ASTM D 396 : 2004

1.1 This specification (Note 1) covers grades of fuel oil intended for use in various types of fuel-oil-burning equipment under various climatic and operating conditions. These grades are described as follows:

1.1.1 Grades 1, 1 Low Sulfur, 2, and 2 Low Sulfur are middle distillate fuels for use in domestic and small industrial burners. Grades 1 and 1 Low Sulfur are particularly adapted to vaporizing type burners or where storage conditions require low pour point fuel.

1.1.2 Grades 4 (Light) and 4 are heavy distillate fuels or distillate/residual fuel blends used in commercial/industrial burners equipped for this viscosity range.

1.1.3 Grades 5 (Light), 5 (Heavy), and 6 are residual fuels of increasing viscosity and boiling range, used in industrial burners. Preheating is usually required for handling and proper atomization.

Note 1—For information on the significance of the terminology and test methods used in this specification, see Appendix X1.

Note 2—A more detailed description of the grades of fuel oils is given in X1.3.

1.2 This specification is for the use of purchasing agencies in formulating specifications to be included in contracts for purchases of fuel oils and for the guidance of consumers of fuel oils in the selection of the grades most suitable for their needs.

1.3 Nothing in this specification shall preclude observance of federal, state, or local regulations which can be more restrictive.

1.4 All values are stated in SI units and are regarded as standard.

Note 3—The generation and dissipation of static electricity can create problems in the handling of distillate burner fuel oils. For more information on the subject, see Guide D 4865.