ISO 8216-3:1987

Overview

ISO 8216-3:1987 is Part 3 of the ISO 8216 series and provides a detailed classification system for Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) assigned to Family L within Fuels (class F). This part is intended to be read in conjunction with ISO 8216-0 (Generalities). The standard defines uniform product designation practices and classification by composition to ensure consistent identification, handling and use of LPG products across refining, natural gas recovery and crude oil production chains.

Key Topics

• Scope and relationship to ISO 8216-0: ISO 8216-3 complements the general rules in Part 0 and applies those rules specifically to Family L (LPG).
• Classification by composition: The LPG classification is established from the predominant hydrocarbon composition (for example, propane/propene-rich or butane/butene-rich streams).
• Designation format: Products may be designated in either a full form (e.g. ISO-F-LP) or an abbreviated form (e.g. F-LP) to provide a uniform, readily interpretable identifier.
• Symbols and category codes: The standard uses family and category letters to indicate primary composition (examples in the document include LP for propane/propene-dominant LPG and LB for butane/butene-dominant LPG).

Practical keywords: ISO 8216-3:1987, Liquefied Petroleum Gases, LPG classification, Fuels class F, product designation, ISO 8216-0.

Applications

ISO 8216-3:1987 supports practical use in several domains:

• Regulatory compliance: Provides a consistent basis for regulators to reference LPG categories and to align national or regional rules with international terminology.
• Commercial trade and procurement: Uniform product designation reduces ambiguity in supply contracts, specifications and shipping documentation.
• Industry operations and safety: Clear classification by composition helps downstream users, transporters and storage operators assess compatibility, handling precautions and appropriate safety measures.
• Quality assurance and testing: Laboratories and quality teams can reference classification terms when reporting composition-related results and conforming to agreed product definitions.

Related Standards

• ISO 8216-0 - General principles for classification of petroleum fuels (read jointly with Part 3).
• Other ISO and national standards for petroleum product specifications, transport and safety should be consulted when applying classifications in regulatory, testing and operational contexts.

Practical value

ISO 8216-3:1987 delivers a concise framework for naming and classifying LPG streams based on composition, improving clarity across refining, gas recovery and commercial supply chains. By adopting the uniform designation forms and category symbols, organizations can streamline documentation, enhance safety communication and reduce contractual disputes related to product identity.

For implementation, always cross-reference ISO 8216-0 for general rules and consult applicable regulatory and safety standards relevant to your jurisdiction.