ISO 16852-2016 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 16852:2016 — Flame arresters — Performance requirements, test methods and limits for use. This International Standard specifies performance, construction, classification, marking and test methods for flame arresters intended to prevent flame transmission in gas‑air and vapour‑air explosive mixtures, and establishes safe limits of use under defined pressure and temperature ranges.

Abstract

ISO 16852:2016 sets out uniform principles for the design, testing and marking of flame arresters, including static and dynamic elements, to verify that flame transmission is reliably prevented under specified conditions. The standard defines test procedures for flame transmission and detonation resistance, required information for use (marking, limitations, installation guidance) and limits of application by pressure, temperature and gas group. It excludes certain unstable or self‑decomposing gases (for example acetylene) and special cases (carbon disulfide, non gas/air oxidants, fast‑acting isolation systems). ISO 16852:2016 has been technically revised and superseded by ISO/IEC 80079‑49:2024.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn / Superseded (see replacement: ISO/IEC 80079‑49:2024)
• Publication date: October 2016 (Edition 2)
• Publisher: ISO — International Organization for Standardization
• ICS / categories: 13.220.10 (Fire protection / Explosion protection related)
• Edition / version: 2nd edition (2016)
• Number of pages: 50 (ISO published document pagination; national/adopted versions may show different page counts)

Scope

This standard applies to flame arresters intended to prevent flame transmission when explosive gas‑air or vapour‑air mixtures are present. It covers classification, basic construction requirements, test methods to verify flame‑arresting performance (including flame transmission and detonation tests), limits of use by pressure and temperature (atmospheric conditions and specified ranges), and required information for users (marking, installation and maintenance guidance). The standard is not intended for flame arresters for mixtures that are chemically unstable or tend to self‑decompose, for certain specialty substances (e.g., carbon disulfide), for equipment whose intended mixtures are not gas‑air or vapour‑air compositions, or for some fast‑acting isolation systems and internal combustion engine test procedures.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and classification of flame arresters (static and dynamic types).
• Performance requirements to prevent flame transmission under prescribed conditions.
• Standardized test methods for flame transmission, detonation resistance and flow behaviour.
• Specified limits of use (typical pressure and temperature ranges and restrictions for certain gases).
• Construction, materials and inspection requirements to ensure durability and safe function.
• Marking, documentation and information for use (installation, maintenance, burn time and limits).
• Guidance on application boundaries and conditions requiring additional testing or design adjustments.

Typical use and users

Primary users are manufacturers and designers of flame arresters, test laboratories, conformity assessment and certification bodies, process safety engineers, plant operators in petrochemical, chemical, fuel storage and handling, marine and offshore industries, and regulatory/safety authorities. The standard is used to design, test and specify flame arrester equipment and to create procurement and inspection criteria for safety systems that mitigate flame propagation and explosions.

Related standards

ISO 16852:2016 has been technically revised and superseded by ISO/IEC 80079‑49:2024 (Explosive atmospheres — Part 49: Flame arresters). National and regional adoptions (EN/UNE/ISO versions) have existed. Other related documents include committee work from ISO/TC 21 and IEC/TC 31 outputs on explosion protection, and sector‑specific guidance such as maritime or offshore circulars and national regulations that address flame arresters and explosion isolation measures.

Keywords

flame arrester; flame arrestor; flame transmission; detonation; explosion prevention; gas‑air mixture; vapour‑air mixture; test methods; performance requirements; marking; installation; safety; ISO 16852; ISO/IEC 80079‑49.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 16852:2016 is an international standard that specified performance requirements, test methods and limits of use for flame arresters used to prevent flame transmission in gas‑air and vapour‑air mixtures.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers classification, construction requirements, detailed test methods (flame transmission and detonation testing), operational limits by pressure and temperature, and required user information such as marking, installation and maintenance instructions. It also lists cases excluded from its scope.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of flame arresters, testing and certification bodies, process safety and plant engineers, procurement/specification teams, and regulators in industries where explosive atmospheres may form (petrochemical, chemical, fuel storage, maritime, offshore).

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 16852:2016 has been withdrawn/superseded and replaced by ISO/IEC 80079‑49:2024, which contains a technical revision and updates to several requirements and limits. Users should refer to ISO/IEC 80079‑49:2024 (and applicable national adoptions) for the current normative requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: ISO 16852:2016 was a stand‑alone ISO document addressing flame arresters; its subject matter has been integrated into the IEC/ISO framework for explosive atmospheres as ISO/IEC 80079‑49:2024, which is part of the broader ISO/IEC 80079 series covering equipment and protective systems for explosive atmospheres.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Flame arrester, flame arrestor, flame transmission, detonation test, performance requirements, explosion prevention, vapour‑air, gas‑air, test methods, marking, ISO 16852, ISO/IEC 80079‑49.