Textile, paper and polymeric (including vinyl and expanded vinyl) wall or ceiling coverings and wall or ceiling covering systems used as interior finish are often evaluated with Test Method E84 to comply with building or life safety code requirements. This practice describes specimen preparation and mounting procedures for such materials and systems.

This practice is not applicable to the following materials:

Wall or ceiling coverings with exposed wood surfaces, and

Any wall or ceiling covering system where the top layer is not a textile material, a paper-based material, a polymeric material or a vinyl material.

1.1 This practice describes procedures for specimen preparation and mounting when testing textile, paper or polymeric (including vinyl and expanded vinyl) wall or ceiling covering materials to assess flame spread and smoke development as surface burning characteristics using Test Method E84.

1.2 Testing is conducted with Test Method E84.

1.3 This practice does not provide pass/fail criteria that can be used as a regulatory tool.

1.4 Use the values stated in inch-pound units as the standard, in referee decisions. The values in the SI system of units are given in parentheses, for information only; see IEEE/ASTM SI-10 for further details.

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

1.6 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests. Fire testing involves hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard gives instructions on specimen preparation and mounting, but the fire-test-response method is given in Test Method E84. See also Section 10.

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.

1.8 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes shall not be considered requirements of the standard.