History of the BS476 test for surface spread of flame

[kurnal]

I have been approached by a friend who is seeking to research the history of the  tests for the surface spread of flame as part of a University project.

The current tests and pass / fail criteria are easy but is anyone please able to help with the background to the tests, why and how the tests were first initiated and how the test criteria and methodology may have evolved  over the years? Was there any specific incident that started the ball rolling in the normal stable door fashion?

Any ideas would be  greatfully received. I have already pointed him towards the excellent resources available through the UMIST website but there is little on this topic.

[John Webb]

Try "Aspects of Fire Precautions in Building" by R E H Read and W A Morris, published around 1988 by BRE (ISBN 0 85125 361, BRE ref  BR137). It's possible there's a later edition, although Richard Read has retired from BRE and Tony Morris died a couple of years ago, I believe.
This has quite a bit about the various tests and how they were developed from examination of actual fires. Although of course it only goes up to 1988!

PM me if any difficulties finding a copy. Or try BRE Certification/LPCB - they are very active still in the testing world.

[wee brian]

Theres some useful stuff in Bill Malhotra's "fire safety in buildings". Its a BRE report published in 1986

BR 987  ISBN 0 85125 235 4