ASTM F956-91(2023)

Standard Specification for Bell, Cast, Sound Signalling

ABSTRACT
This specification covers cast sound-signalling bells, together with bulkhead mounting plates for the smaller bells, for use on ships, boats, and other marine craft, for compliance with the rules in the convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Bell bodies, clappers, and other cast fittings and parts shall be copper alloy. Fittings such as bolts, nuts, washers, pins, and supporting lugs shall be of copper alloy compatible with the bell castings. Bells shall have full, clear, round, and farreaching tones. The sound pressure level shall not be less than 110 dB at a distance of 1 m from it. Acoustic tests shall be conducted only for the 200 mm heavy and larger bells to check the requirements prescribed.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers cast sound-signalling bells, together with bulkhead mounting plates for the smaller bells, for use on ships, boats, and other marine craft, for compliance with the rules in the convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (commonly called Colregs).2 See Appendix X1.  
1.2 Bells and bulkhead mounting plate shall be sized as indicated in Section 4 (see Appendix X2).  
1.3 For consistency with International Regulations, all measurements are in SI units.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2023
• ICS: 47.020.70 - Navigation and control equipment
• Technical Committee: F25 - Ships and Marine Technology
• Drafting Committee: F25.07 - General Requirements

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: F956 − 91 (Reapproved 2023) An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
1
Bell, Cast, Sound Signalling
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F956; 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. Terminology
1.1 This specification covers cast sound-signalling bells, 3.1 Definitions:
together with bulkhead mounting plates for the smaller bells, 3.1.1 bell, n—a hollow metal instrument that rings when
for use on ships, boats, and other marine craft, for compliance struck.
with the rules in the convention on the International Regula-
3.1.2 cast, v—to form by molding in a hollow form for
tions for Preventing Collisions at Sea (commonly called
shaping a liquid or plastic substance.
2
Colregs). See Appendix X1.
3.1.3 clapper, n—hammer like object inside a bell.
1.2 Bells and bulkhead mounting plate shall be sized as
4. Classification
indicated in Section 4 (see Appendix X2).
4.1 Bells shall be furnished in the following sizes, based on
1.3 For consistency with International Regulations, all mea-
bellmouth diameter in millimetres (see Appendix X2):
surements are in SI units.
4.1.1 150 mm,
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.1.2 200 mm (2.2 kg),
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4.1.3 200 mm (4.5 kg),
standard.
4.1.4 250 mm,
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1.5 300 mm,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.1.6 360 mm,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1.7 400 mm, and
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1.8 550 mm.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.2 Bulkhead mounting plates shall be furnished for the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
following bell sizes:
2. Referenced Documents 4.2.1 150 mm, and
4.2.2 200 mm.
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B584 Specification for Copper Alloy Sand Castings for
5. Ordering Information
General Applications
2 5.1 Orders for materials under this specification shall in-
2.2 Other Documents:
clude the following information:
CFR 33 Part 81–72 Implementing Rules
5.1.1 ASTM designation and year of issue.
CFR 33 Part 86, Subpart B, Bell or Gong
5.1.2 Number of bells.
5.1.3 Size of bell(s) (see 4.1).
5.1.4 Additional bulkhead mounting plates (see 4.2 and
6.2.2).
5.1.5 Inscription required (see 12.1).
5.1.6 Packaging, if other than commercial (see Section 13).
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F25 on Ships
and Marine Technology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F25.07 on
6. Materials and Manufacture
General Requirements.
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally
6.1 Material:
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F956 – 91 (2018).
6.1.1 Bell bodies, clappers, and other cast fittings and parts
DOI: 10.1520/F0956-91R23.
2
shall be copper alloy conforming to Specification B584, UNS
Available from DLA Document Services, Building 4/D, 700 Robbins Ave.,
Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, http://quicksearch.dla.mil.
C87200.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.1.2 Fittings such as bolts, nuts, washers, pins, and sup-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
porting lugs shall be of copper alloy compatible with the bell
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. castings.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F956 − 91 (2023)
Mass and Dimensions of Bells
Bell Size, Bell Mass, Dimensions, mm
mm kg A B NOTE 1—All dimensions in millimetres.
150 1.4 150 105 Tolerances:
200 2.2 200 133
Up to 125 mm: 62 mm
200 4.5 200 152
Over 125 mm: 63 mm
Mass of bell: 9 kg 6 0.45 kg.
NOTE 1—All dimensions in millimetres.
Mass of Clapper: 0.5 kg 6 0.05 kg.
Tolerances:
FIG. 2 Size 250
Up to 150 mm: 62 mm
Over 150 mm: 63 mm
Mass of Bell: 60.2 kg (60.3 kg for 4.5 kg bell).
the bell, shall have a smooth polished finish. The “visible” part
Mass of Clapper: No less than 3 % of bell mass.
of the clapper shall have a similar finish.
FIG. 1 Sizes 150 and 200
10. Sampling
10.1 For orders for 1 or 2 bells of the same size, each bell
6.2 Manufacture:
shall be inspected and tested.
6.2.1 Construction shall be in accorda
...