ISO 9038:2002

Test for sustained combustibility of liquids

Scope

Many national and international regulations classify liquids as presenting a flammable hazard on the basis of their flash point, as determined by a recognized method. Some of these regulations allow a derogation if the substance cannot "sustain combustion" at some specified temperature or temperatures. This International Standard specifies a pass/fail procedure to determine whether or not a liquid product, that would be classified as "flammable" by virtue of its flash point, has the ability to sustain combustion at the temperature or temperatures specified in the appropriate regulations.
The procedure is applicable to paints (including water-borne paints), varnishes, paint binders, solvents, petroleum or related products and adhesives, which have a flash point. It is not applicable to painted surfaces in respect of assessing their potential fire hazards.