ASTM F839-15

Standard Specification for Cautionary Labeling of Portable Gasoline, Kerosene, and Diesel Containers for Consumer Use

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the nationally recognized requirements for the cautionary information to be placed on the label of portable gasoline containers for consumer use. These containers are designed to be carried by hand and are used to transport gasoline from points of distribution to points of use. This specification does not address any other labeling requirements, such as those set forth in Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) or other applicable regulations and standards.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Information on the wording of the warning labels which appear on the containers will help to ensure that proper information concerning methods of handling gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuels is being presented to the consumer. This information can be imparted most effectively by the use of the same terms on labels provided by all manufacturers.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification establishes nationally recognized requirements for the cautionary information to be placed on the label of portable gasoline, kerosene, and diesel containers for consumer use. It is not the intent of this specification to include any other labeling requirements, such as those set forth in Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) or other applicable regulations and standards.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Oct-2015
• ICS: 55.140 - Barrels. Drums. Canisters
• Technical Committee: F15 - Consumer Products
• Drafting Committee: F15.10 - Standards for Flammable Liquid Containers

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F839-83(2006) - Standard Specification for Cautionary Labeling of Portable Gasoline Containers for Consumer Use (Withdrawn 2015)
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2015
• Refers: ASTM F926-02 - Standard Specification for Cautionary Labeling of Portable Kerosine and Diesel Containers for Consumer Use
• Effective Date: 10-May-2002
• Refers: ASTM F926-85(1996) - Standard Specification for Cautionary Labeling of Portable Kerosine and Diesel Containers for Consumer Use
• Effective Date: 10-May-2002
• Referred By: ASTM F852/F852M-22 - Standard Specification for Portable Gasoline, Kerosene, and Diesel Containers for Consumer Use
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2015

Overview

ASTM F839-15: Standard Specification for Cautionary Labeling of Portable Gasoline, Kerosene, and Diesel Containers for Consumer Use provides nationally recognized requirements for cautionary labeling on portable fuel containers designed for consumers. This standard focuses on the wording, style, and clarity of warning labels to help ensure the safe transportation, storage, and handling of gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuels in hand-carried containers. It emphasizes consistent communication of hazards and proper handling information to reduce risks associated with flammable and combustible liquids.

This ASTM standard does not address labeling requirements specified by other regulations such as the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) and is intended to be used by manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and end-users of portable liquid fuel containers.

Key Topics

• Label Wording and Style:

  • Requires clear, block-style lettering for all cautionary information.
  • Mandates the use of standardized terms such as "DANGER," "EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE," and "HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED" to ensure uniformity across labels and improve consumer comprehension.

• Hazard Communication:

  • Warning labels must explicitly state key hazards including extreme flammability, vapor explosion risks, and health effects of ingestion or inhalation for each type of fuel.
  • Standardized statements such as "Keep out of reach of children," "Avoid prolonged breathing of vapors," and "Do not siphon by mouth" are required.

• Product Identification:

  • Labels must distinguish between gasoline, kerosene, and diesel containers, including statements to prohibit misuse (e.g., "DO NOT USE THIS CONTAINER FOR GASOLINE OR OTHER FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS" on kerosene or diesel containers).
  • Guidance is provided regarding the use of color for container identification (e.g., red for gasoline, blue for kerosene, yellow for diesel).

• Panel Requirements:

  • All necessary information must appear on a single label or panel, but information may be split due to size constraints, with priority information appearing on the main panel.

• Consistent Terminology:

  • Aligns with requirements from CFR 1500 and emphasizes the use of consistent terminology to eliminate confusion and misuse.

Applications

ASTM F839-15 applies to manufacturers and distributors of portable fuel containers intended for consumer use. Key applications include:

• Design and Production:
  • Ensuring that all newly manufactured portable gasoline, kerosene, and diesel containers feature labels that comply with the cautionary requirements of ASTM F839-15.
• Regulatory Compliance:
  • Supporting compliance with national product safety standards for flammable and combustible liquid containers, minimizing product liability and supporting consumer safety objectives.
• Retail and Distribution:
  • Assisting retailers in verifying that fuel containers sold to consumers meet recognized labeling requirements, thus reducing the risk of accidents or misuse.
• Consumer Education:
  • Providing clear information to end-users, helping them recognize the hazards and proper handling procedures for fuel storage and transport.

