ASTM F3326-21

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it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F3326 − 19a F3326 − 21
Standard Specification for
Flame Mitigation Devices on Portable Fuel Containers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3326; 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
1.1 This specification establishes performance requirements for Flame Mitigation Devicesflame mitigation devices (FMDs) in
portable fuel containers (PFCs) for gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuels intended for reuse by the consumer.
1.2 A flame mitigation device in gasoline (red), diesel (yellow), and kerosene (blue) PFCs protects the container openings from
possible propagation of a flame into a flammable fuel-air mixture within the container. Formation of a flammable fuel-air mixture
in the container can occur in special circumstances associated with cold ambient conditions and low liquid levels in the container.
Delineations of those circumstances and conditions have been described in published reports (forreports, for example, Gardiner et
al, 2010 ((1),), and papers, for example, Elias et al, 2013 ((2),), including research sponsored and overseen by the ASTM F15.10
Technical Committee.
1.3 This specification does not address the hazard of injury or death caused by ignition of vapors external to the PFC when the
fuel in the PFC is poured onto or near to a fire or other ignition source causing these external vapors to ignite or explode. An FMD
does not prevent hazards associated with misuse of the PFC resulting in external vapor ignition.
1.4 The flame mitigation device is chemically conditioned by exposure to representative fuel surrogates CE25a and CE85a fuel
and other expected conditions prior to the tests.
1.5 The flame mitigation device is mechanically conditioned by repeated insertions and removal of a fuel refueling spout prior to
the tests.
1.6 The first test method establishes that the flame mitigation device can effectively prevent flame propagation into a flammable
butane-air mixture inside the portable fuel container. The butane-air mixture is a controlled and repeatable proxy for the more
variable fuel vapor-air mixture in the container.
1.7 The second test method establishes that the flame mitigation device is permitting adequate flow rates of fuel.
1.8 This specification states values in SI units which are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
information only.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.10 on Standards for
Flammable Liquid Containers.
Current edition approved May 15, 2019Sept. 1, 2021. Published June 2019October 2021. Originally approved in 2019. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as
F3326 – 19.F3326 – 19a. DOI: 10.1520/F3326-19A.10.1520/F3326-21.
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3326 − 21
1.9 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.
1.10 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F852 Specification for Portable Gasoline, Kerosene, and Diesel Containers for Consumer Use
2.2 Other Standards:
NFPA 497 Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases, or Vapors of Hazardous (Classified)
Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas
IEC 60079-20-1 Explosive atmospheres – Part 20-1: Material characteristics for gas and vapour classification – Test methods
and data
CSA B376 Portable Containers for Gasoline and Other Petroleum
3. Terminology
3.1 Specification F852 is the reference for all portable fuel container specific terminology in this specification. Definitions may
be presented in this section for convenience.
3.2 Definitions:
3.2.1 flame mitigation device (FMD), n—a device permanently installed in a PFC to prevent the propagation of an external ignition
into the PFC.
3.2.2 flame speed, n—the average frame to frame measured speed of the flame in the first ⁄4 of the tube length.
3.2.3 fuel, n—a volatile mixture of liquid petroleum hydrocarbons distillates, and small amounts of additives, sometimes blended
with ethanol or similar oxygenates, suitable for use as a fuel in spark-ignition, internal combustion gasoline engines), or bio diesel
(for compression ignition in diesel engines).
3.2.4 Maximum Experimental Safe Gap (MESG), n—the maximum clearance between two parallel metal surfaces that has been
found, under specified test conditions, to prevent a deflagration in a test chamber from being propagated to a secondary chamber
containing the same gas or vapor at the same concentration (see IEC 60079-20-1).
3.2.5 portable fuel container (PFC), n—a single- or multi-compartment vessel intended for use by consumers to transport
gasoline, gas/oil mixtures (or separate compartments of gas and oil), diesel, or kerosene from their distribution points to the
consumer’s storage and use points, including all of the components intended for use on or with the container including those
supplied by manufacturers other than the PFC manufacturer.
4. FMD Requirements
4.1 General Requirements:
4.1.1 A flame mitigation device shall be provided in each PFC opening to protect the container opening(s) from possible
propagation of a flame into a flammable fuel-air mixture within the container.
4.1.2 Due to the increased risk of static discharge with more conductive materials, the FMD shall be a plastic PFC shall only
contain FMDs composed of nonmetallic materials.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3, rue de Varembé, 1st Floor, P.O. Box 131, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iec.ch.
