Smoke-developed index

Smoke-developed index (abbreviated SDI) is a measure of the concentration of smoke a material emits as it burns.^[1] Like the Flame Spread Index, it is based on an arbitrary scale in which asbestos-cement board has a value of 0, and red oak wood has 100. The SDI is measured using a horizontal test specimen, according to the Steiner tunnel test protocol.

The ASTM standard E84 defines a standard test method for surface flame spread and smoke density measurements.^[2] A smoke-developed index of less than 450 is required by IBC section 803.1 at interior walls and ceilings for all surface materials except trim.

See also

• Steiner tunnel test
• Limiting oxygen index