ASTM E1133-86(2022)

Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Laboratory Apparatus for United States Government Procurements

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The test procedure in this practice is proposed as a package performance test to be met for items shipped for United States government procurements. This practice will apply only when requested by the buyer.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the procedures for testing loaded shipping containers that would be sold to the United States government. The following tests are performed to measure the ability of the shipping container to protect the contents from the environment, shock, and vibration during wartime conditions. This practice is not intended to supplant material specifications or existing pre-shipment test procedures. The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous materials has not been determined.  
1.2 The procedures covered in this practice are suitable for all types of laboratory apparatus including reusable and disposable macro and micro products.  
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 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-Dec-2021
• ICS: 71.040.20 - Laboratory ware and related apparatus
• Technical Committee: E41 - Laboratory Apparatus
• Drafting Committee: E41.01 - Laboratory Ware and Supplies

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D4169-23 - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM D4169-23e1 - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM D951-17 - Standard Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Containers by Spray Method
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Refers: ASTM D4169-14 - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM D4332-13 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2013
• Refers: ASTM D685-12 - Standard Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM D951-99(2010) - Standard Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Containers by Spray Method
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM D4169-09 - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Refers: ASTM D4169-08 - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2008
• Refers: ASTM D4332-01(2006) - Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM D4169-05 - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2005
• Refers: ASTM D4169-04a - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2004
• Refers: ASTM D951-99(2004) - Standard Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Containers by Spray Method
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2004
• Refers: ASTM D4169-04 - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Refers: ASTM D4169-01 - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2001

Overview

ASTM E1133-86(2022), Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Packaged Laboratory Apparatus for United States Government Procurements, outlines comprehensive procedures for evaluating the performance of loaded shipping containers used for laboratory equipment. Specifically designed for items procured by the United States government, this standard ensures that packaging can protect contents from environmental challenges, as well as shock and vibration, especially under rigorous conditions such as those encountered during wartime.

This practice is only applicable when specified by the buyer and is both inclusive and adaptable, covering all types of laboratory apparatus, including both reusable and disposable products. Its methodology is internationally recognized and aligns with World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for global standards development.

Key Topics

• Package Performance Testing: This standard describes a sequence of tests to measure the protective effectiveness of shipping containers, including:

  • Salt spray exposure to assess corrosion resistance
  • Drop testing for containers under and over 100 lb to evaluate impact resistance
  • Compression, vibration, and storage tests mimicking extreme handling and environmental conditions
  • Bounce and loose cargo testing for dynamic durability assessment

• Testing Conditions: Specimens are conditioned at controlled temperature and humidity prior to testing. Containers are tested according to established procedures referenced in other ASTM standards, ensuring repeatability and reliability.

• Certification Requirements: Suppliers must maintain records of all laboratory test reports and, when necessary, provide written certification confirming compliance with the standard.

• Applicability and Safety: ASTM E1133-86(2022) is not intended to replace existing material specifications or pre-shipment procedures and does not address hazardous materials. Users are responsible for implementing appropriate safety and regulatory measures.

Applications

This standard delivers practical value for:

• Government Procurement: Ensures that laboratory apparatus shipped for United States government contracts meet rigorous packaging standards, reducing damage risk and ensuring operational readiness upon delivery.
• Laboratory Equipment Manufacturers: Provides clear testing protocols for producers of macro and micro scientific products who supply to governmental agencies, aiding in robust package design and reducing losses.
• Quality Assurance Professionals: Offers a standardized approach to evaluate the durability and protective quality of packaging solutions across various shipment environments.
• Third-party Testing Laboratories: Acts as a benchmark for compliance assessments when certifying packaging performance for suppliers entering government supply chains.

By adhering to ASTM E1133-86(2022), stakeholders minimize the risk of breakage or functional loss during transit, which is critical for high-value or sensitive scientific devices.

Related Standards

Several key documents and standards referenced within ASTM E1133-86(2022) include:

• ASTM D685 - Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products for Testing
• ASTM D951 - Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Containers by Spray Method
• ASTM D4169 - Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
• ASTM D4332 - Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
• MIL-STD-810D - Environmental Test Methods for Military Equipment

These referenced procedures further support comprehensive testing, ensuring compliance and consistency in government laboratory apparatus shipments.

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Keywords: performance testing, laboratory apparatus, government procurement, shipping containers, ASTM E1133, packaging standards, durability testing, shock and vibration testing, quality assurance, laboratory equipment packaging.

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: E1133 − 86 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Practice for
Performance Testing of Packaged Laboratory Apparatus for
United States Government Procurements
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1133; 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 D685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products
for Testing
1.1 This practice describes the procedures for testing loaded
D951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Con-
shipping containers that would be sold to the United States
tainers by Spray Method
government. The following tests are performed to measure the
D1083 Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized
ability of the shipping container to protect the contents from
Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates (Withdrawn
the environment, shock, and vibration during wartime condi-
2001)
tions. This practice is not intended to supplant material
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
specifications or existing pre-shipment test procedures. The
tainers and Systems
suitability of this practice for use with hazardous materials has
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
not been determined.
Packaging Components for Testing
1.2 The procedures covered in this practice are suitable for
2.2 Military Standard:
all types of laboratory apparatus including reusable and dis- 4
MIL-STD-810D Environmental Test Method
posable macro and micro products.
3. Significance and Use
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.1 The test procedure in this practice is proposed as a
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
package performance test to be met for items shipped for
and are not considered standard.
United States government procurements. This practice will
apply only when requested by the buyer.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Requirements
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1 Three individual shipping containers, or one unit con-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. sisting of two or more overpackaged individual units are
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
required. Each specimen shall be run through the sequence of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- tests, in the order given.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2 ConditionthetestspecimensinaccordancewithMethod
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
D685 for 72 h at 50 % 6 2 % relative humidity and 23 °C 6
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1 °C.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Procedure
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Expose the specimens to a salt spray for 2 h in accor-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
dance with Test Method D951.
5.2 Drop Test Procedures:
5.2.1 Items less than 100 lb shall be drop tested in accor-
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E41 on Laboratory
dance with Practice D4169 ElementA,Assurance Level I, (see
Apparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.01 on Laboratory
Table 1). The drop sequence shall be conducted as follows:
Ware and Supplies.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2022. Published February 2022. Originally
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E1133 – 86 (2016).
DOI: 10.1520/E1133-86R22. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or www.astm.org.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
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