… He also gave me the number 405-954-3131 for the ‘Flight Standards Service’ in OKC. They passed, and I got my pretty certificates that made me legal. However, the need for this testing procedure is only called out in FAR 23.853 section (d); however, section (d) applies to ‘commuter category airplanes’ only. Provides FAA ARFF guidance for airports certificated under Part 139. What should you do?”, “With regard to what the AYA member might say to FSDO about you, I think you may have been right: The ‘flame resistant’ test may be sufficient. And airliners use approved materials. In my own case, despite the fact that I had personally tested the materials to the definition as described in FAR 1, I concluded that I was illegal by installing these materials without complying with the test procedures outlined in AC 23-2, 4(b). Regardless of whether it is a simple modification, a specialized completion (VIP or VVI 9-62. Skandia features the Federal Aviation Administration’s approval of our “Method of Compliance (MOC), Flammability Testing for Aircraft Seats, 14 CFR 25.853(c) and 14 CFR 25.853(a),” Revision B. I wound up talking to AOPA and Jack Theden (pronounced”the-DEEN”) of Skandia Aircraft Interiors, telephone (815) 227-1611. “For this reason, [I wonder if] the verbiage was to clarify a reference to materials located on the firewall, cabin side.”. Under CAR-3 only the outside material is fire resistant. Managed by a highly experienced team of FAA Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs), our full complement of burn, heat release, smoke emissions and toxicity testing services provide for comprehensive engineering, test plan preparation, testing and certification. I was concerned that we are trying to regulate our private aircraft to a higher standard, and that while certainly honorable, it could possibly be a “foot in the door” to further regulation of “bogus parts” and the like. The test records the average max Heat Release Rate (HRR) during the five minute test and average total Heat Release during the first two minutes. …. The Smoke Emissions test measures Specific Optical Density (Ds) of emissions for both burning and non-burning conditions. There probably was a rule here in the long past, but they deleted it and left the other sections in place. (Reference AC 23-2 and AC 25.10) The author of posting, Rod Farlee, pointed out revisions to AC 43-13-1B, Paragraphs 9-60 and 9-62, which state, Paragraph 9-60: “Only materials that are flash resistant should be used in cabin interiors.”. FAA STC SR04279NY: 206L-series and 407 Wall Blanket Installation, 2. If we submit to Transport or Commuter Category standards in certain seemingly innocuous areas like seat covers, we could very well find ourselves being added kicking and screaming in others. THE AVIATION SUPERSTORE FOR ALL YOUR AIRCRAFT & PILOT NEEDS | 877-4-SPRUCE ... Home / Covering Supplies / Interiors / Vinyl Upholstery / Faux Leather Upholstery Material. I decided I better check into the question of legalities further. Addresses US aviation fire fighting and rescue topics and requirements, such as airport fire trucks, ARFF training, fire communications, firefighter protection, accident scenes, airport fire fighting facilities, airport fire engine rollover, and more. This is simply not true. Anything else would be just too easy. Specific optical density is a dimensionless measure of the amount of smoke produced per unit area by a material when it is burned. From Planning to Testing to Certification. Limited in-house capability, with FAA Policy on Use of the Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook. The Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) Education, Qualification, and Currency System contains established aviation training standards and records for natural resource and firefighting employees within the Department of the Interior (DOI), … If materials meet the definition of “self extinguishing” are they automatically covered for “flame resistant” as well? Burn certificate available on request. Flammability Burn, Heat Release, Smoke Emission, and Toxicity. All of our materials are FAA Burn Certified. A few months after all this happened, I came upon a similar discussion in the rec.aviation.owning newsgroup, dealing with the same issues. So, where’s the definition of “flame resistant,” and how do we prove it? The regulation is probably a mistake: It is so badly written as to prevent economical refurbishment.”, Oh, well, it sounds like a religious debate anyway. Our team is fully prepared to … The last issue that the AYA member noted in their disagreement with me was that a Form 8110-3 was required for all materials. 17. During the summer of 1998, I refurbished the interior on my Grumman Tiger, using automotive cloths and vinyls. Federal Register for Use of the Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook. SHARE; FAUX LEATHER UPHOLSTERY MATERIAL. … “What,” I asked, “is Skandia’s rationale for their position that only flame resistance (and hence only the horizontal test) is required for GA aircraft, as asserted to [Greg Amy]?”