ASTM F2683-11(2024)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Selection of Booms for Oil-Spill Response
Standard Guide for Selection of Booms for Oil-Spill Response
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This guide is intended to aid in the selection of oil spill containment boom for various response conditions. It is not intended to define rigid sets of boom selection standards.
3.2 This guide is intended to be used by persons generally familiar with the practical aspects of oil spill cleanup operations including on-scene response coordinators, planners, oil spill management teams, oil spill removal organizations, and plan evaluators.
3.3 Minimum requirements for boom dimensions, buoyancy, and tensile strength are specified in Guide F1523/F1523M. This guide provides additional qualitative information to aid in boom selection.
3.4 Seven general types of boom systems are described in this standard. Each description includes a summary of the operating principle and a list of selection considerations.
3.5 Definitions relating to boom design, boom types, boom components, boom characteristics, and boom performance can be found in Terminology F818.
3.6 Selection considerations are included to help the user on the selection of a particular boom type or category. Users are cautioned that within each category there may be a wide variation in performance among the various booms.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the selection of boom for the containment and recovery of marine oil spills.
1.2 This guide does not address the compatibility of spill-control equipment with spill products. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that any equipment selected is compatible with anticipated products and conditions.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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.
General Information
Relations
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: F2683 − 11 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Guide for
Selection of Booms for Oil-Spill Response
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2683; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Significance and Use
1.1 This guide covers the selection of boom for the contain- 3.1 This guide is intended to aid in the selection of oil spill
ment and recovery of marine oil spills. containment boom for various response conditions. It is not
intended to define rigid sets of boom selection standards.
1.2 This guide does not address the compatibility of spill-
control equipment with spill products. It is the user’s respon- 3.2 This guide is intended to be used by persons generally
sibility to ensure that any equipment selected is compatible
familiar with the practical aspects of oil spill cleanup opera-
with anticipated products and conditions. tions including on-scene response coordinators, planners, oil
spill management teams, oil spill removal organizations, and
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
plan evaluators.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.3 Minimum requirements for boom dimensions,
and are not considered standard. buoyancy, and tensile strength are specified in Guide F1523/
F1523M. This guide provides additional qualitative informa-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
tion to aid in boom selection.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.4 Seven general types of boom systems are described in
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
this standard. Each description includes a summary of the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
operating principle and a list of selection considerations.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.5 Definitions relating to boom design, boom types, boom
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
components, boom characteristics, and boom performance can
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
be found in Terminology F818.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.6 Selection considerations are included to help the user on
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
the selection of a particular boom type or category. Users are
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
cautioned that within each category there may be a wide
2. Referenced Documents
variation in performance among the various booms.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Boom Selection Considerations
F818 Terminology Relating to Spill Response Booms and
Barriers
4.1 Selecting a boom for a particular application involves
F1093 Test Methods for Tensile Strength Characteristics of
examining the boom’s likely performance with regards to a
Oil Spill Response Boom
range of operational requirements. The following recommen-
F1523/F1523M Guide for Selection of Booms in Accor-
dations are a guide to this process with the requirements
dance With Water Body Classifications
grouped together according to the operating environment, the
F2152/F2152M Guide for In-Situ Burning of Spilled Oil:
slick conditions, and boom performance criteria. Comments on
Fire-Resistant Boom
each of these operational requirements, specific to each boom
type, are given in Section 6.
4.2 The general statements below describe likely boom
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous
performance with regards to individual design elements, and
Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F20.11 on Control.
should be used with the understanding that overall performance
Current edition approved March 1, 2024. Published March 2024. Originally
is affected by a combination of design elements. For example,
approved in 2011. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as F2683 – 11 (2017).
lower than typical buoyancy may be counteracted by providing
DOI: 10.1520/F2683–11R24.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or increased longitudinal flexibility.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.3 Wave and Current Conditions—In general, booms work
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. best in calm conditions or in a long, gentle swell with no
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2683 − 11 (2024)
current. Performance is degraded in high waves, in short, the depth of the water or the acceleration of the water in the
choppy or breaking waves, and in strong currents. restricted area between the bottom of the skirt and the stream
bed may cause entrainment losses.
