ISO/FDIS 10840

• Abstract:

  This document provides specifications and guidance for the use of standard fire testing for plastics and the products in the following aspects: — selection of appropriate tests that reflect realistic end-use conditions; — grouping of the reaction-to-fire characteristics that any given test or tests can measure; — assessment of tests as to their relevance in areas such as material characterisation, quality control, pre-selection, end-product testing, environmental profiling and design for the environment (DfE); — definition of potential problems that can arise when plastics are tested in standard fire tests. This document does not include specifications for the development or design of new fire tests for plastics.

• Status: Not Published
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• ICS: 83.080.01 - Plastics in general
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 61/SC 4 - Burning behaviour
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 61/SC 4/WG 9 - Composites and semi-finished products
• Current Stage: 5020 - FDIS ballot initiated: 2 months. Proof sent to secretariat
• Start Date: 06-Jul-2026
• Completion Date: 06-Jul-2026

• Consolidates: FprEN ISO 10840 - Plastics - Specifications and guidance for the use of standard fire tests (ISO/FDIS 10840:2026)
• Effective Date: 12-Feb-2026
• Consolidates: ISO/TS 5346:2022 - Health informatics — Categorial structure for representation of traditional Chinese medicine clinical decision support system
• Effective Date: 08-Feb-2025
• Revises: ISO 10840:2008 - Plastics — Guidance for the use of standard fire tests
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2024

Overview

ISO/FDIS 10840: Plastics - Specifications and Guidance for the Use of Standard Fire Tests is an international standard developed by ISO to provide comprehensive guidance on the application of fire testing for plastics and plastic products. This document serves as a reference for selecting appropriate fire tests based on realistic end-use conditions, understanding the types of fire characteristics that can be measured, and assessing the relevance of various fire tests within the lifecycle of plastic materials and products. It also highlights potential problems that may arise during the fire testing of plastics, aiming to ensure more meaningful and reliable fire safety evaluations, material characterization, and quality control in different industry sectors.

Key Topics

ISO/FDIS 10840 covers several essential topics for ensuring effective fire testing protocols for plastics:

• Selection of Fire Tests
  Guidance on choosing suitable standard fire tests that closely reflect the real-world conditions in which plastics are used.

• Classification of Fire Test Types

  • Material characterization tests
  • Quality control tests
  • Pre-selection tests for candidate materials
  • End-product tests for final assemblies or components

• Assessment of Test Relevance Evaluates how fire tests relate to specific use cases such as:

  • Material characterization
  • Quality control
  • Pre-selection for manufacturing
  • End-product validation
  • Environmental profiling
  • Design for the environment (DfE)

• Understanding Fire Scenario Stages Explains the stages of enclosure fire development (initiation, growth, fully developed fire, decay) and how these impact the selection and interpretation of fire test results.

• Test Limitations and Interpretation Identifies potential problems such as improper specimen preparation, influence of test apparatus, scale effects, and issues specific to plastics (e.g., slumping, flaming drips, edge effects).

• Environmental Impact in Fire Testing Guidance on how to assess and interpret the adverse environmental impacts of plastic fires, supporting eco-design and sustainable product development.

Applications

ISO/FDIS 10840 is applicable throughout the plastics supply chain, offering practical value for:

• Manufacturers and Product Designers Ensuring that materials and end-products meet regulatory and safety requirements by using validated fire test methods.

• Quality Assurance and Control Supporting consistent production standards by establishing clear fire performance benchmarks.

• Regulatory Compliance Facilitating adherence to fire safety codes and environmental regulations in building, transportation, consumer goods, and electronics.

• Research and Development Enabling material scientists and engineers to select and compare the fire performance of different plastics in a structured, standardized manner.

• Sustainability Initiatives Providing data and methodologies for environmental profiling and supporting design for the environment strategies.

Related Standards

The following standards are referenced or work complementarily with ISO/FDIS 10840:

• ISO 10093 - Plastics - Fire tests - Standard ignition sources
• ISO 13943 - Fire safety - Vocabulary
• ISO 23932-1 - Fire safety engineering methodologies
• IEC 60695-1-11 / IEC 60695-1-12 - Fire hazard testing for electrical and electronic equipment

By following the specifications and guidance in ISO/FDIS 10840, organizations can enhance the reliability of their fire testing processes for plastics, improve product safety, and more effectively address environmental considerations in the development and use of plastic materials and products.

Keywords: ISO 10840, fire testing for plastics, standard fire tests, plastics fire performance, fire safety standards, plastics quality control, environmental profiling, reaction-to-fire, design for environment, fire test selection.

FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 61/SC 4
Plastics — Specifications and
Secretariat: BSI
guidance for the use of standard fire
Voting begins on:
tests
2026-07-06
Voting terminates on:
2026-08-31
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
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Reference number
FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 61/SC 4
Plastics — Specifications and
Secretariat: BSI
guidance for the use of standard fire
Voting begins on:
tests
Voting terminates on:
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
© ISO 2026
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
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Published in Switzerland Reference number
ii
ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
Contents  Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1  Scope . 1
2  Normative references . 1
3  Terms and definitions . 1
4  Enclosure fire scenarios . 2
4.1 General .2
4.2 Initiation and early growth of fire .2
4.3 Development of fire .3
4.4 Fully developed fire .3
4.5 Decay .3
4.6 Important parameters for the fire stages .3
5  Categories of fire tests . 4
5.1 Material characterisation tests .4
5.1.1 Tests done on behalf of customers undertaking no further reaction-to-fire
testing .4
5.1.2 Tests done on behalf of customers seeking compliance with reaction-to-fire
tests on a finished product .4
5.2 Quality-control tests .4
5.3 Pre-selection tests .5
5.4 End-product tests .5
5.5 Fire test based on the fire scenario .6
5.6 Use of fire safety engineering (FSE) .6
5.6.1 Basics of fire safety engineering .6
5.6.2 Fire tests for fire safety engineering on plastic products .7
6  Important considerations in the fire testing of plastics materials and products . 8
6.1 Influence of the chemical or physical nature of the test specimen .8
6.2 Sample and test specimen preparation and conditioning .8
6.3 Influence of test procedures .8
6.3.1 Test apparatus .8
6.3.2 Burning effluence .9
6.4 Burning behaviours of specimens .9
6.5 Operation of tests .9
6.6 Other critical factors .10
6.7 Characteristics of ignition sources .10
6.8 Operating procedures in the event of specimen collapse or deformation .10
6.9 Debris of specimen .11
7  Advantages and disadvantages of scale in fire tests .11
7.1 General .11
7.2 Large-scale tests .11
7.3 Intermediate-scale tests . 12
7.4 Small-scale tests . 12
7.5 Influence of test apparatus design on the applicability of test data . 13
7.6 Calibration of the test apparatus and attainable precision . 13
7.7 Uncertainty associated with fire test measurements . 13
8  Potentially problematical specimen behaviour .13
8.1 Test developed for materials other than plastics . 13
8.2 Shrinking .14
8.3 Bubbling . .14
8.4 Intumescence .14
8.5 Extinguishing of pilot flames by highly flame retarded plastics .14
8.6 Slumping of thermoplastic sheets .14

iii
ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
8.7 Detection of flaming drips . 15
8.8 Edge effects . 15
8.9 Profiles products . 15
Annex A (informative)  End-user relevant preparation of test specimens .16
Annex B (informative)  Environmental-impact assessment .25
Bibliography .27

iv
ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 4, Burning
behavior, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee
CEN/TC 249, Plastics, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN
(Vienna Agreement).
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 10840:2008), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the reference documents have been reviewed and updated;
— the terms and definitions have been reviewed and updated;
— a new subclause 5.5 for fire safety engineering has been added.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

v
ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
Introduction
Many of the current reaction-to-fire tests were developed, prior to the widespread use of synthetic polymers,
to assess products incorporating materials such as wood (in the building industry), paper (in electrical wires
and cables), and naturally occurring fibres such as cotton, wool and horsehair (in many textile, furniture
and electrical applications). The reaction-to-fire characteristics of these so-cold traditional materials are
often very different from those of synthetic materials, especially thermoplastics.
ISO/TC 61/SC4 recognises the need for guidance for users of fire-test standards commonly applied to
materials and products made of, or incorporating, plastics. In 2003, the first edition of ISO 10840 was
published, based on the now withdrawn ISO TR 10840:1993 (Plastics – Burning behaviour – Guidance for
development and use of fire test), which listed a series of potential problems associated with the reaction-to-
fire testing of plastics materials and products. ISO TR 10840, however, provided users of the test methods
with no practical assistance on how to cope with the listed difficulties.
This document provides detailed information about how to conduct standard fire tests which are more
relatable to the real conditions of plastics products in a variety of applications.
With more concerns expressed about the environmental impact of fires involving plastics, additional
guidance has been included in the second edition, and extended in this third edition.
Particular attention is given to the provision of guidance for inexperienced users who need to assess the
fire performance of materials or products made of, or incorporating, plastics. This document also provides
answers to frequently asked questions concerning fire tests; these cover factors such as cost, duration,
complexity, required operator skills, quality of the data produced, relevance to fire hazard assessment as
well as test repeatability and reproducibility. This document contains a bibliography of the most frequently
used fire tests applied to the materials and products within the scope of ISO/TC 61/SC 4.
The main focus of this document is on reaction-to-fire testing. Fire resistance testing has also been
considered, in particular for the use of plastic construction of small ships, to take account of the widespread
use of advanced polymer composites and related materials with superior thermo-mechanical stability which
can be used in applications where there is a demand for some degree of fire resistance.
This document provides specifications and guidance for use of fire test of plastics based on the fire
[45] [46]
safety engineering (FSE) using methodologies prescribed in ISO 23932-1, IEC 60695-1-11 and
[47]
IEC 60695-1-12 .
This document also provides guidance on some standard fire tests which give data that is applicable for
assessment of the potentially adverse environmental impact of combustion products that can be generated
in large-scale fires involving plastics materials and products (see Annex B).
NOTE The term, ‘adverse environmental impact’, covers undesirable direct effects on the environment as well as
indirect effects on people of ISO 10840 through environmental exposure.

vi
FINAL DRAFT International Standard ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
Plastics — Specifications and guidance for the use of standard
fire tests
1  Scope
This document provides specifications and guidance for the use of standard fire testing for plastics and the
products in the following aspects:
— selection of appropriate tests that reflect realistic end-use conditions;
— grouping of the reaction-to-fire characteristics that any given test or tests can measure;
— assessment of tests as to their relevance in areas such as material characterisation, quality control, pre-
selection, end-product testing, environmental profiling and design for the environment (DfE);
— definition of potential problems that can arise when plastics are tested in standard fire tests.
This document does not include specification for development or design of new fire-tests for plastics.
2  Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 10093, Plastics — Fire tests — Standard ignition sources
ISO 13943, Fire safety — Vocabulary
3  Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 13943 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
end-product test
fire hazard assessment test on a complete product, piece, part component or sub-assembly
3.2
pre-selection test
combustion characteristic test made on a standardized shape, for the process of assessing and choosing
candidate materials, components or subassemblies for making an end product
3.3
spalling
breaking off of fragments or solid articles from a heated surface

ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
4  Enclosure fire scenarios
4.1  General
A number of fire parameters influence the development of a fire. The fire parameters measured during the
pre-flash-over and the post-flash-over conditions differ greatly.
There are four main stages of fire development within an enclosure (i.e. pre-ignition, fire growth, flash-
over and fully developed fire), which are assessed using measurements of temperature and heat release rate
in terms of time. Figure 1 shows the different phases in the development of fires, (see Table 1), within an
[3]
enclosure space (see ISO/TS 3814 ).
In Figure 1, the pre-ignition stage is in the duration from the start until ignition time. The fire growth stage
starts at the ignition and continue until flash-over (see 4.2). The fully developed fire stage starts at the flash-
over (see 4.4) followed by fire decade stage (see 4.5).
Sometimes, fire does not reach flash-over due to limited combustibles present or due to the intervention of
active firefighting measures (e.g. sprinklers, fire brigades).
Key
X time
Y1 heat release rate (kW)
o
Y2 temperature ( C)
1 ignition
2 flash-over
3 heat release rate curve
4 temperature curve
Figure 1 — Development of fire in terms of temperature and heat release rate
4.2  Initiation and early growth of fire
This stage of fire includes the exposure of a product to a heat source, ignition and early development of a fire.
[6] [7]
ISO 871 gives a test method to determine the ignition temperature of plastic materials. ISO 3582, ISO 4589
[8][9][10][11] [31] [12] [13] [33][34][35] [14]
series, ISO 9239-1, ISO 9772, ISO 9773, ISO 11925 series and ISO 12992 specify

ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
fire test method for determination of ignitability of plastics and building materials which contain plastics
[28]
by small heat sources. ISO 10093 specifies ignition sources for use in fire tests. ISO 1182 specifies the
[23] [24] [25]
test methods for non-combustibility (no-ignition). IEC 60695-11-2, IEC 60695-11-5, IEC 60695-11-10
[27]
and IEC 60695-11-20 specify various test methods for determination of ignitability and flame spread of
materials used in electrotechnical products (in many cases, plastics).
Two types of combustion can exist at this stage, smouldering and flaming. Smouldering is a slow, flameless
combustion producing very little heat, but having the potential to fill an enclosure with smoke and toxic
[60]
gases. A test method for measuring toxic gases in fire efluents is given in ISO/TS 19700 .
After ignition, the development of a flaming fire will depend on the following effects:
— fire growth on first ignited item;
— fire spread to other items;
— the effect of intervention (portable extinguishers, sprinklers, fire brigades);
— the ventilation conditions.
4.3  Development of fire
As a fire develops, a hot smoke and gas layer usually builds up below the ceiling. The radiant heat transfer
to combustible items accelerates the thermal decomposition of material below the smoke layer, and the
[30] [19] [21]
rate of fire spread increases. ISO 5658-2, ISO 21367 and ISO 23949 specify test methods for the
[48]
determination of flame spread capability. ISO 5659 provides test method for smoke generation.
[29]
Heat release from burning materials and products governs the fire growth. ISO 1716, ISO 5660 series
[49][50][51][52] [36] [15] [37] [53]
, ISO 12136, ISO 13927, ISO 14696 and ISO 24473 give fire test methods for
measurement of heat release from burning materials and products.
Flash-over, which usually occurs at temperatures around 600 °C, corresponds to an abrupt sudden transition
from a localised fire to the ignition of the gas layer and to the sudden subsequent ignition of all exposed
flammable surfaces, leading to a fully developed fire. The rate of heat release increases rapidly, and this
leads to a rapid temperature rise within the enclosure. However, Temperature at flash-over is not always the
maximum temperature in the compartment of the fire. Flash-over is uncommon in large enclosures, as the
required temperature conditions are not often reached.
4.4  Fully developed fire
A fire is regarded as fully developed when all fuel within an enclosure is burning. This stage usually follows
flash-over, but some fires can become fully developed without passing through the flash-over phase.
4.5  Decay
The decay stage of a fire is reached when the fire load or available air has been consumed, or when the fire
is suppressed. In the pre-flash-over phase reaction to fire characteristics of products are important, while in
the post-flash-over phase resistance to fire parameters of complete assemblies apply.
4.6  Important parameters for the fire stages
Fire building regulations make a distinction between these two conditions. Table 1 summarises the important
[48]
fire parameters associated with reaction to fire and resistance to fire. ISO 5659 gives specification of test
[55][56]
method for measuring generation of smoke. ISO 11907 series give specifications for corrosivity tests.
[57] [58] [59]
Some literatures , , also give guidedance for consideration on corrosivity.

ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
Table 1 — Phases of fire
Phase Stage Parameters
Pre-flashover Fire initiation Ignitability
Developing fire Fire growth (ignitability,
flame spread, heat-, smoke- and toxic effluent
release)
Post-flash-over Developed fire Resistance to fire (load-bearing, integrity,
insulation)
5  Categories of fire tests
5.1  Material characterisation tests
5.1.1  Tests done on behalf of customers undertaking no further reaction-to-fire testing
This type of testing imposes an obligation on the material supplier to assess reaction-to-fire characteristics
of the material likely to be of relevance to the application of the customer’s product, or foreseeable misuse
of the product as imposed by product stewardship aspects of Responsible Care programmes, or product
liability litigation, or both. The objective should be to provide answers to questions such as:
a) Do the properties of the thermal decomposition products (heat release, smoke density, toxicity or
corrosivity) pose a foreseeable problem?
b) Is the thermomechanical response of the material (e.g. melting or retreating from the heat source) likely
to constitute a hazard or an advantage in the customer’s product application, or in foreseeable misuse
scenarios?
5.1.2  Tests done on behalf of customers seeking compliance with reaction-to-fire tests on a finished
product
In this case, the test method(s) used by the material manufacturer should provide an indication of the likely
influence on the product test result of material characteristics such as melting, dripping, or retreat from
heat source.
5.2  Quality-control tests
Quality control fire tests can be conducted at manufacturers of materials and products for the purpose of
examining that the quality of the products is maintained.
In order to select a quality control test, it is important to:
— decide which characteristics should be checked by the test;
— select or develop the appropriate test methodology;
— specify the required performance criteria;
— compare test result to ensure that the parameter measured by the quality-control test correlates with
the key performance parameter being investigated.
It is necessary to specify:
— the characteristics which have to be checked by test;
— the appropriate test procedure;
— the required pass (acceptance) and fail (rejection) criteria of the test;

ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
and then to compare test result with the specified criterion/criteria (acceptance level).
Repeatability is of crucial importance in tests selected for the purpose of quality control; in this context the
relevance of the test to any given application of the material is of secondary importance.
5.3  Pre-selection tests
Data developed using pre-selection tests requires careful consideration to ensure their relevance in relation
to the intended application and to avoid misuse and erroneous interpretation.
The actual fire performance of a product is affected by its surroundings, design variables such as shape and
size, fabrication techniques, heat -transfer effects, the type of potential ignition source and the length of
exposure to it.
The advantages of pre-selection testing are as follows.
a) To a first approximation a material which reacts more favourably than another when tested as a
standard test specimen will usually also react more favourably when used as a finished part in the
product. This will be valid provided that no overriding, interactive, product-specific effects are present.
b) Data concerning relevant combustion characteristics can aid the selection of materials, components and
sub-assemblies during the design stage.
c) The precision of pre-selection tests is usually higher, and their sensitivity can be superior when
compared with end-product tests.
d) Pre-selection tests can be used in a decision-making process directed to minimize the fire hazard.
Where applicable for the purpose of fire hazard assessment, they can lead to a reduction in the number
of end-product tests with a consequent reduction in the total testing effort.
e) When fire hazard requirements need to be upgraded quickly, it can be possible to do this by upgrading
the requirements of a pre-selection test before modifying the end-product test.
f) The grading and classification obtained from the pre-selection test results can be used to specify a basic
minimum performance of materials used in product specifications.
It should be noted that when pre-selection testing is used to replace some of the end-product testing, it
is necessary to fix an increased margin of safety in an attempt to ensure satisfactory performance of the
end product. Following a pre-selection procedure, it is necessary to implement a value analysis on the end
product, in order not to over-specify materials where a more economical material can be used. In this case,
[5]
an end-product test is necessary. IEC 60695-1-30 gives guidance for preselection process.
5.4  End-product tests
These tests should reflect the end-use application scenario as far as is possible. Important factors to consider
include relevance of configuration, orientation, ventilation and the nature of the ignition source.
Reaction-to-fire testing for fire safety and for fire hazard assessment of products should be programmed as
follows:
a) specify the fire hazard to be assessed (e.g. vision impairment by smoke);
b) define the relevant product-application (or misuse) scenario and specify the required safety criterion;
c) select the appropriate test method and specify the pass/fail criterion;
d) conduct the tests and analyse the data;
e) select acceptable or reject unacceptable candidate materials or products.

ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
In case fire safety of a large constructions made of plastics must be considered within a scope of overall fire
safety of the constructions, fire resistance of such product might need to be evaluated.
[38]
NOTE 1 ISO 30021 gives fire resistance test method on plastics including fibre reinforced plastics (FRP) for
evaluation of fire safety of such product in small ships (crafts).
It is also possible to develop an intermediate scale reaction-to-fire test that has close relationship to large
scale reaction-to-fire test used for regulatory purposes.
[16] [17]
NOTE 2 ISO 15791-1 and ISO/TS 15791-2 have been developed for application of intermediate-scale reaction-
to-fire tests.
5.5  Fire test based on the fire scenario
In case it becomes necessary to evaluate fire performance of plastics and/or product made of plastics in
anticipated condition of use, fire scenario-based approach can be utilized. The fire scenario-based fire
hazard assessment can be conducted in the process as described below:
a) define the target of the evaluation, i.e. plastic materials, product made of plastics;
b) identify conditions where the target is used;
c) establish fire scenario that realize the identifies conditions and existence of the target;
d) identify fire performance parameters to evaluate fire performance of the target;
e) establish criteria to decide acceptability of the target in the fire conditions;
f) develop or choose fire test method(s) that realize the identified fire conditions and provide the results
in terms of identified fire performance parameters
g) evaluate the test results in light of established criteria.
[46]
Detailed process of scenario based fore hazard assessment is given in IEC 60695-1-11 .
NOTE A fire test method of plastic materials in a condition of micro gravity is given in ISO 4589-4.
Basic and overall approach fire safety evaluation based on the fire scenario and fire safety engineering is
[45] [47]
given in ISO 23932-1 and IEC 60695-1-12 .
5.6  Use of fire safety engineering (FSE)
5.6.1  Basics of fire safety engineering
[45] [42] [43]
Basic approach on fire safety engineering is given in ISO 23932-1. ISO 16732-1, ISO 16733-1 and
[44]
ISO/TR 16738 give various specifications and information for the use of FSE.
Additional fire safety engineering approach for electrotechnical products, which in most cases contain
[46] [47] [26]
plastics, is given in IEC 60695-1-11, IEC 60695-1-12 and IEC 60695-11-11 .
Fire safety engineering was developed and is continuing to develop to enable the design, implementation and
maintenance of objects and structures in the built environment, using scientific principles, so that defined
fire safety engineering objectives can be met. In order to do this, quantitative fire tests are used to provide
input data for the necessary calculations.
When applied to a major project in the built environment, the fire engineering process is both complex
and comprehensive. A flow chart illustrating such a fire safety engineering process is shown in Figure 2.
Fire safety engineering should be used when safety objectives cannot adequately be met by prescriptive
requirements, and can also be used in parallel with prescriptive requirements, e.g. to support, from a
scientific point of view, that such requirements are valid, or to further improve the fire safety of the product.

ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
5.6.2  Fire tests for fire safety engineering on plastic products
Any physical or chemical tests on plastics products, to be used in fire safety engineering, should provide data
appropriate to enable ‘in-use’ plastics product performance to be assessed through utilization of predictive
methods.
It follows that:
— performance of plastic products in a fire test shall be provided in quantitative terms for known, controlled
and varied exposure conditions over continuous intervals of time;
— exposure conditions shall be provided in quantitative form and must be representative of the fire
scenario, and actual installation and use practices;
— thermal, chemical and physical processes in the test shall be able to be well understood and prescribed
that they can be validated and modelled theoretically; and
— performance of the plastics products in the particular conditions of the test shall then be translatable by
predictive methods to design environments representative of ‘in-use’ behaviour.
[45]
NOTE SOURCE: ISO 23932-1:2018, Figure 1
Figure 2 — Typical process of fire safety engineering approach

ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
6  Important considerations in the fire testing of plastics materials and products
6.1  Influence of the chemical or physical nature of the test specimen
Various chemical and/or physical aspects of the material affect the performance of the specimen at the high
temperatures encountered in standard fire testing procedures. These can be categorised under various
headings, depending on whether the observed phenomena are associated with the specimen itself, and/or
the test apparatus, and/or the execution of the test procedure and/or the interpretation of the test results.
Annex A provides information on basic rules which are generally valid for the mounting and fixing of plastics
products in reaction-to-fire test standards.
6.2  Sample and test specimen preparation and conditioning
The preparation of material samples and test specimens can be of extreme importance in fire-testing of
plastics materials and products; preparation covers selection, sampling, cutting-out and conditioning of
specimens. Conditioning is important because variations in moisture content of a specimen will affect test
results.
It is important to remove moulding flash and other similar residues from surfaces and edges of specimens.
The initial temperature of specimen influences its ease of ignition in the test.
Particular attention should be paid to thermo-formed test specimens. The conditions of the thermo-forming
operation, such as injection moulding or extrusion, should be rigorously controlled to minimize and, if
possible, eliminate any specimen-to-specimen variations in residual stress, anisotropy, specific gravity and
degree of crystallinity. All of these variables influence the thermos-mechanical properties of the specimen
and, consequently, its response to the application of heat from the fire-test ignition source.
Material inhomogeneities (e.g. distribution of additives, such as flame retardant, fibres, and morphological
inhomogeneities) influence the test results.
6.3  Influence of test procedures
6.3.1  Test apparatus
When an ignition source is applied to any plastic test specimen made from pure, compounded or laminated
material, thermal decomposition products will be generated. The ignition source to be used for appropriate
testing is one that has an intensity that is relevant to the scenario in which the material or product is to be
used.
The nature of the decomposition products is not determined exclusively by the chemical composition of the
test specimen. Other determinant factors are:
a) the energy output of the ignition source;
b) the nature and intensity of the ignition source;
— flaming or non-flaming;
— impingement or non-impingement on the specimen;
c) the nature of the test apparatus;
— high or low ventilation
— high or low thermal inertia (i.e. significance of heat-sink effects).
It is also important to measure heat release rate from the specimen during the test, since heat release during
combustion feeds heat back to the specimen. Heat release is the key parameter on fire growth. There are
[49] [32] [36]
many ISO standard fire tests that measure heat release, such as ISO 5660-1 , ISO 9705-1, ISO 12136 .

ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
6.3.2  Burning effluence
These consist of:
a) toxic decomposition products;
b) corrosive decomposition products;
c) smoke and soot;
d) char and intumesced layers;
6.4  Burning behaviours of specimens
The following types of effects occur:
a) additive evaporation or sublimation;
b) out-gassing or intumescence;
c) char-layer formation;
d) delamination;
e) spalling;
f) deformation;
g) smouldering;
h) glowing combustion;
i) shrinking;
j) dripping;
k) absorption of liquified components; and
l) explosion.
6.5  Operation of tests
The following factors should be taken into account:
a) operator safety especially from fast fire-growth, as in flash-over, and from exposure to smoke and toxic
[32]
effluents, particularly in large-scale tests, such as ISO 9705-1 ;
b) effects of heat on structures in large-scale test procedures (dangers of structural collapse);
c) need for personal protective equipment;
d) local environmental impacts to air, the water and the soil (see Annex B for information);
e) any applicable local regulations;
f) avoidance of local nuisance as required by Responsible Care commitment;
g) identification and control of effluents;
h) equipment corrosion;
i) smoke or gas explosion hazard.

