[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11197-11199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4377]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Policy Statement Number ANM-01-01]


FAA Policy on Use of the ``Aircraft Materials Fire Test 
Handbook''

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of policy statement; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces an FAA policy applicable to the use of 
Report DOT/FAA/AR-00/42, ``Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook.'' 
This notice advises the public that the FAA considers the material 
flammability tests described in the latest version of that document to 
be the preferred acceptable test methods for showing compliance with 
the relevant regulations. This notice is necessary to advise the public 
of FAA policy and give all interested persons an opportunity to present 
their views on the policy statement.

DATES: Send all comments on this policy statement on or before March 
26, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on this policy statement to the individual 
identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Gardlin, Federal Aviation 
Administration, Transport Airplane Directorate, Airframe/Cabin Safety 
Branch, ANM-115, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98055-4056; telephone 
(425) 227-2136; fax (425) 227-1320; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    You may comment on this policy statement by sending any written 
data, views, or arguments as you may desire. You should identify the 
Policy Statement Number ANM-01-01 on your comments, and submit your 
comments, in duplicate, to the address indicated above. The Transport 
Airplane Directorate (Transport Standards Staff) will consider all 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments.

Discussion

The Original Version of the Handbook

    In September 1990, the FAA published Report DOT/FAA/CT-99/15, 
``Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook'' (referred to throughout this 
notice as ``the Handbook''). The Boeing Company, with the assistance of 
the former McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company, developed the Handbook 
under contract to the FAA.
    The 1990 version of the Handbook consisted of chapters outlining in 
detail the various material flammability tests that Boeing and 
McDonnell Douglas had used to show compliance with the FAA material 
flammability regulations. Those specific regulations in Title 14, Code 
of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 25, are:
    Sec. 25.853 (``Compartment interiors''),
    Sec. 25.855 (``Cargo and baggage compartments''),
    Sec. 25.857 (``Cargo compartment classification''),
    Sec. 25.858 (``Cargo compartment fire detection systems''), and
    Sec. 25.869 (``Fire protection: systems'').
    At the time of its original publication, the Handbook contained 
test methods that represented acceptable, but not necessarily the only, 
methods to show compliance with those regulations. In addition, the 
Handbook contained other chapters with general information on 
flammability testing of aircraft material, such as where in the 
regulations to find requirements, the location of international 
contacts, and a list of various fire test laboratories.

Modifications to Test Methods in the Handbook

    Since the original publication of the Handbook, the FAA has relied 
on the International Aircraft Materials Fire Test Working Group 
(IAMFTWG) to review the test methods and advise on areas needing 
possible revision. The IAMFTWG consists of experts in the materials and 
fire testing specialties who help refine and support the development of 
test methods used in aviation. The members of the IAMFTWG include 
representatives from the airlines, airframe manufacturers, material 
suppliers, and regulatory authorities, among others. A representative 
from the FAA's Technical Center chairs this group. The IAMFTWG is a 
participative technical peer group that contributes to FAA research, 
but its activities are not regulatory in nature.
    Before any modifications to the test methods described in the 
Handbook have been incorporated, the IAMFTWG has provided data 
supporting such modifications, and the FAA has reviewed and accepted 
the data. In addition, the FAA's Transport Airplane Directorate 
(Transport Standards Staff) has determined whether the modified test 
methods complied with the applicable regulations.
    The following is an example of why and how this procedure has been 
used in the past to modify and improve test methods.

