(8) Paragraph (a). Oxygen lines are considered ducted systems and should be tested in their normal state: pressurized to the maximum operating pressure with a gas considered safe for testing. Refer to paragraph 621.b.(4) above. (Amendment 25-32)
(9) Paragraph (a). As required by Appendix F, foam shall be tested in 1/2-inch thickness. If the cushion consists of two or more foams glued together, the foam specimens should be two 1/4-inch (three 1/6-inch, etc.) pieces glued together. Three specimens should be made for each combination of foams that are glued together in the production cushion. Any other production cushion components that are glued together, should be tested together. If such specimens do not pass, it is acceptable to test each production cushion component separately, including a sheet of glue. Additionally, the Bunsen burner is then applied to three separate corners of the production cushion with all its components. The cushion is satisfactory if all tests meet the test criteria. The three corner tests need not be conducted, if the cushion passes the tests of part II of Appendix F at Amendment 25-59. (Amendment 25-32)
(10) Paragraph (a). Blankets, pillows, headrest covers, and carry-on items that are not part of the aircraft type design are not required to meet the flammability standards. (Amendment 25-32)
(11) Paragraphs (a). Refer to AC 25-10, “Guidance for Installation of Miscellaneous, Nonrequired Electrical Equipment,” dated 3/6/87. (Amendment 25-32)
(12) Paragraph (c). Refer to AC 25.853-1, “Flammability Requirements for Aircraft Seat Cushions,” dated 9/17/86. (Amendment 25-59)
(13) Paragraph (d). Some first or business class seats incorporate large panel assemblies, in the form of wall panels, partitions, large cabinets, or stowage compartments. The surface areas of these components are significant and therefore these components of the seat are subject to this requirement, just as regular wall panels, partitions, cabinets, and stowage compartments in the cabin. All components that make up an affected part (for example, several small panels that make up a large ceiling panel) are required to comply with the standard applicable to the larger part. Therefore, the wall panels, partitions, large cabinets, and stowage compartments of the seat itself, including panel assemblies of consoles, are required to comply with Appendix F, parts IV and V, of part 25. (Amendment 25-61)
(14) Paragraph (d). Compartments which are isolated from the passenger cabin by a door, that is required to be closed during takeoff and landing, or equivalent means need not comply with Appendix F, parts IV and V, of part 25. (Amendment 25-61)
(15) Paragraph (d). As a general guidance for compliance with comply with Appendix F, parts IV and V, of part 25, components identified in § 25.853(a-1) with surface areas of one square foot or less may be considered small enough that they do not have to meet the new flammability standards. Components with surface areas greater than two square feet may be considered large enough that they do have to meet the new standards. Those with surface areas greater than on square foot, but less than two square feet, would have to be considered in
555 conjunction with the areas of the cabin in which they are installed before a determination could be made. (Amendment 25-61)
(16) Paragraph (f). Self-contained is defined as a receptacle within a receptacle, one of which has a lid. Both receptacles are considered trash containers and should meet fire-resistant criteria as defined in 14 CFR, part 1, § l.l and in the preceding guidance in paragraph 621b(2) of this AC. The fixed receptacle should be sealed to prevent penetration of fire or residue into the surrounding area. Ashtrays installed in movable or removable armrests which will spill their contents when the armrest is moved or raised, as in the case of hinged armrests, are not considered self-contained. (Amendment 25-0)
(17) Paragraph (g). These requirements reflect those of AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE (AD) 74-08-09, effective April 30, 1974. (Amendment 25-51)
(18) Paragraph (h). To meet the "fire resistant" requirements, the receptacle construction should meet the 45-degree burn test described in § 25.855(a-1), Amendment 25-32.