ISO/FDIS 10840:2026(en)
6.6  Other critical factors
It is important to define selection criteria for test specimens taken from finished products.
Influential factors include, but not limited to:
a) specimen thickness. Heat and smoke release depend on thickness; thicker specimens in many cases
release much more heat and smoke than thin specimens. Thin specimens can ignite more easily than
thick specimens because of thermal inertia effects;
b) specimen size;
c) specimen form, as determined by its structure, shape and aspect ratio;
d) edge effects: Sharp edges ignite more readily than rounded-off edges;
e) orientation and ventilation: Flame spread will depend on the air to gas ratio and flow of gaseous species
in the vicinity of the flame;
f) specimen support including substrates and air-gaps: In case not-self standing materials, specimens shall
be supported by a relevant frame. Conductive air-flow and thermal transfer between the specimen and
its support system affect temperature rise profile and, consequently, ignitability and flame-spread of
specimen. Limitation of specimen movement by its support system also affect specimen response to the
ignition source;
g) material homogeneity: material homogeneity differs in the part of the test specimen or among different
piece of specimens;
h) conditioning or ageing of the test specimen: burning behaviour differ among specimens that treated in
different conditioning or ageing.
6.7  Characteristics of ignition sources
The selection of ignition sources depends on the fire scenarios in which the product is to be evaluated for
fire hazard. Fundamentally, heat flow from the heat source to the specimen is a major parameter in such
evaluation; this also depends on the relative sizes of specimen and ignition source. Thus, the test result
depends on many design features of the test system. The following characteristics of the ignition source
should be taken into account:
a) radiant, conductive and convective effects
b) flaming or non-flaming condition;
c) impingement or non-impingement of flame;
d) precision and quantification of
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ISO /TC 61/SC 4
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Secretariat: BSI
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Date: 2026-05-0506-22
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Plastics — Specifications and Guidanceguidance for the use of
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standard fire tests
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St l D fi iti
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ii © ISO #### 2026 – All rights reserved
ii
ISO/FDIS 10840:20252026(en)
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Contents
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Foreword . vi
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Introduction . vii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Enclosure fire scenarios . 2
4.1 General. 2
Figure 1 — Development of fire in terms of temperature and heat release rate . 3
4.2 Initiation and early growth of fire . 3
4.3 Development of fire . 3
4.4 Fully developed fire . 4
4.5 Decay . 4
Table 1 — Phases of fire. 4
5 Categories of fire tests . 4
5.1 Material characterisation tests . 4
5.1.1 Tests done on behalf of customers undertaking no further reaction-to-fire testing . 4
5.1.2 Tests done on behalf of customers seeking compliance with reaction-to-fire tests on a
finished product . 5
5.2 Quality-control tests . 5
5.3 Pre-selection tests . 5
5.4 End-product tests . 6
5.5 Fire test based on the fire scenario . 6
5.6 Use of fire safety engineering (FSE) . 7
5.6.1 Basics of fire safety engineering . 7
5.6.2 Fire tests for fire safety engineering on plastic products . 7
Figure 2 — Typical process of Fire safety engineering approach (Figure 1 of ISO 23932-
[45]
1:2018 ) . 8
6 Important considerations in the fire testing of plastics materials and products . 9
6.1 Influence of the chemical or physical nature of the test specimen . 9
6.2 Sample and test specimen preparation and conditioning . 9
6.3 Influence of test procedures . 9
6.3.1 Test apparatus . 9
6.3.2 Burning effluence . 10
6.4 burning behaviours of specimens . 10
6.5 Operation of tests . 10
6.6 Other critical factors . 11
6.7 Characteristics of ignition sources . 11
6.8 Operating procedures in the event of specimen collapse or deformation . 12
6.9 Debris of specimen . 12
7 Advantages and disadvantages of scale in fire tests . 13
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8 Potentially problematical specimen behaviour . 15
8.1 Test developed for materials other than plastics . 15
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Table 2 — Potential problems with tests developed for materials other than plastics . 15
8.2 Shrinking . 15 Formatted: Font: 11 pt
8.3 Bubbling . 16
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8.4 Intumescence . 16
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8.5 Extinguishing of pilot flames by highly flame retarded plastics . 16
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8.6 Slumping of thermoplastic sheets. 16
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8.7 Detection of flaming drips . 16
8.8 Edge effects. 16
8.9 Profiles products . 17
Annex A (informative) End-user relevant preparation of test specimens . 18
A.1 General consideration . 18
A.2 Small-scale vertically oriented test specimens . 19
A.2.1 General. 19
A.2.2 Influence of fixings/attachments and supports . 19
A.2.3 Influence of substrates . 19
A.2.4 Influence of air gaps and cavities . 20
A.2.5 Influence of edges . 20
A.2.6 Influence of joints . 20
A.2.7 Product orientation . 20
A.2.8 Influence of exposure to thermal attack . 21
A.3 Intermediate-scale corner-shaped test specimen in EN 13823 . 21
A.3.1 General. 21
A.3.2 Influence of fixing/attachment and supports . 21
A.3.3 Substrates . 22
Table A.1 — List of standard substrates for wall and ceiling surface products . 22
A.3.4 Influence of air gaps . 23
A.3.4.1 General. 23
A.3.4.2 Types of air gap . 23
A.3.4.3 Size of air gap . 24
A.3.4.4 Ventilation of air gap . 24
A.3.5 Influence of edges . 24
A.3.6 Influence of joints . 24
A.3.6.1 General. 24
A.3.6.2 All joints . 24
A.3.6.3 Joints formed with adhesives . 25
A.3.6.4 Joints formed with sealants. 25
A.3.6.5 Butt joints . 25
A.3.6.6 Profiled or interlocking joints . 25
A.3.6.7 Metal flashings for corner joints . 25
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A.3.6.8 Joints in substrates . 25
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A.3.7 Description of product orientation . 25
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A.3.8 Influence of thermal attack . 26
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ISO/FDIS 10840:20252026(en)
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Annex B (informative) Environmental-impact assessment . 27
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B.1 General. 27
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B.2 Overview . 27
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B.3 Stepwise procedure for the assessment of adverse environmental impact . 27
B.4 Determination of combustion conditions . 27
B.5 Combustion effluents and release of heat . 28
B.6 Life-cycle considerations . 28
Bibliography . 29

