ASTM F3429/F3429M-24

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Designation: F3429/F3429M − 23 F3429/F3429M − 24
Standard Specification for
Performance of Flame Mitigation Devices Installed in
Disposable and Pre-Filled Flammable Liquid Containers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3429/F3429M; 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 the performance of flame mitigation devices (FMDs) installed in
disposable and pre-filled liquid containers, intended for consumer use where the liquid flashpoint is below 60 ºC [140 ºF]. (See
Appendix X1.)
1.1.1 Uses of disposable and pre-filled flammable liquid containers include but are not limited to fuels, fire starters, and additives
for internal combustion engines.
1.1.2 An FMD that complies with this specification minimizes the potential of flame jetting or container rupture from occurring.
1.1.3 Containers without a significant area reduction at the container opening are not covered because there is no hazard of a flame
jet or container rupture because an internal pressure rise does not result from an internal ignition. (See Appendix X1X1.5.)
1.2 This specification does not apply to the following containers:
1.2.1 Containers greater than 20 L [5.3 gal] or smaller than 100 mL [3.4 oz] in volume.
1.2.2 Containers intended for beverages.
1.2.3 Portable fuel containers as defined in Specification F852/F852M.
1.2.4 One-time use portable emergency fuel containers for use by consumers as defined in Specification F2874.
1.2.5 Containers not intended to be open to ambient conditions such as those for liquefied petroleum gas.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used
independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
1.4 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. Information on specific hazards associated with the test methods in this specification is shown
in Section 4.4.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.72 on Pre-Filled
Containers of Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
Current edition approved May 1, 2023Jan. 15, 2024. Published May 2023January 2024. Originally approved in 2020. Last previous edition approved in 20202023 as
F3429/F3429M – 20.F3429/F3429M – 23. DOI: 10.1520/F3429_F3429M-23.10.1520/F3429_F3429M-24.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3429/F3429M − 24
1.5 This specification does not address hazards caused by fire and explosion nor hazards from vapors external to the container
when the fuel in the container does not ignite. Further, this specification does not consider scenarios where confinement,
obstructions, or preheating cause flame acceleration prior to the flame front reaching the interior of the container.
1.6 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under
controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire-hazard or fire-risk assessment of the materials,
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.7 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these
tests.
1.8 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:
D3828 Test Methods for Flash Point by Small Scale Closed Cup Tester
D4359 Test Method for Determining Whether a Material Is a Liquid or a Solid
F852/F852M Specification for Portable Gasoline, Kerosene, and Diesel Containers for Consumer Use
F2874 Specification for One Time Use Portable Emergency Fuel Containers (PEFC) for Use by Consumers
2.2 NFPA Standards:
NFPA 68 Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting
NFPA 497 Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gasses, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified)
Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 disposable and pre-filled flammable liquid container, n—a vessel, which includes a closure for storage or dispensing
pre-filled with flammable liquids, that is intended and designed to be poured and discarded or recycled (and not re-filled) after the
flammable liquids are fully consumed in one or multiple uses.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
In this specification, “container” means “disposable and pre-filled flammable liquid fuel container.”
3.1.2 equivalence ratio, n—the ratio of fuel concentration in the actual fuel-air mixture divided by the fuel concentration in a
stoichiometric mixture.
3.1.3 flame jetting, n—phenomenon where an external ignition source causes a sudden ignition within a liquid container that
directionally propels burning vapor and liquid from the mouth of the container.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—
Flame jetting requires the burning vapor and liquid to travel a lengthy distance from the container, relative to the intended use and
application. Often, flame jetting will occur when pouring from the container; in these situations flame jetting occurs only when
the burning liquid and vapor are propelled reasonably beyond the pouring target. The presence of a small flame in the immediate
vicinity of the mouth of the container is not considered flame jetting.
3.1.4 flame mitigation device (FMD), n—a device or feature attached to, installed in, or otherwise integral to, a container that is
expected to inhibit the propagation of an external flame into the container.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—
A flame arrester is a type of FMD that prevents the propagation of flame through quenching, or removal of heat from the flame.
A flame arrester may be an assembly with multiple components used to both inhibit the propagation of the flame and to attach it
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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.
F3429/F3429M − 24
to the container. Other examples of FMDs include, but are not limited to, expanded metal mesh, screens, bladders, pinhole
restrictors, cap assemblies with small orifice spouts, and pumps.
3.1.5 fundamental burning velocity, n—the velocity of a laminar flame under stated conditions of composition, temperature, and
pressure through a mixture of unburnt fuel and oxidizer gases.
3.1.6 maximum experimental safe gap (MESG), n—a standardized measurement of how easily a gas flame will pass through a
narrow gap bordered by heat absorbing metal.
3.1.6.1 Discussion—
Industry practice is to report MESG in millimeters (mm), therefore MESG is only reported in millimeters (mm) in this
specification.
3.1.7 removable spout, n—a device included with the container that is intended and allows for the consumer can easily attach,
remove, and reattach without the use of tools.
