ASTM F1273-91(2002)

1.1 This specification provides the minimum requirements for design, construction, performance, and testing of tank vent flame arresters.

1.2 This specification is intended for flame arresters protecting systems containing vapors of flammable or combustible liquids where vapor temperatures do not exceed 60°C. The test media defined in can be used except where arresters protect systems handling vapors with a maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) below 0.9 mm. Flame arresters protecting such systems must be tested with appropriate media (the same vapor or a media having a MESG no greater than the vapor). Various gases and their respective MESG are listed in Table 1.

Note 1—Flame arresters meeting this specification also comply with the minimum requirements of the International Maritime Organization, Maritime Safety Committee Circular No. 373 (MSC/Circ. 373/Rev. 1).

1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test methods portions, Sections 8 and 9, of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This standard should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.