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Evaluate the fire performance of materials to ensure safety with the 2009 NFPA 271.

Use NFPA 271: Standard Method of Test for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Consumption Calorimeter to determine the ignitability, heat release rate, mass loss rates, effective heat of combustion, and visible smoke development of materials and products.

The results of the NFPA 271 test method are very useful in evaluating materials or products, mathematical fire modeling, design of new materials or products and in research and development. The method measures the response of materials to levels of radiant heating with or without an external igniter.

The 2009 edition of this Standard clarifies and qualifies the use of the terms Heat Release Rate and Sustained Flaming.