These standards are in widespread use for the regulation and selection of materials for interior building construction throughout North America.
The test itself involves an assembly of the tested material, fabricated into an otherwise noncombustible horizontal box or tunnel as the tunnel's roof, in a section 7.3 metres (24 ft) long and 0.56 metres (1.8 ft) wide.
The apparatus is equipped with two gas burners providing a flame intensity of 89 kilowatts, and air and combustion products are moved through the tunnel by a ventilation system at a controlled velocity of 73 metres (240 ft) per minute.
It likewise does not give a true assessment of the smoke emanating from very thin materials.
[1] The "methenamine pill test" (ASTM D 2859) is used to judge the ignitability of flooring carpet.