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Surface Burning Characteristics of Interior Finish Materials and Systems

The tests are conducted in a Steiner Tunnel -- a 25-ft furnance chamber that measures flame spread and smoke development.

Installation codes require building products used as interior finish materials to be tested for surface flammability characteristics. Products certified by Underwriters Laboratories ® can increase their chances of being immediately accepted by Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).

UL 723 is recognized as the industry standard for evaluating surface burning characteristics of building materials. And as the pioneer of the industry-standard Steiner Tunnel apparatus, UL offers unmatched expertise and capability to evaluate building products with respect to UL 723. With more than 100 years of fire testing and certification expertise, UL is a leading resource on fire safety.

Test Standards

Surface Burning Characteristics

  • UL 723 - Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials (ASTM E84/NFPA 255)

Room/Building Corner Tests

  • NFPA 286 - Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth (ISO 9705)
  • UL 1715 - Fire Test of Interior Finish Material
  • NFPA 265 - Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Room Fire Growth Contribution of Textile Wall Coverings on Full-Height Panels and Walls

Intermediate-Scale, Multistory Test

  • NFPA 285 - Standard Method of Test for the Evaluation of Fire Propagation Characteristics of Exterior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components

The value of UL

Because of UL's expertise in this area, regulatory authorities are more likely to immediately recognize UL Listed building products evaluated for surface burning characteristics. Once a product is UL Listed, it will appear in a UL Product Directory, which is referenced by more than 2,500 regulatory authorities and code officials annually, as well as the Online Certifications Directory.

Additionally, UL's Follow-Up Services program verifies continued compliance through periodic, unannounced inspections at the manufacturer's facility. Through this program, manufacturers, installers and regulatory authorities can be confident that ongoing production consistently meets UL compliance requirements.

To make sure your interior finish materials and systems meet all flammability requirements, turn to UL.

To start the submittal process or access more information:

  • Contact UL Customer Service at 1-877-854-3577.
  • Learn how to submit a product for testing.
  • Begin the product submission process.

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