ASTM D1655, “Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels,” has just been updated for the third time this year. The new 2015b Edition replaces all previous editions, which are now cancelled. The ASTM D1655 is often updated several times a year. This makes it a great candidate for our Standards Online subscription service. Not only do you get multi-user access to the standard, it also comes with free updating service during the annual subscription period.
Let’s talk about the specification itself. ASTM International originally was known as the American Society for Testing and Materials and remains a major standards developer of material standards. The ASTM D1655 on aviation turbine fuel really typlifies this type of specification. It’s been in use for many years with an active committee that monitors the publication for necessary changes on a frequent basis. It’s used by purchasing departments the world over to insure that the fuel that’s used in turbine aircraft meets stringent requirements for consistency and quality. It’s narrow in focus, 20 pages in length, and available at a reasonable price in a variety of formats to meet user preferences.
As I noted before in a 2011 post (ASTM D1655 2011B Edition) the ASTM D1655 addresses Jet A and Jet A-1 aviation turbine fuels only. [FYI: ASTM D6615 is used for Jet B fuel.] There’s a lengthy list of referenced documents (2 1/2 pages worth) that will be used in conjuction with the specification. The first 8 pages of the specification cover the basics (scope, referenced documents, definitions, classification, materials and manufacture, detailed requirements and so on.) The balance of the publication consists of an Annex on fuels from non-conventional sources and three Appendixes. They are informational only. The first covers performance characteristics of aviation turbine fuels. The second is on the control of processing additives and distribution. The third provides you with a form that can be used for reporting inspection data on these fuels.
The committee helpfully lists the recent changes at the end of the specification. Here’s a brief review of the updates that have been made in the three 2015 revisions:
- 2015b: Revisions were made to subsection 6.2, table 2, and Appendix X1.15.1.1
- 2015a: You’ll find updates in Appendix X1.2.1, X1.3.1, X.1.3.2, and X1.3.3, in the use of IP 598 in lieu of IP 57, revisions for Table 2, and updated subsections 1.2 and 1.5.
- 2015: Changes to Table 1 plus IP designations for Footnote H. Additional of ASTM D7797 and IP 583 to the referenced documents. New Section 3 for terminology. Updates to subsection 6.3. Revisions of Table 2 (includes the addition of Footnote G) and Table 3 (with Footnotes C and D added as well.)
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As I mentioned before, Standards Online is a great option for these types of ASTM standards that routinely update several times a year. Contact our staff for more information on this service or just to discuss any standards questions or problems you may be facing. They can be reached via phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). Remember: We’re your Standards Experts!