ASTM E1321 : 97a

1.1 This fire test response standard determines material properties related to piloted ignition of a vertically oriented sample under a constant and uniform heat flux and to lateral flame spread on a vertical surface due to an externally applied radiant-heat flux.

1.2 The results of this test method provide a minimum surface flux and temperature necessary for ignition ( "o,ig, ig) and for lateral spread ( "o,s, s,min), an effective material thermal inertia value ( [rho] ), and a flame-heating parameter ([phi]) pertinent to lateral flame spread.

1.3 The results of this test method can be used to predict the time to ignition, ig, and the velocity, , of lateral flame spread on a vertical surface under a specified external flux without forced lateral airflow. This can be done using the equations in Appendix X1 that govern the ignition and flame-spread processes and which have been used to correlate the data.

1.4 This test method can be used to obtain results of ignition and flame spread for materials. Data are reported in units for convenient use in current fire growth models.

1.5 SI units are used throughout the standard.

1.6 This standard should be used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire-hazard or fire-risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire-hazard assessment or a fire-risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard or fire risk of a particular end use.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.