ASTM D4982-95
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Flammability Potential Screening Analysis of Waste
Standard Test Methods for Flammability Potential Screening Analysis of Waste
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: SectionsTest Method A--Test Sample Exposed to Heat and Flame7-9Test Method B--Test Sample Exposed to Spark Source10 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 and Note 2.
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Designation: D 4982 – 95
Standard Test Methods for
Flammability Potential Screening Analysis of Waste
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4982; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope the vapor space immediately above a representative sample of
a waste, and observation is made for a flash in the vapor space
1.1 These test methods are used to indicate the fire-
or ignition of the sample. A flash in the vapor space or ignition
producing or fire-sustaining potential of wastes. The following
and burning of the waste indicates a positive flammability
test methods can be applied to waste liquids, sludges, or solids:
potential at ambient temperature.
Sections
Test Method A—Test Sample Exposed to Heat and Flame 7-9
4. Significance and Use
Test Method B—Test Sample Exposed to Spark Source 10 and 11
4.1 These test methods are intended for use by those in the
1.2 These test methods should be used to measure and
waste management industries to aid in identifying the flamma-
describe the properties of materials, in response to heat and
bility potential or waste materials.
flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be
used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of
5. Hazards
materials under actual fire conditions. However, results of
5.1 Avoid inhalation and skin or eye contact, or both, of any
these tests may be used in addition to all other factors that are
hazardous materials.
pertinent to a fire hazard assessment of a particular end use.
5.2 Standard laboratory hygiene practices should be fol-
1.3 These test methods are designed and intended as pre-
lowed when conducting these tests.
liminary tests to complement quantitative analytical techniques
5.3 All tests must be performed in a laboratory hood.
that may be used to determine flammability. These test methods
5.4 Waste containing or suspected of containing highly
offer the option and the ability to screen waste for hazardous
volatile organics or peroxides should be tested using a much
flammability potential when the analytical techniques are not
smaller sample than that used in 9.2.
available or the total waste composition is unknown.
5.5 The aluminum weighing boat should be placed on an
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
inert, nonflammable surface.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
6. Sampling
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
6.1 Sample containers must be kept tightly sealed until
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard
tested.
information is given in Section 5 and Note 2.
6.2 Samples should be analyzed as soon as possible after
2. Terminology collection.
6.3 If necessary, allow the sample to come to room tem-
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
perature in a tightly sealed container. For example, frozen
2.1.1 screening analysis—a preliminary qualitative or semi-
material should be allowed to thaw completely.
quantitative test that is designed to efficiently give the user
specific information about a waste that will aid in determining
TEST METHOD A—EXPOSURE TO HEAT AND
waste identification, process compatibility, and safety in han-
FLAME
dling.
7. Interferences
3. Summary of Test Methods
7.1 Drafts in the laboratory fume hood where the test is
3.1 Method A—A test sample is exposed to heat and flame.
performed could cause excessive cooling and false negative
The sample is reported as having a positive or negative
results. A properly operating fume hood with a face velocity of
flammability potential as described in the test procedure.
100 ft/min should provide consistent, usable results.
3.2 Method B—Sparks from a flint lighter are introduced to
7.2 Ignition sources that provide excessive heating rates
alone or combined with a very small test portion may obscure
results. That is, the sample may be decomposed, sintered,
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
fused, evaporated, or otherwise consumed before positive or
Screening Methods.
negative evidence of flammability is observed. The use of
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1995. Published December 1995. Originally
sufficiently large test portions and of heating rates typical of a
published as D 4982 – 89. Last previous edition D 4982 – 89.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 4982
bunsen burner should resolve this problem. 9.3.2 The confirmation of flammability may require the use
7.3 An inadequate source of heating could limit the volatil- of a watchglass (see 7.4).
ization of flammable components and provide false negative 9.3.3 If there is no ignition, proceed to 9.4.
results. 9.4 Using a gas burner, briefly (for at least 10 s) apply the
7.4 Difficult-to-observe flames resulting from the burning of flame to the sample in an attempt to ignite the sample.
certain compounds (for example, methanol) could provide 9.4.1 If the sample ignites, the sample is said to have a
false negative results. If the presence of these compounds is positive flammability potential.
suspected, the presence of flammability might be confirmed by 9.4.1.1 When more accurate waste characterization is nec-
the insertion of a watchglass just above the test material. The essary, liquid samples may be quantified using a closed-cup
watchglass is then examined for products of combustion (for flash point tester.
example, moisture and soot). 9.4.1.2 Solids with a positive flammability potential should
be further investigated.
NOTE 1—The watchglass method cannot distinguish between vaporized
9.4.2 If the sample decomposes, boils (if a liquid), or
water or water produced by combustion.
otherwise fails to ignite after at least 15 s of continuous sample
7.5 An improperly adjusted gas burner (for example, with
heating by the burner flame, the flammability potential is
an ins
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