5.1 A variety of standard test methods, specifications, and regulations have been issued by a number of different standards developing organizations and regulatory authorities that contain ignition sources used to assess fire-test-response characteristics associated with flaming and non-flaming ignition. This practice describes such ignition sources and provides information on the standard method in which they are described.

5.2 The ignition source to be chosen for any specific use needs to be relevant to the fire hazard associated with the intended application. Neither the scope of the standard containing the ignition source nor any other aspect of the standard has any bearing on the use of the ignition source for another application.

5.3 This practice is not expected to be a fully comprehensive list of ignition sources. If additional ignition sources are identified they can be added to the practice.

5.4 This practice does not describe test specimen preparation or detailed testing procedures for the materials or products.

5.5 This practice does not address limitations associated with the ignition sources described in this practice.

5.6 This practice does not necessarily address the latest edition of any standard referenced.

1.1 This practice describes a series of ignition sources that have been used and that are potentially applicable to assessing fire-test-response characteristics resulting from the ignition of materials, products, or assemblies.

1.2 This practice does not identify which of the ignition sources described is applicable to any specific use since that is a function of the associated fire hazard (see also 5.2).

1.3 This practice is not necessarily comprehensive and it is possible that other applicable ignition sources exist (see also 5.3).

1.4 This practice describes both flaming and non-flaming ignition sources, since the outcome of a non-flaming ignition can be the eventual flaming ignition of these materials or products (see also 4.2).

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

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

1.7 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.

1.8 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.

1.9 This practice contains notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered requirements of the standard.

1.10 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard in referee decisions. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. See IEEE/ASTM SI 10 for further details.

1.11 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.