ASTM F1273-21

Standard Specification for Tank Vent Flame Arresters

ABSTRACT
This specification provides the minimum requirements for design, construction, performance, and testing of two types of tank vent flame arrester (Type I and Type II). This specification is intended for flame arresters protecting systems containing vapors of flammable or combustible liquids with the specified vapor temperature. The defined test media can be used except where arresters protect systems handling vapors with the given value of maximum experimental safe gap (MESG). Flame arresters protecting such systems must be tested with appropriate media. The flame arrester housing, and other parts or bolting used for pressure retention, shall be constructed of the prescribed materials. Arrester, elements, gaskets, and seals shall be of materials resistant to attack by seawater and the liquids and vapors contained in the tank being protected. Nonmetallic materials, other than gaskets and seals, shall not be used in the construction of pressure-retaining components and nonmetallic gaskets and seals shall be noncombustible and suitable for the service intended. The possibility of galvanic corrosion shall be considered in the selection of materials. Requirements for flame arrester design and construction, housings, elements, threaded or flanged pipe connections, joints, and fastenings are detailed. Prototype testing such as corrosion test, performance test, endurance burn test, and flashback test shall be done.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification provides the minimum requirements for design, construction, performance, and testing of tank vent flame arresters.  
1.2 This specification is intended for flame arresters protecting systems containing vapors of flammable or combustible liquids where vapor temperatures do not exceed 60°C. The test media defined in 9.1.1 can be used except where arresters protect systems handling vapors with a maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) below 0.9 mm. Flame arresters protecting such systems must be tested with appropriate media (the same vapor or a media having a MESG no greater than the vapor). Various gases and their respective MESG are listed in Table 1.  
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 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test methods portions, Sections 8 and 9, 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This standard should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies 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, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use  
1.6 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-2021
• ICS: 13.220.01 - Protection against fire in general
• Technical Committee: F25 - Ships and Marine Technology
• Drafting Committee: F25.11 - Machinery and Piping Systems

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:F1273 −21 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
1
Tank Vent Flame Arresters
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1273; 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 mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This specification provides the minimum requirements
for design, construction, performance, and testing of tank vent
2. Referenced Documents
flame arresters.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 This specification is intended for flame arresters protect-
F722 Specification for Welded Joints for Shipboard Piping
ing systems containing vapors of flammable or combustible
Systems
liquids where vapor temperatures do not exceed 60°C. The test
F1155 Practice for Selection and Application of Piping
media defined in 9.1.1 can be used except where arresters
System Materials
protectsystemshandlingvaporswithamaximumexperimental
2.2 Other Documents:
safe gap (MESG) below 0.9 mm. Flame arresters protecting
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, Divi-
3
such systems must be tested with appropriate media (the same
sion 1
vapor or a media having a MESG no greater than the vapor). 3
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section IX
Various gases and their respective MESG are listed in Table 1.
ASME B16.5 Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings: NPS 1/2
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as through NPS 24 Metric/Inch Standard
International Electrotechnical Commission: Publication
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
provided for information only and are not considered standard. 60079-1 Explosive atmospheres — Part 1: Equipment
4
protection by flameproof enclosures ‘d’
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
test methods portions, Sections 8 and 9, of this specification:
3. Terminology
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety
3.1 Definitions:
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
3.1.1 flame arrester, n—a device to prevent the passage of
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety,
flame in accordance with a specified performance standard. Its
health, and environmental practices and determine the appli-
flame arresting element is based on the principle of quenching.
cability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This standard should be used to measure and describe 3.1.2 flame passage, n—the transmission of a flame through
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
a flame arrester.
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and
3.1.3 flame speed, n—the speed at which a flame propagates
should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or
along a pipe or other system.
fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire
3.1.4 gasoline vapors, n—a nonleaded petroleum distillate
conditions. However, results of this test may be used as
consisting essentially of aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds
elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all
with a boiling range of approximately 65 to 75°C.
of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire
hazard of a particular end use
4. Classification
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 The two types of flame arresters covered in this speci-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
fication are classified as follows:
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F25 on Ships the ASTM website.
3
and Marine Technology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F25.11 on Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASME
Machinery and Piping Systems. International Headquarters, Two Park Ave., New York, NY 10016-5990, http://
Current edition approved May 1, 2021. Published June 2021. Originally www.asme.org.
4
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F1273 – 91 (2013). Available from International Electrotechnical Commission, 3 rue de Varembe,
DOI: 10.1520/F1273-21. Case Postale 131, CH-1211, Geneva
...

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: F1273 − 91 (Reapproved 2013) F1273 − 21 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
1
Tank Vent Flame Arresters
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1273; 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 This specification provides the minimum requirements for design, construction, performance, and testing of tank vent flame
arresters.
1.2 This specification is intended for flame arresters protecting systems containing vapors of flammable or combustible liquids
where vapor temperatures do not exceed 60°C. The test media defined in 9.1.1 can be used except where arresters protect systems
handling vapors with a maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) below 0.9 mm. Flame arresters protecting such systems must
be tested with appropriate media (the same vapor or a media having a MESG no greater than the vapor). Various gases and their
respective MESG are listed in Table 1.
NOTE 1—Flame arresters meeting this specification also comply with the minimum requirements of the International Maritime Organization, Maritime
Safety Committee Circular No. 373 (MSC/Circ. 373/Rev. 1).
1.3 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
information only.after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test methods portions, Sections 8 and 9, 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.5 This standard should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies 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, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk
assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end
use
1.6 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.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F25 on Ships and Marine Technology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F25.11 on
Machinery and Piping Systems.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2013May 1, 2021. Published October 2013June 2021. Originally approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 20072013 as F1273
– 91 (2007).(2013). DOI: 10.1520/F1273-91R13.10.1520/F1273-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F1273 − 21
TABLE 1 Gases and Their MESGs
Inflammable Gas or Maximum Experimental
Vapor Safe Gap
mm in.
Methane 1.170 0.046
Blast furnace gas 1.193 0.047
Propane 0.965 0.038
Butane 1.066 0.042
Pentane 1.016 0.040
Hexane 0.965 0.038
Heptane 0.965 0.038
Iso-octane 1.040 0.041
Decane 1.016 0.040
Benzene 0.99 0.039
Xylene 1.066 0.042
Cyclohexane 0.94 0.037
Acetone 1.016 0.040
Ethylene 0.71 0.028
Methyl-ethyl-ketone 1.016 0.040
Carbon monoxide 0.915 0.036
Methyl-acetate 0.990 0.039
Ethyl-acetate 1.04 0.041
Propyl-acetate 1.04 0.041
Butyl-acetate 1.016 0.040
Amyl-acetate 0.99 0.039
Methyl alcohol 0.915 0.036
Ethyl alcohol 1.016 0.040
Iso-butyl-alcohol 0.965 0.038
Butyl-alcohol 0.94 0.037
(normal)
Amyl-alcohol 0.99 0.039
Ethyl-ether 0.864 0.034
Coal gas (H 57 %) 0.482 0.019
2
Acetylene <0.025 <0.001
Carbon disulphide 0.203 0.008
Hydrogen 0.102 0.004
Blue water gas (H 0.203 0.008
2
53 % CO 47 %)
Ethyl nitrate <0.025 <0.001
Ammonia 3.33 0.133
Ethylene oxide ;0.65 ;0.026
Ethyl nitrite 0.922 0.038
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F722 Specification for Welded Joints for Shipb
...