AS/NZS 1530.

3:1999

Australian/New Zealand Standard™

Methods for fire tests on building

materials, components and structures

Part 3: Simultaneous determination

of ignitability, flame propagation, heat
release and smoke release
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

This Joint Australian/New Zealand Standard was prepared by Joint Technical

Committee BD/18, Fire Safety. It was approved on behalf of the Council of Standards
Australia on 30 July 1999 and on behalf of the Council of Standards New Zealand on
20 July 1999. It was published on 5 November 1999.

The following interests are represented on Committee BD/18:

Australasian Fire Authorities Council
Australian Building Codes Board
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Australian Institute of Building
Australian Wool Testing Authority
Building Research Association of New Zealand
Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia
Cement and Concrete Association of Australia
CSIRO Building, Construction and Engineering
FPA Australia
New Zealand Fire Protection Association
New Zealand Manufacturers Federation
Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association
Scientific Services Laboratory — A Business Unit of AGAL
Society of Fire Protection Engineers, New Zealand
Testing Interests (Australia)

Keeping Standards up-to-date

Standards are living documents which reflect progress in science, technology and systems.
To maintain their currency, all Standards are periodically reviewed, and new editions are
published. Between editions, amendments may be issued. Standards may also be withdrawn.
It is important that readers assure themselves they are using a current Standard, which
should include any amendments which may have been published since the Standard was
purchased.
Detailed information about joint Australian/New Zealand Standards can be found by visiting
the Standards Australia web site at www.standards.com.au or Standards New Zealand web
site at www.standard.co.nz and looking up the relevant Standard in the on-line catalogue.
Alternatively, both organizations publish an annual printed Catalogue with full details of all
current Standards. For more frequent listings or notification of revisions, amendments and
withdrawals, Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand offer a number of update
options. For information about these services, users should contact their respective national
Standards organization.
We also welcome suggestions for the improvement in our Standards, and especially
encourage readers to notify us immediately of any apparent inaccuracies or ambiguities.
Please address your comments to the Chief Executive of either Standards Australia
International or Standards New Zealand at the address shown on the back cover.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 98036.

 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

Australian/New Zealand Standard™

Methods for fire tests on building

materials, components and structures

Part 3: Simultaneous determination

of ignitability, flame propagation, heat
release and smoke release

Originated as A30 — 1935 (being and endorsement of BS 476 — 1932).

Previous edition AS 1530.3 — 1989.
Jointly revised and designated as AS/NZS 1530.3:1999.

COPYRIGHT
© Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand
All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written
permission of the publisher.
Jointly published by Standards Australia International Ltd, PO Box 1055, Strathfield, NSW
2135 and Standards New Zealand, Private Bag 2439, Wellington 6020
ISBN 0 7337 2896 0
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 2

PREFACE

This Standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand
Committee BD/18, Fire Safety.
The objective of this revision is to specify procedures for laboratories to adopt when
mounting specimen materials in the test apparatus. The basic method of test has not been
changed.
The mounting procedures are specific for a range of materials being tested. The adoption
of these procedures is designed to improve the consistency of the test results.
The test provides data for assessing the potential hazard of wall linings during the early
growth of fire in a compartment. It also provides a discriminating assessment of the fire
behaviour of different materials when subjected to the test method described.
Fire is a complex phenomenon 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 be a constant awareness of the variables
applicable when using this test method to assess the fire hazard of any particular material
or component under other fire exposure or when used in applications other than walls.
The terms ‘normative’ and ‘informative’ have been used in this Standard to define the
application of the appendix to which they apply. A ‘normative’ appendix is an integral
part of a Standard, whereas an ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and
guidance.
The use of Notes in this Standard are of an advisory nature only to give explanation or
guidance to the user on recommended design considerations or technical procedures, or to
provide an informative cross-reference to other documents or publications. Notes to
clauses on this Standard do not form a mandatory part for compliance with this Standard.
 3 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

CONTENTS
Page
FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.2 OBJECTIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.3 APPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.4 PRINCIPLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.5 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.6 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

SECTION 2 TEST PROCEDURE

2.1 APPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2 SPECIMENS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.3 TEST APPARATUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4 CALIBRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.5 TEST PROCEDURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.6 COMPUTATIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL SPECIMENS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.7 COMPUTATION OF MEAN VALUES AND STANDARD ERRORS . . . . . 12
2.8 REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPPLEMENTARY TESTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

SECTION 3 COMPUTATION OF INDICES AND CLASSIFICATION FOR

REGULATORY PURPOSES
3.1 INDICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.2 CLASSIFICATION FOR IGNITABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.3 CLASSIFICATION FOR SPREAD OF FLAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.4 CLASSIFICATION FOR HEAT EVOLVED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.5 CLASSIFICATION FOR SMOKE DEVELOPED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

SECTION 4 SPECIMEN MOUNTING PROCEDURES

4.1 SCOPE OF SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . 19
4.2 APPLICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . 19
4.3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . 19
4.4 BASIC PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . 20
4.5 MATERIAL GROUPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . 21
4.6 FABRICS (CURTAINS, DRAPES AND AWNINGS) . . . .......... . . . . 21
4.7 THERMOPLASTIC SHEETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . 22
4.8 FOIL LAMINATES—REFLECTIVE (SARKING) . . . . . .......... . . . . 22
4.9 FLEXIBLE DUCTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . 22
4.10 TEXTILE FLOOR COVERINGS AND UNDERLAYS . . .......... . . . . 23
4.11 RESILIENT FLOOR COVERINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . 23
4.12 INSULATING MATERIALS—BATT, SHEET TYPE OR BLANKETS . . . . 23
4.13 INSULATION—LOOSE FILL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . 23
4.14 SOLIDS—RIGID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . 24
4.15 THERMOPLASTIC GLAZING MATERIALS . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . 24
4.16 APPLIED FINISHES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . 25
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 4

Page
SECTION 5 REPORTING OF RESULTS
5.1 DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.2 RESULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.3 SUPPLEMENTARY OBSERVATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.4 INDICES FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.5 APPLICATION TO FIRE HAZARD ASSESSMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.6 REFERENCE IN OTHER AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.7 COMMERCIAL LITERATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

APPENDICES
A GUIDE TO THE INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
B INTERLABORATORY TRIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
 5 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

FOREWORD

The results of this fire test may be used to directly assess fire hazard, but it should be
recognized that a single test method will not provide a full assessment of fire hazard
under all fire conditions.
These results provide information on ignitability, flame propagation, heat release and
smoke release which are related to the performance of wall linings in simulated fires in
the corner of a compartment. A consumer or regulatory authority should consider the
relevance of this information to the fire hazard represented by the intended application of
the material or component. The performance in the test applies to the thickness of the
specimen in a flat panel shape. The results may not be valid for other shapes or
assemblies unless verified by further tests.
The results may also provide a comparison of the fire behaviour of different materials and
components. The application of the information obtained from this test to the fire hazard
requires consideration of the form and fixing of the specimen as tested and the intended
building use of the material or component.
The standard regime of increasing impressed radiant heat applied to the specimens in this
test method was originally defined following studies of experimental room fires. The
increasing intensity of radiant heat simulates that which could be experienced during the
early development of a building fire. Early work was carried out by J.E. Ferris at the
Commonwealth Experimental Building Station (now CSIRO) in Sydney in 1955.
Ignition is initiated by a pilot flame that is held near, but which does not touch the
specimen. A material that does not ignite during the standard test may ignite if contacted
with a pilot flame during the test.
The reaction of thin unsupported flexible materials to flame impingement can be assessed
by testing in accordance with AS 1530.2. Materials of thickness less than 2 mm, which
are sufficiently flexible to be bent by hand around a mandrel of 2 mm diameter or less,
are subjected to the test described herein, should also be subjected to the test in
AS 1530.2.
Since the heat source for the test method is a radiator, a reduction in the reflective
properties of certain materials by the deposition of dust and soot, by surface damage and
by the formation of surface corrosion products, may produce a significant change in the
results from those obtained when the materials were tested in a new and a clean condition.
Some materials are subjected to cleaning treatments throughout their useful life. Some
treatments could adversely affect the fire hazard indices by, for example, removal or
redeposition of fire-retarding agents. It is advisable that testing also be performed after a
number of treatments, in accordance with commercial cleaning practice.
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 6

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA / STANDARDS NEW ZEALAND

Australian / New Zealand Standard

Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and
structures

Part 3: Simultaneous determination of ignitability, flame propagation,

heat release and smoke release

S E C T I O N 1 S C O P E A N D G E N E R A L

1.1 SCOPE This Standard sets out a test method for the assessment of building
materials and components according to —
(a) their tendency to ignite;
(b) their tendency to propagate flame;
(c) the heat they release once ignition has occurred; and
(d) their tendency to release smoke.
NOTE: A guide to the interpretation of the results of this test, together with a full list of
references, is given in Appendix A.

