This Standard is applicable to the finished surface or covering of a floor extending to a maximum depth of 65 mm. This method is also applicable to the following:

• Materials which cannot be tested as described in Clause 1.1 of CAN/ULC-S102, Standard Method of Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and Assemblies, without the use of supporting material that is not representative of the intended installation;
• Materials which, when tested in the manner described in Clause 1.1 of CAN/ULC-S102, Standard Method of Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and Assemblies, melts or drips, or otherwise disintegrates and continues to burn on the floor of the test chamber;
• Materials designed for use in a relatively horizontal position with only its top surface exposed to air; or
• Thermoplastic materials.

Where a material cannot be readily determined to be thermoplastic or thermoset, one test is conducted in accordance with this standard and one additional test in conformance with requirements of CAN/ULC-S102, Standard Method of Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and Assemblies. Triplicate testing shall then be conducted and reported using the method that produces the highest Flame Spread Value (FSV).

The primary purpose of this Standard is to determine the comparative burning characteristics of the material or assembly under test by evaluating the flame spread over its surface when exposed to a test fire and thus establish a basis on which surface burning characteristics of different materials or assemblies may be compared, without specific considerations of all the end-use parameters that might affect these characteristics.

Smoke Developed Value (SDV) and Flame Spread Value (FSV) are recorded in this Standard. There is not necessarily a relationship between these two measurements.

It is the intent of this Standard to register performance during the period of exposure, and not to determine suitability for use after the test exposure.

This method does not establish standards of performance for specific applications. It is a means of evaluating the response of materials, products or assemblies to a particular fire exposure under controlled laboratory conditions.

Durability requirements, as a product of exposure and influence (if any) due to environmental conditions or climate change, are outside the scope of this standard. (Refer to Appendix B).