1.1 This method of test for surface burning characteristics of building materials is applicable to any type of building material that, by its own structural quality or the manner in which it is applied, is capable of supporting itself in position or being supported in the test furnace to a thickness comparable to its intended use.

1.2 The purpose of the test is to determine the comparative burning characteristics of the material under test by evaluating the spread of flame over its surface and the density of the smoke developed when exposed to a test fire, and thus to establish a basis on which surface burning characteristics of different materials are compared, without specific regard to all the end-use parameters that affect the surface burning characteristics.

1.2A The UL 723 method of test is a 10-minute fire-test response method. The following standards address testing of materials in accordance with methods of test that are applications or variations of the test method or apparatus described herein.

1. a) Materials required by the user to meet an extended 30-minute duration tunnel test; ASTM E2768, Test Method for Extended Duration Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials (30 minute Tunnel Test).

2. b) Wire and Cable materials for use in air-handling spaces; NFPA 262, Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and Cables in Air-Handling Spaces.

3. c) Optical Fiber and Communication Raceway materials for use in air handling spaces; UL 2024, Standard for Optical Fiber and Communication Cable Raceway.

4. d) Pneumatic Tubing materials for use in ducts, plenums, and other space used for environmental air; UL 1820, Standard for Fire Tests of Pneumatic Tubing for Flame and Smoke Characteristics.

5. e) Plastic Fire Sprinkler Piping materials for use in ducts, plenums, and other space used for environmental air; UL 1887, Standard for Fire Test of Plastic Sprinkler Pipe for Visible Flame and Smoke Characteristics.

6. f) Individual Pairs of Plastic Plumbing Pipe materials for use in distribution of potable water, water used for hydronic heating and cooling applications, and water reclaim/reuse water applications; UL 2846, Standard for Fire Test of Plastic Water Distribution Plumbing Pipe for Visible Flame and Smoke Characteristics.

1.3 This method of test is intended to register performance during the period of exposure, and not to determine suitability for use after the test exposure. Reference the requirements in the Standard for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, UL 263, for procedures for determining the performance, under fire exposure conditions, of building constructions and materials when incorporated into a test structure and subjected to a standard exposing fire of controlled extent and severity.