1.2 OBJECTIVES The objective this Standard is to establish a test method for
assessing the potential fire hazard of wall linings during the early growth of fire in a
compartment. The test method also provides a discriminating or ranking assessment of
potential fire hazard between a range of materials used in buildings.

1.3 APPLICATION This Standard will be referenced in the Building Code of

Australia (BCA) by way of BCA Amendment No. 6 to be published on 1 January 2000,
thereby superseding the previous edition, AS 1530.3 — 1989, which will be withdrawn
12 months from the date of publication of this edition.

1.4 PRINCIPLE The specimen is held in a vertical configuration in a plane parallel to

a radiant heater and the specimen moved towards the heater, in steps, over a period of
20 min or until ignition, induced by a pilot flame, occurs.

1.5 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this

Standard:
AS
1530 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures
1530.1 Part 1: Combustibility test for materials
1530.2 Part 2: Test for flammability of materials
AS/NZS
2111 Textile floor coverings — Tests and measurements
2111.18 Part 18: Burning behaviour — Tablet test at ambient temperature
ISO
291 Plastics — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing

COPYRIGHT
 7 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

1.6 DEFINITIONS
1.6.1 Backing board — a support material onto which the specimen is mounted for the
purpose of the test (see Clause 4.3.1).
1.6.2 Sandwich panel — a building component comprising a core of expanded or
extruded polystyrene, polyurethane foam, or similar core materials, faced on both sides
with aluminium, steel, plastic or similar type material, the sheeting being bonded to or
mechanically fixed to the core.
1.6.3 Sponsor — the person or organization who authorizes the test.
1.6.4 Substrate — a material onto which a finish or a coating to be tested is applied in
practice.

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 8

S E C T I O N 2 T E S T P R O C E D U R E

2.1 APPLICATION The test is applicable to building materials and components.

2.2 SPECIMENS
2.2.1 General All specimens shall be prepared to represent, as nearly as possible, the
material or component for the use for which it is intended.
Thin surfacings and coatings that are usually applied to substrates shall be applied to the
appropriate substrates and shall be fixed, where applicable, with the adhesive substance
used.
Where a result for a range of colours of a material or component is required, at least two
specimens of the lightest and darkest colours of the range shall be included in the first six
specimens tested. If the variability of results exceeds that specified in Clause 2.8,
additional specimens of the lightest and darkest shall be taken to determine the relevant
indices for each colour.
A laminar component shall be tested in the form in which it is to be used. If the exposed
surfaces are of different materials, it may be necessary to test both surfaces. Where both
surfaces are to be tested, a second set of specimens shall be required (see Clause 2.2.2).
2.2.2 Size and number Nine representative specimens each measuring 600 ±5 mm ×
450 ±5 mm and of normal thickness shall comprise a test sample. Six of these specimens
shall be tested initially (see Clause 2.5 and Section 4).
NOTES:
1 To obtain specimens suitable for the test it may be necessary to flatten, specially fabricate,
or join pieces. Any mounting should be carried out in accordance with Section 4 (see
Paragraph A6, Appendix A).
2 It is recommended that one additional specimen be retained by the testing laboratory for
future reference in case of a dispute.
2.2.3 Conditioning Before testing, the specimens shall be conditioned to constant mass
at a temperature of 20 ±2°C and a relative humidity of 65 ±5%.
Constant mass is considered to be reached where after two successive weighing
operations, carried out at minimum intervals of 24 h, the mass of the test piece has not
varied by more than 0.1% or 0.1 g, whichever is the greater (see ISO 291).
2.2.4 Specimen mounting For procedures applying to the restraint and mounting of
specimens, refer to Section 4.

2.3 TEST APPARATUS

2.3.1 General The apparatus shall be in accordance with Figure 2.1 and shall consist
essentially of a specimen support of timber framing that is thermally insulated and
arranged to be facing and parallel to a gas-fired radiant panel and mounted in such
manner that it can be progressively moved toward the radiant panel during the course of
the test. The specimen support frame shall have a nominal size of 710 mm × 610 mm ×
50 mm and shall be constructed from 100 mm × 50 mm (nominal) timber battens. The
frame shall be fully sheeted with thermal insulation on the side furthest from the radiant
panel. The remaining face and edges of framing battens shall also be protected by cover
strips of thermal insulation.

COPYRIGHT
 9 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

2.3.2 Thermal insulation The thermal insulation shall be 6 mm thick and shall have a
value of √(k c) not greater than 600 at 150°C, where —
k = thermal conductivity, in watts per metre kelvin
= density, in kilograms per cubic metre
c = specific heat capacity, in joules per kilogram kelvin.
2.3.3 Shields Lateral shields faced with thermal insulation complying with
Clause 2.3.2 shall be provided as shown in Figure 2.1. A second test specimen support
and set of lateral shields shall be provided for use with alternate specimens.
2.3.4 Hood and flue A hood and flue located so as to collect the products of
combustion discharged from specimens under test shall be fixed over the apparatus as
shown in Figure 2.1. The hood shall be lined with thermal insulation complying with the
requirements of Clause 2.3.2. The flue shall terminate within the laboratory atmosphere
under a vent which safely discharges the combustion products from the laboratory. The
vent shall be no closer than 450 mm from the top of the flue and shall be designed to
minimize the influence of external air movements on the draught in the flue.
WARNING: THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT TOXIC OR HARMFUL GASES
MAY EVOLVE DURING COMBUSTION OF SPECIMENS. PRECAUTIONS
SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT PRODUCTS FROM THE FLUE ARE
DISCHARGED SAFELY TO OUTDOORS AND THAT OPERATORS ARE
PROTECTED BY PERSONAL AIR HOODS OR RESPIRATORS.
2.3.5 Radiant panel The face of the radiant panel shall measure 300 +3, −0 mm
square and, together with its surround, shall not exceed 330 mm square. The radiant panel
shall be supplied with a controllable gas/air mixture, which shall be burnt at the porous
fire-brick surface of the panel, heating the latter to comply with the requirements of
Clause 2.4.1.
2.3.6 Radiometer A radiometer fitted with a fluorite window and having an angle of
complete vision of 60 +10, −0° and a cut-off angle of 90 ±10° shall be mounted as shown
in Figure 2.1, sighting on a point 50 mm vertically above the centre of the specimen face
when the plane of the specimen face is 485 mm distant from the sensing element of the
radiometer and the buffers are in contact. In order that the radiometer will be at a constant
distance from the face of the specimen throughout the period when ignition is to occur,
the radiometer shall be mounted on slides in such a manner that it will move with the
specimen carriage once the buffers are in contact.
NOTE: A Land Type M/RAD/P/W miniature thermopile with a range of 0 to 10 Kw/m 2 and
fitted with a JRG fluorite window and water jacket is suitable.
2.3.7 Pilot flame A small pilot flame shall be located so that the centre-line of the
orifice discharging gas is 15 ±1 mm from the front face of the specimen, and 50 mm
above the centre of the specimen as shown in Figure 2.1. A spacer shall be attached to the
pilot flame tube so that the centre-line of the orifice discharging gas can be maintained at
15 ±1 mm from specimens whose faces move or change during the test. The luminous
portion of the pilot flame shall be set to be approximately 6 mm in diameter and 12 mm
long when the tube is vertical with the orifice uppermost. A second and similar pilot
flame shall be provided which can be similarly positioned approximately 15 mm from the
front face of the specimen at any location judged to be evolving a significant quantity of
smoke or vapours during a test.
NOTE: The pilot flame with town gas issuing from an orifice 4 mm in diameter at the end of a
tube not more than 8 mm in diameter is suitable. For propane gas, a Bray pilot jet catalogue 242
size 00 is suitable.