3.1.7.1 Discussion—
While a removable spout is not required in order to pour liquid from a container, the spout will allow, when attached, flammable
liquid to pass through it.
4. Significance and Use and Limitations
4.1 These test methods are intended to provide a challenge as severe as possible to FMDs made of polymers or other materials
that have the potential to swell, melt, or self-close in some other fashion when exposed to direct flame impingement.
4.2 The endurance flame test required by 5.2 and described in Section 8 is intended to challenge the performance of such FMDs
when exposed to sustained thermal exposures.
4.3 The flashback flame test required by 5.3 and described in Section 9 does not necessarily provide the most severe test to such
FMDs. It is intended to challenge the performance of such FMDs.
4.4 Hazards:
4.4.1 The test methods in Sections 8 and 9 require exposure to open flames and pre-mixed flammable gases. Consider and address
the inherent dangers of testing with open flames and the storage, handling, and transport of flammable gases.
4.4.2 Utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary. Appropriate PPE will potentially include gloves,
glasses, safety shields, and respiratory equipment, as necessary to protect from exposure to flames, heat, smoke, and combustion
products.
4.4.3 The test methods require controlled pre-mixing of flammable gas and air.
4.4.3.1 Control and port the gases separately from the supply to the container under test. Mix the flammable gas and air as close
as possible to the inlet to the container to limit the potential for supply line flashback.
4.4.3.2 Use an inline flame arrester placed in the pre-mixed flow path to protect from potential flashback.
(1) Use caution when selecting an inline flame arrester to be certain that it provides sufficient protection for this application.
Inline flame arresters intended for protection of gases with lower maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) than the test gas are
sufficient for this purpose.
4.4.4 Separate the operator from the test apparatus by a rigid wall, window, or other separation.
4.4.5 The pre-mixed flammable gases will flow for an extended duration prior to ignition. Conduct the test in an area with
sufficient ventilation to remove all flammable gases from the area while limiting direct air movement around the opening to the
container. Compare the calculations of total gas flow rate made in accordance with Section 7 to the volume of the test area and
the volumetric flow rate of the exhaust system to prevent hazardous buildup of flammable gases.
4.4.6 Internal ignition of the pre-mixed gases occurs if a flame penetrates a container. A means to vent the internal ignition is
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required in 6.1.1.4 with the intention of preventing any hazardous rupture or failure of the container. It is possible that flames will
project from such means. Do not locate instrumentation or operators within the direct projection of any such means.
5. Requirements
5.1 General Requirements:
5.1.1 Confirm that the contents of the container are liquid at ambient conditions. For viscous substances, use Test Method D4359
or equivalent to determine if the contents of the container are liquid. If the contents are not liquid, this specification does not apply.
5.1.2 Determine if the liquid is flammable. For this specification, a liquid is flammable if the flashpoint is below 60 ºC [140 ºF].
If the flash point of the liquid is not provided, use Test Methods D3828, or equivalent, to determine if the liquid has a flash point
below 60 ºC [140 ºF]. If the liquid has a flash point at or above 60 ºC [140 ºF], this specification does not apply.
5.1.3 For the purposes of this specification, a valid test shall be a test conducted on an exemplar or production container, following
each step in the applicable test method (Section 8 or Section 9) where no testing or environmental situation arises that would
question the results of that test. Any test that is determined to be invalid requires a repeat of the test with a new test specimen.
5.2 Determine the Test Gas:
5.2.1 The MESG of the liquid fuel stored within the container shall be used to determine the test gas.
5.2.2 When the liquid is a mixture of multiple chemical constituents, the liquid shall be classified by the chemical constituent with
the smallest value of MESG.MESG comprising more than 5 % of the content.
5.2.3 For When the container is qualified in accordance with the squeeze test in Section 12, propane shall be the test gas for liquids
with a MESG greater than or equal to 0.89 mm, ethylene 0.97 mm or ethane shall be the test gas.gas for liquids with a MESG of
greater than 0.91.
5.2.4 Except as described in 5.2.3, ethylene shall be the test gas for liquids with a MESG greater than or equal to 0.89 mm.
NOTE 1—Ethylene has a MESG of 0.65 mm, as determined in accordance with NFPA 497.
5.2.5 For liquids with a MESG less than 0.89 mm, the test gas shall be a gas with a MESG at least 0.24 mm less than the
determined liquid MESG.
NOTE 2—NFPA 497 contains a list of MESGs for many flammable liquids. Table 1 lists some common liquids used in consumer products and their MESG
values.
5.3 When tested in accordance with the endurance test in Section 8, using the test gas identified in 5.2, there shall be no internal
ignitions in any valid test.
5.3.1 If the container is provided with a removable spout, there shall be no internal ignitions in any valid test when the container
is separately tested both with the spout attached and with the spout removed.
5.4 When tested in accordance with the flashback flame test in Section 9, using the test gas identified in 5.2, there shall be no
internal ignitions in any valid test.
