ASTM F783-88(2023)

Standard Specification for Staple, Handgrab, Handle, and Stirrup Rung

ABSTRACT
This specification provides the design and dimensional requirements for the construction of steel staples, handgrabs, and handles that are for use on steel structures including all parts of a ships' structure as necessary, as well as individual stirrup rungs that are for use on bulkheads or structures as deemed necessary.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers design, construction for steel staples, handgrabs, handles, and individual stirrup rungs.  
1.2 The staples, handgrabs, and handles depicted in this specification are for use on steel structures including all parts of ships' structure as necessary. The individual stirrup rungs are for use on bulkheads or structure as deemed necessary.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4 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-Jun-2023
• ICS: 47.020.10 - Hulls and their structure elements
• Technical Committee: F25 - Ships and Marine Technology
• Drafting Committee: F25.03 - Outfitting and Deck Machinery

Relations

• Refers: ASTM A575-96(2018) - Standard Specification for Steel Bars, Carbon, Merchant Quality, M-Grades
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2018
• Refers: ASTM A575-96(2013)e1 - Standard Specification for Steel Bars, Carbon, Merchant Quality, M-Grades
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Refers: ASTM A575-96(2007) - Standard Specification for Steel Bars, Carbon, Merchant Quality, M-Grades
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2007
• Refers: ASTM A575-96(2002) - Standard Specification for Steel Bars, Carbon, Merchant Quality, M-Grades
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-1996

Overview

ASTM F783-88(2023), Standard Specification for Staple, Handgrab, Handle, and Stirrup Rung, provides essential design and dimensional guidelines for the fabrication and application of steel staples, handgrabs, handles, and individual stirrup rungs used in steel structures. Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures that such components are suitable for installation in all parts of a ship’s structure or on bulkheads and other necessary locations within steel-built facilities. The standard aligns with internationally recognized principles as outlined by the World Trade Organization’s Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

By following ASTM F783, manufacturers and purchasers of these components can ensure consistency, safety, and interoperability in marine and other steel structure applications.

Key Topics

The specification focuses on several fundamental topics critical to the design and use of staples, handgrabs, handles, and stirrup rungs:

• Component Definitions:
  • Handgrab/Handle: Bent round bars designed for attachment on hatch covers, manholes, and access openings.
  • Staple: U-shaped round bars intended to serve as anchor points for lashings, chains, and lifting slings.
  • Stirrup Rung: Double-bend square bars created for use as single or supplementary steps, often replacing vertical ladders.
• Design and Construction Requirements:
  • Specifies material qualities (steel conforming to ASTM A575, Grade M 1020).
  • Details acceptable finishes, including corrosion-inhibiting primer coatings.
  • Outlines marking and packaging standards for traceability and handling.
• Measurement Standards:
  • Relies on inch-pound units as the standard, with SI conversions provided for information.

Applications

ASTM F783-88(2023) is tailored for environments where robust, reliable gripping and support components are integral to safety and operations, with specific emphasis on marine and shipbuilding contexts:

• Shipbuilding and Marine Structures:
  • Installation on hulls, bulkheads, hatch covers, manholes, and other access or working areas.
  • Use as anchor points for securing cargo or equipment.
  • Application as access or ladder steps in hard-to-reach locations aboard vessels.
• Steel Structures Beyond Shipbuilding:
  • Use in industrial facilities or modular steel buildings requiring strong, ready-to-install handholds and footholds.
  • Suitable for any steel structure where safe, reliable access or attachment points are needed.

These components, when manufactured and installed per ASTM F783, contribute significantly to the safety, effectiveness, and longevity of steel structure applications, particularly in marine engineering and heavy industry.

Related Standards

For comprehensive specification and compliance, ASTM F783-88(2023) references and aligns with several important standards:

• ASTM A575 - Specification for Steel Bars, Carbon, Merchant Quality, M-Grades: Governs the quality of steel material used in the construction of staples, handgrabs, handles, and stirrup rungs.
• ISO and International Shipbuilding Standards: The general principles of ASTM F783 are compatible with international directives such as those from the World Trade Organization (WTO) TBT Committee.
• Additional ASTM Standards: Various related standards may address other outfitting, deck machinery, or structural features within shipbuilding and industrial steel construction.

Adhering to ASTM F783-88(2023) ensures that steel staples, handgrabs, handles, and stirrup rungs meet recognized industry baseline requirements for reliability, safety, and performance in demanding 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: F783 − 88 (Reapproved 2023) An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Staple, Handgrab, Handle, and Stirrup Rung
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F783; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This specification covers design, construction for steel 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
staples, handgrabs, handles, and individual stirrup rungs. 3.1.1 handgrab or handle—bent round bar of various sizes
for use on miscellaneous hatch covers, manholes, above access
1.2 The staples, handgrabs, and handles depicted in this
openings, and so forth.
specification are for use on steel structures including all parts
3.1.2 staple—a U-shaped round bar of various sizes used to
of ships’ structure as necessary. The individual stirrup rungs
provide an anchor end for lashings, portable chain connections,
are for use on bulkheads or structure as deemed necessary.
lifting slings, and so forth.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.1.3 stirrup rung—a double-bend-shaped square bar in-
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
tended for use as a single step or supplementary steps in place
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
of a vertical ladder.
and are not considered standard.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4. Ordering Data
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.1 The purchaser’s ordering data shall include the follow-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ing:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1.1 Quantity, size, and type.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1.2 Finish if other than specified in 7.1 and 7.2.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Materials and Manufacture
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Staple, handgrab, handle, and stirrup rung shall be made
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of steel in accordance with Grade M 1020 of Specification
A575 Specification for Steel Bars, Carbon, Merchant
A575.
Quality, M-Grades
6. Dimensions
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F25 on Ships 6.1 Dimensions of staple shall be as indicated in Table 1.
and Marine Technology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F25.03 on
6.2 Dimensions of handgrab and handle shall be as indi-
Outfitting and Deck Machinery.
Current edition approved July 1, 2023. Published July 2023. Originally approved cated in Table 2.
in 1982. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F783 – 88 (2018). DOI:
6.3 Dimension of stirrup rung shall be as indicated in Table
10.1520/F0783-88R23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 3.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.4 Dimensions are given in inches; millimetre equivalents
Standards volume information, refer to the standard
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