Foreword . vii
Introduction . viii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Enclosure fire scenarios . 2
4.1 General. 2
4.2 Initiation and early growth of fire . 4
4.3 Development of fire . 4
4.4 Fully developed fire . 4
4.5 Decay . 4
4.6 Important parameters for the fire stages . 5
5 Categories of fire tests . 5
5.1 Material characterisation tests . 5
5.2 Quality-control tests . 5
5.3 Pre-selection tests . 6
5.4 End-product tests . 7
5.5 Fire test based on the fire scenario . 7
5.6 Use of fire safety engineering (FSE) . 8
6 Important considerations in the fire testing of plastics materials and products . 10
6.1 Influence of the chemical or physical nature of the test specimen . 10
6.2 Sample and test specimen preparation and conditioning . 10
6.3 Influence of test procedures . 11
6.4 Burning behaviours of specimens . 12
6.5 Operation of tests . 12
6.6 Other critical factors . 12
6.7 Characteristics of ignition sources . 13
6.8 Operating procedures in the event of specimen collapse or deformation . 13
6.9 Debris of specimen . 14
7 Advantages and disadvantages of scale in fire tests . 14
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7.1 General. 14
7.2 Large-scale tests . 15 Formatted: Font: 10 pt
7.3 Intermediate-scale tests . 15
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7.4 Small-scale tests . 15
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7.5 Influence of test apparatus design on the applicability of test data . 16
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7.6 Calibration of the test apparatus and attainable precision . 16
7.7 Uncertainty associated with fire test measurements . 16 Formatted: FooterPageRomanNumber, Left, Space
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8 Potentially problematical specimen behaviour . 17
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8.1 Test developed for materials other than plastics . 17
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8.2 Shrinking . 17
8.3 Bubbling . 17
8.4 Intumescence . 17
8.5 Extinguishing of pilot flames by highly flame retarded plastics . 18
8.6 Slumping of thermoplastic sheets. 18
8.7 Detection of flaming drips . 18
8.8 Edge effects. 18
8.9 Profiles products . 18
Annex A (informative) End-user relevant preparation of test specimens . 20
Annex B (informative) Environmental-impact assessment . 30
Bibliography . 32

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vi © ISO #### 2026 – All rights reserved
vi
ISO/FDIS 10840:20252026(en)
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Foreword
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ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
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bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through Line spacing: single
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
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established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
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non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
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ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights
in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had nonot received notice of (a) patent(s)
which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not
represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents.www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such
patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.htmlwww.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 4, Burning
behavior, in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee Formatted: Font: Not Italic
CEN/TC 249, Plastics, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN
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(Vienna Agreement).
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This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 10840:2008), which has been technically Formatted: Default Paragraph Font
revised.
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The main changes are as follows:
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— — the reference documents have been reviewed and updated;
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— — the terms and definitions have been reviewed reviewed and updated;
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— — a new subclause (5.5)a new subclause 5.5 for fire safety engineering has been added.
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Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.htmlwww.iso.org/members.html.
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vii
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Introduction
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Many of the current reaction-to-fire tests were developed, prior to the widespread use of synthetic polymers,
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to assess products incorporating materials such as wood (in the building industry), paper (in electrical wires
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and cables), and naturally occurring fibres such as cotton, wool and horsehair (in many textile, furniture and
electrical applications). The reaction-to-fire characteristics of these so-cold traditional materials are often
very different from those of synthetic materials, especially thermoplastics.
ISO/TC 61/SC4 recognises the need for guidance for users of fire-test standards commonly applied to
materials and products made of, or incorporating, plastics. In 2003, the first edition of ISO 10840 was
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published, based on the now withdrawn ISO TR 10840:1993 (Plastics – Burning behaviour – Guidance for
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development and use of fire test), which listed a series of potential problems associated with the reaction-to-
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fire testing of plastics materials and products. ISO TR 10840, however, provided users of the test methods
with no practical assistance on how to cope with the listed difficulties.
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This document provides detaildetailed information about how to conduct standard fire tests which are more
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With more concerns expressed about the environmental impact of fires involving plastics, additional guidance
has been included in the second edition, and extended in this third edition.
Particular attention is given to the provision of guidance for inexperienced users who need to assess the fire
performance of materials or products made of, or incorporating, plastics. This document also provides
answers to frequently asked questions concerning fire tests; these cover factors such as cost, duration,
complexity, required operator skills, quality of the data produced, relevance to fire hazard assessment as well
as test repeatability and reproducibility. This document contains a bibliography of the most frequently used
fire tests applied to the materials and products within the scope of ISO/TC 61/SC4SC 4.
The main focus of this document is on reaction-to-fire testing. Fire resistance testing has also been considered,
in particular for the use of plastic construction of small ships, to take account of the widespread use of
advanced polymer composites and related materials with superior thermo-mechanical stability which can be
used in applications where there is a demand for some degree of fire resistance.
This document provides specifications and guidance for use of fire test of plastics based on the fire safety
[45] [45]] [46][46]
engineering (FSE) using methodologies prescribed in ISO 23932-1 ,, IEC 60695-1-11 and IEC
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[47] [47]
60695-1-12 . .
This document also provides guidance on some standard fire tests which give data that is applicable for
assessment of the potentially adverse environmental impact of combustion products that can be generated in
large-scale fires involving plastics materials and products (see Annex B).Annex B).
NOTE: The term, ‘adverse environmental impact’, covers undesirable direct effects on the environment as well as
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indirect effects on people of ISO 10840 through environmental exposure.
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viii © ISO #### 2026 – All rights reserved
viii
DRAFT International Standard ISO/DIS 10840:2025(en)