. I could find no requirement for this anywhere. Given these facts, appears that an owner can install an interior into their Part 91 aircraft, using any materials that meet the definition of “flame resistant.” Given the test procedures required by AC 23-2, it is unlikely that an owner can perform to the legal limit of the testing procedures, so at approximately $40 per test it is cost-effective to pay an FAA-certified testing lab to certify successful completion of the testing. “Think of it this way: 23.853 deals solely with ‘Passenger and crew compartment interiors.’ Agreed? Full - scale and laboratory fire testing conducted by the FAA has demonstrated that the involvement of the relatively large mass of foam cushion material in aircraft is a major factor in a c abin fire. and. “Located on the cabin side of the firewall”? 1 Review 4 ... Request the sample by color number. The test chamber measures the heat release properties of aircraft interior materials and is considered the pinnacle standard for heat release measurements. A newly-developed water spray system provides for the abatement of smoke generated in the hot-fire trainer during the fire training exercise. Important Flammability Information Regarding: ISO 17025:2017. As an example, when the aircraft interior panels are required to be self-extinguishing, a surrogate panel without the new finish is tested that must show a longer, or worse, 60-second vertical bum length than the old panel. Under part 23 the outer and inner materials are required to be burn resistance as a unit. CGD-#26341: Certification for Controlled Good Program. These components can be grouped into five basic areas (see figure C-1): foam cushions, upholsteries, fire blockers, plastic moldings, and structure. The Paint Certification for Airbus is also in the works and will be completed very soon. This 4 hour training class is designed for personnel who are new or need to quickly meet 14 CFR part 139.319 (i) (3) to start work or those who missed their annual live fire training and need to be recertified. So there we were, trying to figure out why FAR 23.853(f) apparently does not apply to our aircraft. Even better, they can also treat your materials (at additional charge) so that they will definitely pass muster, should you have any doubt. Part 43 Non-Applicable Aircraft. As a result, it has the unintended side effect of applying ‘self-extinguishing’ to everything in the cabin. All this could have gone away if I simply sent swatches of the materials to an FAA-approved testing facility and had them tested and signed off (at a cost of about $40 per sample). Because of the hazards fire poses in the cabin, flammability testing of all materials is mandatory. The DER said it’s an excellent question, but couldn’t answer it. 23.853, 23.855 and 23.1359.” It incorporates a complex set of burn tests, using tools probably only available at FAA-approved testing facilities. Skandia is the global leader in providing aviation flammability engineering & testing services. Pick out your favorite materials, yes even Aunt Martha’s sofa covering, and if it passes the $40 test, you’re in! C-RAP01-031: Repair Design Certificate for Aircraft Seatbelts. The MOC minimizes testing requirements while maintaining our strong commitment to safety. Woody Kessler Chief, Aviation Training Branch. STC SA12-60: Seat back and Seat Base, 2. WORLD'S PREMIER INDEPENDENT AVIATION NEWS RESOURCE. Effectively for this discussion, as Category 23, Part 91 operations, we are bound by 23.853(a), (b), (c), and (e); not (d) and (f). (Skandia is a certified testing lab, and can test samples that you provide for about $40 per sample.) “Flash-resistant,” per FAR 1, is defined as “not susceptible to burning violently when ignited.” Note however, that paragraph 9-60 continues on to say: “The requirements related to fire protection qualities of cabin interior materials are specified in CAR 3.388, fire precautions or 14 CFR part 23, section 23.853 compartment interiors.”. We are a premiere American carpet manufacturer and provider of quality aircraft interior products / finishes. d. I thought that 14 CFR 25.853(c) “the oil burn test” took care of the flammability testing for aircraft seats? Therefore, all FARs take precedence over Advisory Circulars. Nothing, nada. Aircraft Maintenance: Major vs minor alterations, part 2 Aircraft Maintenance: Major vs minor alterations, part 2 October 22, 2014 By Jeff Simon Last time, we covered the importance of determining if an alteration to an aircraft is major or minor . Remember, at this point we pretty much have our standard by which to test and make the FAA happy…, Then I got to thinking about that Section (f) verbiage again: “Airplane materials located on the cabin side of the firewall…”. degree of fire - resistance. “Despite the fact that this work is absolutely legal for an owner to do on their own (as I did), I would strongly encourage others to work with their local IA to make sure all work is done to proper standards (as I did) otherwise they could certainly run afoul of their picky IA (as mine is) at the next annual inspection or when selling the aircraft (which I have no immediate plans to do).”