ASTM F625/F625M-94(2022)

Standard Practice for Classifying Water Bodies for Spill Control Systems

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is to be used as a guide to classify water bodies for spill control systems. These classifications may be used in formulating standards for design, performance, evaluation, contingency and response planning, contingency and response plan evaluation, and standard practice for spill control systems.  
4.2 Relatively few parameters of broad range have been used in Table 1 in order to enable the user to readily identify general conditions under which spill control systems can be used.  
4.3 Satisfactory operation of any specific spill control systems may not extend over the full range of conditions identified by Table 1. Detailed discussion with systems suppliers is recommended.  
4.4 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 practice creates a system of categories that classify water bodies relating to the control of spills of oil and other substances that float on or into a body of water.  
1.2 This practice does not address the compatibility of spill control equipment with spill products. It is the user's responsibility to ensure that any equipment selected is compatible with anticipated products.  
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the 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: 31-Aug-2022
• ICS: 13.060.10 - Water of natural resources
• Technical Committee: F20 - Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response
• Drafting Committee: F20.11 - Control

Overview

ASTM F625/F625M-94(2022): Standard Practice for Classifying Water Bodies for Spill Control Systems provides a practical framework for categorizing water bodies to support the effective design, selection, deployment, and evaluation of spill control systems. Developed by ASTM International, this standard guides environmental, safety, and response professionals in identifying operational environments for oil spill control equipment and other substances that float on water. The classification system supports contingency planning, system performance evaluation, and operational readiness for spill incidents in diverse aquatic conditions.

Key Topics

• Water Body Classifications: The standard defines four major water body types based primarily on wave height:
  • Type I – Calm Water: 0 to 0.3 m (0–1 ft) wave height.
  • Type II – Protected Water: 0 to 1 m (0–3 ft), with small waves and occasional whitecaps.
  • Type III – Open Water: 0 to 2 m (0–6 ft) featuring moderate waves and frequent whitecaps.
  • Type IV – Open Water (Rough): Greater than 2 m (>6 ft), with large waves, foam crests, and spray.
• Additional Factors Influencing Classification:
  • Water Current: If currents exceed approximately 0.4 m/s (0.8 knots), a “C” designation is added (e.g., “I-C”).
  • Debris, Temperature, and Salinity: Presence of debris, extreme temperatures, and the saline or silt nature of water can significantly impact equipment performance and response effectiveness.
• Practical Guidance: The standard emphasizes:
  • Limitations of general classifications for specific equipment.
  • The need for consultation with equipment suppliers to ensure suitability for anticipated environmental conditions.
  • Consideration of deployment techniques, personnel training, and equipment reliability, in addition to environmental parameters.

Applications

• Contingency and Response Planning: Enables response teams, environmental engineers, and risk management professionals to design and implement tailored spill control systems suited to the specific classification of water bodies.
• Spill Equipment Selection: Facilitates informed decisions when selecting booms, skimmers, and other oil spill control equipment by aligning their capabilities with anticipated site conditions.
• Site Assessment and Preparedness: Assists agencies and operators in assessing potential spill impact zones, ensuring preparedness for emergencies across varying aquatic environments.
• Performance Evaluation: Supports benchmarking and evaluation of spill response systems under a range of environmental conditions, informing maintenance, training, and improvement processes.
• Regulatory and Compliance Uses: Provides a recognized classification system for use in compliance with international spill prevention and preparedness regulations.

Related Standards

• ASTM F631: Standard Guide for Collecting Skimmer Performance Data in Controlled Environments.
• ASTM F715: Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics Used for Oil Spill Control.
• ASTM F994: Standard Guide for Training of Oil Spill Response Personnel.
• ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems-provides a broader context for environmental protection and spill control.
• NFPA 11: Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam-related to spill containment practices in fire protection.

Keywords: oil spill control, spill response, water body classification, spill containment, environmental protection, ASTM F625, emergency planning, spill equipment.

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:F625/F625M −94 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Practice for
Classifying Water Bodies for Spill Control Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F625/F625M; 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 2.1.5 water depth—mean vertical distance measured from
the surface of the water to the top of the continuous solid
1.1 This practice creates a system of categories that classify
surface below at mean lower low water, (m).
water bodies relating to the control of spills of oil and other
2.1.6 water temperature—average or point temperature of a
substances that float on or into a body of water.
water body as measured within the top 300 mm [12 in.], (°C).
1.2 This practice does not address the compatibility of spill
2.1.7 wave height—(significant wave height) the average
control equipment with spill products. It is the user’s respon-
height, measured crest to trough, of the one-third highest
sibility to ensure that any equipment selected is compatible
waves, considering only short-period waves (that is, period less
with anticipated products.
than 10 s), (m).
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
2.1.8 wave period—(significant wave period) the average
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
period of the one-third highest waves, measured as the elapsed
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
time between crests of succeeding waves, (s).
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance 2.1.9 wind—the air velocity measured at a height 10 metres
with the standard. [33 ft] above the ground or water, (m/s).
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Summary of Practice
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 General environmental conditions for spill control sys-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tems are grouped into four major types of water bodies (see
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Table 1). Additional factors that may affect spill control
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
operations are listed in Section 5.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4. Significance and Use
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 4.1 This practice is to be used as a guide to classify water
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical bodies for spill control systems. These classifications may be
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. used in formulating standards for design, performance,
evaluation, contingency and response planning, contingency
2. Terminology
and response plan evaluation, and standard practice for spill
control systems.
2.1 Definitions:
2.1.1 Recommended units of measure are given for each of
4.2 Relatively few parameters of broad range have been
the following definitions.
used in Table 1 in order to enable the user to readily identify
2.1.2 air temperature—average or point temperature of the
general conditions under which spill control systems can be
air measured at or near the ground or water surface, (°C).
used.
2.1.3 current—average water velocity relative to a reference
4.3 Satisfactory operation of any specific s
...