FAQ

Listed below are just a few of the frequently asked questions (FAQ) often asked by our customers about Ampco Safety Tools. If you do not find the information you are looking for, please contact us directly.

Who should be using Ampco Safety Tools?

There are many standards and recommendations that have been published by organizations such as OSHA (Occupational Health & Safety Administration), NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) & MSHA (Mine Safety & Health Administration) that advise the use of Non-Sparking tools in hazardous environments. Increasingly, many companies are using Non-Sparking tools even when there is no mandatory requirement as a means to reduce the risk of fire and explosion. Anywhere there is concern about sparks igniting flammable vapors, liquids, dusts or residues, Ampco Safety Tools should be used in place of normal steel tools.

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How can I be certain that AMPCO Tools are safe for use where flammable vapors, liquids or residues are present?

The Factory Mutual Research Corporation first approved Ampco Safety Tools for use in these environments in 1937. Factory Mutual has conducted extensive testing on the alloys used to produce Ampco Safety Tools and concluded that they are safe for use in even the most volatile atmospheres. Factory Mutual is an international organization recognized by OSHA and NFPA as a testing laboratory in scientific research and product certification. Ampco Safety Tools complies with recognized standards and our ongoing production is monitored for approval requirements. Ampco Safety Tools also conforms to the recommendations of the NFPA, MSHA and the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards).

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Can dust and residue build-up cause a hazardous explosion?

There is a direct correlation between particle size and its explosive hazard; the smaller the particle, the more reactive the dust. As the materials become smaller, they disperse and remain suspended in air more easily increasing the potential for ignition. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board recently stated, “Dust can be an insidious hazard wherever finely divided organic materials are used. While some of these materials might appear to present a limited fire hazard, when suspended in air under the right conditions, these same materials can explode with deadly consequences. Dust explosions are a significant hazard in manufacturing operations.” AMPCO Non-Sparking Tools should be used wherever there are flammable or combustible dusts, powders or residues present.

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Will Ampco Safety Tools perform as well as steel tools?

It is impossible to manufacture spark resistant tools to the same hardness as high alloy steel. However, it is not necessary. Ampco Safety Tools are designed to perform well for the tool use in which they were intended. As with any hand tool, it is important to use them properly for their intended task. For more information please see the Hand Tools Institute’s Hand Tool Reference Chart at www.hti.org or additional detail on our site here . If an AMPCO tool breaks or fails to perform under normal use, it will be repaired or replaced at no charge. Exceptions include misuse or abuse or normal service wear.

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Why should I use Ampco Safety Tools instead of some other Non-Sparking tool manufacturer?

Ampco Safety Tools has been producing Non-Sparking, Non-Magnetic, Corrosion Resistant Hand Tools since 1922. Our extensive knowledge of the alloys needed to produce these specialty products coupled with decades of experience has resulted in the highest quality tools on the market today. We offer the largest in-house inventory and our dedicated sales staff ensure your order is delivered on time. Ampco Safety Tools is here to help prevent a hazardous situation from turning into an explosive one.

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