GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS
CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SECTION 2 - AIRWORTHINESS
SERIES 'X' PART IV
ISSUE III,DATED 25TH FEBRUARY '1986
File No. 5/841/85-AI-2 Effective : Forthwith
Subject : Use of furnishing materials in aircraft.
1. INTRODUCTION :
This part of Series 'X' of Civil Airworthiness Requirements
prescribes detailed requirements related to use of
furnishing materials in aircraft in its each compartment,
occupied by crew or passengers or cargo or baggage.
2. DEFINITION :
"Self-extinguishing" means that when a flame is applied for
a limited period and removed, the material shall self-
extinguish within a specified time, (for details please
refer to Appendix 'F' to F.A.R. Part 25).
"Flame resistant" means not susceptible to combustion to the
point of propagating a flame after ignition source is
removed.
3. APPLICABILITY :
The requirements are applicable to normal and acrobatic
category aircraft, excepting those aircraft which have
fuselages either covered with wood or fabric.
4. SCOPE :
4.1 It is required that no furnishing material be used in any
compartment (crew, passenger, cargo or baggage) of normal or
aerobatic category aircraft in a form in which it burns
readily. The materials of all fittings, furnishings,
upholstery, loose covers, the wall, floor and ceiling
linings or acoustic lagging, must be such as to preclude the
possibility of propagation of fire beyond the immediate
vicinity of ignition sources, like lighted
cigarettes/matches or electrical short circuits. It is
further emphasized that even passenger baggage
restraining/securing equipment like straps, seat belts must
not contribute significantly to the propagation of fire.
4.2 For the above stated purpose, the aircraft are divided in
the following categories :
(i) Normal category aircraft used for carrying passengers,
goods or mails and having all up weight as 15000 Kg. or
above.
Furnishing materials used in each compartment must be
"self-extinguishing" (refer Appendix 'F' of Federal
Aviation Regulations Part 25 ( of USA) or other
approved equivalent methods).
In addition there must be :-
(a) Adequate number of self contained ash trays.
(b) An illuminated "No Smoking" sign (or signs)
controllable from a flight crew station and
readable from each passenger seat, to indicate
when smoking is prohibited.
(ii) Normal category aircraft other than those mentioned in
preceding sub-para & aerobatic category aircraft.
For each compartment of such aircraft :
(a) The materials used for interior panels,
partitions, carpets and upholstery must be at
least "Flame Resistant".
(b) If smoking is allowed -
(i) There must be adequate number of self
contained ash trays; and
(ii) There must be an illuminated "No Smoking"
sign (or signs) controllable from a flight
crew station and readable from each
passenger seat to indicate when smoking is
prohibited.
(c) If smoking is totally prohibited then instead of
(b) above, there must be a placard to that effect.
4.3 Aircraft seats - resistance to fire :
(i) Applicability :
This requirement is applicable to all seats except
seats located within the flight deck, installed in
Indian registered aircraft (aeroplanes and rotorcraft)
over 5700 Kg. MTOW, certificated in the Transport
Category (Passenger) of a type for which a Type
Certificate was issued on or after 1 January '1958.
(ii) For those aircraft defined in paragraph 1 already in
service or to be introduced into service, it is
required that such aircraft shall be equipped with
seats (except seats located in the flight deck) which
comply with the standard given in FAR 25, Appendix 'F',
Part II (copy enclosed). The above requirement
envisages covering of the seat cushions with a fire
blocker.
|Note : Transport Category aircraft are those aircraft which are
| type certificated to FAR 25/ JAR 25.
(iii) Compliance :
(a) With effect from 1st November '1987 all affected seats
fitted to aircraft defined in paragraph 1 above shall
comply with this requirement.
(b) With effect from 1st July '1986 all aircraft seats
newly manufactured and which are intended for use on
aircraft defined in paragraph 1 above shall also comply
with this requirement.
(c) Each seat cushion (squab and back support), except
those fitted to seats located within the flight deck
shall meet the requirements of FAR fire test criteria
agreed with DGCA.
5. REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE OF FIRE RESISTANCE
The continuance of the flame resisting properties of the
furnishing material would depend upon their use in service
and the method used for their cleaning. Incorrect dry
cleaning, laundering or proprietary finishing processes
which enhance durability and minimise soiling may seriously
destroy or impair the flame resistant properties. Also
application of one flame retardant process on top of
another, of a different type may have the effect of
inhibiting the properties of both processes. During service,
seat covers become contaminated with perspiration which
leaves a deposit of body salts, etc., which may accumulate
impairing the flame resistance properties of the furnishing
material. Disinfectants etc., sprayed from aerosol cans in
aircraft cabins may effect the long term flame resistant
properties of the furnishing materials. The operators and
maintenance organisations must have an adequate control over
the cleaning of the aircraft furnishing materials. Knowledge
of the material type, the recommended cleaning or
proprietary finishing processes methods, the effect of time
in service on the flame resistance properties, the flame
retardant processes applied, if any, and the method of re-
application of such process, where this is necessary are
essential.
All the operators/maintenance organisations are advised to
carry out sample test of each batch of furnishing materials
for flame resistance in accordance with FAR 25.853 after
every dry cleaning. The procedure for cleaning and
subsequent testing shall be detailed in the Quality Control
Manual.
6. ADDITIONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS :
(i) Each receptacle for towels, paper or waste in toilets
of such aircraft shall be constructed of materials
resistant to fire. The receptacles shall incorporate
covers or other provisions for containing possible
fire, if started in the receptacle.
(ii) Placards shall be displayed in all toilets compartments
at all times, stating that "Smoking is Prohibited".
(iii) There must be a prescribed number of hand fire
extinguishers, conveniently located in each
compartment, as required under the Requirements (See
CAR Series "I" Part II).
7. This supersedes requirements contained in CAR Series 'X'
Part IV, Issue I, dated 10th December, 1976.
Sd/-
(N. Ramesh)
Director of Airworthiness
for Director General of Civil Aviation
A P P E N D I X - 'F'
( Part I )
AN ACCEPTABLE TEST PROCEDURE FOR SHOWING COMPLIANCE WITH $$
33.25.853,25.855, AND 25.1359)
(a) CONDITIONING :
Specimens must be conditioned to 70 degree F., plus or minus
5 degree, and at 50 % plus or minus 5% relative humidity
until moisture equilibrium is reached or for 24 hours. Only
one specimen at a time may be removed from the conditioning
environment immediately before subjecting it to the flame.
(b) SPECIMEN CONFIGURATION :
Except as provided for materials used in electrical wire and
cable insulation and in small parts, materials must be
tested either as a section cut from a fabricated part as
installed in the airplane or as a specimen simulating a cut
section, such as: a specimen cut from a flat sheet of the
material or a model of the fabricated part. The specimen
may be cut from any location in a fabricated part; however
fabricated units, such as sandwich panels, may not be
separated for test. The specimen thickness must be no
thicker than the minimum thickness to be qualified for use
in the airplane, except that :
(1) Thick foam parts, such as seat cushions, must be tested
in 1/2 inch thickness;
(2) When showing compliance with $25.853 (b-3) for
materials used in small parts that must be tested, the
materials must be tested in no more than 1/8 inch
thickness;
(3) When showing compliance with 25.1359(d) for materials
used in electrical wire and cable insulation, the wire
and cable specimens must be the same size as used in
the airplane. In the case of fabrics, both the warp
and fill direction of the weave must be tested to
determine the most critical flammability condition.