4.4 Roll Response in Currents—Good roll response is im-
portant to effective containment in high currents and waves. 4.7 Forces on a Boom:
Roll response is improved with: sufficient ballast; ballast 4.7.1 Straight-line drag force is tension on a boom caused
located low on the skirt; flotation located away from the boom by towing it from one end. This may limit transit speed of
centerline; and tension members located low on the skirt. vessels en route to a spill. Tow speed should be adjusted to
account for the strength of the towline, strength of the boom
4.5 Heave Response in Waves—Good heave response will
tension members, strength of end connectors where the towline
reduce losses due to splashover. Heave response is a function
is attached, and stability of the boom under tow.
of the buoyancy, boom mass, and the float water plane area.
4.7.2 Towing a boom in a catenary configuration (U or J)
Heave response is improved with increased waterplane area
will generate much higher drag forces than towing in a straight
and buoyancy-to-weight ratio.
line. Booms are towed in this way at very low speeds, typically
4.5.1 Heave response is also a function of the longitudinal
(0.5 knots to 0.75 knots). Tow forces are easily estimated as a
flexibility of a boom as a wave moves along its length. Boom
function of boom draft, length, gap ratio, and tow or current
freeboard and draft are reduced if a boom is too rigid to move
4,5
speed.
with the wave pattern. Water plane area and buoyancy are good
measures of heave response if a boom has the flexibility to 4.8 Boom Strength Criteria—Tensile strength is an impor-
move with the wave pattern. Good flexibility helps a boom tant boom criterion and also one of the most difficult to
follow the surface of a moving wave. Boom flexibility is measure accurately and to understand. There are several
generally enhanced by shorter float sections and closer float problems. If a boom is stressed to failure, tension members
spacing, providing flex between floats is allowed by the fabric. may not all fail together. This means that the strength of a
Good flexibility is also provided by a continuous, but limber boom is not necessarily equal to the aggregate strength of its
flotation material, such as a continuously inflated flotation assembled components. Although all tension members contrib-
chamber. ute to overall strength, boom strength may be determined by its
4.5.2 Calm Water booms should have a gross buoyancy-to- weakest component. For example, boom connectors may fail
weight (BW) ratio of at least 3:1, Protected Water booms 4:1, long before the tension members, so boom strength would be
and Open Water booms 8:1. (See “Recommendations for limited to the strength of the weakest component. The only
Selection of Spill Containment Booms,” Guide F1523/ way to accurately determine boom strength is to test a sample
F1523M.) to failure. (See Test Methods F1093.)
4.5.3 In general, booms with buoyancy-to-weight ratios
5. Boom Selection Checklist
lower than those specified in Guide F1523/F1523M may not be
as effective in other than benign conditions (that is, no wind, 5.1 The primary selection criteria are generally draft and
freeboard dimensions, strength, and buoyancy-to-weight ratio.
waves, or currents). Exceptions to the specified minimum BW
Buoyancy-to-weight ratios greater than those listed may result
ratios include booms designed for special applications, such as
boom designed for static containment (that is, not towed), in improved boom performance under certain conditions;
however, further research is required before minimum values
fire-resistant boom, and permanent boom. The latter two types
of boom typically have low buoyancy-to-weight ratios as a greater than those shown can be established. As a result, users
should be alert to special requirements that would demand
result of their use of heavy, durable materials for fire-resistance
and long-term deployment, respectively. These booms may higher buoyancy-to-weight ratios than those listed in the guide.
The user should be particularly alert when selecting heavy,
have BW ratios lower than the minimums listed in Guide
F1523/F1523M. permanent boom. Many of these products have size and
strength appropriate for Protected Water or Open Water, but
4.6 Freeboard Height and Skirt Depth—Adequate freeboard
some have very low buoyancy-to-weight ratios and therefore
is desirable to prevent splashover losses. Excessive freeboard
may not be as effective except in Calm Water.
can lead to problems in high winds, with the wind depressing
the freeboard and raising the skirt if the appropriate relation- 5.2 Boom flexibility is important for applications in medium
swells and short-period waves. Shorter flotation elements
ships between freeboard, draft, and ballast are not maintained.