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4.1.3 The PFC with the highest rated capacity up to 5 gal or 20 L of a family of similar design and construction shall be
representative of all of the PFCs within that family with respect to this specification.
NOTE 1—The PFC with the highest rated capacity in the family may be used to certify all of the PFCs in the family.
NOTE 2—This FMD standard may be referenced for other container capacities and applications.
4.2 FMD Effectiveness:
4.2.1 When tested in accordance with 6.1, a PFC which has undergone test method 8.3 of Specification F852, Drop Strength Test
using water only:
4.2.1.1 Shall not allow a flame to propagate into and ignite the headspace within the PFC with the pouring spout installed
according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4.2.1.2 If the pouring spout is removable, shall not allow a flame to propagate into and ignite the headspace within the PFC with
the pouring spout removed.
4.2.1.3 If there are separate openings for filling and pouring, shall not allow a flame to propagate into and ignite the headspace
within the PFC through the filling opening.
4.2.2 When tested in accordance with 6.1, a PFC which has undergone test method 8.4 of Specification F852, Hydrostatic Pressure
Test:
4.2.2.1 Shall not allow a flame to propagate into and ignite the headspace within the PFC with the pouring spout installed
according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4.2.2.2 If the pouring spout is removable, shall not allow a flame to propagate into and ignite the headspace within the PFC with
the pouring spout removed.
4.2.2.3 If there are separate openings for filling and pouring, shall not allow a flame to propagate into and ignite the headspace
within the PFC through the filling opening.
4.2.3 When tested in accordance with 6.1, a new, unused PFC chemically conditioned in accordance to 5.1 using Standard Fuel
CE25a, then mechanically conditioned in accordance to 5.2 and tested within 48 h of the chemical conditioning:
4.2.3.1 Shall not allow a flame to propagate into and ignite the headspace within the PFC over the course of five (5) successive
tests within 8 h with the pouring spout installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4.2.3.2 If the pouring spout is removable, shall not allow a flame to propagate into and ignite the headspace within the PFC over
the course of five (5) successive tests within 8 h with the pouring spout removed.
4.2.3.3 If there are separate openings for filling and pouring, shall not allow a flame to propagate into and ignite the headspace
within the PFC through the filling opening over the course of five (5) successive tests within 8 h.
NOTE 3—It is permissible to use the same conditioned PFC as used in 4.3.1.
4.2.4 When tested in accordance with 6.1, a new, unused PFC chemically conditioned in accordance to 5.1 using Standard Fuel
CE85a, then mechanically conditioned in accordance to 5.2 and tested within 48 h of the chemical conditioning:
4.2.4.1 Shall not allow a flame to propagate into and ignite the headspace within the PFC over the course of five (5) successive
tests within 8 h with the pouring spout installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4.2.4.2 If the pouring spout is removable, shall not allow a flame to propagate into and ignite the headspace within the PFC over
the course of five (5) successive tests within 8 h with the pouring spout removed.
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4.2.4.3 If there are separate openings for filling and pouring, shall not allow a flame to propagate into and ignite the headspace
within the PFC through the filling opening over the course of five (5) successive tests within 8 h.
NOTE 4—It is permissible to use the same conditioned PFC as used in 4.3.2.
4.3 FMD Flow Resistance:
4.3.1 A new, unused PFC chemically conditioned in accordance to 5.1 using Standard Fuel CE25a, then mechanically conditioned
in accordance to 5.2:
4.3.1.1 When tested in accordance with 6.2.3 shall have a pour-in rate not less than 34 L/min (9 gal/min).
NOTE 5—It is permissible to use this conditioned PFC for 4.2.3.
4.3.2 A new, unused PFC chemically conditioned in accordance to 5.1 using Standard Fuel CE85a, then mechanically conditioned
in accordance to 5.2:
4.3.2.1 When tested in accordance with 6.2.3 shall have a pour-in rate not less than 34 L/min (9 gal/min).
NOTE 6—It is permissible to use this conditioned PFC for 4.2.4.
4.4 Flow Out Test [Reserved]:
NOTE 7—If applicable, a requirement regarding the pouring out rate, intended to ensure that the pouring out flow characteristic of an FMD equipped PFC
does not adversely affect consumer acceptance, may be incorporated in a later version of this specification.
4.5 FMD Removal:
4.5.1 When tested in accordance with 6.3, the FMD shall not be removed from the PFC.
4.6 Retest Statement:
4.6.1 Testing Requirements—No qualification testing is required as a result of this revision.
5. Sample Preparation/Conditioning
5.1 PFC FMD Test Sample Chemical Durability Conditioning:
5.1.1 Chemical Conditioning Purpose—The FMD equipped PFC is conditioned with Standard Fuel CE25a and CE85a to verify
that the FMD structure and effectiveness is not compromised by prolonged exposure to the specified fuel formulations.
