This part of IEC 60695 specifies a small-scale laboratory screening procedure for comparing the relative burning behaviour of specimens made from plastics and other non-metallic materials, as well as their resistance to burn-through when exposed to a flame ignition source of 500 W nominal power. This method is applicable to both solid materials and cellular plastic materials having an apparent density of 250 kg/m³ or greater when determined in accordance with ISO 845. It does not apply to thin materials that shrink away from the applied flame without igniting, for which ISO 9773 should be used.

The test method described is intended to characterize material performance, for example for quality-control purposes, and is not intended to assess the behaviour to fire of building materials or furnishings. It may be used for the pre-selection of a material, provided that positive results are obtained at a thickness which equals the smallest thickness used in the application. The results obtained provide some information about the behaviour of plastic materials in service, but can never by themselves assure safe performance in service.

NOTE – Test results are influenced by material components, e.g. pigments, fillers, and fire retardants, and properties such as the direction of anisotropy and the molecular mass.

This test method provides a classification system (see 8.4) which may be used for quality assurance or the pre-selection of component materials of products.