BRITISH STANDARD Powder actuated fixing systems — Part 2: Specification for tools 1eS 25.4001 NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW BS 4078-2: 1989 Incorporating Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 om ZBS 4078-2:1989 ‘This British Standard, having been prepared under the direction of the Machine, Engineers and Hand Tools Standards Policy Committee, was published under the ‘authority of the Board of BSI fand comes into effect on S1January 1990 © BSI 10-1999 First published, as BS 4078, [November 1966 ‘Second edition, as BS 4078-2 January 1990 ‘The following BSI references relate to the work on t standard ‘Committee reference MTEL2 raft for comment 86174287 DC ISBN 0 580 17691 6 Committees responsible for this British Standard ‘The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Machine, Engineers and Hand Tools Standards Policy Committee (MEY) to Technical Committee MTE/21 upon which the following bodies were represented: British Hardware Federation Building Employers’ Confederation Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales Federation of British Hand Tool Manufacturers Federation of Master Builders Gun Trade Association Ltd, Health and Safety Executive Hire Association Europe Joint Industry Board for the Electrical Contracting Industry ‘The Worshipful Company of Gun Makers Amendments issued since publication Amd. No. [Date ofissue | Comments 9900 April 1998) 10692, October 1999 | Indicated by a sidelineContents Page Committees responsible Inside front cover Foreword ii 1 Scope 1 2 Definitions 1 3 Classification 1 4 Ancillary equipment 1 5 Design and construction 1 6 Marking 2 ‘Appendix A Determination of muzzle velocity and energy 3 Appendix B Free-fall drop test 4 Appendix C Cartridge requirements 4 Figure 1 — Principle of measurement of muzale velocity 3 Figure 2— Test fastener 3 ‘Table 1 — Cartridge strength identification codes 4 Publications referred to Tnside back cover © BST 10-1999BS 4078-2:1989 Foreword ‘This Part of BS 4078 has been prepared under the direction of the Machine, Engineers and Hand Tools Standards Policy Committee. It applies to cartridge-operated fixing tools used mainly in the building industry. This Part is based on a proposal submitted by the Powder Actuated Systems Association. BS 4078 comprises the following Parts: — Part 1: Code of practice for safe use; — Part 2: Specification for tools. ‘This Part, together with BS 4078-1, supersedes BS 4078:1966 which is, withdrawn. A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application. Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations. Summary of pages ‘This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii, pages 1 to 4, an inside back cover and a back cover. ‘The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the document was last issued Sidelining in this document indicates the most recent changes by amendment, © BSI 10-19991 Scope ‘This Part of BS 4078 specifies the design and construction, marking, testing, ancillary equipment and cartridge requirements for powder actuated fixing tools. These tools are used to make fixings into construction materials such as concrete, masonry and steel. This Part does not apply to tools designed for attaching objects to soft construction materials such as wood. NOTE 1 Humane killers, marking tools and electric eable spiking tools roquire special consideration and are therefore ‘outside the scope of this standard NOTE 2 Tho titles of the publications reforred to inthis standard are listed on the inside back caver, 2 Definitions For the purposes of this Part of BS 4078 the following definitions apply. 2a powder actuated fixing tool a device for driving specially manufactured nails and other fasteners into appropriate materials, the driving force being from a propellant gas producing cartridge (power load) 22 indirect acting tool ‘ tool in which the energy produced by the cartridge is transmitted to the fastener by means of an intervening piston which is retained in the tool NOTE_ The propelled mass in this case is the combination ofthe fastener and the piston 28 direct acting tool ‘tool in which the energy produced by the cartridge acts directly on the fastener NOTE. The propelled mass in this case is the fastener. 3 Classification Using the methods given in Appendix A to determine the individual characteristic muzzle velocity and energy, the tools shall be classified as follows. Class AJ. An indirect acting tool where the characteristic muzzle velocity, Vz, of 10 shots does not exceed 100 m/s and that of any single shot is less than 110 mis. Class A2. An indirect acting tool where the characteristic muzzle velocity, V,, of 10 shots lies between 100 m/s and 160 m/s and that of any single shot is less than 176 m/s with average energy less than 420 J. Class B1. An indirect acting tool where the characteristic muzzle velocity, V,, of 10 shots lies between 100 m/s and 160 m/s with average energy in excess of 420 J. Class B2. An indirect acting tool where the characteristic muzzle velocity, Ve, of 10 shots lies above 160 m/s and that of any single shot above 176 m/s with an average energy less than 420 J. Class C1. Any direct acting tool regardless of velocity or energy or any indirect acting tool not classified by classes Al to B2. 