Present-day test procedure to determine the behaviour of building
materials and structures under fire conditions is described and defined
in British Standard 476 which seeks to provide standards whereby old
and new materials and methods of construction may be accepted or
rejected on definite grounds by precepting authorities for their fitness
or otherwise for the purpose in view.
This Standard describes several tests only four of which need
concern us here, These are the tests for incombustibility, noninflammability
and surface spread of flame which apply to building
materials and the test for fire-resistance which refers to building
structures.
It is of interest to examine the purpose of each of these tests,
so that its significance end application may be understood fully.
