A new mechanical sampling standard recently approved by ASTM International Committee D05 on Coal and Coke incorporates into one document four other ASTM standards dealing with mechanical samples. The new standard, D7430, Practice for Mechanical Sampling of Coal, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D05.23 on Sampling. 

Paul Reagan, president, Sampling Associates International, and a D05 member, says that the one important objective of the new standard was to put all pertinent standards regarding mechanical sampling into one document for ease of use. "One impact of the new standard is that any commercial transactions citing ASTM standards for mechanical coal sampling should stipulate 'D7430, Practice for Mechanical Sampling of Coal,' and the specific part of the standard, as appropriate," says Reagan.

The following ASTM mechanical sampling standards, which will be discontinued as individual standards, are now incorporated into D7430:

D7256 - Practice for Mechanical Collection and Within-System Preparation of a Gross Sample of Coal from Moving Streams;
D4916 - Practice for Mechanical Auger Sampling;
D4702 - Practice for Quality Management of Mechanical Coal Sampling Systems; and
D6518 - Practice for Bias Testing a Mechanical Coal Sampling System.

"A great deal of effort is being expended to improve and update ASTM standards for coal sampling and analysis," says Reagan. "Changes are being implemented on an ongoing basis." He suggests that users sign up for customized standard alerts at www.astm.org/STORE/alert.html to be notified when selected standards are revised. 

ASTM International standards are available from Customer Service (phone: 610-832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact/) or at www.astm.org. For technical Information, contact Paul Reagan, Sampling Associates International, Newport News, Va. (phone: 757-928-0484; preagan@samplingassociates.com). Committee D05 meets May 17-20, 2009, during the May committee week in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. For ASTM meeting or membership information, contact Scott Orthey, ASTM International (phone: 610-832-9730; sorthey@astm.org).

Release #8112/Dec08