This document specifies the procedures to be followed for determining the fire resistance of columns when tested on their own. Two methods of testing are described:

—     Method A, which is applicable to any type of column and in which the test is conducted with an applied axial load to the column; and

—     Method B, which is only applicable to protected steel columns with any type of protection system and in which the test is conducted with no load applied to the column and the fire resistance is determined based on steel temperature limits.

Method B is only applicable to protection systems that do not support any of the structural load. (See A.6).

The application of this test to other untested forms of construction is acceptable when the construction conforms to the direct field of application as given in Annex B of this document, or when subjected to an extended application analysis in accordance with ISO/TR 12470 (series)^[1].

General guidance on test method A and test method B is given in Annex A.