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 10

2.3.8 Smoke-monitoring system

2.3.8.1 General A photoelectric cell and a light source of stabilized output shall be
mounted on the flue over the apparatus, as shown in Figure 2.1, to monitor the optical
density of products evolved from the specimen. The directly transmitted light shall
illuminate all the sensing area of the photoelectric cell in such a way as not to adversely
influence the linearity of the detector.
2.3.8.2 Spectral response The spectral response distribution of the overall
smoke-monitoring system shall be similar to that of the human eye and have a peak
sensitivity between 500 nm and 600 nm, with the spectral bandwidth at half-peak
sensitivity not exceeding 150 nm and the response at wavelengths less than 400 nm and
greater than 700 nm not exceeding 10% of the peak sensitivity.
NOTE: Compliance with these requirements can be achieved by locating a tungsten-filament
lamp at the focus of a convergent lens in line with a photocell detector at the focus of a similar
convergent lens. The divergence of the light beams may be established by measuring the change
in diameter of the beam within the same plane when it traverses a distance of 1 m. The
diameters of the lenses should be equal and within the range 20 mm to 75 mm.
The lamp may be an ordinary tungsten-filament lamp operated at an e.m.f. not less than 90% of
the rated value, or a quartz-halogen lamp operated at an e.m.f. of not less than 80% of the rated
value.
The detector may be a selenium photocell, or a silicon photodiode with appropriate filters. The
silicon photodiode is preferred for new equipment, having generally superior linearity and
stability. The spectral response of the photodiode can be adjusted to the requirement by placing
filters made from 4 mm thickness of Schott type VG4 glass and 5 mm of Schott type KG3
glass, or a combination of equivalent glass types, between the lens and the photodiode and
normal to the optic axis. A neutral density filter should be added to the other filters to set the
detector photocurrent for the completed assembly, with no absorption between the lenses, within
the range 20 µA to 100 µA. The peak photocurrent density for selenium photocells should not
exceed 0.1 µA/mm2 of surface area. The photocurrent should be measured using a circuit with
an input impedance not exceeding 500 Ω. The detector and filters should be mounted in a
light-tight tube or housing to minimize the response to stray light.
The lenses should be set back from the perimeter of the flue by a distance sufficient to allow a
stream of fresh air to be injected across their faces in order to prevent the deposition of solids
or condensation products. The airflow should be sufficient to prevent smoke entry into the side
tubes.
2.3.9 Recording devices The outputs from the radiometer and photoelectric detector
shall be monitored at intervals of not greater than 1 s for the duration of the test by means
of a suitable recording device.

2.4 CALIBRATION
2.4.1 Radiant panel The heat from the panel shall be controlled by adjusting the fuel
and air supply to the venturi air/gas mixer before each series of tests so that the radiation
as recorded by the radiometer when positioned with its sensitive area 850 mm in front of
and on the centre-line of the panel, is 2.4 +0.1, −0 Kw/m2 without side shields in place.
Calibration shall be carried out in essentially draught-free conditions.
The intensity of radiant heat received by the radiometer from sources other than the gas
panel shall not exceed 1% of the total intensity measured by the radiometer.
2.4.2 Radiometer The radiometer shall be recalibrated at intervals not exceeding
2 years. For calibration purposes, a source of radiant heat within the limits of 800 ±20°C
black-body temperature shall be used so that the accuracy is better than ±5%.

COPYRIGHT
 11 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

2.4.3 Photometric system The linearity and stability of the photometric system shall
be checked at intervals not exceeding 6 months using calibrated glass neutral density
filters of good optical quality with integrated transmittances for the lamp-detector
combination of approximately 0.3 and 0.03; measured values shall be within 10% of the
calibration values. The reference filters shall be recalibrated at periods not exceeding
10 years.
NOTE: The reproducibility of output from the smoke-monitoring system needs to be better than
0.25% to resolve a smoke developed index of zero.
2.4.4 Recording devices The device used to record the output from the radiometer
shall be recalibrated at intervals not exceeding 12 months and shall have an accuracy of
better than ±1% of full scale.

2.5 TEST PROCEDURE

2.5.1 General The test shall be conducted under draught-protected laboratory
conditions.
NOTE: Draughts of the order of 1 m/s onto the face of the specimen have been demonstrated to
cause variations of 0.5 min in the ignition time of hardboard specimens, with subsequent
changes in other measured properties.
2.5.2 Exposure of specimen to heat The specimen shall be positioned on and fixed to
the support frame with the longer dimensions vertical so that the centre of the specimen is
on the centre-line of the radiant panel as shown in Figure 2.1.
Where a procedure for the mounting of specimen materials to be tested appears in
Section 4, that specimen mounting shall be used.
Where a procedure for the mounting of specimens for materials to be tested does not
appear in Section 4, the laboratory shall use its experience in selecting the most suitable
specimen mounting procedure based on the principles set out in Clause 4.3 and 4.4.
The specimen shall be exposed to the source of radiant heat and then moved to the
positions indicated at the times listed in Table 2.1.
After ignition is established in accordance with Clause 2.5.4, movement of the specimen
towards the source of radiant heat shall cease.
The pilot flame shall be maintained 15 ±1 mm from the front face of the specimen
throughout the test. The second similar pilot flame shall be applied approximately 15 mm
from the front face of the specimen at any location judged to be evolving a significant
quantity of pyrolysis products during the test.
2.5.3 Recording of data and observations The following shall be recorded:
(a) Number of specimens that ignite and the time from the commencement of the test to
the ignition of each specimen, expressed as whole elapsed seconds only.
(b) Intensity of radiation from the surface of the specimen as indicated by the
radiometer, at intervals not greater than 1 s for the duration of the test.
(c) Time, from the moment of ignition, for the radiation intensity recorded by the
radiometer to increase by 1.4 Kw/m2.
(d) Percent transmission of light across the flue, as indicated by the photoelectric
detector, at intervals of not greater than 1 s for the duration of the test.
2.5.4 Ignition For the purpose of this test, ignition shall mean the onset of continuous
flaming.
Intermittent flashes of flame or small isolated jets of flame shall not constitute ignition,
but a single flash of flame for 10 s or more shall be considered as ignition.

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 12

2.5.5 Duration of test The test shall be terminated —

(a) after 20 min, if no ignition occurs;
(b) 120 s after ignition, if the radiometer has registered a rise of 1.4 Kw/m2 during the
120-second period;
(c) 203 s after ignition, if the radiometer has NOT registered a rise of 1.4 Kw/m2 during
the 203-second period; or
(d) at the time between 120 s and 203 s after ignition when the rise of 1.4 Kw/m2 is
recorded.

2.6 COMPUTATIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL SPECIMENS The following shall be

determined for each specimen tested:
(a) Ignition time, in minutes, for those specimens that have ignited.
(b) Flame propagation time, in seconds, defined as the time from the moment of
ignition for the radiation intensity recorded by the radiometer to increase by
1.4 Kw/m2.
(c) Heat release integral, being for a time period of 120 s after ignition, of the
difference between the instantaneous radiation intensity and the radiation intensity
prior to ignition as recorded by the radiometer, in kilojoules per square metre, for
the specimens that ignited.
(d) Smoke release expressed in terms of the maximum optical density, using the
following equation:
1 100
D = log 10
L 100 R
where
D = maximum optical density, in reciprocal metres
L = effective smoke path, in metres
= 0.305 m
R = maximum value of the average reduction in percentage transmission of
light for any 1-minute period during the test as determined from the
integral of this percentage reduction transmission

2.7 COMPUTATION OF MEAN VALUES AND STANDARD ERRORS The mean

values of the determinations of —
(a) ignition time in minutes for those specimens that have ignited;
(b) flame propagation time, in seconds, for those specimens that have registered an
increase of radiation intensity of 1.4 Kw/m2;
(c) the heat release integral, in kilojoules per square metre, for those specimens that
have ignited; and
(d) the smoke release expressed in terms of log10D determined from Clause 2.6(d);
shall be evaluated, and standard error (SE) for each determined using the following
equation:
 n 2  n 2 
 xi  x i 
SE =  i1 i 1  
 n(n 1) 
 n 2(n 1) 

COPYRIGHT
 13 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

where
x = individual values of the various parameters
n = number of replicates tested
NOTE: Ignition times of 20 min or greater, and flame propagation times greater than 203 s, are
not included in the calculation of standard error.

