ASTM F1523-94(2023)

Standard Guide for Selection of Booms in Accordance With Water Body Classifications

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide is to be used to assist in the selection of containment boom in accordance with water body classifications.  
4.2 A small number of key parameters that generally affect boom performance have been used in Table 1, in order to enable the user to readily identify general criteria for boom selection.  
4.3 Many factors, other than those listed in Table 1, may be important in selecting containment boom for a particular application. Such factors include: flotation element length, wave length, the effect of stronger than minimum required strength members, shock loads, abrasion resistance, stability in roll, resistance to bridging, interval between anchor points and hand holds, use of reflectors or lighting, compatibility with fresh or salt water, and resistance to sunlight exposure.  
4.4 The values given in Table 1 are the recommended minimums for general purpose booms. As identified in 2.3, operational considerations may require trade-offs in boom properties. Special purpose booms, and general purpose booms used in special circumstances, may perform effectively with boom property values above or below those recommended in Table 1.  
4.5 Effective operation of oil spill control equipment depends on many factors, of which the prevailing environmental conditions are just a few. Factors such as, but not limited to, deployment techniques, level of training, personnel performance, and mechanical reliability can also affect equipment performance.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the selection of containment boom that may be used to control spills of oil and other substances that float on a body of water.  
1.2 This guide does not address the compatibility of spill control equipment with spill products. It is the user's responsibility to ensure than any equipment selected is compatible with anticipated products.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units 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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2023
• ICS: 47.020.40 - Lifting and cargo handling equipment
• Technical Committee: F20 - Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response
• Drafting Committee: F20.11 - Control

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F1093-99(2012) - Standard Test Methods for Tensile Strength Characteristics of Oil Spill Response Boom
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM F715-07(2012) - Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics Used for Oil Spill Control and Storage
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM F715-07 - Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics Used for Oil Spill Control and Storage
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Refers: ASTM F1093-99(2007) - Standard Test Methods for Tensile Strength Characteristics of Oil Spill Response Boom
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2007
• Refers: ASTM F625-94(2006) - Standard Practice for Classifying Water Bodies for Spill Control Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2006
• Refers: ASTM F715-95(2002) - Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics Used for Oil Spill Control and Storage
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2002
• Refers: ASTM F625-94(2000) - Standard Practice for Classifying Water Bodies for Spill Control Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2000
• Refers: ASTM F1093-99 - Standard Test Methods for Tensile Strength Characteristics of Oil Spill Response Boom
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1999
• Refers: ASTM F715-95 - Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics Used for Oil Spill Control and Storage
• Effective Date: 15-May-1995
• Refers: ASTM F715-95(2001) - Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics Used for Oil Spill Control and Storage
• Effective Date: 15-May-1995

Overview

ASTM F1523-94(2023), "Standard Guide for Selection of Booms in Accordance With Water Body Classifications," provides guidelines for selecting containment boom systems for controlling oil and other floating spillages across different water body types. Published by ASTM International and updated in 2023, this guide helps users systematically assess and choose oil spill containment booms based on water conditions, operational factors, and minimum performance standards. The standard emphasizes practical application by addressing key criteria for general and special purpose booms and supports international alignment in oil spill response procedures.

Key Topics

• Water Body Classification: The guide structures boom selection according to four water body types: calm water, calm water-current, protected water, and open water. Each class has recommended minimum specifications for boom performance.
• Boom Selection Criteria: Key parameters include boom height, buoyancy-to-weight ratio, total tensile strength, fabric tensile strength, and fabric tear strength. These factors are central in evaluating a boom’s suitability for different environmental and operational contexts.
• Performance Considerations:
  • Minimum values: Table 1 defines recommended minimums for general purpose booms, considering typical spill scenarios.
  • Special Factors: Additional considerations may impact boom selection, such as flotation element length, wave conditions, tensile member strength, abrasion resistance, stability, anchor intervals, reflectors or lighting for visibility, water salinity compatibility, and resistance to UV exposure.
  • Operational Factors: The standard underscores that performance is influenced not only by boom properties but by factors like deployment method, operator training, environmental conditions, and mechanical reliability.
• User Responsibility: Selection must also account for spill product compatibility, safety, health, and regulatory compliance, all of which fall under the user’s responsibilities.

