This test method evaluates the performance of an exterior wall assembly under controlled conditions representing the fire exposure resulting from a post flashover fire in a compartment venting through an opening in the wall. The results may not reflect the actual performance of an exterior wall assembly under all fire exposure conditions.

The test determines the comparative burning characteristics of exterior wall assemblies by evaluating the following:

Fire spread over the exterior surface;
Heat flow from the fire plume to the exterior surface; and
Fire spread within the test specimen.

This test method does not assess:

The fire performance of framing details or treatments of windows, doors or other openings that may be used in combination with the test specimen;
The fire performance of the test specimen when exposed to the effects of an interior fire migrating through an exterior wall assembly; and
Loadbearing capabilities of the exterior wall.

Durability requirements, as a product of exposure and influence (if any) due to climate change, are outside the scope of this standard.