ASTM F1764-97

Standard Guide for Selection of Hardline Communication Systems for Confined-Space Rescue

SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers recommended criteria for the selection of hardwire communication systems for use in permit-required confined-space rescue operations.  
1.2 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Feb-1997
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.01 - Equipment, Testing, and Maintenance

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F1764-97(2002) - Standard Guide for Selection of Hardline Communication Systems for Confined-Space Rescue
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-1997

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1764 – 97
Standard Guide for
Selection of Hardline Communication Systems for Confined-
Space Rescue
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1764; 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 required confined space rescue operations and the specific
construction and composition of some confined spaces, hard-
1.1 This guide covers recommended criteria for the selec-
line communications systems may be the only type that will
tion of hardwire communication systems for use in permit-
meet the requirements for working within these spaces. Some
required confined-space rescue operations.
of these requirements are set forth in Federal Regulation and
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
some by safe operating procedures developed for working in
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
confined spaces by industry.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2 This guide is not meant to preclude the use of other
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
types of communication systems in confined-space rescue.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. System Requirements
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 System Safety—The system must be safe for use in the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 atmosphere, or potential atmosphere, within the space.
F 1490 Terminology Relating to Search and Rescue
5.2 The system must have continuous, hands-free voice
2.2 Federal Standards:
communications capability.
29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.146 Permit Required
5.3 The system must be dedicated and private so operations
Confined Spaces
cannot be interfered with by outsiders not involved with the
29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.7 Definition and
rescue.
Requirements for a National Recognized Testing Labora-
5.4 The system shall not affect the readings of other safety
tory
equipment (that is, gas detectors).
2.3 National Code:
5.5 Systems that are battery powered must have a low-
National Electrical Code (NEC)/NFPA 70
battery warning or a backup power source that provides a
3. Terminology minimum of 30 min before communications are lost.
5.6 The system must accommodate a minimum of three
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
users.
3.1.1 confined space rescue—rescue operations within
5.7 The system should allow for communication between all
spaces that meet the definition of “permit-required confined
entrants as well as with the attendant.
space” in Fed. Std. 29 CFR 1910.146.
5.8 The system must work in conjunction with the personal
3.1.2 hardline communication system—any communication
protective equipment (PPE) necessary to work in the environ-
system where all users are connected to the system by a
ment within the space.
hardline or wire.
5.9 The system must be impervious to the chemicals within
4. Significance and Use
the space.
4.1 Because of the many unique requirements of permit-
6. Keywords
6.1 confined space; hardline
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-32 on Search and
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.01 on Equipment,
Testing, and Maintenance.
Current edition approved February 10, 1997, Published April 1997.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 13.01.
Available from Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Admin-
istration, Office of Information and Consumer Affairs, Room N3647, 200 Consti- See Annex A1.
tution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210. See X1.1.
4 7
National Electrical Code (NEC)/NFPA 70; Available from the National Fire See X1.2.
Protection Association (NFPA), Battery March Park, PO Box 9101, Quincy, MA SeeX1.3.
02269-9959. See X1.4.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1764
ANNEX
(Mandatory Information)
A1. INHERENT SAFETY
10,11
A1.1 Equipment that requires electrical power to operate Division 1 Groups E, F, G; and Class III Division 1. Divi-
may be a source of ignition in the presence of flammable gases sion 1 locations are more hazardous than Division 2, therefore
or vapors, combustible dusts, or ignitable fibers. Equipment the test protocols for Division 1 are more stringent. As such,
that must operate in potentially flammable atmospheres must equipment certified for Division 1 is also approved for Division
be unable to cause ignition (inherently safe) in those atmo- 2. Hardline systems that only have limited approval, when used
spheres. They can be certified as intrinsically safe or explosion- only in atmospheres for which they are approved, meet this
proof. Rescue teams that only work in known hazards, such as guide. The NFPA does not certify equipment. Testing and
on-site rescue teams, may use equipment approved for only certification must be done by a Nationally Recognized Test
those hazards. Rescue teams that respond to unknown hazards, Laboratory (NRTL) that has been accredited by OSHA in
such as fire departments and other off-site rescue teams, must accordance with 29 CFR 1910.7. All certified equipment must
have equipment with the
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