Standard Guide for In-Situ Burning of Oil Spills on Water: Environmental and Operational Considerations

1.1 This guide covers the use of in-situ burning to assist in the control of oil spills on water. This guide is not applicable to in-situ burning of oil on land or the disposal of oil or oiled debris in incinerators.

1.2 The purpose of this guide is to provide information that will enable spill responders to decide if burning will be used as part of the oil spill cleanup response. Other standards address the use of ignition devices (Guide F1990), the use of fire-resistant boom (Guide F2152), the use of burning in ice conditions (Guide F2230), the application of in-situ burning in ships (Guide F2533), and the use of in-situ burning in marshes (Guide F2823).

1.3 This is a general guide only. It is assumed that conditions at the spill site have been assessed and that these conditions are suitable for the burning of oil. It is also assumed that permission to burn the oil has been obtained from appropriate regulatory authorities. Variations in the behavior of different oil types are not dealt with and may change some of the parameters noted in this guide.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 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.

1.6 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.