(Amendment 25-32)
(19) Paragraph (h). Waste receptacles may be mounted in the airplane structure or may be portable units such as food or waste carts. Fire containment testing is not required for special purpose disposal receptacles (for such items as used air sickness bags and sanitary napkins), which are in addition to the normal waste disposal receptacles found in lavatories. The reasons for not requiring the testing is that these receptacles are typically very small, less than half a cubic foot in volume, and that they contain specific waste which are of a relatively nonflammable nature. Appendix 8 contains methodology for substantiating compliance with fire containment criteria. (Amendment 25-0)
(20) Note: The FAA Memorandum 00-115-16, dated September 12, 2000, titled, “Use of the Aircraft Fire Test Handbook” provides guidance for the use of the Report # DOT/FAA/CT-99/15 titled, “Aircraft Fire Test Handbook” that may be used to show compliance with, or demonstrate an equivalent level of safety to, the applicable regulations. The test methods described in the handbook are intended to be adopted in total, if they are used. That is, use of a portion of a test method from the handbook, and another portion of the test method from Appendix F, is not automatically acceptable. (Amendment 25-0) 633-640. [RESERVED]
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557 SECTION 25.854 LAVATORY FIRE PROTECTION
641. Section 25.854 Did Not Exist Prior to Amendment 25-74.
642. AMENDMENT 25-74, Effective May 16, 1991.
a. Regulation.
[For airplanes with a passenger capacity of 20 or more:
(a) Each lavatory must be equipped with a smoke detector system or equivalent that provides a warning light in the cockpit, or provides a warning light or audible warning in the passenger cabin that would be readily detected by a flight attendant;
and
(b) Each lavatory must be equipped with a built-in fire extinguisher for each disposal receptacle for towels, paper, or waste, located within the lavatory. The extinguisher must be designed to discharge automatically into each disposal receptacle upon occurrence of a fire in that receptacle.]
b. Guidance.
(1) Paragraph (a). Relative to lavatory smoke detectors, the following is quoted from the preamble to Amendment 121-185, effective April 29, 1985: "Unless some circumstance or design feature unforeseen at this time requires otherwise, materials used in the construction of relatively small commercially available smoke detectors would not contribute significantly to the propagation of a fire and would be covered by the small parts exclusion of § 25.853(a)."
(Amendment 25-32)
(2) Paragraph (a). Refer to AC 25-9A, “Smoke Detection, Penetration, and Evacuation Test, and Related Flight Manual Emergency Procedures,” dated 1/6/94. (Amendment 25-74)
(3) Paragraph (b). The FAA has issued report number DOT/FAA/AR-96/122, titled “Development of a Minimum Performance Standard for Lavatory Trash Receptacle Automatic Fire Extinguishers,” dated February 1997 that can be used to develop a replacement for the Halon fire extinguishers used in lavatory trash receptacles. (Amendment 25-74) 643-650. [RESERVED]
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559 SECTION 25.855 CARGO AND BAGGAGE COMPARTMENTS
651. REGULATION IN EFFECT AT ADOPTION OF PART 25.
a. Regulation.
(a) Each cargo and baggage compartment (including tie-down equipment) must be constructed of materials that are at least flame resistant.
(b) No compartment may contain any controls, wiring, lines, equipment, or accessories whose damage or failure would affect safe operation, unless those items are protected so that-
(1) They cannot be damaged by the movement of cargo in the compartment; and
(2) Their breakage or failure will not create a fire hazard.
(c) There must be means to prevent cargo or baggage from interfering with the functioning of the fire-protective features of the compartment.
(d) Sources of heat within the compartment must be shielded and insulated to prevent igniting the cargo.
(e) Cargo compartments must meet one of the class requirements of § 25.857. In addition, flight tests must be conducted to show compliance with the provisions of § 25.857 concerning-
(1) Compartment accessibility;
(2) The entry of hazardous quantities of smoke or extinguishing agent into compartments occupied by the crew or passengers; and
(3) The dissipation of the extinguishing agent in Class C compartments.
During these tests, it must be shown that no inadvertent operation of smoke or fire detectors in any compartment would occur as a result of fire contained in any one compartment, either during or after extinguishment, unless the extinguishing system floods each such compartment simultaneously.
b. Guidance.
