ASTM F402-18

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Designation: F402 − 05 (Reapproved 2012) F402 − 18 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Safe Handling of Solvent Cements, Primers, and Cleaners
Used for Joining Thermoplastic Pipe and Fittings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F402; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This practice covers procedures for safe handling of solvent cements, primers, and cleaners used in joining thermoplastic
pipe and fittings. The procedures are general ones and include safeguards against hazards of fire and precautions for protection of
personnel from breathing of vapors and contact with skin or eyes.
1.2 The word cleaner, when used in this practice, refers to chemical cleaners.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
2.2 Other Document:
CFR Title 49, Transportation, Parts 1 to 199
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are in accordance with Terminology F412, and abbreviations are in accordance with Terminology
D1600, unless otherwise specified.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 cleaner, chemical—an organic solvent used to remove foreign matter from the surface of plastic pipe and fittings.
3.2.2 primer—an organic solvent,solvent or a blend of solvents, which enhances adhesion, applied to plastic pipe and fittings
prior to application of a solvent cement.
3.2.3 solvent cement—an adhesive made by dissolving a plastic resin or compound in a suitable solvent or mixture of solvents.
The solvent cement dissolves the surfaces of the pipe and fittings to form a bond between the mating surfaces provided the proper
cement is used for the particular materials and proper techniques are followed.
4. Safe Handling
4.1 A number of the solvents contained in cements, primers, and cleaners are classified as airborne contaminants and flammable
and combustible liquids. These products generally are composed of solvent blends which vary with manufacturers. Follow
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.20 on Joining.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2012Aug. 1, 2018. Published February 2012August 2018. Originally approved in 1974. Last previous edition approved in 20052012 as
F402 – 05.F402 – 05(2012). DOI: 10.1520/F0402-05R12.10.1520/F0402-08.
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volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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F402 − 18
precautions given herein to prevent fire and injury to personnel. Specific safety information on a particular cement, primer, or
cleaner may be found on the container label or in the Material Safety Data Sheet available from the manufacturer.
4.2 Vapors can pose serious safety hazards in the workplace. Unlike lighter-than-air gases (for example, helium, hydrogen,
ammonia, and hot air), the heavier-than-air vapors found in Solvent Cements, Primers, and Cleaners don’t readily dissipate into
the atmosphere. These vapors will aggregate (collect) at the bottom of an enclosure (horizontal or vertical pipe) or along the floor
of a room. To help mitigate this, some manufacturers allow the piping system to be filled with liquid after the initial set time has
expired. Check with specific cement manufacturer for their suggestions on how quickly a system can be filled with liquid to
mitigate this potential hazard. Avoid prolonged breathing of solvent vapors
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