Part l — Test Criteria and Procedures for Showing Compliance with JAR 25.853, or 25.855

Text derived from JAR–25 Appx F, Part I at Chg 14, plus Amendment 93/1, dated 08/03/93

(a) Material test criteria

(1) Interior compartments occupied

by crew or passengers.
(i) Interior ceiling panels,

interior wall panels, partitions, galley

structure, large cabinet walls, structural

flooring, and materials used in the

construction of stowage compartments

(other than underseat stowage

compartments and compartments for

stowing small items such as magazines

and maps) must be self-extinguishing

when tested vertically in accordance

with the applicable portions of Part I of

this Appendix. The average burn length

may not exceed 152.40 mm (6 inches)

and the average flame time after

removal of the flame source may not

exceed 15 seconds. Drippings from the

test specimen may not continue to flame

for more than an average of 3 seconds

after falling.
(ii) Floor covering, textiles

(including draperies and upholstery),

seat cushions, padding, decorative and

non-decorative coated fabrics, leather,

trays and galley furnishings, electrical

conduit, thermal and acoustical

insulation and insulation covering, air

ducting, joint and edge covering, liners

of Class B and E cargo or baggage

compartments, floor panels of Class B,

C, D, or E cargo or baggage

compartments, insulation blankets,

cargo covers and transparencies,

moulded and thermoformed parts, air

ducting joints, and trim strips

(decorative and chafing), that are

constructed of materials not covered in

sub-paragraph (iv) below, must be selfextinguishing

when tested vertically in

accordance with the applicable portions

of Part I of this Appendix or other

approved equivalent means. The

average burn length may not exceed

203·2 mm (8 inches), and the average

flame time after removal of the flame

source may not exceed 15 seconds.

Drippings from the test specimen may

not continue to flame for more than an

average of 5 seconds after falling.

(iii) Motion picture film must be

safety film meeting the Standard

Specifications for Safety Photographic

Film PHI.25 (available from the

American National Standards Institute,

1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018).

If the film travels through ducts, the

ducts must meet the requirements of

sub-paragraph (ii) of this paragraph.

(iv) Clear plastic windows and

signs, parts constructed in whole or in

part of elastomeric materials, edge

lighted instrument assemblies consisting

of two or more instruments in a common

housing, seat belts, shoulder harnesses,

and cargo and baggage tiedown

equipment, including containers, bins,

pallets, etc, used in passenger or crew

compartments, may not have an average

burn rate greater than 63·5 mm

(2·5 inches) per minute when tested

horizontally in accordance with the

applicable portions of this Appendix.
(v) Except for small parts (such

as knobs, handles, rollers, fasteners,

clips, grommets, rub strips, pulleys, and

small electrical parts) that would not

contribute significantly to the

propagation of a fire and for electrical

wire and cable insulation, materials in

items not specified in paragraphs

(a)(1)(i),(ii),(iii), or (iv) of Part I of this

Appendix may not have a burn rate

greater than 101.6 mm (4 inches) per

minute when tested horizontally in

accordance with the applicable portions

of this Appendix.

(2) Cargo and baggage compartments

not occupied by crew or passengers.
(i) Thermal and acoustic

insulation (including coverings) used in

each cargo and baggage compartment

must be constructed of materials that meet

the requirements set forth in sub-paragraph

(a)(1)(ii) of Part I of this Appendix.

(ii) A cargo or baggage

compartment defined in JAR 25.857 as

Class B or E must have a liner

constructed of materials that meet the

requirements of sub-paragraph (a)(1)(ii)

of Part I of this Appendix and separated

from the aeroplane structure (except for

attachments). In addition, such liners

must be subjected to the 45 degree

angle test as specificed in sub-paragraph

(b) (6) of Part I of this Appendix. 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.

(iii) A cargo or baggage

compartment defined in JAR 25.857 as

Class B, C, D, or E must have floor

panels constructed of materials which

meet the requirements of sub-paragraph

(a)(1)(ii) of Part I of this Appendix and

which are separated from the aeroplane

structure (except for attachments). Such

panels must be subjected to the 45

degree angle test as specified in subparagraph

(b) (6) of Part I of this

Appendix. 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.

(iv) Insulation blankets and

covers used to protect cargo must be

constructed of materials that meet the

requirements of sub-paragraph (a)(1)(ii)

of Part I of this Appendix. Tiedown

equipment (including containers, bins,

and pallets) used in each cargo and

baggage compartment must be

constructed of materials that meet the

requirements of sub-paragraph (a)(1)(v)

of Part I of this Appendix.

(3) Electrical system components.

Insulation on electrical wire or cable installed

in any area of the fuselage must be selfextinguishing

when subjected to the 60 degree

test as specified in sub-paragraph (b) (7) of

Part I of this Appendix. The average burn

length may not exceed 76·2 mm (3 inches)

and the average flame time after removal of

the flame source may not exceed 30 seconds.

