This test method is used primarily to determine the heat evolved in, or contributed to, a fire involving products of the test material. Also included is a determination of the effective heat of combustion, mass loss rate, the time to sustained flaming, and smoke production. These properties are determined on small size specimens that are representative of those in the intended end use.

This test method is applicable to various categories of products and is not limited to representing a single fire scenario. Additional guidance for testing is given in X1.2.3 and X1.11.

This test method is not applicable to end-use products that do not have planar, or nearly planar, external surfaces.