When performing the tests prescribed in paragraph (d)
through (e) of (Part I of this Appendix,) the specimen
must be mounted in a metal frame so that;
(i) In the vertical tests of paragraph (d), the two
long edges and the upper edge are held securely;
(ii) In the horizontal test of paragraph (e), the two
long edges and the edge away from the flame are
held securely;
(iii)The exposed area of the specimen is at least 2
inches wide and 12 inches long, unless the actual
size used in the airplane is smaller; and
(iv) The edge to which the burner flame is applied must
not consist of the finished or protected edge of
the specimen but must be representative of the
actual cross-section of the material or part
installed in the airplane. When performing the
test prescribed in paragraph (f) of (part I of
this securely and the exposed area of Appendix),
the specimen must be mounted in a metal frame so
that all four edges are held the specimen is at
least 2 inches by 8 inches.
(c) APPARATUS :
Except as provided in paragraph (g) (Part I of this
Appendix) tests must be conducted in a draft- free cabinet
in accordance with Federal Test Method Standard 191 Method
5903 (revised Method 5902) for the vertical test, or
Method 5906 for horizontal test (available from the
General Services Administration, Business Service Centre,
Region 3, Seventh & D Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C.
20407) or other approved equivalent methods. Specimens
which are too large for the cabinet must be tested in
similar draft-free conditions.
(d) VERTICAL TEST :
In compliance with $25.853(a) and (b).} A minimum of three
specimens must be tested and the results averaged. For
fabrics, the direction of weave corresponding to the most
critical flammability conditions must be parallel to the
longest dimension. Each specimen must be supported
vertically. The specimen must be exposed to a Bunsen or
Tirrill burner with a nominal 3/8 inch I.D. tube adjusted
to give a flame of 1-1/2 inches in height. The minimum
flame temperature measured by a calibrated thermocouple
pyrometer in the centre of the flame must be thee fourths
inch above the top edge of the burner. The flame must be
applied to the centerline of the lower edge of the specimen.
For materials covered by $25.853 (a), the flame must be
applied for 60 seconds and then removed. For materials
covered by $25.853(b), the flame must be applied for 12
seconds and then removed. Flame time , burn length, and
flaming time of drippings, if any, must a recorded. The
burn length determined in accordance with paragraph (h) of
(Part I of this Appendix) must be measured to the nearest
one-tenth inch.
(e) HORIZONTAL TEST IN COMPLIANCE WITH $ 25.853(b-2) AND (b-3) :
A minimum of three specimens must be tested and the results
averaged. Each specimen must be supported horizontally.
The exposed surface when installed in the aircraft must be
face down for the test. The specimen must be exposed to a
Bunsen burner or Tirrill burner with a nominal 3/8 inch I.D.
tube adjusted to give a flame of 1-1/2 inches in height. The
minimum flame temperature measured by a calibrated
thermocouple pyrometer in the centre of the flame must be
1550 degree F. The specimen must be positioned so that the
edge being tested is three fourths of an inch above the top
of, and on the centre line, the burner. The flame must be
applied for 15 seconds and then removed. A minimum of 10
inches of the specimen must be used for timing purpose,
approximately 1- 1/2 must burn before the burning front
reaches the timing zone, and the average burn rate must be
recorded.
(f) FORTY-FIVE DEGREE TEST IN COMPLIANCE WITH $ 25.855 (A-1) :
A minimum of three specimens must be tested and the
results averaged. The specimens must be supported at an
angle of 45 degree to a horizontal surface. The exposed
surface when installed in the aircraft must be face down for
the test. See FAR The minimum flame temperature measured by
a calibrated thermocouple pyrometer in the centre of the
flame must be 1550 degree F. Suitable precautions must be
taken to avoid drafts. One-third of the flame must contact
the materials at the centre of the specimen and must be
applied for 30 seconds and then removed. Flame time, glow
time, and whether the flame penetrates (passes through) the
specimen must be recorded.
(g) SIXTY DEGREE TEST IN COMPLIANCE WITH $ 25.1359(d). :
A minimum of three specimens of each wire specification
(make and size) must be tested. The specimen of wire or
cable (including insulation) must be placed at an angle of
60 degree with the horizontal to the cabinet specified in
paragraph (c) Part I of this Appendix with the cabinet
door open during the test or must be placed within a chamber
approximately 2 feet high x 1 foot x 1 foot, open at the top
and at one vertical side (front), and which allows
sufficient flow of air for complete combustion, but which is
free from drafts. The specimen must be parallel to and
approximately 6 inches from the front of the chamber. The
lower end of the specimen must be held rigidly clamped.