2.8 REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPPLEMENTARY TESTING Where any of the

following criteria apply to the test results of the original six specimens, a further three
specimens shall be tested and the means, based on all of the specimens tested, determined,
as in Clause 2.7:
(a) For ignitability —
(i) if there is inconsistent ignition, i.e. one or more, but less than six, specimens
ignite; and
(ii) if the standard error for ignition time exceeds 0.5 min.
(b) For flame propagation —
(i) if there is inconsistent flame propagation, i.e. the radiation intensity increase
is achieved by some but not all specimens; and
(ii) if the standard error for flame propagation time exceeds 11 s.
(c) For heat release — if the standard error for the heat release integral exceeds
12.5 kJ/m2.
(d) For smoke release — if the standard error of log10D exceeds 0.15.

TABLE 2.1
TIMES AND DISTANCES

Distance from radiant panel Distance from radiant panel

Time Time
to specimen face to specimen face
min mm min mm
0.0 to 0.5 850 6.5 to 7.0 240
0.5 to 1.0 650 7.0 to 7.5 230
1.0 to 1.5 450 7.5 to 8.0 225
1.5 to 2.0 400 8.0 to 8.5 220
2.0 to 2.5 350 8.5 to 9.0 215
2.5 to 3.0 330 9.0 to 9.5 210
3.0 to 3.5 310 9.5 to 10.0 205
3.5 to 4.0 300 10.0 to 10.5 200
4.0 to 4.5 290 10.5 to 11.0 195
4.5 to 5.0 280 11.0 to 11.5 190
5.0 to 5.5 270 11.5 to 12.0 185
5.5 to 6.0 260 12.0 to 12.5 180
6.0 to 6.5 250 12.5 to 20.0 175

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 14

DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

FIGURE 2.1 (in part) TYPICAL APPARATUS FOR TEST

COPYRIGHT
 15 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

FIGURE 2.1 (in part) TYPICAL APPARATUS FOR TEST

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 16

S E C T I O N 3 C O M P U T A T I O N O F I N D I C E S
A N D C L A S S I F I C A T I O N F O R
R E G U L A T O R Y P U R P O S E S

3.1 INDICES Where required for regulatory purposes, materials or components shall
be classed for ignitability, heat evolved, spread of flame, and smoke developed, by using
the appropriate indices. Where both sides of the material or component are tested, each
side shall be classified separately.

3.2 CLASSIFICATION FOR IGNITABILITY The ignitability index, expressed as

the nearest whole number, shall be 20 minus the mean ignition time in minutes (see
Clause 2.6(a)). If fewer than three specimens ignite, the ignitability index shall be deemed
to be zero.

3.3 CLASSIFICATION FOR SPREAD OF FLAME If the ignitability index is zero

the spread of flame index shall be deemed to be zero. If fewer than three specimens
record a flame propagation time of less than 203 s, the spread of flame index shall be
deemed to be zero. In other cases the spread-of-flame index shall be allotted from the
mean flame propagation time (see Clause 2.6(b)), calculated for those specimens with
mean flame propagation time of not greater than 203 s, in accordance with Table 3.1.

3.4 CLASSIFICATION FOR HEAT EVOLVED The heat evolved index shall be
allotted from the mean value of the heat release integral in accordance with Table 3.2,
except where the ignitability index is zero then the heat evolved index shall also be
deemed to be zero.

3.5 CLASSIFICATION FOR SMOKE DEVELOPED The mean of the maximum

optical density (D) (see Clause 2.6(d)) shall be used to determine smoke developed index
in accordance with Table 3.3. Where not all specimens ignite, indices for smoke
developed shall be determined separately for those specimens that ignite and those
specimens that do not ignite. The index allotted shall be based on the worst result.

COPYRIGHT
 17 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

TABLE 3.1
INDICES FOR SPREAD OF
FLAME

1.33 × mean flame

propagation time Index
s
≥ 270 0
≥ 240 < 270 1
≥ 210 < 240 2
≥ 180 < 210 3
≥ 150 < 180 4
≥ 120 < 150 5
≥ 90 < 120 6
≥ 60 < 90 7
≥ 30 < 60 8
≥ 10 < 30 9
< 10 10

TABLE 3.2
INDICES FOR HEAT EVOLVED

Mean value of the

integral from the
radiation intensity Index
curves
Kj/m 2
< 25 0
≥ 25 < 50 1
≥ 50 < 75 2
≥ 75 < 100 3
≥ 100 < 125 4
≥ 125 < 150 5
≥ 150 < 175 6
≥ 175 < 200 7
≥ 200 < 225 8
≥ 225 < 250 9
≥ 250 10

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 18

TABLE 3.3
INDICES FOR SMOKE DEVELOPED

Mean optical density, m−1

Expressed in Index
Expressed numerically
terms of K*
<K < 0.0082 0†
≥ K < 2K ≥ 0.0082 < 0.0164 1
≥ 2K < 22K ≥ 0.0164 < 0.0328 2
≥ 2 2K < 2 3K ≥ 0.0328 < 0.0656 3
≥ 2 3K < 2 4K ≥ 0.0656 < 0.131 4
≥ 24K < 25K ≥ 0.131 < 0.262 5
≥ 2 5K < 2 6K ≥ 0.262 < 0.525 6
≥ 2 6K < 2 7K ≥ 0.525 < 1.05 7
≥ 2 7K < 2 8K ≥ 1.05 < 2.10 8
≥ 2 8K < 2 9K ≥ 2.10 < 4.20 9
≥ 2 9K ≥ 4.20 10
* Where K is a constant = 0.0082
† Where doubt exists in the resolving of optical
densities below 0.016 m−1 the index allotted should be
‘0 to 1’.

COPYRIGHT
 19 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

S E C T I O N 4 S P E C I M E N M O U N T I N G
P R O C E D U R E S

4.1 SCOPE OF SECTION This Section sets out the mounting procedures to be
adopted for the restraint and mounting of specimens referred to in Clause 2.2.4
The laboratory shall use its experience in ascertaining the most appropriate method to be
applied when testing materials. However, when the specimen does not fall into the
material groups referred to in Clause 4.5, the mounting procedure shall be determined
from Clause 4.3.
The results of a test will vary depending on the material composition of the substrate; for
example, paint on a metal surface will perform differently to paint on timber a surface
because of the difference in conductivity of the substrates.
NOTE: Details of interlaboratory trials, conducted in Australia and New Zealand during 1998
and 1999, are included in Appendix B.

4.2 APPLICATION The mounting procedures contained in Clause 4.6 to Clause 4.16
are of a specific nature and shall be read in conjunction with the basic mounting
procedures common to all materials referred to in Clause 4.4.

4.3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.3.1 Backing board The backing-board, where specified, shall consists of a 4.5 mm
thick non-combustible mineral board in accordance with AS 1530.1 or a 4.5 mm thick
fibre cement board.
4.3.2 Restraint of specimens Where, due to the nature of some materials, the test
specimen collapses from the specimen holder, melts or tears at the clamping ring, it is
permissible to use a layer of welded wire mesh in contact with the exposed face, or to
sandwich the specimen between wire mesh. The mesh shall not be reused after each test.
The welded wire mesh shall have square apertures of not less than 12 mm by 12 mm
nominal aperture size and wire not thicker than 0.8 mm in diameter.
NOTE: The laboratory may need to conduct a preliminary test to establish whether the material
is unstable under test conditions, thereby moving from the field of impressed radiant heat which
would require restraint.
4.3.3 Mechanical fastenings Where a material that has been restrained by the method
described in Clause 4.3.2 melts away from the area of maximum radiant heat (at the
centre of the specimen), the wire mesh and material shall be securely fixed to a backing
board (as prescribed in Clause 4.3.1) at four points, using mechanical fastenings, such as
nails, screws or wire staples.
Two of the points shall be 100 mm vertically above and below the centre of the specimen
and the other two points shall be 100 mm horizontally each side of the centre, in
accordance with the arrangement shown in Figure 4.1.
The metal fastening technique shall not be used where a large change in the thickness of
the specimen occurs requiring repositioning of the pilot flame.
4.3.4 Specimen clamping frame Where required, a rigid metal frame having outside
dimensions of 600 mm by 450 mm constructed of sufficiently rigid bar or rod shall be
used to clamp the specimen along all four sides.
4.3.5 Mounting to the specimen holder Each specimen, including any wire mesh and
clamping ring, shall be clamped to the specimen holder at four sites, within 50 mm of the
corners, so as to be centred on the radiator axis and with the plane of the unexposed face
test material.

