Beware of bump-fire tools 
(16/01/2007)
Contractors should be aware of the dangers of using tools on site which feature a bump-fire facility. Not only are the tools insufficiently accurate for trim work, they are potentially highly dangerous under certain site conditions and could contravene the health and safety requirements of EN792-13.
While bump firing may be suitable in controlled areas, EN792-13 says that bump fire nailers should not be used in situations where operators are using scaffolding, stairs, ladders etc – a description which most certainly covers most UK construction sites. A bump fire tool could easily be picked up by users who do not necessarily realise the risks involved.
Very rapid bump firing is simply not accurate enough for trim fixing or most site-based applications where sequential firing is safer and easier to control. Sequential operation, which can drive up to three nails per second, is fast enough to satisfy efficiency requirements but safe and controlled enough to fulfil health and safety regulations.
Cordless nailing specialists, ITW Construction Products, provides the majority of its tools with sequential firing mechanisms and does not supply any bump fire mechanisms in tools intended for use on a building site.
The Paslode Impulse range of cordless nailers is virtually ubiquitous on UK building sites. It has become an indispensable tool for a wide variety of finishing trades on site, handling a diverse range of second fix tasks on site.
Related categories: Tools and installation equipment