Drippings from the test specimen may not

continue to flame for more than an average of

3 seconds after falling.

(b) Test Procedures –

(1) Conditioning. Specimens must be

conditioned to 70 ± 5°F (21·11 ± 3°C), and at

50% ± 5% relative humidity until moisture

equilibrium is reached or for 24 hours. Each

specimen must remain in the conditioning

environment until it is subjected to the flame.

(2) Specimen configuration. Except

for small parts and electrical wire and cable

insulation, materials must be tested either as a

section cut from a fabricated part as installed

in the aeroplane 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. Except

as noted below, the specimen thickness must

be no thicker than the minimum thickness to

be qualified for use in the aeroplane. Test

specimens of thick foam parts, such as seat

cushions, must be 12·7 mm (½-inch) in

thickness. Test specimens of materials that

must meet the requirements of sub-paragraph

(a)(1)(v) of Part I of this Appendix must be

no more than 3·175 mm (1/8-inch) in

thickness. Electrical wire and cable specimens

must be the same size as used in the

aeroplane. In the case of fabrics, both the

warp and fill direction of the weave must be

tested to determine the most critical

flammability condition. Specimens must be

mounted in a metal frame so that the two long

edges and the upper edge are held securely

during the vertical test prescribed in subparagraph (4) of this paragraph and the two

long edges and the edge away from the flame

are held securely during the horizontal test

prescribed in sub-paragraph (5) of this

paragraph. The exposed area of the specimen

must be at least 50·8 mm (2 inches) wide and

304·8 mm (12 inches) long, unless the actual

size used in the aeroplane is smaller. 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 as installed in the

aeroplane. The specimen must be mounted in

a metal frame so that all four edges are held

securely and the exposed area of the specimen

is at least 203·2 mm by 203·2 mm (8 inches

by 8 inches) during the 45° test prescribed in

sub-paragraph (6) of this paragraph.

(3) Apparatus. Except as provided in

sub-paragraph (7) of this paragraph, tests

must be conducted in a draught-free cabinet

in accordance with Federal Test Method

Standard 191 Model 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 SW.,

Washington, DC 20407, USA). Specimens

which are too large for the cabinet must be

tested in similar draught-free conditions.

specimens must be tested and 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 Tirril burner with a

nominal 9·525 mm (3/8-inch) I.D. tube

adjusted to give a flame of 38·1 mm

(1½ inches) in height. The minimum flame

temperature measured by a calibrated

thermocouple pyrometer in the centre of the

flame must be 843·33 °C (1550 °F). The

lower edge of the specimen must be

19·05 mm (¾-inch) above the top edge of the

burner. The flame must be applied to the

centre line of the lower edge of the specimen.

For materials covered by sub-paragraph

(a)(1)(i) of Part I of this Appendix, the flame

must be applied for 60 seconds and then

removed. For materials covered by subparagraph (a)(1)(ii) of Part I of this

Appendix, the flame must be applied for

12 seconds and then removed. Flame time,

burn length, and flaming time of drippings, if

any, may be recorded. The burn length

determined in accordance with sub-paragraph

(7) of this paragraph must be measured to the

nearest 2·54 mm (tenth of an inch).

(5) Horizontal test. 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 or Tirrill burner with a nominal

9·525 mm (3/8-inch) I.D. tube adjusted to give

a flame of 38·1 mm (1½ inches) in height.

The minimum flame temperature measured by

a calibrated thermocouple pyrometer in the

centre of the flame must be 843·33°C

(1550°F). The specimen must be positioned

so that the edge being tested is centred

19·05 mm (¾-inch) above the top of the

burner. The flame must be applied for

15 seconds and then removed. A minimum of

254 mm (10 inches) of specimen must be used

for timing purposes, approximately 38·1 mm

(1½ inches) must burn before the burning

front reaches the timing zone, and the average

burn rate must be recorded.

(6) Forty-five degree test. A minimum

of three specimens must be tested and the

results averaged. The specimens must be

supported at an angle of 45° to a horizontal

surface. The exposed surface when installed

in the aircraft must be face down for the test.

The specimens must be exposed to a Bunsen

or Tirrill burner with a nominal 9·525 mm

(3/8-inch) I.D. tube adjusted to give a flame of

38·1 mm (1½ inches) in height. The minimum

flame temperature measured by a calibrated

thermocouple pyrometer in the centre of the

flame must be 843·33°C (1550°F). Suitable

precautions must be taken to avoid draughts.

The flame must be applied for 30 seconds

with one-third contacting the material at the

centre of the specimen and then removed.

Flame time, glow time, and whether the flame

penetrates (passes through) the specimen must

be recorded.

(7) Sixty degree test. 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° with the

horizontal in the cabinet specified in subparagraph (3) of this paragraph with the

cabinet door open during the test, or must be

placed within a chamber approximately

609·6 mm (2 feet) high by 304·8 mm by

304·8 mm (1 foot by 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 draughts.

