Angle control. A safety feature designed to prevent a tool from operating when tilted beyond a predetermined angle.
Approved. Meeting the requirements of this standard and acceptable to the department of labor and industries.
Cased power load. A power load with the propellant contained in a closed case.
Caseless power load. A power load with the propellant in solid form not requiring containment.
Chamber (noun). The location in the tool into which the power load is placed and in which it is actuated.
Chamber (verb). To fit the chamber according to manufacturer's specifications.
Fasteners. Any pins (unthreaded heads) or studs (threaded heads) driven by powder actuated tools.
Fixture. A special shield that provides equivalent protection where the standard shield cannot be used.
Head. That portion of a fastener that extends above the work surface after being properly driven.
Misfire. A condition in which the power load fails to ignite after the tool has been operated.
Powder actuated fastening system. A method comprising the use of a powder actuated tool, a power load, and a fastener.
Powder actuated tool (also known as tool). A tool that utilizes the expanding gases from a power load to drive a fastener.
Power load. The energy source used in powder actuated tools.
Qualified operator. A person who meets the requirements of WAC
296-155-36321 (1) and (2).
Shield. A device, attached to the muzzle end of a tool, which is designed to confine flying particles.
Spalled area. A damaged and nonuniform concrete or masonry surface.
Test velocity. The measurement of fastener velocity performed in accordance with WAC
296-155-36307 (1)(m).
Tools. Tools can be divided into two types: Direct acting and indirect acting; and 3 classes: Low velocity, medium velocity, and high velocity.
• Direct acting tool. A tool in which the expanding gas of the power load acts directly on the fastener to be driven.
• Indirect acting tool. A tool in which the expanding gas of the power load acts on a captive piston, which in turn drives the fastener.
• Low-velocity tool. A tool whose test velocity has been measured 10 times while utilizing the highest velocity combination of:
- The lightest commercially available fastener designed for that specific tool;
- The strongest commercially available power load that will properly chamber in the tool;
- The piston designed for that tool and appropriate for that fastener; that will produce an average test velocity from the 10 tests not in excess of 100 meters per second (328 feet per second) with no single test having a velocity of over 108 m/s (354 ft/s).
• Medium-velocity tool. A tool whose test velocity has been measured 10 times while utilizing the highest velocity combination of:
- The lightest commercially available fastener designed for the tool;
- The strongest commercially available power load that will properly chamber in the tool;
- The piston designed for that tool and appropriate for that fastener; that will produce an average test velocity from 10 tests in excess of 100 m/s (328 ft/s) but not in excess of 150 m/s (492 ft/s) with no single test having a velocity of 160 m/s (525 ft/s).
• High-velocity tool. A tool whose test velocity has been measured 10 times while utilizing the combination of:
- The lightest commercially available fastener designed for the tool;
- The strongest commercially available power load which will properly chamber in the tool; that will produce an average velocity from the 10 tests in excess of 150 m/s (492 ft/s).
