ASTM International has published a newly revised manual that aims to provide a practical set of guidelines for safe oxygen system design, storage, handling and use.
Manual 36, Safe Use of Oxygen and Oxygen Systems: Handbook for Design, Operation and Maintenance, 2nd Edition, begins with an overview of the basic oxygen safety guidelines, followed by a description of oxygen system ignition mechanisms and materials information related to flammability, ignition and combustion. Next, the process for performing an oxygen compatibility assessment is described, followed by design principles, which are fundamental to the safe use of oxygen. Cleaning for oxygen service is the next topic, followed by various operational issues, such as storage facility design, transportation and transfer, equipment hazards and emergency procedures.
Appendices include some chemical and physical properties of oxygen, a summary of physical properties of engineering materials, and a summary of some pressure vessel testing, inspection and recertification requirements. They also include a general discussion of applicable codes, regulations and guidelines related to the use of oxygen, as well as a brief review of scaling laws, explosions, blasts and fragments.
The reference tool is intended for designers, users, operators, maintainers, quality assurance personnel, insurance and safety inspectors and project managers who will be able to incorporate these guidelines into their projects or facilities.
For more information, visit www.astm.org.