The specimen must be parallel to and

approximately 152·4 mm (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 609·6 mm

(24 inches) and must be marked 203·2 mm

(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 mounted underneath the test

mark on the specimen, perpendicular to the

specimen and at an angle of 30° to the

vertical plane of the specimen. The burner

must have a nominal bore of 9·525 mm

(3/8-inch) and be adjusted to provide a

76·2 mm (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 954·44°C (1750°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 sub-paragraph (8) of this paragraph must

be measured to the nearest 2·54 mm (tenth of

an inch). Breaking of the wire specimens is

not considered a failure.

(8) 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 discoloured, nor areas

where material has shrunk or melted away

from the heat source.

Chg 13 15/10/89

cushion must meet the following criteria:

and seat back cushion specimens must be

tested.

(2) If the cushion is constructed with

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 material, 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 JAR 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 431.8 mm (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 discoloured, 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 cushions

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 0.127 m/s ± 0.05 m/s (25 fpm

± 10 fpm) at the top of the back seat cushion.

Horizontal air velocity should be below 0.05 m/s (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 must be used.

must be 457 ± 3 mm (18 ± 0·125 inches) wide

by 508 ± 3 mm (20 ± 0·125 inches) deep by

102 ± 3 mm (4 ± 0·125 inches) thick,

exclusive of fabric closures and seam overlap.
(3) The seat back cushion specimen

must be 432 ± 3 mm (18 ± 0·125 inches) wide

by 635 ± 3 mm (25 ± 0·125 inches) high by

51 ± 3 mm (2 ± 0·125 inches) thick, exclusive

of fabric closures and seam overlap.
(4) The specimens must be

conditioned at 21 ± 2ºC (70 ± 5ºF) 55%

± 10% relative humidity for at least 24 hours

before testing.

test apparatus is shown in Figure 1 through 5

and must include the components described in

this paragraph. Minor details of the apparatus

may vary, depending on the model burner used.

(1) Specimen Mounting Stand. The

mounting stand for the test specimens consist

of steel angles, as shown in Figure 1. The

length of the mounting stand legs is 305 ±

3 mm (12 ± 0·125 inches). 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 a modified gun type;

(ii) Have an 80-degree spray

angle nozzle nominally rated for

2·25 US gallons/hour at 100 psi;

(iii) Have a 305 mm (12-inch)

burner cone installed at the end of the

draft tube, with an opening 152 mm

(6 inches) high and 208 mm (11 inches)

wide, as shown in Figure 3; and

regulator that is adjusted to deliver a

nominal 2·0 US gallon/hour of # 2

Grade kerosene or equivalent required

for the test.
(3) Calorimeter

(i) The calorimeter to be used

in testing must be a 0–17·0 Watts/cm2

(0–15·0 BTU per ft2 sec) calorimeter,

accurate ± 3%, mounted in a 152 by

305 mm (6 inch by 12 inch) by 19 mm

(0·75 inch) 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

thermo-couples to be used for testing must be

0·0625 to 0·125 inch metal sheathed, ceramic

packed, type K, grounded thermocouples with

a nominal 22 to 30 American wire gauge

(AWG)-size conductor (0·643 mm (0·0253

inches) to 0·254 mm (0·010 inches) diameter).

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 102 ± 3 mm (4 ± 0·125 inches) from one

side of the specimen mounting stand. The

burner stand should have the capability of

allowing the burner to be swung 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.

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 9 grams (0·02 pound). A

continuous weighing system is preferred.

(8) Timing Device. A stopwatch or

other device (calibrated to ± 1 second) must

be used to measure the time of application of

the burner flame and self-extinguishing time

or test duration.

calibration, all equipment must be turned on and

the burner fuel must be adjusted as specified in

sub-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

102 ± 3 mm (4 ± 0·125 inches) from the exit

of the burner cone.

for 2 minutes for warmup, and adjust the

burner air intake damper to produce a reading

of 11·9 ± 0·6 Watts/cm2 (10·5 ± 0·5 BTU per

ft2 sec) 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 1038 ± 38ºC

(1900 ± 100ºF) to ensure steady state

conditions have been achieved.

(5) If the calorimeter and

thermocouples do not read within range,

repeat steps in sub-paragraphs 1 to 4 and

adjust the burner air intake damper until the

proper readings are obtained. The

thermocouple 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 Procedures. The flammability of

each set of specimens must be tested as follows:

seat bottom and seat back cushion specimens

to be tested to the nearest 9 grams

(0·02 pound).

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.

ensure that the distance from the exit of the

burner cone to the side of the seat bottom

cushion specimen is 102 ± 3 mm (4 ± 0·125

inches).
(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 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 CO2).

(7) Determine the weight of the

remains of the seat cushion specimen set left

on the mounting stand to the nearest 9 grams

(0·02 pound) 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:

of the specimens being tested.

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.

tested.