ASTM E1388-95

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.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: E 1388 – 95
Standard Practice for
Sampling of Headspace Vapors from Fire Debris Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1388; 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 analyzed by gas chromatography, GC/MS, or GC/IR.
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for removing small
4. Significance and Use
quantities of ignitable liquid residue from samples of fire debris
4.1 This practice is useful for screening samples for the
by sampling the headspace of the debris container.
presence of a particular type of petroleum product.
1.2 Separation and concentration procedures are listed in the
4.2 This practice is useful when volatile oxygenated prod-
referenced documents. (See Practices E 1385, E 1386, E 1412,
ucts such as alcohols or lacquer thinners are suspected.
and E 1413.)
4.3 This practice is the least sensitive of the sample prepa-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ration techniques and may not detect quantities of less than 10
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
μL of petroleum product.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.4 Because this separation takes place in a closed con-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tainer, the sample remains in approximately the same condition
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
in which it was submitted. Repeat and interlaboratory analyses
2. Referenced Documents are therefore possible.
4.5 Due to variables in the debris sample condition prior to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
headspace sampling, complete reproducibility of chromato-
E 1385 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
grams may be difficult to obtain.
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Steam
4.6 To obtain greater reproducibility, use one of the separa-
Distillation
tion procedures which results in a solution of the flammable or
E 1386 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
combustible liquid residue (see Practices E 1385, E 1386,
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Solvent
E 1412, and E 1413
Extraction
E 1387 Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Ex-
5. Apparatus
tracts from Samples of Fire Debris by Gas Chromatogra-
2 5.1 Heating System—An oven or a heating mantle to fit the
phy
evidence container, or a hot plate.
E 1412 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
5.2 Temperature Measuring Device—A thermometer or
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Passive
thermocouple capable of measuring temperatures in the range
Headspace Concentration
from 40 to 150°C.
E 1413 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
5.3 A gas–tight syringe capable of reproducibility introduc-
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Dy-
2 ing sample sizes in the range from 0.5 to 5 mL.
namic Headspace Concentration
5.4 A drill or punch, to puncture holes in container lids.
E 1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
6. Sample Preparation
E 1618 Guide for Ig
...