. Must be “self-extinguishing” or far enough from the firewall. … Most deaths in a survivable crash occur from smoke according to a recent Transport Canada study. • Aircraft having a U.S. airworthiness certificate (with certain exceptions); • Foreign-registered civil aircraft used in common carriage or carriage of mail under part 121 or 135; and • Airframes, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, and component parts of the above aircraft. Note that I had initially dismissed section (f) as being applicable to my seat covers, because at first glance I assumed it referred only to items that were actually attached to the firewall, cabin side. Materials used in part 23 aircraft interiors must meet the requirements of section 23.853, and the burn test requirements called out in part 23, appendix F. a. 1.1.2 The minimum … If not, then why the explicit verbiage? Keep current on industry changes, new products and promotions. Cloth (at least cloth curtains) can be impregnated with an anti-burn something, upon which you are given a certificate. CSNP056, Aircraft Interior Material Burn Resistance Requirements, and CPTI 001, Burn Test Procedures for Interior Materials, are the prescriptive burn documents for supplier s providing aircraft interiors and stowage compartment mat erials. Certifying interiors materials and components to established regulatory flammability requirements is critical to aviation safety. And several more airlines have shown great interest… This FAA Paint Certification is also available for every MD80, Fokker F100 and for SAAB 340B. This includes generating an engineering test plan, conformity of test articles and FAA approval. YIKES! How do we prove our materials are “flame resistant”? The results of Rate of Heat Release (OSU) as measured from our Marlin Engineering Heat Release Chamber. What does the FAA have to say about the materials you or the shop uses? But get both tests done anyway.”. I’d still like to understand the rationale. Our involvement over the years with Boeing, Douglas Aircraft, Airbus and Bombardier, as well as with numerous airlines has given us a broad knowledge of the interiors of a vast array of airlines. This risk can be effectively managed through compliance with this standard. (d) “In addition, for commuter category airplanes, the following requirements apply:”. Bottom line: We do the horizontal test for “flame resistant” and “self-extinguishing” test (i.e. We have our semi-official “answer.” Maybe we’ll let sleeping dogs lie…. Personalized carpet & cabin interior products. B. 300 E Mallard Dr., Suite 200 Boise, ID 83706. Since your Part 23 Type Designed aircraft is not in commuter category or in a Part 135 operation, you do not have to install ‘self-extinguishing’ materials in your interior. Two more are already in the certification process : – LAN CHILE – PHILIPPINES AIRLINES . Creating value for our customers through innovation and continuous improvement. (c) “If smoking is to be prohibited, there must be a placard so stating, and if smoking is to be allowed…”. Well a simple check of FAR 1, “Definitions and Abbreviations,” defines: “Flame resistant” means not susceptible to combustion to the point of propagating a flame, beyond safe limits, after the ignition source is removed. Interior Capabilities - Recovering of all aircraft interior soft goods to include headliners, passenger service panels, bulkheads etc. The flammability of rubber depends on the chemical composition of … Fortunately for all of us, the newsgroup author pursued this issue further with Mr. O’Brien. However, this got me thinking: Where did I get that rule interpretation? Smoke Emissions (Ds) Measuring the level of smoke given off of burning aircraft interior materials, our test engineers utilize the Marlin Engineering Smoke Density Chamber for test accuracy and validity of results. The first 747-8F Freighter … This statement is incorrect and I will personally make the correction to the AC in Change 1 which is due to go to the government printing office on November 1, 1999…”. custom seat upholstery complete interiors We offer a wide range of aviation upholstery services, including replacing your worn-out seats and creating special custom interiors for your aircraft. SCS Interiors is a family-owned upholstery manufacturing company based in Duluth, MN. The Boeing 747-8 is a wide-body airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, the latest and largest variant of the 747.After introducing the 747-400, Boeing considered larger 747 versions as alternatives to Airbus A3XX.The stretched 747 Advanced was launched as the 747-8 on November 14, 2005, for a market forecast of 300 aircraft. We have a definition of “self-extinguishing.” It’s defined in FAR 23, Appendix F, labeled “Acceptable test procedure for self-extinguishing materials for showing compliance with Secs. (The full FAR 23 is available on the FAA website; it makes great bedtime reading…) So, keep that web page open and follow along as we parse FAR 23.853: (a) “The materials must be at least flame resistant”. I love the last line of Rod Farlee’s newsgroup posting: “It’s just this kind of nonsense that leads many of us to consider homebuilt aircraft!”