BS 3900- A8 discusses test methods for paints. The aim of BS 3900-A is to provide the best industrial practice that helps in assessing the characteristics of paint.
BS 3900- A8 specifies a method to determine if a flammable material such as a paint, varnish, paint binder, solvent, petroleum or a related product, when maintained at a selected equilibrium temperature and under the conditions of the test, gives off sufficient flammable vapour at this temperature to cause ignition on the application of an external source of flame applied in a standard manner. The method is suitable for use over the temperature range 5 to 65 °C, although some of the apparatus cannot cover all of this range using the thermometer supplied with the apparatus. The procedure also makes allowance for deviations from standard atmospheric pressure.
BS 3900- A8 on liquid paints is useful for:
Solvent- and oil-based paints give texture and color, but they are flammable paints. Flammable paints include alkyd, lacquer, and enamel paints that are solvent- or oil-based. The flashpoint is a safety-related characteristic that helps in determining the minimum temperature at ambient pressure at which a vapor-air mixture can ignite in a closed space. BS 3900- A8 provides a test method that describes closed cup equilibrium methods for carrying out a flash/no flash test for paints, varnishes, petroleum and related products. This helps in understanding the behavior of paint, varnish, paint binder, solvent, petroleum or a related product at the selected equilibrium temperature as may be required to comply with laws or regulations relating to the storage, transport, and use of flammable products.