This guide helps those studying oxygen system incidents to select a direct cause hypothesis and to avoid conclusions based on hypotheses, however plausible, that have proven faulty in the past.

1. Scope

1.1 This guide covers procedures and material for examining fires in oxygen systems for the purposes of identifying potential causes and preventing recurrence.

1.2 This guide is not comprehensive. The analysis of oxygen fire incidents is not a science, and definitive causes have not been established for some events.

1.3 The procedures and analyses in this guide have been found to be useful for interpreting fire events, for helping identify potential causes, and for excluding other potential causes. The inclusion or omission of any analytical strategy is not intended to suggest either applicability or inapplicability of that method in any actual incident study.

Note 1—Although this guide has been found applicable for assisting qualified technical personnel to analyze incidents, each incident is unique and must be approached as a unique event. Therefore, the selection of specific tactics and the sequence of application of those tactics must be conscious decisions of those studying the event.

Note 2—The incident may require the formation of a team to provide the necessary expertise and experience to conduct the study. The personnel analyzing an incident, or at least one member of the team, should know the process under study and the equipment installation.

1.4 Warning—During combustion, gases, vapors, aerosols, fumes, or combinations thereof, are evolved, which may be present and may be hazardous to people. Caution—Adequate precautions should be taken to protect those conducting a study.

1.5 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.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

E620 Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or Technical Experts

E678 Practice for Evaluation of Scientific or Technical Data

E860 Practice for Examining And Preparing Items That Are Or May Become Involved In Criminal or Civil Litigation

E1020 Practice for Reporting Incidents that May Involve Criminal or Civil Litigation

E1138 Terminology for Technical Aspects of Products Liability Litigation

E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Information and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator

E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation

E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory

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

G114 Practices for Evaluating the Age Resistance of Polymeric Materials Used in Oxygen Service

G124 Test Method for Determining the Combustion Behavior of Metallic Materials in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres

G126 Terminology Relating to the Compatibility and Sensitivity of Materials in Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres

G128 Guide for Control of Hazards and Risks in Oxygen Enriched Systems

Compressed Gas Association (CGA) Standards

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard

Occupational Safety and Health Act

Keywords

accident; cause; fire; incident; investigation; oxygen; Accidents; Contamination--systems (materials/applications); Fire investigation; Incidents; Investigation; Oxygen service/systems;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.220.99 (Other standards related to fire protection)

Citing ASTM Standards

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