AWS F1.2:2013

An American National Standard

Laboratory Method for Measuring Fume Generation Rates and Total Fume Emission

of Welding and Allied Processes

AWS F1.2:2013

An American National Standard

Approved by the American National Standards Institute

February 25, 2013

Laboratory Method for Measuring Fume Generation Rates and Total Fume Emission of Welding and Allied Processes

6th Edition

Supersedes AWS F1.2:2006

Prepared by the American Welding Society (AWS) Project Committee on Fumes and Gases

Under the Direction of the AWS Committee on Safety and Health

Approved by the AWS Board of Directors

Abstract

This document outlines a laboratory method for the determination of fume generation rates and total fume emission. A test chamber is used to collect representative fume samples under carefully controlled conditions.

International Standard Book Number: 978-0-87171-836-5

American Welding Society 8669 Doral Blvd., Suite 130, Doral, FL 33166

© 2013 by American Welding Society

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Statement on the Use of American Welding Society Standards

All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American Welding Society (AWS) are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When AWS American National Standards are either incorporated in, or made part of, documents that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other governmen- tal bodies, their provisions carry the full legal authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS standards must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws and regulations. In all cases, these standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes the AWS standards. Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS stan- dard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

AWS American National Standards are developed through a consensus standards development process that brings together volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus. While AWS administers the process and establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not independently test, evalu- ate, or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards.

AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether spe- cial, indirect, consequential, or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this standard. AWS also makes no guarantee or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

In issuing and making this standard available, AWS is neither undertaking to render professional or other services for or on behalf of any person or entity, nor is AWS undertaking to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to someone else. Anyone using these documents should rely on his or her own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances. It is assumed that the use of this standard and its provisions is entrusted to appropriately qualified and competent personnel.

This standard may be superseded by new editions. This standard may also be corrected through publication of amend- ments or errata, or supplemented by publication of addenda. Information on the latest editions of AWS standards includ- ing amendments, errata, and addenda is posted on the AWS web page (www.aws.org). Users should ensure that they have the latest edition, amendments, errata, and addenda.

Publication of this standard does not authorize infringement of any patent or trade name. Users of this standard accept any and all liabilities for infringement of any patent or trade name items. AWS disclaims liability for the infringement of any patent or product trade name resulting from the use of this standard.

AWS does not monitor, police, or enforce compliance with this standard, nor does it have the power to do so.

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request, in writing, to the appropriate technical committee. Such requests should be addressed to the American Welding Society, Attention: Managing Director, Technical Services Division, 8669 Doral Blvd., Suite 130, Doral, FL 33166 (see Annex B). With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be ren- dered. These opinions are offered solely as a convenience to users of this standard, and they do not constitute professional advice. Such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These individuals do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or interpretations of AWS. In addition, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official interpretation.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS Committee on Safety and Health. It must be reviewed every five years, and if not revised, it must be either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations, additions, or dele- tions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be addressed to AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful consideration by the AWS Committee on Safety and Health and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committee’s response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS Committee on Safety and Health to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of an adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 8669 Doral Blvd., Suite 130, Doral, FL 33166.

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Personnel

AWS Safety and Health Committee

D. E. Clark, Chair Idaho National Engineering Laboratory

D. Werba, Vice Chair Miller Electric Manufacturing Company

S. P. Hedrick, Secretary American Welding Society

S. E. Ferree ESAB Welding & Cutting Products

S. R. Fiore Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

K. A. Lyttle Praxair, Incorporated

A. F. Manz A. F. Manz Associates

K. M. Merlo Edison Welding Institute

J. Petkovsek The Lincoln Electric Company

M. N. Sas ITW Global Welding

Advisors to the AWS Safety and Health Committee

D. A. Fink The Lincoln Electric Company

D. G. Harvey Hobart Brothers

J. F. Hinrichs Friction Stir Link, Incorporated

1. D. Jennings Expert Services

   T. Lyon Consultant

   D. H. Sliney Consultant

   1. J. Tucker Consultant

      
      