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 20

DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES

FIGURE 4.1 METHOD OF STAPLING A MATERIAL TO A BACKING BOARD

4.4 BASIC PROCEDURES

4.4.1 General All materials submitted for testing shall comply with the requirements
of this Clause in addition to the procedures contained in Clause 4.6 to Clause 4.16.
4.4.2 Air gap Where the product is used in service with an air gap on each side, it
shall be mounted on the specimen holder with the air gap on the unexposed face provided
by the recess in the required specimen holder.
4.4.3 Selection of substrate Materials or coatings that are usually applied to a
substrate shall be applied to the appropriate substrate. Where the substrate is unknown, or
where the material may be applied to a variety of substrates, the substrate shall be one
which represents the end use condition. The choice shall be based on Table 4.1.
A material tested on any one of the substrates shall apply to any substrate in the same
group or a less reactive group.

TABLE 4.1
SELECTION OF SUBSTRATE

Group Substrate material

1 Standard grade plywood, hardboard,
(Most reactive) fibre/particleboard (less than 12 mm thick)
2 (12 mm or greater thickness)
3 All paper face gypsum board products
4 Concrete/masonry, fibre-reinforced cement-
(Least reactive) board, non-paper-faced gypsum boards

COPYRIGHT
 21 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

4.4.4 Specimen behaviour Where a preliminary test shows that the face of a specimen
falls away from the substrate, a layer of welded wire mesh shall be clamped over the face
of the specimen as referred to in Clause 4.3.2.
4.4.5 Mounting principle The specimen shall be mounted so as to ensure that the
product remains in the area of maximum radiant heat until ignition is reached or the test
has been completed.
4.4.6 Preparation All specimens shall be prepared, as nearly as practicable, to
represent the material or component in the use for which it is intended.
4.4.7 Applied materials and coatings When testing a material or coating is usually
applied to a substrate, it shall be applied to the appropriate substrate and, where
applicable, attached as specified by the sponsor of the test.
4.4.8 Specimen edge sealing Where the core or edge of the specimen may influence
the results of the test, the edges of the specimen shall be sealed with a suitable non-
combustible material such as aluminium foil, metal or refractory cement.
4.4.9 Materials with dissimilar faces A full test shall be conducted on both faces of a
composite material where each face is different and the exposed face cannot be identified.

4.5 MATERIAL GROUPS The specimen mounting procedures shall apply to the
following materials:
(a) Fabrics (curtains, drapes and awnings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clause 4.6.
(b) Thermoplastic sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clause 4.7.
(c) Foil laminates — reflective (sarking) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clause 4.8.
(d) Flexible ducting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clause 4.9.
(e) Textile floor coverings and underlays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clause 4.10.
(f) Resilient floor coverings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clause 4.11.
(g) Insulating materials — batt, sheet type or blankets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clause 4.12.
(h) Insulation — loose fill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clause 4.13.
(i) Solids — rigid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clause 4.14.
(j) Thermoplastic glazing materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clause 4.15.
(k) Applied finishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clause 4.16.

4.6 FABRICS (CURTAINS, DRAPES AND AWNINGS)

4.6.1 General This method applies to fabrics that are not bonded to a substrate in
normal use, for example, curtains, drapes, including all free-hanging and unsupported
fabrics, and awning materials.
4.6.2 Procedure The mounting procedure for fabric materials, in addition to the
requirements of Clause 4.4, where applicable, shall be as follows:
(a) Place the fabric between two layers of wire mesh, refer Clause 4.3.2.
(b) Remove portions of the fabric from beneath the clamps, before clamping the
specimen, to allow free movement of the specimen during testing.
(c) For vertical strip fabrics, cut the specimen into 600 mm lengths and staple together,
side by side, to make up a specimen that is 600 mm by 450 mm.

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 22

4.7 THERMOPLASTIC SHEETS

4.7.1 General This method applies to non-bonded thermoplastic flexible and rigid
sheets. This also includes both solid and foam sheet materials.
4.7.2 Procedure The mounting procedure for thermoplastic foam sheet materials, in
addition to the requirements of Clause 4.4, where applicable, shall be as follows:
(a) Place the material against a backing board as prescribed in Clause 4.3.1 and a sheet
of wire mesh over the face as prescribed in Clause 4.3.2.
(b) Hold the assembly against the specimen support frame using the specimen clamping
frame prescribed in Clause 4.3.5.
(c) Should the material shrink away during the test, adjust the holding clamps and
maintain the correct radiant panel separation as nearly as practicable.

4.8 FOIL LAMINATES — REFLECTIVE (SARKING)

4.8.1 General This method applies to foil laminates (e.g. building paper/sarking)
materials.
4.8.2 Procedure The mounting procedure for foil laminates material, in addition to the
requirements of Clause 4.4, where applicable, shall be as follows:
(a) Test both faces unless specified by the sponsor and unless the testing laboratory
determines that the side producing the worst or equal results has been tested.
(b) Mount the specimen in the required specimen holder and clamp the assembly along
all sides using a specimen-clamping frame.

4.9 FLEXIBLE DUCTING

4.9.1 General This method applies to flexible ducting.
4.9.2 Procedure The mounting procedure for flexible ducting, in addition to the
requirements of Clause 4.4, where applicable, shall be as follows:
(a) Measure at least 50% of the specimens to be tested with a representative joint
present in the specimen test area (where applicable).
(b) Select the largest diameter duct available for testing and use a minimum diameter
of 250 mm.
(c) Test both the internal and external surfaces of the ducting if they are dissimilar.
(d) Cut a 600 mm length of ducting along its length. Take care to maintain the integrity
of the layers of material in the ducting and ensure any ribs through the ducting are
cut cleanly and not dislodged from their position on the membrane.
(e) Carefully open out and flatten the ducting by bending the ribbing evenly along its
length, where possible. Take care to minimize the number of sharp-angle bends in
the ribbing. Make all efforts to flatten the materials without physically damaging the
product.
It may be necessary to cut the wire ribbing to adequately flatten the specimen and, if
undertaken, care should be taken to minimize damage to the fabric.

COPYRIGHT
 23 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

4.10 TEXTILE FLOOR COVERINGS AND UNDERLAYS

4.10.1 General This method applies to carpets and underlay materials.
4.10.2 Procedure The mounting procedure is designed to ensure that the specimen
remains in the areas of maximum radiant heat. The mounting procedure for carpets and
underlay material, in addition to the requirements of Clause 4.4, where applicable, shall
be as follows:
(a) Test the carpet that is not bonded to a substrate sandwiched between two sheets of
wire mesh and wired through. Clamp the assembly using a specimen clamping frame
against a non-combustible substrate.
(b) Test the carpet that is normally installed by direct stick or double bonding methods
with a layer of wire mesh on the face and wired through to a substrate that is
representative of its end use. Bond the carpet to the substrate using an adhesive and
application rate specified by the sponsor of the test.
(c) If the securing arrangement referred to in Step (b) above fails to restrain the
specimen during the test, discard the results for that specimen and test another
specimen.

4.11 RESILIENT FLOOR COVERINGS

4.11.1 General This method applies to resilient floor covering materials and includes
sheet vinyl, linoleum and vinyl tiles.
4.11.2 Procedure Bond the resilient floor covering materials to a substrate
representative of its end use.
The adhesive used shall be as specified by the client and shall include the specified
spreading rate.

4.12 INSULATING MATERIALS — BATT, SHEET TYPE OR BLANKETS

4.12.1 General This method applies to insulating materials and includes insulating batt
sheets or blanket materials.
4.12.2 Procedure The mounting procedure for insulating materials, in addition to the
requirements of Clause 4.4, where applicable, shall be as follows:
(a) Place a sheet of welded wire mesh, as specified in Clause 4.3.2, over the exposed
face of the specimen and hold in place using a clamping ring ensuring the specimen
is compressed by not more than 10%.
(b) Where the insulation material is likely to melt away from the area of maximum
radiation, secure the wire mesh and insulation material in accordance with
Clause 4.3.3.
(c) Where the product is faced with a reflective foil, incorporate a vertical joint in three
test specimens representative of that used in practice.

