ISO 9038

Description / Abstract: This International Standard specifies a pass/fail procedure, at temperatures up to 100 °C, 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.

NOTE 1 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.

NOTE 2 In connection with the United Nations recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods as well as with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, and also with derived national/EC regulations, temperatures of 60,5 °C and 75,0 °C are specified for this test.

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.

NOTE 3 This test method can be used, in addition to test methods for flash point, in assessing the fire hazard of a product.

NOTE 4 Particular care needs to be taken in translating results from this test method to large scale (real life) situations, as liquids in large quantities may not behave in the same way as small samples.