ASTM F3238-17(2023) PDF

ABSTRACT This specification prescribes the exposure limits and safe operating guidelines for infrared (IR) radiating devices to be mounted on N registered aircraft or any aircraft which is flown or operated in the United States or its territories. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has established threshold limit values (TLVs) for IR radiation exposure. The TLVs represent a safe exposure limit without physical harm, even with daily exposure. For this specification, the safe exposure time has been set at 100 seconds to reach the TLV. Therefore, the safe operating distance is calculated by determining the maximum output radiation of the device such that 100 seconds of exposure does not exceed one TLV as established by ACGIH. SCOPE 1.1 This specification establishes the manufacturing design, manufacturing quality system and installation requirements for airborne infrared (IR) searchlight equipment, systems, and devices. This specification applies only to IR devices that produce incoherent IR radiation and affixed to an aircraft which is N registered or operated and flown within the United States and its territories. 1.2 This specification establishes the minimum and maximum system performance and provides guidelines for an operator to develop functional operation requirements to ensure IR safety. 1.3 This specification covers IR device emissions in support of night vision goggles or other devices such as electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors capable of detecting IR radiation. 1.4 This specification covers IR device emissions that may pose a hazard to the flight crew, aircraft, and bystanders. 1.5 This specification covers IR device emissions and related safety controls such as duration, beam width, radiant intensity, and wavelength. 1.6 This specification encourages an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to maintain a robust quality assurance program and a well-documented configuration control process at the component level and continued through installation at the system level. 1.7 The OEM shall include the warnings, exposure limitations and corresponding data, and installation instructions described within this specification in their operation and installation manuals. These manuals shall be provided with the product or device. 1.8 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.9 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. 1.10 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.