Related Standards

• CFR 1500 (Federal Hazardous Substances Act): Defines federal labeling requirements for hazardous substances, referenced for consistency but not covered by this specification.
• ASTM F926 (Withdrawn): Former specification for kerosene and diesel warning labels now integrated into ASTM F839-15.
• NKHA-A1 Standard for Marking of Kerosene Storage Containers: Provides guidance for labeling kerosene containers, referenced for cautionary symbols.
• Practice ES9 (Withdrawn): Provided practice for cautionary labeling, now incorporated into the rationale and requirements of ASTM F839-15.

Keywords: fuel storage containers, portable gasoline containers, kerosene labeling, diesel warning labels, ASTM F839-15, safety labeling requirements, consumer fuel safety, flammable liquid containers, combustible fuel containers.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F839 −15
Standard Specification for
Cautionary Labeling of Portable Gasoline, Kerosene, and
Diesel Containers for Consumer Use
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF839;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
On Oct. 24, 1979, at the request of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, ASTM
convened a meeting of interested parties to discuss the merits of the development of a voluntary
standard covering portable containers for petroleum products.As a result of this meetingASTM Task
Group F15.10 was formed at an organizational meeting held on Jan. 24, 1980.
During the early stages of its deliberations the task group concluded that the scope of its work
should be limited to gasoline containers in view of the unique properties of the fluid, the broad
consumer use of such containers and the impracticality of adequately addressing a broader scope on
any timely basis. Further, the task group concluded that, in as much as consumer misuse is a major
safety consideration, a standard specification for cautionary labeling should be its first order of
business.
1. Scope 2.2 Federal Document:
CFR 1500 Federal Hazardous Substances Act
1.1 This specification establishes nationally recognized re-
2.3 Other Document:
quirements for the cautionary information to be placed on the
NKHA-A1 Standard for Marking of Kerosene Storage Con-
label of portable gasoline, kerosene, and diesel containers for
tainers
consumeruse.Itisnottheintentofthisspecificationtoinclude
any other labeling requirements, such as those set forth in
3. Terminology
Federal Hazardous SubstancesAct (FHSA) or other applicable
3.1 Definitions:
regulations and standards.
3.1.1 portable diesel container, n—a vessel designed to be
carried by hand and to be used to transport diesel fuel from
2. Referenced Documents
distribution points to use points.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.2 portable gasoline container, n—a vessel designed to
ES9 Practice for the Cautionary Labeling of Portable Kero-
be carried by hand and to be used to transport gasoline from
sine Containers for Consumer Use (Withdrawn 1988)
distribution points to use points.
F926 Specification for Cautionary Labeling of Portable
3.1.3 portable kerosene container, n—a vessel designed to
Kerosine and Diesel Containers for Consumer Use (With-
3 be carried by hand and to be used to transport kerosene fuel
drawn 2014)
from distribution points to use points.
4. Requirements
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
4.1 The lettering shall be of a block style and shall be of a
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.10 on
style consistent with the requirements listed in CFR 1500.
Standards for Flammable Liquid Containers.
Current edition approved Oct. 15, 2015. Published December 2015. Originally
4.2 Theinformationrequiredisforasinglepanelorlabel,or
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as F839 – 83 (2006)
both. If, because of size restrictions, the information must be
which was withdrawn in July 2015 and reinstated in October 2015. DOI:
10.1520/F0839-15.
divided, the main panel shall contain language consistent with
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
the requirements of CFR 1500.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3 4
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on Code of Federal Regulations, available from U.S. Government Printing Office,
www.astm.org. Washington, DC 20402.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F839−15
NOTE 1—If the information is divided, it would be a good practice to
If swallowed, do not induce vomiting, call physician imme-
havethestatement“HarmfulorFatalifswallowed”and“Ifswallowed,do
diately
not induce vomiting, call physician immediately” together.
Keep out of reach of children
4.3 The following information shall appear on all portable Avoid prolonged breathing of vapors
Do not siphon by mouth
gasoline, kerosene, or diesel containers:
Do not store in vehicle or living space
DANGER
Store and use in well-ventilated area
GASOLINE
Vapors can be ignited by a spark or flame source many feet
EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE
away
VAPORS CAN EXPLODE
Keep away from flame, pilot lights, stoves, heaters, electric
HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED
motors, and other sources of ignition
Or
Keep container closed
DANGER
KEROSENE
4.4 Additional information for the proper use or function of
COMBUSTIBLE
the container may also appear.
VAPORS CAN
...