Safety Measures in Handling Glass kilns

Glass kilns happen to be one of the most essential crafting equipment to be used in homes, schools and in several professional studios spread throughout the world. There are hundreds and thousands kinds of glass kilns available and many of them are appropriately used in different purposes. The only aspect to be remembered while using them is to maintain some safety measures. These are the few tips to ensure the adequate safety during your course of action.

Always keep away small children away from the kiln, especially during the firing time. As when the kiln is firing the stainless steel jacket and the other fixtures attached to the kiln are excessively hot and might burn your skin. One must always wear a pair of protective gloves while opening the door of the burning kiln. It is better not to put instruments made of metal inside the kilns and another thing to be remembered is that, the elements within the kiln should never be touched during the firing process, as that might cause electric shock. In many models of glass kilns there are baffles, which prevent the operator of the kiln from getting the shock, as mandrels are required to be inserted within the kiln. Therefore, if the baffles have been removed from the kiln then do not try to put the mandrels into the kilns. It is wise to have the kiln unplugged before you attempt to touch the electrical components in the kiln.

Another significant safety aspect of the glass kilns lies in its installation process.. It is always better to install the kiln in a place which is sheltered and it should be a place such as a garage, a carport, a room meant for utility or for pursuing a hobby. You should not ever store any flammable supply in the same area where the kiln has been installed. The perfect position for placing a kiln is keeping apart about 18 inches from the walls lying adjacent to it or from the other kilns placed in the proximity. The place where the glass kilns should be kept needs to be well ventilated. It should always be checked that the head rating of the fire-control sprinkler system is at the right level.

You should never locate the kiln in an enclosed space or in a room where the temperature might tend to fall below 32°F or rise above 105°F. This causes damage to the components within the kiln. The surface on which the kiln must rest on should be made of some element, which is non-combustible, such as, metal, ceramic or brick. During the firing process all the combustible factors should be removed from the proximity of the kiln. Never try to view the interior of the kiln as this might damage your eyes and even if the operator needs to do it, a protective UV or IR goggles should be used.

Before one start with the firing process all the brick chips and other elements should be removed from the surrounding. Do it by vacuuming the inside of the kiln. One point to be noted is that, while you are firing the glass kiln for the first time, then it is quite normal to find hairline cracks on the floor of the kiln. This is caused as the firebricks get contracted and expanded. This no way affects the life of the kiln, be rest assured.

So follow these simple safety measures and working with glass kilns will be a mere easy task.

Labels: stained glass tools, glass fusing supplies