The upper end of the specimen must pass over a pulley or rod
and must have an appropriate weight attached to it so that
the specimen is held tautly throughout the flammability
test. The test specimen span between lower clamp and upper
pulley or rod must be 24 inches and must be marked 8 inches
from the lower end to indicate the central point for flame
application. A flame from a Bunsen or Tirrill burner must
be applied for 30 seconds at the test mark. The burner must
be counted underneath the test mark on the specimen,
perpendicular to the specimen and at an angle of 30 degree
to the vertical plane of the specimen. The burner must have
a nominal bore of 3/8 inch, and must be adjusted to provide
a 3-inch high flame with an inner cone approximately one-
third of the flame height. The minimum temperature of the
hottest portion of the flame, as measured with a calibrated
thermocouple pyrometer, may not be less than 1750 degree F.
The burner must be positioned so that the hottest portion of
the flame is applied to the test mark on the wire. Flame
time, burn length, and flaming time of drippings, if any
must be recorded. The burn length determined in accordance
with paragraph (h) Part I of this Appendix must be
measured to the nearest 1/10-inch. Breaking of the wire
specimens is not considered a failure.
(h) BURN LENGTH :
Burn length is the distance from the original edge to the
farthest evidence of damage to the test specimen due to
flame impingement, including areas of partial or complete
consumption, charring, or embrittlement, but not including
areas sooted, stained, warped, or discolored, nor areas
where material has shrunk or melted away from the heat
source.
PART II
FLAMMABILITY OF SEAT CUSHIONS
_____________________________
(a) CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTANCE :
Each seat cushion must meet the following criteria :
(1) At least, three sets of seat bottom and seat back
cushion specimens must be tested.
(2) If the cushion is constructed with a fire blocking
material, the fire blocking material must completely
enclose the cushion foam core material.
(3) Each specimen tested must be fabricated using the
principal components (i.e. foam, core, flotation
materials, fire blocking material, if used, and dress
covering) and assembly processes (representative seams
and closures) intended for use in the production
articles. If a different material combination is used
for the back cushion than for the bottom cushion, both
material combinations must be tested as complete
specimen sets, each set consisting of a back cushion
specimen and a bottom cushion specimen. If a cushion
including outer dress covering, is demonstrated to meet
the requirements of this Appendix using the oil burner
test, the dress covering of that cushion may be
replaced with a similar dress covering provided the
burn length of the replacement covering, as determined
by the test specified in $25.853(b), does not exceed
the corresponding burn length of the dress covering
used on the cushion subjected to the oil burner test.
(4) For at least two-thirds of the total number of specimen
sets tested, the burn length from the burner must not
reach the side of the cushion opposite the burner. The
burn length must not exceed 17 inches. Burn length is
the perpendicular distance from the inside edge of the
seat frame closest to the burner to the farthest
evidence of damage to the test specimen due to flame
impingement, including areas of partial or complete
consumption, charring, or embrittlement, but not
including areas sooted, stained, warped, or discolored,
or areas where material has shrunk or melted away from
the heat source.
(5) The average percentage weight loss must not exceed 10
percent. Also, at least two-thirds of the total number
of specimen sets tested must not exceed 10 percent
weight loss all droppings falling from the cushion and
mounting stand are to be discarded before the after-
test weight is determined. The percentage weight loss
for a specimen set is the weight of the specimen set
before testing less the weight of the specimen set
after testing expressed as the percentage of the weight
before testing.
(b) TEST CONDITIONS :
Vertical air velocity should average 25 fpm plus minus 10
fpm at the top of the back seat cushion. Horizontal air
velocity should be below 10 fpm just above the bottom seat
cushion. Air velocities should be measured with the
ventilation hood operating and the burner motor off.
