4.1 This guide is intended for use by those undertaking the development of fire-risk-assessment standards. Such standards are expected to be useful to manufacturers, architects, specification writers, and authorities having jurisdiction.

4.2 As a guide, this document provides information on an approach to the development of a fire-risk-assessment standard; fixed procedures are not established. Limitations of data, available tests and models, and scientific knowledge can constitute significant constraints on the fire-risk-assessment procedure and associated standard.

4.3 While the focus of this guide is on developing fire-risk-assessment standards for products, the general concepts presented also can be applied to processes, activities, occupancies, and buildings.

1.1 This guide covers the development of fire-risk-assessment standards.

1.2 This guide is directed toward development of standards that will provide procedures for assessing fire risks harmful to people, property, or the environment.

1.3 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.

1.4 This standard is used to establish a means of combining the potential for harm in fire scenarios with the probabilities of occurrence of those scenarios. Assessment of fire risk using this standard depends upon many factors, including the manner in which the user selects scenarios and uses them to represent all scenarios relevant to the application. This standard cannot be used to assess fire risk if any specifications are different from those contained in the standard.

1.5 This fire standard cannot be used to provide quantitative measures.