What is the definition of flame spread?

Flame spread refers specifically to the propagation of flame over a surface, which is crucial in assessing the fire performance of materials used in construction. Understanding flame spread is essential for fire safety regulations and building codes, as materials have different ratings for how quickly flames can travel across their surfaces. This characteristic significantly influences the way fires can develop and spread in buildings, impacting life safety and property protection.

The duration of a fire event, temperature of a fire, and intensity of a fire are related terms but do not accurately define flame spread. Instead, those aspects contribute to the overall understanding of fire behavior but do not capture the concept of how quickly and readily flames can move across materials. This can help inform choices in material selection and building design to enhance safety measures against fire hazards.