(1) Paragraph (a). Refer to paragraph 621b(2) for an acceptable test for flame resistance. (Amendment 25-0)
(2) Paragraph (e). Refer to AC 25-9A, “Smoke Detection, Penetration, and Evacuation Test, and Related Flight Manual Emergency Procedures,” dated 1/6/94. (Amendment 25-0)
(3) Note: The FAA Memorandum 00-115-16, dated September 12, 2000, titled, “Use of the Aircraft Fire Test Handbook” provides guidance for the use of the Report # DOT/FAA/CT-99/15 titled, “Aircraft Fire Test Handbook” that may be used to show compliance with, or demonstrate an equivalent level of safety to, the applicable regulations. The test methods described in the handbook are intended to be adopted in total, if they are used. That is, use of a portion of a test method from the handbook, and another portion of the test method from Appendix F, is not automatically acceptable. (Amendment 25-0)
652. AMENDMENT 25-15, Effective October 24, 1967.
a. Regulation.
[(a) Each cargo and baggage compartment (including tie down equipment) must be constructed of materials that at least meet the requirements set forth in § 25.853.]
(b) No compartment may contain any controls, wiring, lines, equipment, or accessories whose damage or failure would affect safe operation, unless those items are protected so that-
(1) They cannot be damaged by the movement of cargo in the compartment, and
(2) Their breakage or failure will not create a fire hazard.
(c) There must be means to prevent cargo or baggage from interfering with the functioning of the fire-protective features of the compartment.
(d) Sources of heat within the compartment must be shielded and insulated to prevent igniting the cargo.
(e) Cargo compartments must meet one of the class requirements of § 25.857. In addition, flight tests must be conducted to show compliance with the provisions of § 25.857 concerning-
(1) Compartment accessibility;
(2) The entry of hazardous quantities of smoke or extinguishing agent into compartments occupied by the crew or passengers, and
(3) The dissipation of the extinguishing agent in Class C compartments.
During these tests, it must be shown that no inadvertent operation of smoke or fire detectors in any compartment would occur as a result of fire contained in any one
561 compartment, either during or after extinguishment, unless the extinguishing system floods each such compartment simultaneously.
b. Guidance.
(1) This change required that the materials used in the cargo and baggage compartments at least meet the requirements of § 25.853(a) or (b), depending on the application of the material (which were also changed by this amendment). The standards in amended §§ 25.853(a) and (b) were believed to represent the most advanced technology then available in the design area.
(Amendment 25-15)
(2) Paragraph (e) Refer to AC 25-9A, “Smoke Detection, Penetration, and Evacuation Test, and Related Flight Manual Emergency Procedures,” dated 1/6/94. (Amendment 25-0)
(3) Note: The FAA Memorandum 00-115-16, dated September 12, 2000, titled, “Use of the Aircraft Fire Test Handbook” provides guidance for the use of the Report # DOT/FAA/CT-99/15 titled, “Aircraft Fire Test Handbook” that may be used to show compliance with, or demonstrate an equivalent level of safety to, the applicable regulations. The test methods described in the handbook are intended to be adopted in total, if they are used. That is, use of a portion of a test method from the handbook, and another portion of the test method from Appendix F, is not automatically acceptable. (Amendment 25-0)
653. AMENDMENT 25-32, Effective May 1, 1972.
a. Regulation.
[(a) Thermal and acoustic insulation (including coverings) and liners, used in each cargo and baggage compartment not occupied by passengers or crew, must be constructed of materials that at least meet the requirements set forth in § 25.853(b).
(a-1) Class B through Class E cargo or baggage compartments as defined in § 25.857, must have a liner and the liner must be constructed of materials that at least meet the requirements set forth in § 25.853(b), must be separate from (but may be attached to) the airplane structure, and must be tested at a 45° angle in accordance with the applicable portions of Appendix F of this Part or other approved equivalent methods. In the course of the 45° angle test, the flame may not penetrate (pass through) the material during application of the flame or subsequent to its removal, the average flame time after removal of the flame source may not exceed 15 seconds, and the average glow time may not exceed 10 seconds.
