NCIDQ Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX) Practice Exam

A material that does not ignite and burn is categorized as noncombustible. Noncombustible materials are defined by their inability to support combustion and are rated for their performance in fire situations. This characteristic is significant in building codes and standards where fire safety is a concern, especially in constructing interior spaces where fire hazards need to be minimized.

While the other terms like fire retardant and flame resistant imply some level of fire safety, they do not guarantee that a material will not ignite or burn under any circumstances. Fire retardant materials are treated with chemical additives to slow down the burning process, while flame resistant materials can resist ignition and may not burn as easily as standard materials, but they can still ignite under sufficient heat or flame exposure. Fire resistant materials are designed to withstand fire for a specified time, but they can still burn. Thus, noncombustible is the most definitive term indicating that the material will not ignite or sustain burning at all.