5.4.1 If the container is provided with a removable spout, there shall be no internal ignitions in any valid test when the container
is separately tested both with the spout attached and with the spout removed.
5.5 Functional Test of the Container—Functional No functional test of the container. (Reserved, container is required. For
recommended best practices, see Appendix X2.).
5.6 Retention Test of the FMD on the Container (see Appendix X3)—Retention test of When tested in accordance with Section
11the FMD on the container (Reserved, see, the FMD shall not be removed from Appendix X3.)three specimens of the container.
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5.7 A container found acceptable for one flammable liquid shall also be acceptable for other flammable liquids with a MESG no
less than 0.89 mm, if tested with ethylene. Alternatively, if the container has been tested with a test gas other than ethylene, it shall
be acceptable for other flammable liquids with a MESG no less than that of the liquid considered in 5.2.45.2.5.
5.8 A container with the same FMD, and its attachment to the container opening,made from similar material with a similar wall
thickness that uses the same FMD as a container which has met the requirements of this specification shall be considered as
compliant with this specification.
6. General Specimen Preparation and Test Apparatus
6.1 Specimen Preparation:
6.1.1 Prepare each container as follows:
6.1.1.1 Create a sealed penetration for the influx of pre-mixed flammable gas that is at least 100 mm [4 in.] from the container
opening. In order to prevent explosions in the test gas supply, protect the pre-mixed flammable gas outlet from flashback by using
an appropriately sized flame arrester or comparable device. Exhaust all gas through the container opening(s). Seal all other vents
or openings.
NOTE 3—For containers less than 100 mm [4 in.], see 6.1.1.5 for enlarging the container.
6.1.1.2 Insert instrumentation to determine ignition into the container (5.3). Do not insert instrumentation through the container
opening. Locate instrumentation no closer than 50 mm [2 in.] from the container opening.
6.1.1.3 If the FMD fills the container volume, such as an expanded metal mesh type FMD, insert all the instrumentation and gas
supply into the FMD such that the void space behind the FMD is no greater than 10 % of the volume of the FMD. If the FMD
does not fill the entire container volume, locate the instrumentation in the void space.
6.1.1.4 Provide a means for venting a container ignition.
NOTE 4—When using SI units, one or more sealed explosion vents with a total area, in square centimeters, equal to or greater than the container ignitable
volume, in liters, multiplied by 15, has been shown to be acceptable. [When using inch-pound units, one or more sealed explosion vents with a total area,
in square inches, equal to or greater than the container ignitable volume, in gallons, multiplied by 8.8, has been shown to be acceptable.]
6.1.1.5 It is acceptable to remove a bottom portion of the container, leaving intact the FMD and shoulder the portion of the
container intact. or closure that the FMD attaches to. Mount the container to a rigid metal or plastic base, creating a test container.
Seal all penetrations and joints with an appropriate adhesive.
(1) If the FMD fills the container volume, such as an expanded metal mesh type FMD, keep all dimensions of the FMD and
the container constant between the original container and the test container.
6.1.2 Seal the container opening under test and pressurize the container to a minimum of 1.1 times the absolute atmospheric
pressure (~111 kPa [16.2 psi] absolute) prior to testing. Verify that the pressure loss is no greater than 0.01 times the absolute
atmospheric pressure (~1.0 kPa [0.15 psi]) after 5 min.
6.1.3 Measure and record the size and location of any openings in the FMD. Calculate and record the total open area at the opening
of the container and the test container volume.
6.2 Test Apparatus:
6.2.1 Mount the container securely such that the center of the opening is projected at an angle of 45° to 60° below the horizontal,
as required to orient the impinging flame directly on the FMD.
6.2.2 Flammable Gas and Air Delivery:
6.2.2.1 Select the required flammable test gas in accordance with 5.2. Use a minimum of 99.5 % purity for the test gas.
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6.2.2.2 Use compressed air with an inline dryer or bottled air with a certified oxygen content of between 20.4 % and 21.4 %, by
volume, for the flow control and measurement apparatus.
6.2.2.3 Electronically control and record the mass flow rates of the flammable test gas and air with minimum resolution of no
greater than 2 % of the combined flammable mixture flowrate, as determined by Section 7.
6.2.2.4 Mount an open tube burner below the container under test. Use non-mixed test gas for the burner. Have a means of
adjusting the flow rate to the burner based on visible flame height.
6.2.2.5 Provide a means of remotely igniting the flow of flammable gas such as a spark igniter or other electronic igniter.
6.2.3 Instrumentation:
6.2.3.1 Record data at no less than 1 Hz using a data acquisition system, except record pressure at no less than 50 Hz.
6.2.3.2 Connect all instrumentation, including thermocouples, used to the data acquisition system.
6.2.4 Ensure that a means is present to prevent flashback from the container to the supply of pre-mixed gases. See 4.4.3.2.
7. Gas Flow
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