Plastics — Specifications and guidance for the use of standard fire
tests
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1 Scope
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This document provides specifications and guidance for the use of standard fire testing for plastics and the
products in the following aspects: -
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— — selection of appropriate tests that reflect realistic end-use conditions;
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— — grouping of the reaction-to-fire characteristics that any given test or tests can measure;
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— — assessment of tests as to their relevance in areas such as material characterisation, quality control,
pre-selection, end-product testing, environmental profiling and design for the environment (DfE);
— — definition of potential problems that can arise when plastics are tested in standard fire tests.
This document does not include specification for development or design of new fire-tests for plastics.
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2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
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ISO 10093, Plastics — Fire tests — Standard ignition sources
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ISO 13943, Fire safety — Vocabulary
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3 Terms and definitions
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For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 13943 and the following apply.
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ISO and IEC maintain terminologicalterminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
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— — ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obphttps://www.iso.org/obp
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— — IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/https://www.electropedia.org/
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3.5 cm + 4.2 cm + 4.9 cm + 5.6 cm + 6.3 cm + 7 cm
3.1 3.1
end-product test
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fire hazard assessment test on a complete product, piece, part component or sub-assembly
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ISO /FDIS 10840:####(E:2026(en) Formatted: Font: 11 pt, Bold
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3.2 3.2
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pre-selection test
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combustion characteristic test made on a standardized shape, for the process of assessing and choosing
candidate materials, components or subassemblies for making an end product
3.3 3.3
spalling
breaking off of fragments or solid articles from a heated surface
4 Enclosure fire scenarios
4.1 General
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A number of fire parameters influence the development of a fire. The fire parameters measured during the
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pre-flash-over and the post-flash-over conditions differ greatly.
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There are four main stages of fire development within an enclosure (i.e.,. pre-ignition, fire growth, flash-over
and fully developed fire), which are assessed using measurements of temperature and heat release rate in
terms of time. Figure 1Figure 1 shows the different phases in the development of fires, (see Table 1),Table 1),
[3] [3]
within an enclosure space (see ISO/TS 3814 ). ).
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In figure 1,In Figure 1, the pre-ignition stage is in the duration from the start until ignition time. The fire
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growth stage starts at the ignition and continue until flash-over (see 4,2).4.2). The fully developed fire stage
starts at the flash-over (see 4.4)4.4) followed by fire decade stage (see 4.5).4.5).
Sometimes, fire does not reach flash-over due to limited combustibles present or due to the intervention of
active firefighting measures (e.g. sprinklers, fire brigades).

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2 © ISO #### 2026 – All rights reserved
ISO/DIS FDIS 10840:20252026(en)
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Key
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1X time
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2Y1 heat release rate (kW)
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3Y2 temperature ( C)
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41 ignition
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52 flash-over
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63 heat release rate curve
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74 temperature curve
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Figure 1 — Development of fire in terms of temperature and heat release rate Formatted: Font: 10 pt
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4.2 Initiation and early growth of fire
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This stage of fire includes the exposure of a product to a heat source, ignition and early development of a fire.
[6][6] [7] [7]
ISO 871 gives a test method to determine the ignition temperature of plastic materials. ISO 3582 , , ISO
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[8] [9] [10] [11] [8][9][10][11] [31] [31] [12] [12] [13] [13] [33] [34]
4589 series , , ISO 9239-1 , , ISO 9772 , , ISO 9773 , , ISO 11925 series Adjust space between Asian text and numbers, Tab
[35][33][34][35] [14][14]
and ISO 12992 specify fire test method for determination of ignitability of plastics and stops: Not at 0.71 cm
building materials which contain plastics by small heat sources. ISO 10093 specifies ignition sources for use
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[28][28] [23]
in fire tests. ISO 1182 specifies the test methods for non-combustibility (no-ignition). IEC 60695-11-2 ,
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[23] [24] [24] [25][25] [27][27]
, IEC 60695-11-5 , , IEC 60695-11-10 and IEC 60695-11-20 specify various test methods for
determination of ignitability and flame spread of materials used in electrotechnical products (in many cases,
plastics).
Two types of combustion can exist at this stage, smouldering and flaming. Smouldering is a slow, flameless
combustion producing very little heat, but having the potential to fill an enclosure with smoke and toxic gases.
[60] [60]
A test method for measuring toxic gases in fire efluents is given buin ISO/TS 19700 . .
After ignition, the development of a flaming fire will depend on the following effects:
— — fire growth on first ignited item,;
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— — fire spread to other items,;
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— — the effect of intervention (portable extinguishers, sprinklers, fire brigades).);
— — the ventilation conditions.
4.3 Development of fire
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As a fire develops, a hot smoke and gas layer usually builds up below the ceiling. The radiant heat transfer to
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combustible items accelerates the thermal decomposition of material below the smoke layer, and the rate of
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[30] [30] [19][19] [21][21]
fire spread increases. ISO 5658-2 , , ISO 21367 and ISO 23949 specify
...