4.13 INSULATION — LOOSE FILL

4.13.1 General This method applies to loose-fill insulation material.
4.13.2 Procedure The mounting procedure for loose-fill insulation material, in addition
to the requirements of Clause 4.4, where applicable, shall be as follows:
(a) Provide a framework in the specimen holder of nominal 6 mm diameter steel rods
forming a cuboid 600 × 450 × 100 mm as shown in Figure 4.2. The 100 mm
dimension may be reduced to suit the in-use thickness, with a minimum thickness
allowed, of 50 mm.

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 24

(b) Cover the entire framework with the wire mesh, as described in Clause 4.3.2, with a
removable rear face to allow insertion of the test material. Insert two nominal 3 mm
diameter steel rods at the third heights to hold the material in place.
(c) Clamp the holder in place with four clamps in accordance with Clause 4.3.5.
(d) Load the material into the holder to a density specified by the sponsor.

FIGURE 4.2 SPECIMEN HOLDER FOR LOOSE INSULATION

4.14 SOLIDS — RIGID

4.14.1 General This method applies to specimens consisting of thermally stable
materials.
NOTE: Examples of materials are wood and reconstituted wood panel products, fibre-reinforced
cement products, fibre-reinforced gypsum wallboard, paper-faced gypsum wallboard, rigid resin-
bound glass and mineral fibre panels, metal and rigid plastics materials including rigid foams
and glass-fibre-reinforced plastics (GRP) and sandwich panels.
4.14.2 Procedure The mounting procedure for rigid solids, in addition to the
requirements contained in Clause 4.4, where applicable, shall be as follows:
(a) Clamp the specimen on all four edges against the specimen support frame in
accordance with Clause 4.3.5.
(b) Conduct a full test on both faces of a sandwich panel where each face is different.

4.15 THERMOPLASTIC GLAZING MATERIALS

4.15.1 General This method applies to all free-hanging and unsupported thermoplastic
glazing materials.
4.15.2 Procedure The mounting procedure for thermoplastic glazing materials, in
addition to the requirements of Clause 4.4, where applicable, shall be as follows:
(a) Sandwich the material between two sheets of wire mesh to meet the requirements of
Clause 4.3.3 and securely wire through to hold the sandwich assembly together.

COPYRIGHT
 25 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

(b) Clamp the assembly against the specimen support frame in accordance with
Clause 4.3.5.
(c) If the restraint fails and the material moves from the field of impressed radiant heat
during the test, discard the results for that specimen and test another specimen.

4.16 APPLIED FINISHES

4.16.1 General This method applies to materials or coatings applied to substrates.
NOTE: Examples of materials are bonded wood or plastics veneer, paint coating, vinyl wall
covering, wallpaper, fabric, textile or flexible foam insulation.
4.16.2 Procedure The mounting procedure for applied finishes, in addition to the
requirements of Clause 4.4, where applicable, shall be as follows:
(a) Where the substrate is not specified, bond the specimen to a substrate selected in
accordance with Clause 4.4.3.
The adhesive and rate of application to bond the specimen to the substrate shall be
as specified or agreed to by the sponsor requesting the test.
(b) Clamp the assembly against the specimen support frame in accordance with
Clause 4.3.5.
NOTE: The results produced from a given combination of substrate and material apply to that
combination only and a variation in results may occur where a different substrate is used.

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 26

S E C T I O N 5 R E P O R T I N G O F R E S U L T S

5.1 DESCRIPTION The test report shall contain:

(a) A description of the material or component.
(b) The construction and thickness of the material or component.
(c) The method of mounting or fixing.
(d) The identity of the face subjected to the test if the two faces differ.
(e) The colour or pattern tested, where only one colour or pattern was submitted for
test. Where a range of colours and patterns have been tested and have met the
requirements of Clause 2.2.1, the results applicable to all colours and patterns in the
range.
(f) Where applicable, the statement that each specimen was bonded to a substrate as
specified, using the adhesive specified by the sponsor of the test, and the application
rate (g/m2).
(g) A statement that ‘The results only apply to the specimen mounted as described in
this report’.

5.2 RESULTS The report shall contain the means and standard errors, calculated as set
out in Clause 2.7, for all the specimens tested for —
(a) ignition time;
(b) flame propagation time;
(c) heat release integral; and
(d) smoke release in terms of log10D.
Where some of the specimens do not ignite, means and standard errors for smoke release
shall be reported separately for those specimens that ignite and those that do not ignite.
The higher of the two values shall be reported as the smoke released for the material or
component. If the higher value applies to a non-ignition case, this fact shall be reported.

5.3 SUPPLEMENTARY OBSERVATIONS The following supplementary

observations shall be reported:
(a) Number of specimens tested.
(b) Where all specimens did not ignite, the number of specimens that did ignite.
(c) Where flashing was encountered and ignition was based on a 10-second flash.
(d) Where all specimens did not emit a rise of 1.4 Kw/m2 during the prescribed period,
the number of specimens for which such rise was recorded.
(e) Any observations of associated phenomena, such as transitory flaming, melting and
production of flaming droplets, or inconsistent ignition behaviour.
(f) Where the test was performed on thin flexible materials, a statement that testing
materials to the flammability test (see AS 1530.2) are also relevant to the
assessment of fire hazard covering this type of material.
(g) Variable behaviour between different colours or patterns within a set of specimens
of the same material or component.

COPYRIGHT
 27 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

5.4 INDICES FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES Where required for regulatory

purposes the report shall include indices for the following:
(a) Ignitability (range 0 to 20).
(b) Spread of flame (range 0 to 10).
(c) Heat evolved (range 0 to 10).
(d) Smoke developed (range 0 to 10).
Where all specimens do not ignite, indices for smoke developed shall be reported
separately for those specimens that ignite and those specimens that do not ignite. The
higher of the two values shall be reported as the smoke developed index for the product.
If the higher index applies to the non-ignition case, this fact shall be reported.

5.5 APPLICATION TO FIRE HAZARD ASSESSMENT The report shall include the
following statement:
‘The results of this fire test may be used to directly assess fire hazard, but it should
be recognized that a single test method will not provide a full assessment of fire
hazard under all fire conditions.’

5.6 REFERENCE IN OTHER AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS Where a reference to

this Standard is incorporated in other Australian Standards for building materials,
components, and the like, the form of the reference and the expression of criteria shall be
as follows:
‘The material or component shall be subjected to the test as specified in AS 1530.3,
and the results determined in accordance with the provisions thereof shall comply
with the following requirements:
(a) The mean ignition time shall be not less than ... minutes.
(b) The mean flame propagation time shall be not greater than ... seconds.
(c) The mean heat release integral shall be not greater than ... Kj/m2.
(d) The smoke release in terms of log10D shall be not greater than ....’

5.7 COMMERCIAL LITERATURE It is imperative in the interests of public safety

and consumer protection that reference to the results of fire test methods in commercial
literature follow the appropriate form set out in this Section.
NOTE: Reporting of results in the form of indices is acceptable.

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 28

APPENDIX A
GUIDE TO THE INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
(Informative)

A1 INTRODUCTION The test described in this Standard was developed from room
fire experiments to grade cellulosic wall linings according to their tendencies to ignite and
propagate flame vertically. Specimens are subjected to an increasing intensity of radiant
heat simulating that which could be experienced during the early development of a
building fire. Combustible volatile substances from the specimen are ignited by a pilot
flame set close to that area of the specimen which is subjected to the maximum intensity
of radiant heat.
Although the test did not originally provide for grading according to the smoke the
specimens released, it has been adapted for this purpose. Smoke released during the test is
collected by a hood and discharged through a flue in which its optical density is
measured. Numerical values for the ‘smoke developed index’ are equated to the maximum
optical density averaged over a period of 1 min (that is, the worst minute so far as smoke
production is concerned) whether or not the test specimen is burning.
Specimens are freely ventilated as is the case in an occupied room prior to ‘flashover’,
that is, during the stage when the internal surfaces of the room are absorbing more heat
energy than they are releasing. (After flashover the combustible surfaces of the room are
enveloped in flame and are emitting more heat energy than they are absorbing.)
It has been observed in experimental fires in rooms lined with combustible linings that
surface burning rather than a burn-through of the cladding generally precedes flashover.
The test examines smoke release associated with freely ventilated surface burning that
simulates this situation. By examining the peak smoke evolution for 1 min, the hazard of
dense smoke release during early development of fire in a room is indicated.