(a-2) Insulation blankets and cargo covers used to protect cargo in compartments not occupied by passengers or crew must be constructed of materials that at least meet the requirements of § 25.853(b), and tiedown equipment (including containers, bins, and pallets) used in each cargo and baggage compartment not occupied by
562 passengers or crew must be constructed of materials that at least meet the requirements set forth in § 25.853(b-3).]
(b) No compartment may contain any controls, wiring, lines, equipment, or accessories whose damage or failure would affect safe operation, unless those items are protected so that-
(1) They cannot be damaged by the movement of cargo in the compartment, and
(2) Their breakage or failure will not create a fire hazard.
(c) There must be means to prevent cargo or baggage from interfering with the functioning of the fire-protective features of the compartment.
(d) Sources of heat within the compartment must be shielded and insulated to prevent igniting the cargo.
(e) Cargo compartments must meet one of the class requirements of § 25.857. In addition, flight tests must be conducted to show compliance with the provisions of § 25.857 concerning-
(1) Compartment accessibility;
(2) The entry of hazardous quantities of smoke or extinguishing agent into compartments occupied by the crew or passengers, and
(3) The dissipation of the extinguishing agent in Class C compartments.
During these tests, it must be shown that no inadvertent operation of smoke or fire detectors in any compartment would occur as a result of fire contained in any one compartment, either during or after extinguishment, unless the extinguishing system floods each such compartment simultaneously.
b. Guidance.
(1) The purpose of this change was to delete the requirement for a liner in cargo compartments from § 25.857 and put it in § 25.855 and identify the requirement appropriate to Class B through E cargo and baggage compartments. Liner flame penetration for the 45-degree angle test of Appendix F was also emphasized. Also, an additional flammability test in accordance with § 25.853(b) was required for the liner. In paragraph (a-2), the reference to § 25.853(b-3) should be (b-2). Refer to § 25.853(b-2). (Amendment 25-32)
(2) Refer to AC 25-9A, “Smoke Detection, Penetration, and Evacuation Test, and Related Flight Manual Emergency Procedures,” dated 1/6/94. (Amendment 25-32)
(3) Note: The FAA Memorandum 00-115-16, dated September 12, 2000, titled, “Use of the Aircraft Fire Test Handbook” provides guidance for the use of the Report # DOT/FAA/CT-99/15 titled, “Aircraft Fire Test Handbook” that may be used to show compliance with, or demonstrate an equivalent level of safety to, the applicable regulations. The test methods described in the handbook are intended to be adopted in total, if they are used. That is, use of a portion of a test method from the handbook, and another portion of the test method from Appendix F, is not automatically acceptable. (Amendment 25-0)
654. AMENDMENT 25-60, Effective June 16, 1986
a. Regulation.
(a) Thermal and acoustic insulation (including coverings) and liners, used in each cargo and baggage compartment not occupied by passengers or crew, must be constructed of materials that at least meet the requirements set forth in § 25.853(b).
[(a-1) Class B through Class E cargo or baggage compartments as defined in § 25.857, must have a liner and the liner must be separate from (but may be attached to) the airplane structure, and must be tested as follows:
(1) Ceiling and sidewall liner panels of Class C and D compartments must meet the test requirements of Part III of Appendix F of this Part or other approved equivalent methods.
(2) Floor panels of all compartments and ceiling and sidewall liner panels of Class B and E compartments must be constructed of materials that meet at least the requirements set forth in § 25.853(b). Also, these liner panels must be tested at a 45 degree angle in accordance with the applicable portions of Part I of Appendix F of this Part or other approved equivalent methods. The flame may not penetrate (pass through) the material during application of the flame or subsequent to its removal.
The average flame time after removal of the flame source may not exceed 15 seconds, and the average glow may not exceed 10 seconds.] (a-2) Insulation blankets and cargo covers used to protect cargo in compartments not occupied by passengers or crew must be constructed of materials that at least meet the requirements of § 25.853(b), and tiedown equipment (including containers, bins, and pallets) used in each cargo and baggage compartment not occupied by passengers or crew must be constructed of materials that at least meet the requirements set forth in § 25.853(b-3).
