ASTM G128

The purpose of this guide is to introduce the hazards and risks involved with the handling of oxygen, cautioning the reader about the limitations of present practices and technology and about common hazards that often are overlooked. It then provides an overview of the standards produced by ASTM Committee G-4 and their uses, as well as similar documents available from other knowledgeable sources. It does not highlight standard test methods that support the use of these practices from this or other committees.

The standards discussed here focus on reducing the hazards and risks associated with the use of oxygen. In general, they are not directly applicable to process reactors in which the deliberate reaction of materials with oxygen is sought, as in burners, bleachers, or bubblers. Other ASTM Committees and products (such as the CHETAH program ) and other outside groups are more pertinent for these.

This guide is not intended as a specification to establish practices for the safe use of oxygen. The documents discussed here do not purport to contain all the information needed to design and operate an oxygen system safely. The control of oxygen hazards has not been reduced to handbook procedures, and the tactics for using oxygen are not unique. Rather, they require the application of sound technical judgement and experience. Oxygen users should obtain qualified technical expertise to design systems and operating practices to ensure the safe use of oxygen in their specific applications.

1. Scope

1.1 This guide covers an overview of the work of ASTM Committee G-4 on Compatibility and Sensitivity of Materials in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres. It is a starting point for those asking the question: “Are there any problems associated with my use of oxygen?” An introduction to the unique concerns that must be addressed in the handling of oxygen. The principal hazard is the prospect of ignition with resultant fire, explosion, or both. This hazard requires design considerations beyond those that apply to all systems, such as adequate strength, corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance, and pressure safety relief.

1.2 This guide also lists several of the recognized causes of oxygen system fires and describes the methods available to prevent them. Sources of information about the oxygen hazard and its control are listed and summarized. The principal focus is on Guides G 63, G 88, Practice G 93, and Guide G 94. Useful documentation from other resources and literature is also cited.

Note 1—This guide is an outgrowth of an earlier (1988) Committee G-4 videotape adjunct entitled Oxygen Safety and a related paper by Koch that focused on the recognized ignition source of adiabatic compression as one of the more significant but often overlooked causes of oxygen fires. This guide recapitulates and updates material in the videotape and paper.

1.3 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. For specific precautionary statements see Sections 8 and 11.

Note 2—ASTM takes no position respecting the validity of any evaluation methods asserted in connection with any item mentioned in this guide. Users of this guide are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such evaluation methods and data and the risk of use of such evaluation methods and data are entirely their own responsibility.

2. Referenced Documents

G125 Test Method for Measuring Liquid and Solid Material Fire Limits in Gaseous Oxidants
G126 Terminology Relating to the Compatibility and Sensitivity of Materials in Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres
G145 Guide for Studying Fire Incidents in Oxygen Systems
G63 Guide for Evaluating Nonmetallic Materials for Oxygen Service
G88 Guide for Designing Systems for Oxygen Service
G93 Practice for Cleaning Methods and Cleanliness Levels for Material and Equipment Used in Oxygen-Enriched Environments
G94 Guide for Evaluating Metals for Oxygen Service
DOD-L-24574 (SH) Military Specification, Lubricating Fluid for Low and High Pressure Oxidizing Gas Mixtures
MIL-PRF-27617 Performance Specification, Grease, Aircraft and Instrument, Fuel and Oxidizer Resistant
33/97/E Cleaning of Equipment for Oxygen Service
50 Standard for Bulk Oxygen Systems at Consumer Sites
51 Standard for the Design and Installation of Oxygen-Fuel Gas Systems for Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes
53 Recommended Practice on Material, Equipment, and Systems Used in Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres
99 Standard for Health Care Facilities
CHETAH Chemical Thermodynamic and Energy Release Evaluation
G-4.1 Cleaning Equipment for Oxygen Service
G-4.4 Industrial Practices for Gaseous Oxygen Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems
KSC 79K22280 Specification for 1,000-GPM LO Pump Bearings

Index Terms

adiabatic compression; autoignition; barriers; cleaning; combustion; compression heating; contamination; explosion; fire; flammability; GOX; ignition; liquid oxygen; LOX; material evaluation; material selection; oxygen ; oxygen compatibility; oxygen enriched; oxygen hazard; oxygen safety; oxygen service; oxygen systems; shielding; Adiabatic compression; Autoignition conditions/temperature; Cleaning agents/processes; Combustion; Compression heating; Contamination--systems (materials/applications); Explosion hazards; Fire investigation; Flammability--gaseous mixtures; Ignition--medical equipment/systems/applications; Liquid oxygen (LOX) systems; Material evaluation/selection; Oxygen-enriched systems/environments; Oxygen service/systems; Shielding ; ICS Number Code 13.220.40; 19.040

Citing ASTM Standards

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