A2 INDICES
A2.1 General For regulatory purposes the test results can be used to express fire
behaviour under four headings in terms of separate numerical indices; however, it is
important to note that these indices are interrelated, as they are obtained as a result of a
single fire test.
A2.2 Ignitability index The ignitability index relates to the time taken for the volatile
substances from the specimens, irradiated at increasing intensity, to form an ignitable gas
mixture and be ignited by a small flame. The index is zero if such ignition does not occur
under the maximum impressed radiation during the test.
A2.3 Spread of flame index The spread of flame index relates to the radiation emitted
by a burning specimen under impressed radiation that varies according to the time of
ignition of the specimen. The scale of the index is based on studies of actual rates of
flame propagation on various wall linings in simulated corner wall and ceiling situations.
(Ref. 1)
A2.4 Heat evolved index The heat evolved index relates to the amount of heat
released by a burning material. Its linear scale allows distinctions to be drawn between
materials on the basis of whether or not the amount of heat released would be likely to
cause ignition of nearby combustibles. The higher the index, the more likely is the fire
involvement of nearby combustible materials.

COPYRIGHT
 29 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

A2.5 Smoke developed index The smoke developed index relates to the optical
density of smoke released under the conditions of the test. Doubling of the optical density
of the smoke increases the smoke developed index by unity. The higher the index, the
greater the hazard is likely to be from smoke.

A3 TYPICAL RESULTS Table A1 lists the range of results obtained in tests

conducted by the Experimental Building Station. The listing includes a variety of
materials commonly used in buildings. Where the best performance has been achieved by
the use of fire-retardant additives, this is indicated in the table by an asterisk.

A4 FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS

A4.1 Ignitability Where the test is applied to components comprising materials with
differing ignition behaviours, the performance may be dominated by the more readily
ignited material. Where a covering material shielding a readily ignited material breaks
down irregularly, scattered ignition performance may result in the test, but similar
behaviour has been seen in simulated corner-wall fires. The presence of fire-retardant
additives can significantly influence ignition behaviour and may cause intermittent
flashing at the time of ignition.
A4.2 Flame propagation Where the test is applied to components formed from
laminate of materials with differing ignition behaviour, a delayed ignition may result in a
more rapid increase in emitted radiation once the specimen flames. Substrates can
considerably affect the performance of thin films of combustible materials subjected to the
test depending on their thermal properties and combustibility. The presence of
fire-retardant additives can significantly reduce the spread of flame index, thereby
indicating improved performance.
A4.3 Heat release The heat release can be affected by the thickness of components or
materials and their mass-to-surface area ratio. Where materials of differing thermal and
combustion behaviour are in combination, the breakdown of individual materials may
affect the overall heat released. As can be seen from Table A1, the heat release index can
be suppressed where fire-retardant additives are effectively applied to some materials.
A4.4 Smoke release The thickness of the material or component can affect the smoke
released as can the mass-to-surface area ratio. Where materials with different ignition
behaviour are in combination, the smoke released can be affected by the ignition
behaviour of individual materials. As can be seen from Table A1, the presence of
fire-retardant additives may increase the smoke released from specimens of cellulosic
materials, but their presence usually reduces the smoke from burning plastics.

A5 VARIABILITY OF RESULTS The variability of the results on six replicates of a

range of common linings is shown in Table A2. The influence that combinations of
different materials may have, (see Paragraph A4) is also shown in Table A2.
The current standard procedure provides for supplementary testing if the standard errors
of the measurements exceed given values. Reporting of the standard errors of the
measurements is required in all cases.

A6 GRADING THE FIRE BEHAVIOUR OF MATERIALS AND

COMPONENTS The procedure described in this standard test has been used to examine
the fire behaviour of a large number of materials and components since its development
for examination of flat cellulosic lining boards. The test of a flat standard-sized test
specimen allows comparison, on a similar basis, of new materials and components. Gross
surface shaping such as deep corrugations can alter the regime of impressed radiation
during the test and may also inhibit the rate of flame spread. Nominally flat specimens are
therefore required for grading.

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 30

The interrelated data obtained during a single test provide valid information for the
evaluation of the fire hazard of wall linings. While it is preferable to test flat
standard-size specimens wherever practicable, materials used in sizes and orientations
other than for wall linings can be graded. Useful information can also be obtained by
additionally testing components in their finished form.
Apart from determining the conditions for piloted ignition, exposure of specimens or
components of less than the full 600 mm × 450 mm specimen size does not establish
useful comparative data unless the full-size specimens are also tested. This fact can cause
problems in the testing of materials or components that move, melt or flow out of the path
of radiant heat and the test report provides for such factors to be reported. The use of wire
mesh to support materials or components exhibiting such behaviour can be effective only
in some cases. Further testing of such materials, or components, bonded to
non-combustible substrates may be needed to provide data on which a judgement of fire
performance may be made. Such bonding should be representative of commercial practice.
Reflecting lining materials that do not decompose when subjected to the levels of radiant
heat applied in the test may do so when sooty or dirty. The blackening of a 100 mm
square at the centre of the specimens of such reflective materials may therefore provide
useful supportive data for the assessing of fire hazard.
Physical damage to lining materials may affect their behaviour in fire. Surface damage by
diagonal scoring through the surface of the central area of specimens may provide useful
supportive data.
Care needs to be exercised with material combinations and jointed components where
irregular ignition and variable flame propagation behaviour may occur and, similarly, with
materials or components that, where aged or handled in service, may give different
performance to the new condition. For instance, some paints with fire-retardant additives
lose their effectiveness after being weathered.

A7 REGULATING LINING MATERIALS AND SURFACE FINISHES

A7.1 Nature of the hazard Experience of fires in buildings has shown that
combustible linings can serve as the means by which an initial small fire may propagate
throughout a compartment, along corridors to involve other compartments, and up vertical
shafts to involve other storeys. While flame propagation to the ceiling is generally the
mechanism by which combustible linings promote the propagation of fire, an associated
hazard, and one that in many cases may be even more important than fire propagation, is
that of the smoke produced by the burning of the linings. This may create panic, reduce
visibility along paths of escape, and generally increase the fire hazard.
It is clear from the foregoing that in areas where a special degree of safety from fire is
essential, materials used as linings should be difficult to ignite, not propagate flame
readily, and should not release undue quantities of smoke or toxic gases when heated. At
this time there is no generally accepted method of assessing materials according to the
toxicity of the gaseous products they release as they burn.
A7.2 Reasons and objectives of regulations The use of lining materials that are
difficult to ignite and have low rates of flame propagation will help to restrict, at least
initially, the area involved in the fire, and thus reduce the fire damage. However, the
reason for seeking to control the use of lining materials is primarily to ensure that
occupants are likely to be afforded adequate time to use safely the paths of egress.
It would seem reasonable to grade performance requirements for lining materials
according to their position along escape routes if it is accepted that for most buildings the
following situations apply:
(a) The occupants of a small compartment in which the fire originates will have time to
leave the compartment before the fire develops beyond the small-fire state; in this
situation, the time to ignition of wall linings and for flame to propagate to the
ceiling indicates the time likely to be available for egress and fire suppression.

COPYRIGHT
 31 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

(b) The occupants of the adjoining compartment may become aware of the fire before it
develops beyond the small-fire state and, in such a situation, the time for flames to
reach the ceiling indicates the time likely to be available for egress and fire
suppression.
(c) The occupants of the remainder of the storey and of upper storeys in the building,
which might be polluted by smoke from the fire, will be seeking to escape at still
later stages and by that time the fire will have developed to major proportions, and
the linings of corridors within the affected storey and the linings of escape stairs
from upper storeys may have had considerable preheating.
Where materials having very slow flame-propagation characteristics are required in escape
corridors, and where similar or non-combustible materials are required in fire-isolated
stairs, the propagation of the actual fire should be controlled for surfacing materials to a
safe level for the escape of occupants.
Although the control of lining materials according to their smoke release characteristics
can be regulated on the same basis, it must be admitted that this is only a partial solution,
in that the smoke released by the burning contents of the compartment involved originally
in the fire could well be sufficient to make corridors and stair shafts very difficult to
negotiate once the fire has developed to major proportions.
Rigorous control of linings and finishes to be used within individual tenancies may not be
warranted because contents can exercise an overriding influence on fire propagation. It is
logical, however, to recommend provisions that seek to ensure reasonable safety to life in
auditoria and public halls and, for all buildings, in corridors connecting required
alternative means of escape and dead-end corridors connecting to such corridors, and in
stairs in fire-resisting shafts.

