METHODS FOR SAMPLING WOOD PRESERVATIVES
Page 4 of 6
© 2015
Table 3 - Sampling of Creosote and Creosote Solutions1
Sampling,
Treating, or
Storage to be
Sampled
Ship and barge tanks
Time of Sampling
Immediately after
loading or prior to
unloading
Immediately after
loading or prior to
unloading
Whenever required for
inventory or other
purposes
Whenever required for
inventory of other
purposes
Immediately after
cylinder is filled
Immediately after vat is
filled for cold bath
Preferred
Sampling
Method
Bottle or beaker
sampling
Type of Sample
All-levels sample
Size of Sample to
be Taken from
Each Container
Approximately 5
gallons (20 L)
Tank cars and tank
trucks
Bottle or beaker
sampling
Composite of upper,
middle and lower
samples
1 gallon (4 L)
Vertical storage and
working tanks
Bottle or beaker
sampling
All-levels sample
1-3 gallons (4-12 L)
depending on size of
tank
1 -3 gallons (4-12 L)
depending on size of
tank
Horizontal storage and
working tanks
Pressure treating
cylinders
Nonpressure treating
vats
Bottle of beaker
sampling
Composite of upper,
middle and lower
samples
Additional Instructions
Gauge free water separately
if creosote is not agitated
thoroughly.
Gauge free water separately
if creosote is not agitated
thoroughly. Use Table 1 to
determine proportion of sub-
samples in composite
sample.
Gauge free water separately
if creosote is not agitated
thoroughly.
Gauge free water separately
if creosote is not agitated
thoroughly. Use Table 1 to
determine proportions of
sub-samples in composite
sample.
Tap sample
Bottle or beaker
sample
Tap sample
All-levels sample
1 gallon (4 L)
1 gallon (4 L)
1 When the sample is taken the temperature of the material should be at least 150° F and the material should be completely liquefied and thoroughly agitated.
Table 4 - Sampling of Oil-Borne and Water-Borne Preservatives (In Solid State, Concentrated Solutions, or Ready-to-
Use Solutions)
Shipping, Treating
or Storage
Containers to be
Shipped
Tank cars and tank
trucks
Vertical storage and
working tanks
Horizontal storage and
working tanks
Pressure treating
cylinders
Nonpressure treating
cylinders
Drums or cans of 5
gallon capacity or
larger containing
liquids
Cans of less than 5
gallons capacity
containing liquids
Time of Sampling
Immediately after
loading or prior to
unloading
Whenever required for
inventory or other
purposes
Whenever required for
inventory or other
purposes
Immediately after
cylinder is filled
Immediately after vat is
filled for cold bath
Whenever required
Preferred
Sampling
Method
Bottle or beaker
sampling
Bottle or beaker
sampling
Bottle or beaker
sampling
Tap sample
Bottle or beaker
sampling
Tube sample
Random
sampling in
accordance with
Table 2
Type of Sample
Composite of upper,
middle and lower
samples
All-levels sample
Composite of upper,
middle and lower
samples
Tap sample
All-levels sample
Size of Sample to
be Taken from
Each Container
1 gallon (4 L)
1-3 gallons (4-12 L)
depending on size of
tank
1-3 (4-12 L) gallons
depending on size of
tank
1 gallon (4 L)
1 gallon (4 L)
Additional Instructions
Tube sample
1 quart (.25 L)
Whenever required
Random sampling
Entire contents of can
Bins or freight cars
containing loose solids
Preferably during
unloading
Grab sampling
Grab sample
0.1 percent of total
but not less than 50
nor more than 1,000
pounds
Commensurate with
size of thief used
Bags, drums or barrels
containing solids
Whenever required
Solids thief
sampling
Thief sample
Prepare composite sample in
accordance with 2.5. Select
cans at random in
accordance with Table 2.
Prepare composite sample in
accordance with 2.5. Select
cans at random in
accordance with Table 2.
Follow appropriate
instructions in 2.4 depending
on whether container is
being sampled before or
during unloading.
Following instructions in
2.3.2 select number of bags
or barrels to be sampled as
indicated in Table 2.