ASTM_F_3121_-_F_3121M_-_17.pdf

Designation:F3121/F3121M17Standard Guide forIn-Service Inspection,Maintenance,and Electrical Testing ofHand-Held Live-Line Insulating Tools(Fiberglass-ReinforcedPlastic(FRP)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3121/F3121M;the number immediately following the designation indicates the yearof original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide provides recommendations for in-serviceinspection,maintenance,and electrical testing of hand-heldinsulating live-line tools.1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,eachsystem shall be used independently of the other.Combiningvalues from the two systems may result in non-conformancewith the standard.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2F711 Specification for Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic(FRP)Rod and Tube Used in Live Line Tools3.Significance and Use3.1 Compliance with this guide should confirm known andacceptable quality of hand-held insulating live-line tools manu-factured using fiberglass meeting Specification F711.Theguidance herein is to be considered as a minimum requirement.3.2 The user of this type of protective equipment should beknowledgeable of and instructed in the correct and safeinspection and use of this equipment.4.Job Site Procedures4.1 Field Care,Handling,and StorageWhen not in use,hand-held insulating live-line tools should be stored where theywill remain dry,clean,and where they are not subject to abuse.Hand-held insulating live-line tools used for energized-linemaintenance should not be laid directly on the ground to avoidcontamination or wetting.Hand-held insulating live-line toolsshould be placed on clean,dry tarpaulins,on moisture-proofblankets,on tool racks,or stick bags,or leaned against drysupports.When transporting hand-held insulating live-linetools,ventilated containers should be provided to preventdamage to the surfaces of them,or they should be mounted onracks in trucks or trailers.These racks should be well paddedand so constructed that the hand-held insulating live-line toolsare held firmly in place to prevent abrasive or bumping actionagainst any surface that would damage the glossy surface.4.2 Daily Inspection and CheckingHand-held insulatinglive-line tools should be visually inspected and wiped cleanbefore use each day.Hand-held insulating live-line toolsshowing evidence of being mechanically or electricallycompromised,such as a tingling or fuzzy sensation experi-enced by the user when the hand-held insulating tool is near orin contact with energized apparatus should be removed fromservice and evaluated for repair.4.2.1 If any of the following observations are present,thehand-held insulating live-line tools should be removed fromservice and returned to the laboratory or shop for repair andelectrical testing.4.2.1.1 Visual InspectionMechanical Stress:(1)Cuts,scratches,nicks,gouges,dents(through thefinish),or delamination in the stick surface.(2)Damaged,bent,worn,loose,or cracked components.(3)Elongated or deformed rivet ends,roll pins or fasteners.(4)A loss or deterioration of the glossy surface.1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on ElectricalProtective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeF18.35 on Tools&Equipment.Current edition approved Sept.15,2017.Published November 2017.Originallyapproved in 2016.Last previous edition approved in 2016 as F3121/F3121M-16.DOI:10.1520/F3121_F3121M-17.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.1(5