ASTM D4982-12

Standard Test Methods for Flammability Potential Screening Analysis of Waste

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 These test methods are intended for use by those in the waste management industries to aid in identifying the flammability potential or waste materials.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods are used to indicate the fire-producing or fire-sustaining potential of wastes. The following test methods can be applied to waste liquids, sludges, or solids:    
Sections  
Test Method A—Test Sample Exposed to Heat and Flame  
7-9  
Test Method B—Test Sample Exposed to Spark Source  
10 and 11
1.2 These test methods should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, 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 under actual fire conditions. However, results of these tests may be used in addition to all other factors that are pertinent to a fire hazard assessment of a particular end use.  
1.3 These test methods are designed and intended as preliminary tests to complement quantitative analytical techniques that may be used to determine flammability. These test methods offer the option and the ability to screen waste for hazardous flammability potential when the analytical techniques are not available or the total waste composition is unknown.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  Specific hazard information is given in Section 5, 8.3.1 and 9.4.3.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2012
• ICS: 13.030.40 - Installations and equipment for waste disposal and treatment
• Technical Committee: D34 - Waste Management
• Drafting Committee: D34.01.05 - Screening Methods

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D4982 − 12
Standard Test Methods for
1
Flammability Potential Screening Analysis of Waste
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4982; 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. Summary of Test Methods
3.1 Method A—A test sample is exposed to heat and flame.
1.1 These test methods are used to indicate the fire-
The sample is reported as having a positive or negative
producing or fire-sustaining potential of wastes. The following
flammability potential as described in the test procedure.
test methods can be applied to waste liquids, sludges, or solids:
3.2 Method B—Sparks from a flint lighter are introduced to
Sections
Test Method A—Test Sample Exposed to Heat and Flame 7-9 the vapor space immediately above a representative sample of
Test Method B—Test Sample Exposed to Spark Source 10 and 11
a waste, and observation is made for a flash in the vapor space
or ignition of the sample.Aflash in the vapor space or ignition
1.2 These test methods should be used to measure and
and burning of the waste indicates a positive flammability
describe the properties of materials, in response to heat and
potential at ambient temperature.
flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be
used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of
4. Significance and Use
materials under actual fire conditions. However, results of
4.1 These test methods are intended for use by those in the
these tests may be used in addition to all other factors that are
waste management industries to aid in identifying the flamma-
pertinent to a fire hazard assessment of a particular end use.
bility potential or waste materials.
1.3 These test methods are designed and intended as pre-
5. Hazards
liminary tests to complement quantitative analytical techniques
5.1 Avoid inhalation and skin or eye contact, or both, of any
thatmaybeusedtodetermineflammability.Thesetestmethods
hazardous materials.
offer the option and the ability to screen waste for hazardous
5.2 Standard laboratory hygiene practices should be fol-
flammability potential when the analytical techniques are not
lowed when conducting these tests.
available or the total waste composition is unknown.
5.3 All tests must be performed in a laboratory hood.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 5.4 Waste containing or suspected of containing highly
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- volatile organics or peroxides should be tested using a much
smaller sample than that used in 9.2.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard
5.5 The aluminum weighing boat should be placed on an
information is given in Section 5, 8.3.1 and 9.4.3.
inert, nonflammable surface.
6. Sampling
2. Terminology
6.1 Sample containers must be kept tightly sealed until
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
tested.
2.1.1 screening analysis—a preliminary qualitative or semi-
6.2 Samples should be analyzed as soon as possible after
quantitative test that is designed to efficiently give the user
collection.
specific information about a waste that will aid in determining
6.3 If necessary, allow the sample to come to room tem-
waste identification, process compatibility, and safety in han-
perature in a tightly sealed container. For example, frozen
dling.
material should be allowed to thaw completely.
TEST METHOD A—EXPOSURE TO HEAT AND
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on
FLAME
Waste Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.05 on
Screening Methods.
7. Interferences
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2012. Published December 2012. Originally
7.1 Drafts in the laboratory fume hood where the test is
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D4982 – 95(2007).
DOI: 10.1520/D4982-12. performed could cause excessive cooling and false negative
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D4982 − 12
results.Aproperly operating fume hood with a face velocity of 9.2 Place a sufficient amount (approximately 5 g) of a test
100 ft/min should provide consistent, usable results. sample in an aluminum weighing boat or other nonflammable
container.
7.2 Ignition sources that provide excessive heating rates
alone or combined with a very small test portion may obscure
9.3 Using a gas burner, hold the
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4982 − 95 (Reapproved 2007) D4982 − 12
Standard Test Methods for
1
Flammability Potential Screening Analysis of Waste
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4982; 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
1.1 These test methods are used to indicate the fire-producing or fire-sustaining potential of wastes. The following test methods
can be applied to waste liquids, sludges, or solids:
Sections
Test Method A—Test Sample Exposed to Heat and Flame 7-9
Test Method B—Test Sample Exposed to Spark Source 10 and 11
1.2 These test methods should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, 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 under actual
fire conditions. However, results of these tests may be used in addition to all other factors that are pertinent to a fire hazard
assessment of a particular end use.
1.3 These test methods are designed and intended as preliminary tests to complement quantitative analytical techniques that may
be used to determine flammability. These test methods offer the option and the ability to screen waste for hazardous flammability
potential when the analytical techniques are not available or the total waste composition is unknown.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. Specific hazard information is given in Section 5, 8.3.1 and 9.4.3.
2. Terminology
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
2.1.1 screening analysis—a preliminary qualitative or semiquantitative test that is designed to efficiently give the user specific
information about a waste that will aid in determining waste identification, process compatibility, and safety in handling.
3. Summary of Test Methods
3.1 Method A—A test sample is exposed to heat and flame. The sample is reported as having a positive or negative flammability
potential as described in the test procedure.
3.2 Method B—Sparks from a flint lighter are introduced to the vapor space immediately above a representative sample of a
waste, and observation is made for a flash in the vapor space or ignition of the sample. A flash in the vapor space or ignition and
burning of the waste indicates a positive flammability potential at ambient temperature.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 These test methods are intended for use by those in the waste management industries to aid in identifying the flammability
potential or waste materials.
5. Hazards
5.1 Avoid inhalation and skin or eye contact, or both, of any hazardous materials.
5.2 Standard laboratory hygiene practices should be followed when conducting these tests.
5.3 All tests must be performed in a laboratory hood.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.05 on Screening
Methods.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2007Sept. 1, 2012. Published March 2007December 2012. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20012007 as
D4982 – 95(2001).(2007). DOI: 10.1520/D4982-95R07.10.1520/D4982-12.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4982 − 12
5.4 Waste containing or suspected of containing highly volatile organics or peroxides should be tested using a much smaller
sample than that used in 9.2.
5.5 The aluminum weighing boat should be placed on an inert, nonflammable surface.
6. Sampling
6.1 Sample containers must be kept tightly sealed until tested.
6.2 Samples should be analyzed as soon as possible after collection.
6.3 If necessary, allow the sample to come to room temperature in a tightly sealed container. For example, frozen material
should be allowed to thaw completely.
TEST METHOD A—EXPOSURE TO HEAT AND FLAME
7. Interferences
7.1 Drafts in the laboratory fume hood where the test is performed could cause excessive cooling and false negative results. A
properly operating fume hood w
...