4.6.1 Skirt depth is typically half to two-thirds of the total generally provide better flexibility. Further, the distance be-
tween flotation sections should be less than one half the
boom height. A deeper skirt does not contain more oil and may
be detrimental in high current conditions. In a fast current, average wave length to prevent out of phase motions being set
up. Good flexibility is also provided by a continuous but
water accelerates to move around the bottom of the skirt, which
is likely to cause entrainment losses. Generally a skirt should flexible flotation material or an inflated flotation chamber.
not be deeper than 6 in. (150 mm) in a current greater than
5.3 External flotation, rigging lines, or other surface features
1.5 knots and 3 in. (75 mm) for speeds greater than 3 knots. In
may interrupt the fluid flow along the boom. A boom that has
rd th
1 1
shallow water, the skirt should be no greater than ⁄3 to ⁄5
World Catalog of Oil Spill Response Products, 9th Edition, 2008.
Schulze, R. and Potter, S., “Estimating Forces on Oil Spill Containment
Hansen, K. and Coe, T., Oil Spill Response in Fast Currents: A Field Guide, Booms,” Spill Technology Newsletter, Vol 27, Jan-Dec 2002, Environment Canada,
U.S. Coast Guard Report CG-D-01-02, 2001. Ottawa, Ontario.
F2683 − 11 (2024)
TABLE 1 Boom Selection Criteria
Boom Type Typical General Buoyancy Roll Heave
Applications Comments Response Response
Fence Permanent or long-term Easy to deploy, Generally low, Generally low; Generally low;
deployment; resistant to varies with may be improved may be improved
fueling areas, damage, but design. by ballast and by increasing water
around ships, relatively bulky off-center float plane area and
power plant for storage. area. B:W ratio.
outfalls, and other
calm and protected
water applications.
Curtain, internal Various calm and Fairly easy B:W ratios Good; helped by Good; improved
foam flotation protected water to store. generally in the flexibility and by short float
applications. range of 2 to 8. bottom tension sections to increase
member. flexibility.
Curtain, external Industrial, permanent, Durable. Easy to B:W ratios Good; helped by Fair to good;
foam flotation and other calm store and deploy; generally in the flexible fabric and helped by B:W
and protected water generally more range of 2 to 8. ballast. ratio and flexibility.
applications. expensive than
curtain boom
with internal
foam.
Self-inflatable Calm, protected, Rapid deployment. B:W ratios Good; good Good resulting
curtain and open water Low storage generally >10. flexibility and from high B:W
applications. volume. Typically Buoyancy could bottom tension and flexibility.
Generally not used stored be lost from puncture help roll.
for industrial on reels. or leaking valve.
applications or
long-term
deployment.
Pressure-inflatable Calm, protected, Deployment B:W ratios Good due to Good due to high
curtain and open water somewhat slower generally >10. bottom tension B:W ratio and
applications. than self-inflatable Buoyancy could and flexibility. flexibility.
Generally not curtain. Typically be lost from puncture
used for industrial stored on reels. or leaking valve.
applications or
long-term
deployment.
Fire resistant Used to contain Generally designed B:W ratios Generally poor Generally poor
an oil slick for for one burn generally in the range due to weight and due to weight and
in situ burning. application; some of 2 to 5; low B:W; low B:W;
Conventional can be stored generally low depends on boom depends on
booms may be used and reused. due to use of type. boom type.
to direct oil into relatively heavy
burn pocket of fire-resistant
fire-resistant materials.
boom.
Tidal seal Used in the Used to bridge Only enough Generally good; Poor due to low
intertidal zone, the gap between to rise with tide; controlled by B:W (note: generally
perpendicular or land and water. controlled by buoyancy and not an issue in
parallel to shore, water ballast. ballast. intertidal applications).
to prevent oil
from moving
along shoreline
or into intertidal
areas.
a consistent profile along its length, and that is free of surface 5.8 Handles located along the top of the boom aid in
irregularities will promote laminar fluid flow along the boom
deployment and handling.
and reduce losses related to eddy currents. A consistent profile
5.9 Booms can deteriorate in storage, particularly when
is also less prone to collecting debris.
exposed to the elements, to extreme temperatures, to extreme
5.4 Materials should be strong enough to resist puncture by
humidity, and when handled in extreme temperatures. Selec-
debris
...
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