4 Ancillary equipment Every tool shall be accompanied by the following items. a) The standard splinter guard as specified in 6.1. ) Instructions, printed in the language of the country in which the tool is intended to be used, for the safe use, handling, cleaning and maintenance of the tool. ‘These instructions shall include at least the following. 1) An illustration of the tool showing the function of each part, e.g. interchangeable Pistons. 2) A list of parts which a trained operator may bbe permitted to change. 3) A description of the type of nails, stud or other fasteners for which the tool is intended. 4) A description of the colour coding system for cartridges recommended for use in the tool. ‘This shall comply with Appendix C. 5) The procedure to be followed in the event of a misfire. ©) A lockable rigid tool box or case provided with compartments to accommodate the tools and items listed in a) and b) of this clause and a pair of safety goggles conforming to category B of BS EN 166:1996. NOTE Attention is drawn also to BS 4078-1 5 Design and construction NOTE In designing tools, attention should be given to preventing accidental firing and minimizing hazards presented by recoil and noise 6.1 Splinter guards 5.1.1 All tools shall be provided with a splinter guard. 5.1.2 The position of the axis of the barrel shall be indicated on the splinter guard or on the tool itself in order to assist the operator in locating a fixing accurately, © BSI 10-19995.1.8 The splinter guard shall be designed so that when mounted it completely covers the surface on which it is placed in order to retain the pins and splinters. 5.1.4 For working in a position where a splinter guard complying with 6.1.8 or 5.7.2 makes correct positioning of a fastening impossible, special guards may be provided, parts of which are cut away, making the edge less than 50 mm from the axis of the barrel. Such guards shall only be designed and supplied for use in situations where the structure being fired into provides shielding from splinters and ricochets not less than that provided by a standard guard complying with 5.1.8 or 5.7.2. The situations in which such guards may be used shall be clearly shown in the instructions referred to in item b) of clause 4. 5.2 Tools 5.2.1 General. The tool shall be so designed that it cannot be fired unless a contact force equivalent to at least one and a half times its own mass has been applied to the tool against the working surface. This contact force shall be at least 50 N, regardless of the tool mass. NOTE Hammer-operated toola require special consideration, 00 5.22 5.2.2 Hammer-operated tools. The tool shall be s0 designed that it can only be fired when in contact with the working surface. 5.3 Angle of fixing For tools in class A2, the tool shall not fire if the angle formed between the perpendicular to the work surface and the axis of the tool exceeds 15°. For tools in classes B1, B2 and C1 this angle shall not exceed 7° NOTE Tools in lass A1 are exempt from these requirements 5.4 Free-fall drop testing When tested in accordance with Appendix B, tools shall not fire. 5.5 Unfired or misfired cartridges The tools shall be designed in such a way that an unfired or misfired cartridge can be removed without danger to the operator. 5.6 General construction NOTE Attention is drawn to the Gun Barrel Proof Act 1868, amended in 19780. 5.6.1 The design of parts shall be such that either it is impossible to assemble them incorrectly or, if assembled incorrectly, it shall not be possible to fire the tool. 5.6.2 All tools shalll have provision for varying the power to enable the correct power level to be selected in order to perform the desired work. Where this is obtained by varying the volume of the combustion chamber, the tool shalll be so designed that, once set, normal handling will not affect the setting, 6.7 Direct-acting tools 5.7.1 The tool shall be constructed in such a way that it will only fire if it has been fitted with a splinter guard. 5.7.2 Except as specified in 5.1.4 the distance from the outer edge of the guard to the axis of the barrel shall be not less than 50 mm. 5.8 Indirect-acting tools Indirect-acting tools shall have provision for attaching splinter guards, a splinter guard being supplied with each tool. 6 Marking Every tool shall be clearly and permanently marked, either on the tool or on a plate attached to it, with the following information. a) Manufacturer's name or trade mark. b) Type, class and serial number. ©) A mark showing that the tool has been passed by a proof house, in accordance with the Gun Barrel Proof Act 1868, as amended in 1978), 4) The number of this British Standard, ie, BS 4078-2, The 1978 amendment takes into account the requirements ofthe Permanent International Commission forthe Proof of Small ‘Arms (CIP), ® Marking BS 4078-2 on or in relation toa product represents a manufacturer's declaration of conformity, ie, a claim by or on bbohalfof the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of the standard. The accuracy ofthe eiaim is therefore solely the responsibility of the person making the claim. Such a declaration is not tobe confused with