_RP_12N-1994_2008.pdf

Recommended Practice for theOperation,Maintenance and Testingof Firebox Flame ArrestorsAPI RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 12NSECOND EDITION,NOVEMBER 1,1994REAFFIRMED:APRIL 2008Recommended Practice for theOperation,Maintenance and Testingof Firebox Flame ArrestorsExploration and Production DepartmentAPI RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 12NSECOND EDITION,NOVEMBER 1,1994REAFFIRMED:APRIL 2008SPECIAL NOTES API publications necessarily address problems of a general nature.With respect to par-ticular circumstances,local,state,and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.API is not undertaking to meet the duties of employers,manufacturers,or suppliers to warn and properly train and equip their employees,and others exposed,concerning health and safety risks and precautions,nor undertaking their obligations under local,state,or federal laws.Information concerning safety and health risks and proper precautions with respect to particular materials and conditions should be obtained from the employer,the manufacturer or supplier of that material,or the material safety data sheet.Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right,by im-plication or otherwise,for the manufacture,sale,or use of any method,apparatus,or prod-uct covered by letters patent.Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.Generally,API standards are reviewed and revised,reaffirmed,or withdrawn at least ev-ery five years.Sometimes a one-time extension of up to two years will be added to this re-view cycle.This publication will no longer be in effect five years after its publication date as an operative API standard or,where an extension has been granted,upon republication.Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Authoring Department telephone(214)953-1 1011.A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually and up-dated quarterly by API,1220 L Street,N.W.,Washington,D.C.20005.This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appro-priate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard.Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this standard or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this standard was devel-oped should be directed in writing to the director of the Exploration and Production Depart-ment,American Petroleum Institute,700 North Pearl,Suite 1840,Dallas,Texas 75201.Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so.Every effort has been made by the Institute to assure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them;however,the Institute makes no representation,warranty,or guarantee in connection with this pub-lication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage re-sulting from its use or for the violation of any federal,state,or municipal regulation with which this publication may conflict.API standards are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven,sound engineer-ing and operating practices.These standards are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these standards should be utilized.The formulation and publication of API standards is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking re-quirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard.API does not represent,warrant,or guarantee that such prod-ucts do in fact conform to the applicabJe API standard.Copyright Q 1994 American Petroleum Institute A P I RP*L2N 94 m 0732290 0539142 B13 W CONTENTS Page SCOPE.DEFINITIONS.THEORY.OPERATION.MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION.TESTING.Figures 1-Equipment for Testing.2-Testing Flame Arrestor Element.1 1 1 2 2 5 17 21 iii API RP*l2N 74 m 0732270 0539143 75T m FOREWORD The bar notations identify parts of this standard that have been changed from the previ-This standard shall become effective on the date printed on the cover but may be used ous API edition.voluntarilyfrom the date of distribution.Recommended Practice for the Operation,Maintenance and Testing of Firebox Flame Arrestors 1 Scope 1.1 This recommended practice should be considered in the installation,maintenance and testing of firebox flame ar-restors installed on the air intake of oilfield production equipment.Flame arrestors are commonly used on indirect heaters,emulsion treaters,glycol reconcentrators and other equipment used to heat fluids in production operations.These flame arrestors are designed to prevent flashback through the arrestor in the event that combustible fluids in the atmosphere should be drawn into the h