(c) TEST SPECIMENS :
(1) For each test, one set of cushion specimens
representing a seat bottom and seat back cushion
specimen must be used.
(2) The seat bottom cushion specimen must be 18 plus minus
1/8 inches (457 plus minus 3 mm) wide by 20 1/8
inches (508 plus minus 3 mm) deep by 4 plus minus 1/8
inches (102 plus minus 3 mm) thick, exclusive fabric
closures and seam overlap.
(3) The seat back cushion specimen must be 18 plus minus
1/8 inches (432 plus minus 3 mm) wide by 25 plus minus
1/8 inches (635 plus minus 3 mm) high by 2 plus minus
1/8 inches (51 plus minus 3 mm) thick, exclusive of
fabric closures and seam overlap.
(4) The specimens must be conditioned at 70 plus minus 5
deg. F (21 plus minus 2 deg.C.) 55% plus minus 10%
relative humidity for at least 24 hours before testing.
(d) TEST APPARATUS :
The arrangement of the test apparatus is shown in Figures 1
through 5 and must include the components described in this
section. Minor details of the apparatus may vary, depending
on the model of burner used.
(1) SPECIMEN MOUNTING STAND :
The mounting stand for the test specimens consists of
steel angles, as shown in Figure 1. The length of the
mounting stand legs is 12 plus minus 1/8 inches (305
plus minus 3 mm). The mounting stand must be used for
mounting the test specimen seat bottom and seat back,
as shown in figure 2. The mounting stand should also
include a suitable drip pan lined with aluminium foil,
dull side up.
(2) TEST BURNER : The burner to be used in testing must :-
(i) Be modified gun type;
(ii) Have an 80 degree spray angle nozzle nominally
rated for 2.25 gallons/hour at 100 psi.
(iii)Have a 12 inch (305 mm) burner cone installed at
the end of the draft tube, with an opening 6
inches (152 mm) high and 11 inches (280 mm) wide,
as shown in Figure 3; and
(iv) Have a burner fuel pressure regulator that is
adjusted to deliver a nominal 2.0 gallon/hour of #
2 Grade kerosene or equivalent required for the
test.
Burner models which have been used successfully in testing
are the Lennox Model OB-32, Carlin Model 200 CRD, and Park
Model DPL 3400. FAA published reports pertinent to this
type of burner are: (1) Power plant Engineering Report No.
3A, Standard Fire Test Apparatus and Procedure for Flexible
Hose Assemblies, dated March 1978; and (2) Report No.
DOT/FAA/RD/76/213, Reevaluation of Burner Characteristics
for Fire Resistance Tests, dated January, 1977.
(3) CALORIMETER :
(i) The calorimeter to be used in testing must be a
(0-15.0 BTU/ft -sec. 0-17.0 w/cm ) calorimeter,
accurate plus minus 3%, mounted in a 6 inch by
12 inch (152 by 305 mm) by 3/4 inch (19 mm) thick
calcium silicate insulating board which is
attached to a steel angle bracket for placement in
the test stand during burner calibration, as shown
in Figure 4.
(ii) Because crumbling of the insulating board with
service can result in misalignment of the
calorimeter, the calorimeter must be monitored and
the mounting shimmed, as necessary, to ensure that
the calorimeter face is flush with the exposed
plane of the insulating board in a plane parallel
to the exit of the test burner cone.
(4) THERMOCOUPLES :
The seven thermocouples to be used for testing must be
1/16 to 1/8 inch metal and sheathed, ceramic packed,
type K, grounded thermocouples with a nominal 22 to 30
American wire gage (AWG) size conductor. The seven
thermocouples must be attached to a steel angle bracket
to form a thermocouple rake for placement in the test
stand during burner calibration, as shown in Figure 5.