third party certification of conformity, which may also he desirable © BSI 10-1999BS 4078-2:1989 ————$<$< Appendix A Determination of muzzle velocity and energy A.1 Measurement of muzzle velocity ‘The test shall be carried out using the cartridge and power setting giving the greatest power. If the tool has several pistons and barrels, all measurements shall be carried out using those elements which give rise to the highest velocity. The most powerful cartridge recommended for the tool shall be used in the test, Test fasteners shall have a diameter of 6.00 mm, a mass of 8 + 0.3 g and an ogival point (see Figure 2), Plastic obturators shall be used where the tool bore is greater than 6 mm. Measure the muzzle velocity by firing a test fastener through either an aluminium alloy sheet, 1.5 mm. thick, with a tensile strength of 230 Nimm?, or a material having characteristics of the same value, between two light rays placed 1 m apart, whereby the first is positioned 0.5 m away from the muzzle (see Figure 1). Repeat this procedure 10 times, NOTE During the 10 consecutive velocity teste, i is permitted to change sticking, jammed or broken pistons, A.2 Muzzle velocity calculation Calculate the individual characteristic muzzle velocity in accordance with statistical principles with the coefficient, Ky = 2.87 and the standard deviation value for each series Ve=V +K,xS where Vg is the characteristic muzzle velocity (in m/s); 7 is the average velocity of the 10 tests (in mls); Sis the standard deviation. A.3 Energy calculation Calculate the energy (in J), i. the average kinetic energy of the mass of the test fastener (and piston for an indirect-acting tool) put into movement by the firing, by the following equation: is the mass of test fastener (and piston where appropriate) (in kg); ‘, is the characteristic muzzle velocity of the test fastener (in m/s). 1m. Path of fastener Light rays Figure 1— Principle of measurement of muzzle velocity Plate nf — ro mate a 0.5m, Linear dimensions are in millimetres. NOTE goof fo 9899 Adjust length to achieve mass of 80.3 g. Material silver ste, Figure 2— Test fastener © BSI 10-1999Appendix B Free-fall drop test B.1 Procedure B.1.1 Carry out the test as specified in B.1.2 and B.1.3. B.1.2 Use a cartridge of the appropriate calibre, containing only the primer. Insert the lightest fastener where the operation of the tool requires it. B.1.8 Drop the tool three times from a height of 3 m, including at least one drop directly onto its muzzle, onto a square boiler plate with a minimum side length of 500 mm and a thickness of 30 mm. B.1.4 If the tool fires during this test it has failed, B.L.5 After each drop test if the tool has not fired check the cartridge base with the naked eye to ensure that no indentation has been caused by the firing pin and that the case containing the primer has not ignited. Also verify the functioning of the tool. If necessary, replace damaged parts before the next drop test, in order to guarantee correct functioning of the tool. B.2 Additional drop test B.2.1 If the tool subjected to the test in B.1 shows signs that the cartridge has been indented by the firing pin, then carry out an additional drop test as, specified in B.2.2 and B. B.2.2 Use a cartridge of the appropriate calibre, containing only the primer. Insert the lightest fastener where the operation of the tool requires it. B.2.3 Drop the tool 10 times from a height of 3 m, directly onto its muzzle. B.2.4 If the tool fires during this additional test it, has failed. Appendix C Cartridge requirements C.1 Cartridge strength identification Cartridge strengths shall be identified by the colour code and identification number given in Table 1. Table 1— Cartridge strength identification codes Identification number Identification colour Grey* Brown, Green Yellow Blue Seep ens cartridges is subject to the Carriage of Expl Regulations 1996. The Health and Safety Ex {Zuidance in the form of their publication HS (G) 162-1996, Carriage of Dangerous Goods Explained: Part 4. Guidance for operators, drivers and others involved in the earriage of explosives by road, Label colouring shall correspond to the cartridge strength identification colour. The following information shall also be included in the labelling. ) The manufacturer's or distributor's name or trade mark b) The words “safety cartridge”. ©) The calibre of the cartridge. 4) The strength of the cartridge by colour code and identification number. ¢) The manufacturer's or distributor's batch identification number. 4) The quantity of cartridges contained in the package 8) The words “These cartridges are only for use with tool XXXX.” NOTE 2. ‘The appropriate tool name() should be inserted in place of XXXX © BSI 10-1999BS 4078-2:1989 Publications referred to BS EN 166:1996, Personal eye-protection — Specifications. BS 4078, Powder actuated fixing systems. BS 4078-1, Code of practice for safe use. © BSI 10-1999BS 4078-2: 1989 BSI 389 Chiswick High Road London Wa 4AL BSI — British Standards Institution BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing British Standards. It presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the international level. 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