxide to purge carbide drums, and of brass or bronze non-sparking tools to open them are advocated [3],... 

Note the use of non-sparking aluminum or stainless steel exterior flashing. 

For single seals, and when specified for dnal seals, a non-sparking floating throttle bushing shall be in-... 

Sparks, etc. Sparks from mechanical tools and equipment, hot ashes from smoking, unprotected extension lights, boilers and furnaces, backfire from gasoline engines, are all potential causes of fire. Smoking should be prohibited in areas where flammable liquids are stored or are used in the open. All equipment in such areas should be maintained in first class condition. Wherever possible, spark-proof or non-sparking tools and materials should be used... 

The pressed and cast formulations can also be machined afterward if required but this is carried out remotely because of the hazards involved during the machining process. Also, the tools which are used for machining purpose should be of non-sparking type viz. made of brass or beryllium-copper alloy. 

Any tools used for the explosive related work should be of soft non-ferrous metals such as brass, copper or bronze, that is, tools made of non-sparking metals. Iron and steel tools should he prohibited as they might cause sparking. Tools made of beryllium-copper alloys which are non-sparking are also recommended for this purpose. 

Footwear The workers should wear conductive and non-sparking footwear while working with electrostatic-sensitive explosives. 

Electric installations should be hermetically sealed and non-sparking. The bulbs should be enclosed in safety shields. Electric motors should not be installed in premises in which powder is manufactured. 

Note In opening or closing containers, only non sparking tools (such as those made of copper alloys or berylium-bronze, etc) should be used... 

Black Powder Destruction. If the powder is in containers(25- or 50-lb drums), they must be opened with wooden or non-sparking metal tools and if a stream or large body of water is at hand, the pdr can be dumped into it. (For detailed instruction see SR 75-70-10/AFR 68-3)... 

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