Over the last three years, single-point spray systems have emerged as a leading form of oil spill dispersant, which has led to the development of a new standard by ASTM International Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response. The standard, F 2465, Guide for Oil Spill Dispersant Application Equipment: Single-Point Spray Systems, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee F20.13 on Treatment.

Guide F 2465 covers performance criteria, requirements, material characteristics, and essential features for single-point spray oil spill dispersant systems. It covers vessel-based spray systems that employ single-point spray nozzles, including designs that have been based on or evolved from fire monitor systems.

According to Mervin Fingas, chief, emergencies science and technology division, Environmental Technology Centre of Environment Canada, F 2465 will most likely be used by spill response organizations and the manufacturers of single-point spray systems.

In addition to F 2465, Committee F20 has developed three other standards related to dispersant applications systems: F 1460, Practice for Calibrating Oil Spill Dispersant Application Equipment Boom and Nozzle Systems; F 1737, Guide for Use of Oil Spill Dispersant Application Equipment During Spill Response: Boom and Nozzle Systems; and F 1738, Test Method for Determination of Deposition of Aerially Applied Oil Spill Dispersants.

For further technical information, contact Mervin Fingas, Environmental Technology Centre of Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (phone: 613/998-9622; merv.fingas@ec.gc.ca). Committee F20 will meet April 4-5, in Clearwater, Fla. For membership or meeting details, contact Jeffrey Adkins, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9738; jadkins@astm.org).

Release #7308