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

As a guide, this document provides information on an approach to the development of a fire hazard assessment standard; fixed procedures are not established. Any limitations in the availability of data, of appropriate test procedures, of adequate fire models, or in the advancement of scientific knowledge will place significant constraints upon the procedure for the assessment of fire hazard.

The focus of this guide is on fire assessment standards for electrotechnical products. However, insofar as the concepts in this guide are consistent with those of Guide E 1546, the general concepts presented also may be applicable to processes, activities, occupancies, and buildings. Guide E 2061 contains an example of how to use information on fire-test-response characteristics of electrotechnical products (electric cables) in a fire hazard assessment for a specific occupancy (rail transportation vehicle).

A standard developed following this guide should not attempt to set a safety threshold or other pass/fail criteria. Such a standard should specify all steps required to determine fire hazard measures for which safety thresholds or pass/fail criteria can be meaningfully set by authorities having jurisdiction.

1.1 This guide provides guidance on the development of fire hazard assessment standards for electrotechnical products. For the purposes of this guide, products include materials, components, and end-use products.

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

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