. At first glance, FAR 23.853 seems pretty clear: All materials in our non-commuter-category FAR 23 aircraft must use “flame-resistant” materials. The good news is that just like the AIM, Advisory Circulars are just that: advisory.They do not carry the legal weight of regulation, but are to be used as advisory information in the lack of presence of regulation. The Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) (or aircraft specification) for the specific aircraft identifies the certification basis. “… Section (f) deals with materials attached to the … firewall, cabin side. STC SH12-45: Interior Wall Blanket Installation. I wasn’t complaining, mind you, just curious. I wrote it up for the AYA Star, a newsletter published by the American Yankee Association, and it was published in the Nov/Dec ’98 issue under the title Finally! So, now we know what we have to test to for “self-extinguishing.” However,what if those materials are far enough away from the firewall so they don’t have to be tested? The rule §25.853 compartment interior c. What and how is it to be complied with appendix f to part 25? Here’s the issue: Suppose you want to refurbish the interior of your FAA-certificated light plane with new carpet and upholstery. Regardless of the aircraft component a manufacturer seeks to install on an aircraft, proving compliance to the relevant regulatory requirements is required. Everyone knows Chuck Yeager flew it to establish the first record-breaking... © 2020 Aviation Publishing Group. The material for your aircraft must be ‘flame resistant.’, “You are also right regarding the Part 23 aircraft interior statement in Advisory Circular AC 43.13-1b that require all materials to meet the Appendix F burn test. All of Skandia's Flammability checklists are now online; mobile and tablet ready. Skandia Announces New Improved Damping Product Line: AeroDamp Advanced. a. The writer seemed to imply that “FAA-approved materials” would neither burnnor give off any smoke in a fire. 4. Key Words Fire Safety, Aircraft interior materials, Flammability 18. - Repair and refinish woodwork as required. The FAA Aircraft Certification Blog is a special page featuring short messages about new additions and updates to this website. This also include s electrical material burn resistance requirements. The same thing is said in an article Interior Confusion by Bill O’Brien (National Resource Specialist, General and Sport Aviation, Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Division, AFS-300 Flight Standards Service, FAA, DC HQ). Aviation’s Single Source Laboratory for Comprehensive Flammability Programs. The fact that the STC is … Steve Willams, editor of the AYA Star, made further contact with Skandia, and came up with the following: I described the statement in Light Plane Maintenance that only parts (a) and (b) of 23.853 apply to GA aircraft. regulations, FAA approval process, aircraft materials, regulatory methodology used by other countries, aircraft industry internal test methods and guidelines, laboratories actively using fire test methods, and commercial manufacturers of fire test equipment. In addition, what about “flame resistant”? Remember that the AYA member, it appears, has taken his interpretation from Light Plane Maintenance, which holds that only parts (a) and (b) are applicable. However, I was more interested in the larger question of what the FAA actually requires and its effects on Part 91 operations. Neither the writer’s original disagreement nor my rebuttal were printed in the AYA Star newsletter, and the matter might have ended right there. Phone: 208-433-5090 ... Dräger Interior Live Fire Training System (ILFTS) Dräger’s Interior Live Fire Training Systems can be operated with a comprehensive variety of training scenarios—residential or commercial. If I had obtained test results from a testing lab which uses those procedures, and these test results were acceptable, I would be in compliance with FAR 23 regulations. Contaminated waste water is collected in tankage for appropriate disposal. The regulations are very specific. CGD-#26341: Certification for Controlled Good Program. Our made-to-order approach ensures each product or service is creative, cost-effective and unique. “I’m not at all surprised that the regulations say one thing while FAA enforces another. I was surprised at the answers I received. The writer hadmentioned terms like “fire-retardant” and “approved materials” and”flammable” and he mentioned the possibility of “smoke.” Trouble was,none of these terms are mentioned in the FARs he quoted. I fired back that: “Per FAR 23.853a, all aircraft must use interior materials that are ‘flame-resistant’ not ‘fire-retardant’ as you specified. With over thirty years of experience in aircraft interiors, we know aviation upholstery fabrics. “The extensive FAR 23 Appendix F testing procedure is the ‘Acceptable test procedure for self-extinguishing materials’ for showing compliance with FAR 23.853. OBJECTIVE OF THE RULE. Companies can also spray that stuff onto things that are hard to remove and put in a washing machine (aircraft seats for instance). “Any part of an airplane interior, including carpeting, headliners, seat cushioning, upholstery, soundproofing, etc., must have passed fire-retardant tests specified in FAR 23.853 and FAR 23 Appendix F, and be tagged with a 8110-3 form, with the signature of FAA witness or DER (Designated Engineering Representative). Part 91 operations area by a material when it is impractical to establish the 747-8F. Writer ’ s the issue: Suppose you want to sit on something flammable in Grumman... What does the FAA defines what it is impractical to establish the first...... Accufleet is known world-wide as the experts in flammability testing and certification of interior cabin, cargo compartment insulation... Complaining, mind you, just curious us, the following requirements:! Re FAR enough away release, smoke Emission, and I got my certificates! 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