      AWS Subcommittee on Fumes and Gases

2. A. Lyttle, Chair Praxair, Inc.

1. R. Fiore, Vice Chair Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

1. P. Hedrick, Secretary American Welding Society

   M. Amata Hobart Brothers

   F. Banning BlueScope Buildings NA

   1. J. Bischoff Hobart Brothers

D. E. Clark Idaho National Engineering Laboratory

D. N. Dunbar The Lincoln Electric Company

S. E. Ferree ESAB

D. A. Fink The Lincoln Electric Company

1. Hutchins Ohio BWC/Safety and Hygiene

2. M. Merlo Edison Welding Institute

1. J. Palach Pal-Tech Consulting Services

2. M. Paulson Navy/NAV FAC ESC

J. Petkovsek The Lincoln Electric Company

R. B. Smith Select-Arc

D. Wright The Lincoln Electric Company

Advisors to the AWS Subcommittee on Fumes and Gases

H. R. Castner Edison Welding Institute

W. H. Drake S. W. Missouri State University

T. P. Rosiek Nederman USA Inc

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Foreword

This foreword is not part of AWS F1.2:2013, Laboratory Method for Measuring Fume Generation Rates and Total Fume Emission of Welding and Allied Processes, but is included for informational purposes only.

In 1976, the American Welding Society saw the need to develop a laboratory method to standardize measurement of fume emissions for sampling in the welding workplace. The Project Committee on Fumes and Gases, using expertise in weld- ing as well as industrial hygiene, developed the technique through testing in several company laboratories. Minor modi- fications and editorial changes were made in the 1985, 1992, 1999, 2006 and the current edition. The current edition allows the use of alternative filter media, if it can be demonstrated to be equivalent in performance to the glass fiber pad.

SUGGESTIONS

Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary, AWS Safety and Health Committee, American Welding Society, 8669 Doral Blvd., Suite 130, Doral, FL 33166.

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Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword vii

List of Tables x

List of Figures x

1. Introduction, Purpose, Scope, and Safety 1

   1. Introduction 1

   2. Purpose 1

   3. Scope 1

   4. Safety 2

2. Normative References 2

3. Summary of Methods 2

4. Sampling Equipment 3

   1. General Description of Suggested Chamber 3

   2. Equipment Specification for the Suggested Chamber shown in Figures 1 and 2 3

5. Preliminary Setup 6

6. Calibration 6

7. Preparation and Method 7

8. Representative Sample for Constituent Analysis 9

Annex A (Informative)—Laboratory Method for Measuring Fume Generation Rates and Total Fume

Emission of Welding and Allied Processes 11

Annex B (Informative)—Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries 13

List of Tables

Table Page No.

1 Calibration Values 6

List of Figures

Figure Page No.

1. Suggested Test Chamber. 4

2. Cutaway View of Suggested Test Chamber 5

3. Suggested Format for Recording Data 8

Laboratory Method for Measuring Fume Generation Rates and Total Fume Emission of Welding and Allied Processes

1. Introduction, Purpose, Scope, and Safety

   1. Introduction. This AWS laboratory test method describes the recommended procedures to be followed in collecting samples for determining the composition and quantity of fume generated during welding and allied processes. The directions for performing the test include such details as the following:

      1. Amount of sample to be taken;

      2. Filter specifications;

      3. Care needed to attain a constant weight during sample handling and storage;

      4. Calibration procedure for test equipment to assure satisfactory, comparable, and reproducible data; and

      5. Sample calculations.

         This AWS method is supported by experience and data obtained from cooperative tests. The sampling methods pre- scribed for breathing zone and general area sampling of fumes for particulate matter are not within the scope of this doc- ument. Operator exposure and background sampling methodology are described in detail in AWS F1.1, Guide for Sampling Fumes and Gases Generated by Welding and Allied Processes.

   2. Purpose

1. Welding and allied processes produce fumes and gases. The amount or rate generated by a particular process and material depends upon the conditions of use. The laboratory sampling procedure described herein is designed to evaluate the effects of variations in materials, processes, and operating conditions on fume generation rate. Fume generation rates can be useful in prescribing adequate ventilation, making process selections, influencing process variables, and calculating air filtering requirements. In order to provide a safe working environment, it may be necessary to compare the fume generation rate and identify the constituents present in the fumes of various processes.

2. The samples obtained using the techniques described herein are representative of the fumes present and, if collected on appropriate filters, may be used for fume constituent analyses.

3. This procedure is designed for a short testing time, normally two minutes or less, which yields useful results that are reproducible within an acceptable range. The method described in this procedure is suitable for use with the majority of welding and allied processes and allows for variation of selected conditions.

4. Fume generation rate data, if collected in accordance with this procedure, can be correlated to and compared with data from different sources.

1.3 Scope

1.3.1 This method describes a laboratory device and procedure for obtaining representative fume samples and determining fume generation rates of welding and allied processes.