A8 OTHER MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS The outbreak of fire generally occurs

in chattels, furnishings, paper or rubbish owing to the careless handling of matches and
cigarettes or from electrical faults or some cooking or space heating incident. The hazard
to occupants at such occurrences generally becomes critical when the fire propagates up
wall linings to ignite gaseous pyrolysis products that collect beneath the ceiling when full
room involvement or flashover may occur.
Therefore, it is logical to limit the hazard to occupants by selecting wall linings that will
not rapidly propagate fire to the ceiling, particularly in escape ways. The test may also be
applied to floor coverings and ceiling linings to give a general ranking of behaviour.
However, care should be taken when such data is being interpreted for a different end use
orientation to that in the test method. A specific test for assessing the fire hazards for
floor coverings under impressed radiant heat is under development. (AS/NZS 2111.18
provides a measure of likely initial involvement in fire of the surface of textile floor
coverings, from a small flame source).
Where the test is applied to materials generally, consideration should also be given to the
area of the material exposed and the situation in which it is used. For instance, small
isolated areas, such as switches and hardware, are unlikely to propagate a small fire to the
ceiling and flame propagation assessment is not relevant. In general, it is not appropriate
to use this test for small areas that are for the most part smaller than the size of the
specimen.
Particular consideration is appropriate for combustible pipes where small areas are
involved. Such pipes may propagate fire if fixed vertically, but are unlikely to propagate
fire if fixed horizontally. On the other hand, some components introduce additional
hazards because of the way they are used. Plastics diffusers in recessed light fittings in
ceilings need particular attention especially in escape ways, because some types may melt
and cause burning drops to fall onto occupants seeking escape, as well as propagate the
fire.

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 32

TABLE A1
RANGES OF TYPICAL INDICES

Bottom of range Top of range

Material tested I S H Sm I S H Sm
Glass fibre insulation 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Mineral fibre insulation batts 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
Asbestos cellulose board 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Glass-reinforced plaster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hardboard 14 7 6 3 14 7 7 5
Wood fibre insulating board* 11 0 0 4 16 9 10 2
Plywood (interior)* 0 0 0 4 14 8 10 3
Particleboard 0 0 0 7 15 8 7 3
— radiata pine 15 5 5 3 14 8 9 3
— jarrah 13 3 4 2 13 5 4 2
— Queensland hoop pine* 0 0 0 2 14 8 6 1
Plasterboard 12 0 2 3 13 0 3 2
Melamine laminate
— bonded to non-combustible substrate* 0 0 0 3 14 8 5 3
— bonded to combustible substrate* 0 0 0 3 14 8 4 4
Acrylic sheet 14 7 6 4 15 8 10 5
Glass-fibre-reinforced polyester sheet* 8 0 0 4 15 10 10 9
Polystyrene foam* 10 0 2 5 15 9 10 8
Polyurethane foam* 15 0 0 5 18 10 10 9
Rigid uPVC sheet* 0 0 0 5 13 2 1 8
PVC floor covering — bonded to non-combustible substrate 14 0 0 4 17 9 5 7
Rubber floor covering — bonded to non-combustible substrate* 15 0 2 7 14 8 10 8
Linoleum 14 7 8 4 16 9 10 6
Acrylic carpet* 16 6 8 5 17 10 10 7
Carpet
— 100% wool 16 0 0 3 15 0 1 5
— 80% wool, 20% nylon 16 0 0 3 16 0 1 5
— tiles, 100% wool 16 0 0 3 16 0 1 5
— tiles, 80% wool, 20% nylon 14 0 0 5 15 7 5 7
— tiles, 100% nylon 14 7 9 7 16 8 10 7

* Bottom of range specimens incorporated fire-retardant additives

LEGEND:
I = ignitability index (0–20)
S = spread of flame index (0–10)
H = heat evolved index (0–10)
Sm = smoke developed index (0–10)

COPYRIGHT
 33 AS/NZS 1530.3:1999

TABLE A2
VARIABILITY OF TYPICAL INDICES
Ignitability Spread of flame Heat evolved Smoke developed
No. Material tested Index Standard Index Standard Index Standard Index Standard
(0–20) deviation (0–10) deviation (0–10) deviation (0–10) deviation

Hardboard, 4.6 mm thick 14 0.1 7 0.2 7 0.4 3 0.3

1 — bare 13 0.1 9 0.5 10 0.4 4 0.2
2 — coated with acrylic paint 13 0.2 9 0.3 8 0.6 5 0.3
3 — coated with enamel paint
4 Plywood, clear polyurethane finish 15 0.3 9 0.5 10 0.5 4 0.4
5 Vinyl wallpaper on plasterboard 13 0.7 0 0 2 0.8 4 0.5
6 Plasterboard finished with acrylic paint 13 0.9 0 0 2 0.2 2 0.4
7 Melamine-faced particleboard 11 1.4 7 1.0 4 2.8 5 0.4
8 Glass fibre reinforced polyester flat sheet 15 0.8 10 0.1 10 N/A 9 0.2
Hardboard, 6 mm thick
9 —bare 14 0.3 7 0.2 7 0.5 2 0.2
10 — coated with fire retardant 14 0.3 7 0.7 7 1.3 5 0.4
11 — coated with vinyl 15 0.1 7 0.6 6 0.9 6 0.4
12 — coated with vinyl cloth 13 0.7 7 1.6 6 3.4 6 0.6
13 — coated with melamine 14 1.6 8 — 4 3.2 4 0.6
14 — coated with fire-retardant melamine 6 3.5 6 2.6 6 3.9 5 0.5
15 — coated with vinyl paint 12 0.2 9 0.2 8 2.0 3 0.3
16 — coated with fire-retardant vinyl paint 10 0.8 6 2.4 5 2.1 6 0.7

NOTE: The performance data on hardboard are included to indicate the effect of coatings on a wood-based substrate.

REFERENCES
1 FERRIS, J.E. Fire hazard of combustible wallboards, Special Report No 18,
Commonwealth Experimental Building Station. Sydney, 1955.

2 MARTIN, K.G. and DOWLING, V.P. ‘Australian studies on fire hazard tests on
internal linings of buildings’. Fire and Materials, Vol 3 No 4, 1979 (9 pages).
3 MOULEN, A.W. et al. ‘Early fire behaviour of combustible wall lining materials’.
Fire and Materials, Vol 4 No 4, 1980 (8 pages).
4 GARDNER, W.D. and THOMSON, C.R. Flame spread properties of forest
products–Comparison and validation of Australian and American test methods.
Technical Paper No 36, Forestry Commission of N.S.W., 1987 (33 pages).
5 TROTTER, K. and TROTTER, A.B. An experimental investigation of the
repeatability of smoke indices determined by the Early Fire Hazard Test AS 1530
Part 3–1976. Research Report R41 Building Research Association of New Zealand,
1984 (23 pages).

COPYRIGHT
AS/NZS 1530.3:1999 34

APPENDIX B
INTERLABORATORY TRIALS
(Informative)

An interlaboratory trial, round robin, was conducted at two laboratories in Australia and
one laboratory in New Zealand during 1998.
The objectives of the round robin were as follows:
(a) Derive the repeatability — (r) (within a laboratory) and reproducibility — (R)
(between different laboratories) of the test method using the specimen mounting
procedures.
(b) Provide laboratories working with the test method experience in using the revised
mounting methods.
(c) Provide data, on which to base the work being undertaken, in the next revision of
the test method contained in this Standard.
The round robin identified areas of difference between laboratories consistent with
expectations. These will be addressed in the next revision of this Standard.
Details of the interlaboratory trial is contained in a report, see Reference to follow.

REFERENCE
DOYLE, R.T. A report dated August 1999 on Australia-New Zealand Interlaboratory
Trials for Tests on materials using AS 1530.3, Methods for fire tests on building
materials, components and structures, Part 3: Simultaneous determination of ignitability,
flame propagation, heat release and smoke release, using revised specimen mounting
procedures.

COPYRIGHT