5.1.2 Chemical Durability Conditioning Apparatus:
5.1.2.1 A PFC and fuel.
5.1.2.2 A PFC temperature controlled enclosure capable of maintaining and monitoring a constant temperature of 4040 °C 6 2°C
(1042 °C (104 °F 6 4°F)4 °F) near the PFC location is used for the PFC thermal environment.
5.1.3 Chemical Conditioning Procedure:
5.1.3.1 Fill the PFC with fuel such that approximately 50 % of the length of the FMD in the filling opening is immersed in test
fuel.
5.1.3.2 Secure closures with the torque values specified in Specification F852, Table 1.
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5.1.3.3 Place PFC into the enclosure with a controlled temperature of 4040 °C 6 2°C (1042 °C (104 °F 6 4°F),4 °F), as measured
near the PFC.
5.1.3.4 Store in enclosure for a minimum of 60 days. Once each weekday during storage, remove PFC from enclosure, shake PFC
so that the liquid will contact the FMD situated in the filling opening, and return to enclosure.
5.1.3.5 Remove PFC after at least 60 days.
5.1.3.6 Examine and photograph applicable FMDs within 4 h, noting any deterioration or changes in dimensions or shape.
NOTE 8—It is permissible to make intermediate examinations of the FMD to determine if obvious physical damage has clearly rendered it ineffective.
5.2 PFC FMD Mechanical Durability Conditioning:
5.2.1 This mechanical durability conditioning is carried out on the FMD in the filling opening after the 5.1 chemical conditioning.
5.2.2 Mechanical Durability Conditioning Apparatus—A commercial type fuel dispensing nozzle is mounted on a surface inclined
at an angle of 45° to the horizontal so that it can slide into the filling opening of an FMD equipped PFC, which is also mounted
on an inclined surface oriented perpendicular to the nozzle spout slide. Use a fixture equivalent to a standard nozzle of 29 mm (1 ⁄8
in.) in diameter, weighing 1320 g (2.91 lb) and approximately 18 cm (7 in.) in length. Appendix X2, Fig. X2.1 is an illustrative
example of the apparatus setup for this conditioning.
5.2.3 Mechanical Durability Conditioning Procedure—Allow the nozzle to slide via gravity into filling opening of the fuel
container, and then retrieved and repositioned on the inclined surface. This conditioning procedure simulates the mechanical wear
due to friction between nozzle and the PFC opening containing the FMD. Repeat the insertion and retrieval process 49 times.
NOTE 9—It is permissible to make intermediate examinations of the FMD to determine if obvious physical damage has clearly rendered it ineffective.
6. Test Methods
6.1 FMD Effectiveness Test:
NOTE 10—FMD effectiveness tests are carried out within 48 h of chemical conditioning.
6.1.1 The bottom of an FMD equipped PFC is cut off and the PFC is mounted to a base plate containing a gas sampling port and
an aluminum foil blow out panel. Fill the modified PFC, with the pouring spout locked open where applicable, with a flammable
butane-air mixture (simulating the fuel-air mixture) which also fills an igniter tube attached to the opening being tested. The
orientation of the test setup positions the ignitor tube approximately horizontally. Expose the FMD under test to flame as described
in 6.1.4. The configurations with and without spout are illustrated in Fig. 1.
Dimensions are in mm.
FIG. 1 FMD Effectiveness Test Apparatus (a) With Spout On (b) With Spout Off
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6.1.2 Hazards—Ignition of a flammable vapor-air mixture, as is required in the FMD effectiveness test, inevitably entails fire and
explosion hazards. Laboratory personnel responsible for these tests need to have training and experience in conducting tests with
flammable vapors.
6.1.3 Test Apparatus and Setup:
6.1.3.1 Fig. 1 shows the test apparatus set up.
6.1.3.2 Cut off the bottom of the FMD equipped PFC so that the FMD being tested clears the mounting plate by 22 cm to 5 cm.
5 cm. Mount the PFC on a rigid base plate containing an opening for the exhaust gas vent tube connection and an approximately
100 mm diameter blowout panel comprised of standard household aluminum foil with a thickness of approximately 0.016 mm.
NOTE 11—It is recommended that exhaust gas tube connection is located in the lower elevation of the mounting plate.
6.1.3.3 A source of dry air, flowed through a controller capable of constant flow
...