(b) No compartment may contain any controls, wiring, lines, equipment, or accessories whose damage or failure would affect safe operation, unless those items are protected so that-
(1) They cannot be damaged by the movement of cargo in the compartment, and
(2) Their breakage or failure will not create a fire hazard.
(c) There must be means to prevent cargo or baggage from interfering with the functioning of the fire-protective features of the compartment.
(d) Sources of heat within the compartment must be shielded and insulated to prevent igniting the cargo.
(e) Cargo compartments must meet one of the class requirements of § 25.857. In addition, flight tests must be conducted to show compliance with the provisions of § 25.857 concerning-
(1) Compartment accessibility;
(2) The entry of hazardous quantities of smoke or extinguishing agent into compartments occupied by the crew or passengers, and
(3) The dissipation of the extinguishing agent in Class C compartments.
During these tests, it must be shown that no inadvertent operation of smoke or fire detectors in any compartment would occur as a result of fire contained in any one compartment, either during or after extinguishment, unless the extinguishing system floods each such compartment simultaneously.
b. Guidance.
(1) Paragraph (a-1)(1). Material constructions (panels) which meet the ceiling liner test requirements are also acceptable for use as sidewall panels. The converse is not true.
(Amendment 25-60)
(2) Paragraph (a-1)(1). The following is recommended when testing design features found in ceiling or sidewall panels: (Amendment 25-60)
(i) When testing joints and seams, position them longitudinally in the ceiling sample holder centered over the burner cone. If the seam or joint is in the sidewall, test it in the longitudinal position of the sidewall sample holder 2-inches below the sidewall top. All fastening systems should be tested similarly. (Amendment 25-60)
(ii) When testing corners, the corner should be positioned in the test fixture as it normally is in service. The test fixture may be altered slightly to accommodate this corner design feature. This will require the removal of the angle iron on the back corner of the fixture.
(Amendment 25-60)
(iii) When testing lighting fixtures or pressure-relief valves, any material forming the fire barrier should be tested as a flat sheet in the ceiling or sidewall position (depending on actual location in the cargo compartment) and treated as a liner. (Amendment 25-60)
(3) Paragraph (a-1)(2). Holes in ceiling panels used to provide access for smoke detector sampling ports should not be larger than 3/8-inch in diameter. (Amendment 25-60)
(4) Paragraph (e). Refer to AC 25-9A, “Smoke Detection, Penetration, and Evacuation Test, and Related Flight Manual Emergency Procedures,” dated 1/6/94. (Amendment 25-0)
(5) Note: The FAA Memorandum 00-115-16, dated September 12, 2000, titled, “Use of the Aircraft Fire Test Handbook” provides guidance for the use of the Report # DOT/FAA/CT-99/15 titled, “Aircraft Fire Test Handbook” that may be used to show compliance with, or demonstrate an equivalent level of safety to, the applicable regulations. The test methods described in the handbook are intended to be adopted in total, if they are used. That is, use of a portion of a test method from the handbook, and another portion of the test method from Appendix F, is not automatically acceptable. (Amendment 25-0)
655. AMENDMENT 25-72, Effective August 20, 1990.
a. Regulation.
Cargo [or baggage] compartments.
[For each cargo and baggage compartment not occupied by crew or passengers, the following apply:
(a) The compartment must meet one of the class requirements of § 25.857.
(b) Class B through E cargo or baggage compartments, as defined in § 25.857, must have a liner, and the liner must be separate from (but may be attached to) the airplane structure.
(c) Ceiling and sidewall liner panels of Class C and D compartments must meet the test requirements of Part III of Appendix F of this part or other approved equivalent methods.
(d) All other materials used in the construction of the cargo or baggage compartment must meet the applicable test criteria prescribed in Part I of Appendix F of this part or other approved equivalent methods.
(e) No compartment may contain any controls, wiring, lines, equipment, or accessories whose damage or failure would affect safe operation, unless those items are protected so that-