ISO 9239-1:2010

Overview

ISO 9239-1:2010 - Reaction to fire tests for floorings - Part 1: Determination of the burning behaviour using a radiant heat source - specifies a laboratory method to assess the wind‑opposed burning behaviour and flame spread of horizontally mounted floorings exposed to a defined radiant heat flux. The procedure applies to all flooring types (textile carpet, cork, wood, rubber, plastics, coatings, tiles, etc.) and reports results such as flame‑spread distance versus time, critical heat flux (CHF) and, where required, smoke development.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Test principle: A horizontal specimen is exposed to a gas‑fired radiant panel (inclined at 30°) and ignited with pilot flames; flame progression along the specimen is recorded under controlled conditions.
• Measured outputs: Flame‑spread distance vs. time, critical heat flux (CHF or HF‑30, whichever is lower), and optional smoke density (Annex A).
• Apparatus & instrumentation: Defines the test chamber, specimen holder, gas‑fired radiant panel, pilot burner, exhaust system (controlled air extraction), heat flux meter (Schmidt‑Boelter type), thermocouples and anemometer. Annex C gives gas/air supply guidance.
• Specimen conditioning & substrates: Results reflect the flooring and any substrate or backing used; modifications (backing, adhesive, underlay or substrate) can significantly affect outcomes.
• Safety & limitations: Includes warnings about fuel/air explosion risk and toxic combustion products. The method is for controlled laboratory measurement and should not be used alone to appraise real fire hazard or overall fire risk.
• Precision & reproducibility: Precision information is provided (Annex B); calibration of heat flux meters follows ISO 14934-3.

Practical applications

• Evaluating and comparing the fire performance of flooring products for building regulations, specification and product development.
• Supporting classification and conformity assessment programs where reaction‑to‑fire performance under radiant heat exposure is required.
• Informing material selection, backing or substrate choices, and risk mitigation measures for corridors, public interiors and transport interiors where wind‑opposed flame spread is a concern.
• Providing test data for technical files, safety data, or regulatory dossiers (while recognizing the test is one part of fire safety assessment).

Who uses this standard

• Test laboratories and manufacturers of flooring systems
• Regulatory authorities, specifiers, architects and fire safety engineers
• Product certification and compliance bodies

Related standards

• ISO 9239-2 (flame spread at 25 kW/m²)
• ISO 14934-3 (heat flux meter calibration)
• ISO 13943 (fire safety vocabulary)
• ISO 554, ISO 14697, EN 13238, IEC 60584-1

Keywords: ISO 9239-1:2010, reaction to fire tests for floorings, radiant heat source, flame-spread, critical heat flux, smoke measurement, flooring fire testing.