(5) APPARATUS ARRANGEMENT :
The test burner must be mounted on a suitable stand to
position the exit of the burner cone a distance of 4
plus minus 1/8 inches (102 plus minus 3 mm) from one
side of the specimen mounting stand. The burner stand
should have the capability of allowing the burner to be
swung away from the specimen mounting stand during
warmup periods.
(6) DATA RECORDING :
A recording potentiometer or other suitable calibrated
instrument with an appropriate range must be used to
measure and record the outputs of the calorimeter and
the thermocouples.
(7) WEIGHT SCALE :
Weighing device - A device must be used that with
proper procedures may determine the before and after
test weights of each set of seat cushion specimens
within 0.02 pounds ( 9 grams). A continuous weighing
system is preferred.
(8) TIMING DEVICE :
A stopwatch or other device (calibrated to plus minus
1 second) must be used to measure the time of
application of the burner flame and self extinguishing
time or test duration.
(e) PREPARATION OF APPARATUS :
Before calibration, all equipment must be turned on and the
burner fuel must be adjusted as specified in paragraph.
(d)(2).
(f) CALIBRATION :
To ensure the proper thermal output of the burner, the
following test must be made :-
(1) Place the calorimeter on the test stand as shown in
Figure 4 at a distance of 4 plus minus 1/8 inches (102
plus minus 3 mm) from the exit of the burner cone.
(2) Turn on the burner, allow it to run for 2 minutes for
warmup, and adjust the burner air intake damper to
produce a reading of 10.5 plus minus 05 BTU/ft-
sec.(11.9plus minus 0.6 w/cm ) on the calorimeter to
ensure steady state conditions have been achieved.
Turn off the burner.
(3) Replace the calorimeter with the thermocouple rake
(Figure 5).
(4) Turn on the burner and ensure that the thermocouples
are reading 1900 plus minus 100 deg. F (1038 plus minus
38 deg. C) to ensure steady state conditions have been
achieved.
(5) If the calorimeter and thermocouples do not read
within range, repeat steps in paragraphs 1 through 4
and adjust the burner air intake damper until the
proper readings are obtained. The thermocouples rake
and the calorimeter should be used frequently to
maintain and record calibrated test parameters. Until
the specific apparatus has demonstrated consistency,
each test should be calibrated. After consistency has
been confirmed, several tests may be conducted with the
pre-test calibration before and a calibration check
after the series.
(g) TEST PROCEDURE :
The flammability of each set of specimens must be tested as
follows :
(1) Record the weight of each set of seat bottom and seat
back cushion specimens to be tested to the nearest 0.02
pound (9 grams).
(2) Mount the seat bottom and seat back cushion test
specimens on the test stand as shown in Figure 2,
securing the seat back cushion specimen to the test
stand at the top.
(3) Swing the burner into position and ensure that the
distance from the exit of the burner cone to the side
of the seat bottom cushion specimen is 4 plus minus 1/8
inches (102 plus minus 3 mm).
(4) Swing the burner away from the test position. Turn on
the burner and allow it to run for 2 minutes to provide
adequate warmup of the burner cone and flame
stabilization.
(5) To begin the test, swing the burner into the test
position and simultaneously start the timing device.
(6) Expose the seat bottom cushion specimen to the burner
flame for 2 minutes and then turn off the burner.
Immediately swing the burner away from the test
position. Terminate test 7 minutes after initiating
cushion exposure to the flame by use of a gaseous
extinguishing agent (i.e. Halon or Carbon dioxide).
(7) Determine the weight of the remains of the seat cushion
specimen set left on the mounting stand to the nearest
0.02 pound (9 grams) excluding all droppings.
(h) TEST REPORT :
With respect to all specimen sets tested for a particular
seat cushion for which testing of compliance is performed,
the following information must be recorded :
(1) An identification and description of the specimens
being tested.
(2) The number of specimen sets tested.
(3) The initial weight and residual weight of each set, the
calculated percentage weight loss of each set, and the
calculated average percentage weight loss for the total
number of sets tested.
(4) The burn length for each set tested.
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