Designation: F625 – 94 (Reapproved 2006)

Standard Practice for

Classifying Water Bodies for Spill Control Systems1

This standard is issued under the fixed designation F625; 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 practice creates a system of categories that classify

water bodies relating to the control of spills of oil and other

substances that float on or into a body of water.

1.2 This practice does not address the compatibility of spill

control equipment with spill products. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that any equipment selected is compatible

with anticipated products.

1.3 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Terminology

2.1 Definitions:

2.1.1 Recommended units of measure are given for each of

the following definitions.

2.1.2 air temperature—average or point temperature of the

air measured at or near the ground or water surface, (°C).

2.1.3 current—average water velocity relative to a reference

point, (m/s).

2.1.4 debris—any solid or semi-solid substance that could

interfere with the operation of a spill control system.

2.1.5 water depth—mean vertical distance measured from

the surface of the water to the top of the continuous solid

surface below at mean lower low water, (m).

2.1.6 water temperature—average or point temperature of a

water body as measured within the top 300 mm (12 in.), (°C).

2.1.7 wave height—(significant wave height) the average

height, measured crest to trough, of the one-third highest

waves, considering only short-period waves (that is, period less

than 10 s), (m).

2.1.8 wave period—(significant wave period) the average

period of the one-third highest waves, measured as the elapsed

time between crests of succeeding waves, (s).

2.1.9 wind—the air velocity measured at a height 10 metres

(33 ft) above the ground or water, (m/s).

3. Summary of Practice

3.1 General environmental conditions for spill control systems are grouped into four major types of water bodies (see

Table 1). Additional factors that may affect spill control

operations are listed in Section 5.

4. Significance and Use

4.1 This practice is to be used as a guide to classify water

bodies for spill control systems. These classifications may be

used in formulating standards for design, performance, evaluation, contingency and response planning, contingency and

response plan evaluation, and standard practice for spill control

systems.

4.2 Relatively few parameters of broad range have been

used in Table 1 in order to enable the user to readily identify

general conditions under which spill control systems can be

used.

4.3 Satisfactory operation of any specific spill control systems may not extend over the full range of conditions identified

by Table 1. Detailed discussion with systems suppliers is

recommended.

4.4 Effective operation of oil spill control equipment depends on many factors, of which the prevailing environmental

conditions are just a few. Factors such as, but not limited to,

deployment techniques, level of training, personnel performance, and mechanical reliability can also affect equipment

performance.

5. Use of Table

5.1 Wave height is recognized as the primary variable in

describing marine environments for spill control systems.

Where currents are significant, the four water body types listed

in Table 1 can be modified by appending “C”, as in “I-C”.

5.2 In some situations, air temperature, water temperature,

or presence of debris, or a combination thereof, may significantly affect the usage of Table 1 and should be considered.

5.3 Other factors such as presence of salt water or silt, or

both, should be considered if significant.

6. Keywords

6.1 oil spill; oil spill control; water bodies 1 This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous

Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee

F20.11 on Control.

Current edition approved April 1, 2006. Published April 2006. Originally

approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as F625 – 94 (2000).

DOI: 10.1520/F0625-94R06.

1

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TABLE 1 Water Body Classifications

TypeA Wave Height,B

m (ft)

Examples of General

Conditions

Calm Water 0 to 0.3 (0 to 1) small, short, non-breaking

waves

Protected Water 0 to 1 (0 to 3) small waves, some

whitecaps

Open Water 0 to 2 (0 to 6) moderate waves, frequent

whitecaps

Open Water

(rough)

>2 (>6) large waves, foam crests

and some spray

A If current is significant, approximately 0.4 m/s (0.8 knots) or more, append “C”

to the descriptor type, as“ I-C”. B Significant wave height throughout. May include breaking waves. The ratio of

wave height to wave length should also be considered. The orientation of waves

to current direction should also be considered.

F625 – 94 (2006)

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Iris Korhonen-Penn (none) pursuant to License Agreement. No further reproductions authorized.