Applications

• Oil Spill Response: Agencies and organizations utilize ASTM F1523-94(2023) when planning and implementing containment strategies for oil and floating spills in marine, inland, and industrial water bodies. Proper boom selection improves spill containment efficiency and minimizes environmental impact.
• Contingency Planning: Emergency responders and environmental managers use this standard for developing oil spill contingency plans, matching boom specifications to likely spill scenarios and local water body classifications.
• Procurement and Specification: Buyers and specifiers of spill control equipment rely on the minimum performance recommendations in ASTM F1523 to ensure compliance with industry best practices and to inform purchasing decisions for containment booms.
• Regulatory Alignment: The standard aligns with internationally recognized principles from the World Trade Organization TBT Committee, aiding regulatory bodies in harmonizing oil spill response regulations and practices.

Related Standards

• ASTM F625 – Practice for Classifying Water Bodies for Spill Control Systems: Defines water body classifications referenced within ASTM F1523.
• ASTM F715 – Test Methods for Coated Fabrics Used for Oil Spill Control and Storage: Specifies testing methods for boom materials.
• ASTM D751 – Test Methods for Coated Fabrics: Provides further details for fabric performance testing.
• ASTM F1093 – Test Methods for Tensile Strength Characteristics of Oil Spill Response Boom: Details test procedures for boom tensile strength.

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Adopting ASTM F1523-94(2023) helps ensure optimal selection and deployment of containment booms for oil spill response, supporting effective environmental protection and operational safety across diverse water environments.

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: F1523 − 94 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Guide for
Selection of Booms in Accordance With Water Body
Classifications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1523; 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 Guide
1.1 This guide covers the selection of containment boom 3.1 Recommendations for the selection of spill containment
that may be used to control spills of oil and other substances booms are given for five key boom characteristics that affect
that float on a body of water. performance for each of four water body types (see Table 1).
Notes accompanying Table 1 discuss the qualifying factors
1.2 This guide does not address the compatibility of spill
associated with the minimum values listed, as well as the
control equipment with spill products. It is the user’s respon-
significance of the values as minimums. Classification criteria
sibility to ensure than any equipment selected is compatible
for the four water body types are given in Practice F625.
with anticipated products.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 4. Significance and Use
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
4.1 This guide is to be used to assist in the selection of
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
containment boom in accordance with water body classifica-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
tions.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 A small number of key parameters that generally affect
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
boom performance have been used in Table 1, in order to
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
enable the user to readily identify general criteria for boom
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
selection.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.3 Many factors, other than those listed in Table 1, may be
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
important in selecting containment boom for a particular
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
application. Such factors include: flotation element length,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
wave length, the effect of stronger than minimum required
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
strength members, shock loads, abrasion resistance, stability in
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
roll, resistance to bridging, interval between anchor points and
2. Referenced Documents
hand holds, use of reflectors or lighting, compatibility with
fresh or salt water, and resistance to sunlight exposure.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
4.4 The values given in Table 1 are the recommended
F625 Practice for Classifying Water Bodies for Spill Control minimums for general purpose booms. As identified in 2.3,
Systems
operational considerations may require trade-offs in boom
F715 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics Used for Oil Spill properties. Special purpose booms, and general purpose booms
Control and Storage
used in special circumstances, may perform effectively with
F1093 Test Methods for Tensile Strength Characteristics of boom property values above or below those recommended in
Oil Spill Response Boom
Table 1.
4.5 Effective operation of oil spill control equipment de-
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous
pends on many factors, of which the prevailing environmental
Substances and Oil Spill Responseand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
conditions are just a few. Factors such as, but not limited to,
F20.11 on Control.
deployment techniques, level of training, personnel
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally
performance, and mechanical reliability can also affect equip-
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F1523 – 94 (2018).
DOI: 10.1520/F1523-94R23.
ment performance.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5. Keywords
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 5.1 boom; oil spill; oil spill control equipment
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F1523 − 94 (2023)
TABLE 1 Recommendations for Selection of Spill Containment Booms
A
Boom Property Calm Water Calm Water-
...