Please refer to the instructions enclosed with your BernzOmatic Torch for complete safety precautions.
General Torch Safety Precautions
1. Read and follow operating instructions and cautions and familiarize yourself with the torch before lighting or using. Review instructions and cautions periodically to maintain awareness. Do not try to operate before reading instructions.
2. Keep torch out of reach of children and anyone who has not read instructions. Do not point torch towards face, other persons or flammable objects. Never attempt to use torch as a cigarette lighter.
3. Disconnect cylinder when not in use.
4. Never attempt to modify the torch construction and never use unapproved accessories or fuels.
5. Be extra careful when using the torch outdoors on sunny or windy days. Bright sun makes it impossible to see the torch’s flame. Wind may carry the torch’s heat back towards you or to other areas not intended to be heated. Windy conditions may also cause sparks to be blown into other areas with combustible materials.
6. Treat the torch as you would any fine tool or instrument. Do not drop or otherwise abuse.
7. Do not use a leaking, damaged or malfunctioning torch.
8. When brazing, always wear goggles having an Ansi Z87.1 1979 Shade No. 4 or No. 5 lens.
9. Never use a torch or paint stripper to remove lead-based paint indoors or in any confined area.
10. Heating a surface may cause heat to be conducted to adjoining surfaces that may be combustible or become pressurized when heated. Always check to make sure no unintended parts or materials are being heated. Whenever there is a possibility that unintended parts or materials are being heated, wait at least two hours before leaving the area.
11. Work only in well-ventilated areas. Avoid the fumes from fluxes, lead-based paint and all metal heating operations. Be especially careful to avoid fumes from cadmium plating and galvanized metal – remove these coatings in the area to be heated by filing or sanding prior to heating.
12. Avoid contact of flux with skin or eyes.
13. Always place your work on firebrick. If you are not sure it is firebrick, do not use. Ordinary brick and concrete can explode when subjected to high temperatures. Do not work on wood or metal surfaces. Always shield your work.
14. Always wear protective gloves and use proper tools to handle hot work.
15. Be aware that the tip of the torch can get extremely hot during use. Take precautions to protect yourself and others from accidental burns. Never use the torch on or near highly combustible material. Be especially careful around motor vehicles or any gasoline-fired products and beware of hidden fuel lines and tanks.
16. Always make certain the torch is placed on a level surface when connected to the fuel cylinder to reduce the risk of accidental tip over. Be sure the torch is not pointed in a direction that could cause nearby objects to ignite when torch is set down.
17. Never attempt to repair or heat a gasoline tank, a chemical drum, an aerosol can, a compressed gas container or any container that held flammable liquid or gas or any other chemical. Heating these is extremely dangerous, especially after they have been “emptied.”
18. When thawing pipes, be very careful not to overheat surrounding materials. Use heat shield.
19. Always have a fire extinguisher and a bucket of water near the torch and work area. Do not place them in the flame path or in a location where you could not reach them should a fire break out.
Propane Fuel
DANGER: EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. CONTENT UNDER PRESSURE.
Keep away from heat or flame. It is illegal and dangerous to refill the cylinder. Obtain a new cylinder from your dealer. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Do not store near heat or in a room used for habitation. Always close burner valve and wait at least 30 seconds before removing burner from cylinder. Always detach cylinder from burner when not in use. Do not breathe gas, fumes, vapor or spray. If inhaled, remove affected person to fresh air. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. For skin contact, flush with large amounts of water. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. When cylinder is empty, discard in a safe place. Do not throw in fire. Do not puncture or incinerate container. Federal law forbids transportation if refilled. Penalty up to $500,000 fine and five years imprisonment (49 U.S.C 5124).
Caution
DO NOT use torch with the fuel cylinder tipped more than 60 degrees from its upright position as this may cause torch to flare. DO NOT attempt to replace orifice. The orifice has a special filter and should not need replacement. As a safety feature, the burner tube may bend if the torch is dropped. This feature protects the orifice and the regulator of the torch. If the torch is damaged in any way, return it for repairs.
AN EXCESSIVELY SHORT FLAME WILL CAUSE LIGHTING DIFFICULTIES, WILL RESULT IN INEFFICIENT HEATING AND MAY DAMAGE THE IGNITION MECHANISM. NEVER ATTEMPT TO LIGHT THE TORCH WITH A SETTING THAT WOULD RESULT IN A MAIN FLAME LESS THAN ¼” LONG.
Warning
1. The propane cylinder contains gaseous and liquid propane. If the torch is moved rapidly, tilted too far to the side or upside down, the liquid can enter the valve and cause the flame to flare or extinguish. To prevent this, adjust the torch to a ¼” long inner flame and let the torch warm-up for 5 minutes prior to such movement, and then slowly re-adjust as necessary once the torch is in the desired operating position.
2. Make sure torch is cool before tightening or removing accessories.
3. Check all joints and couplings periodically to insure against loose connections. With valve open, without lighting, test all connections with soapy water. If bubbles appear, gas is leaking and torch must be repaired. NEVER USE A FLAME TO CHECK FOR LEAKS. Make this test in a well-ventilated and spark-free area, and where there are no open flames.
4. Cold weather operation
a) In cold weather, the size of the flame will be smaller. To produce a larger flame, pre-warm the cylinder to room temperature prior to use.
b) There is a greater possibility that the flame will extinguish when the torch is turned upside down in cold weather.
NOTE: As a safety feature, the burner may snap if the torch is dropped, in which case the burner must be replaced.