ASTM E667-98(2009)
(Specification)Standard Specification for Mercury-in-Glass, Maximum Self-Registering Clinical Thermometers
Standard Specification for Mercury-in-Glass, Maximum Self-Registering Clinical Thermometers
ABSTRACT
This specification covers mercury-in-glass, reusable maximum self-registering clinical thermometers of the types commonly used for measuring body temperatures of humans and of animals. Clinical thermometers shall be classified as follows: basal metabolism or ovulation; multi-use with stubby bulb; oral; rectal; veterinary; and veterinary (heavy duty). The following tests shall be performed to conform to the specified requirements: retention of colorant; accuracy test; ease of resetting; temperature retention; fire cracks; and precision and bias.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers mercury-in-glass, reusable maximum self-registering clinical thermometers of the types commonly used for measuring body temperatures of humans and of animals. Requirements are given for bulb and stem glasses, mercury, legibility and permanency of markings, dimensions, temperature scale ranges, and graduations, as well as for thermometer stability, ease of resetting, retention of temperature indication, and for accuracy of scale reading. Appropriate methods of testing to determine compliance are provided. Also included is a glossary of terms used in the standard and an appendix with additional information on thermometer glasses and stability.
1.2 All values of temperature in this standard are with reference to the International Temperature Scale of 1990.
1.3 This specification was developed to provide nationally recognized marketing classifications and quality requirements for mercury-in-glass, maximum self-registering clinical thermometers. It is also intended to provide producers, distributors, and users with a common understanding of the characteristics of this product.
1.4 The following precautionary statement pertains only to the test method portion, Section 6 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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E667 −98 (Reapproved 2009)
Standard Specification for
Mercury-in-Glass, Maximum Self-Registering Clinical
1
Thermometers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E667; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E29Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.1 This specification covers mercury-in-glass, reusable
E344Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrom-
maximum self-registering clinical thermometers of the types
etry
commonly used for measuring body temperatures of humans
and of animals. Requirements are given for bulb and stem
3. Terminology
glasses, mercury, legibility and permanency of markings,
dimensions, temperature scale ranges, and graduations, as well
3.1 Definitions—ThedefinitionsgiveninTerminologyE344
as for thermometer stability, ease of resetting, retention of
apply to this specification.
temperature indication, and for accuracy of scale reading.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Appropriate methods of testing to determine compliance are
3.2.1 bore, n—hole or lumen in the stem.
provided. Also included is a glossary of terms used in the
3.2.2 calibration date, n—date on which the scale is affixed
standard and an appendix with additional information on
to a thermometer.
thermometer glasses and stability.
3.2.3 ceramic marking, n—marking produced by fusing a
1.2 All values of temperature in this standard are with
ceramic colorant onto the glass surface.
reference to the International Temperature Scale of 1990.
3.2.4 constriction, n—obstruction in the bore of a clinical
1.3 This specification was developed to provide nationally
thermometer which permits the passage of mercury from the
recognized marketing classifications and quality requirements
bulb when the bulb is heated, but which restricts its passage
for mercury-in-glass, maximum self-registering clinical ther-
back to the bulb when heat is removed.
mometers.Itisalsointendedtoprovideproducers,distributors,
and users with a common understanding of the characteristics
3.2.5 fire cracks, n—cracks in glass caused by local tem-
of this product.
perature shock.
1.4 The following precautionary statement pertains only to
3.2.6 flat magnifying lens, n—thermometer stem glass in
the test method portion, Section 6 of this specification: This
which the numerals, graduations, and lens lie on the same
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
relative surface.
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
3.2.6.1 Discussion—Itissonamedforitsapproximatelyflat
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
cross section (See Fig. 1.)
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
3.2.7 fractures, n—internal or external breaks or cracks in
tions prior to use.
the glass.
3.2.7.1 Discussion—Internal fractures usually occur in the
2. Referenced Documents
area between the bulb and the constriction.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.8 graduations, n—series of lines on the stem of the
thermometer that designate the temperature scale intervals.
3.2.9 hard shaker thermometer, n—thermometer in which
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F04 on
Medical and Surgical Materials and Devices and is the direct responsibility of the constriction is overly severe thereby restricting the passage
F04.33 on Medical/Surgical Instruments.
ofmercurybacktothebulbcausingthethermometertofailthe
Current edition approved Oct. 15, 2009. Published December 2009. Originally
ease-of-resetting requirements.
approvedin1979.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2003asE667–98(2003).DOI:
10.1520/E0667-98R09.
3.2.10 index, n—upper point of the mercury column whose
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
position, when noted with respect to the corresponding numer-
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
als and graduations, indicates the temperature of the mercury
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. within the bulb.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E667−98 (2009)
Cross section of magnifying lens stems.
FIG. 1Composite and Sectional Views of Clinical Thermometers (These sketches are for illustration only.)
3.2.11 magnifying lens, n—stem glass that, due to its 3.2.19 subnormal thermometer, n—clinical thermometer
configuration, results in a ma
...
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