California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 4 - Construction Safety Orders
Article 27 - Powder-Actuated Tools
Section 1690 - Limitations of Use

(a) The tool shall not be used in an explosive or flammable atmosphere.

(b) A loaded tool shall never be left unattended.

(c) Fasteners shall not be driven into very hard or brittle materials including, but not limited to, cast iron, glazed tile, hardened steel, glass block, natural rock, hollow tile or most brick.

(d) Fasteners shall not be driven into easily penetrated or thin materials or materials of questionable resistance unless backed by a material that will prevent the fastener from passing completely through the other side.

(e) Fasteners shall not be driven closer than 1/2 inch (13 mm) from the edge of steel except for specific applications recommended by the tool manufacturer.

(f) Fasteners shall not be driven closer than 3 inches (76 mm) from the unsupported edge of masonry materials except for specific applications recommended by the tool manufacturer.

(g) Fasteners shall not be driven into concrete unless material thickness is at least three times the fastener shank penetration.

(h) Fasteners shall not be driven into any spalled area.

(i) Fasteners shall not be driven through existing holes unless a specific guide means, as recommended and supplied by the tool manufacturer, is used to assure positive alignment.