This edition of this Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee on Fire Tests on building Materials, Components and Structures to supersede AS 1530.3—1982, Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures, Part 3:Test for early fire hazard properties of materials. The title has been changed to more accurately indicate the fire characteristics to be assessed. The basic method of test has not been changed. In the opionon of the committee, this edition of the Standard will not cause variations from results obtained when materials were subjected to testing in accordance with AS 1530.3—1982. Changed incorporated in this edition clarify the requirements for the equipment used in the smoke montoring system, require the reporting of tests results as well as indices and provide a more complete list of referenced documents.

The Standard regime of increased radiant heat applied to the test specimens in this test method was originally defined following studies made at the Experimental Building Station of th heat energy impressed on the walls of a test room when varios small fires were deliberately kindled. This test provides data for assessing the poential hazard of wall lining during the early groth of fire in a compartment. It also provides a discriminating assessment of fire behaviour of different materials.

Fire is a complex phonomenon and the fire hazard of a building material is a function of the characteristics of the material, how it is installed and used, and the environment in which it is present. No single test method can give a full assessment of fire hazard under all conditions of fire that may apply. There must therfore be a constant awareness of the above variables in using the results from this test to assess the fire hazard of any particular material or component under other fire exposures or used in applications other than walls.