[[Page 11198]]

Example of Why and How a Test Method is Modified

    Several IAMFTWG representatives from test laboratories reported 
problems with testing some new, very fire-resistant panels in the rate-
of-heat-release testing apparatus. The test apparatus used three pilot 
flames, located above the sample material, to ignite any combustible 
gas by-products emitted by the sample during testing. The problem with 
this test arose when gases emanating from the samples were 
extinguishing the upper pilot flames in the test chamber, thus voiding 
the tests. Consequently, materials that might improve fire safety could 
not be approved for use because the fire retardant mechanism that 
improved their flammability also extinguished the pilot flames in the 
required test method.
    After an extensive test program, certain modifications were made to 
the upper pilot burner in the test apparatus to improve the test:
     The number of pilot flames was increased from 3 to 13, 
with one outside the flame plume.
     The size of the pilot flames was decreased to minimize the 
possible heating effect of the increased number of pilots.
    Testing showed that this new pilot configuration solved the 
problem. That is, when a pilot flame would extinguish, it was 
immediately re-ignited by an adjacent flame without compromising the 
results of the test. Subsequent testing showed that there was no 
difference in test results between the 3-and 13-hole pilot 
configurations for materials that do not extinguish the pilot flames. 
Thus, the Transport Airplane Directorate (Transport Standards Staff) 
determined that the use of the 13-hole pilot burner would produce 
results equivalent to the 3-hole burner and, therefore, was an 
acceptable method to show compliance with the applicable regulations.

Discussion of the Latest Revised Handbook

    The FAA has made public the various accepted modifications to the 
original test methods (outlined in the 1990 version of the Handbook) 
through drafts of a revised Handbook that have been continually 
updated. The recently published revised Handbook, dated April 2000, 
documents these changes to the test methods.
    There are four types of chapters in this latest revised version of 
the Handbook:
    1. Required test methods, non-propulsion related (Chapters 1-10, 
and 15);
    2. Required test methods, propulsion related (Chapters 11-14);
    3. Non-required test methods (Chapters 18-22); and
    4. General information (Appendix A through G).
    The required test methods (non-propulsion), as described in 
Chapters 1 through 10 and Chapter 15, are acceptable methods for 
showing compliance with, or provide an equivalent level of safety to, 
the required regulations as outlined in the chapter.
    The required test methods (propulsion), as described in Chapters 11 
through 14, are not addressed in this policy statement.
    The non-required test methods described in Chapters 18 through 22 
are included in the Handbook for use as test standards in applications 
where there currently are no requirements. Since these test methods are 
not required, no process is required for their modification. Therefore, 
the FAA will update these chapters as needed in the electronic version 
of the Handbook located at http://www.fire.tc.faa.gov/index.html?handbook.stm&1.
    The general information chapters (Appendices A through G) provide 
assistance to applicants and test laboratories as a general guide to 
the certification process. These chapters are not all-inclusive and can 
be viewed simply as a starting point. The FAA will update the 
information in these chapters as needed in the electronic version of 
the handbook.

Preferred Test Methods

    As of the date of this policy statement, the FAA considers the 
following test methods described in Chapters 1 through 10 and Chapter 
15 of the ``Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook,'' dated April 2000, 
the preferred test methods to show compliance with, or demonstrate an 
equivalent level of safety to, the applicable material flammability 
regulations:
    Chapter 1--the 60-second and 12-second Vertical Bunsen Burner Test 
specified in Sec. 25.853, Sec. 25.858, and Appendix F of part 25.
    Chapter 2--the 30-second 45-degree Bunsen Burner Test specified in 
Sec. 25.857 and Appendix F of part 25.
    Chapter 3--the 15-second horizontal Bunsen Burner Test specified in 
Sec. 25.853 and Appendix F of part 25.
    Chapter 4--the 30-second 60-degree Bunsen Burner Wire Test 
specified in Sec. 25.869 and Appendix F of part 25.
    Chapter 5--the Rate of Heat Release Test specified in Sec. 25.853 
and Appendix F of part 25.
    Chapter 6--the Smoke Test for Cabin Materials specified in 
Sec. 25.853 and Appendix F of part 25.
    Chapter 7--the Oil Burner Test for Seat Cushions specified in 
Sec. 25.853.
    Chapter 8--the Oil Burner Test for Cargo Liners specified in 
Sec. 25.855 and Appendix F of part 25.
    Chapter 9--the Radiant Heat Test for Evacuation Slides, Ramps, and 
Rafts specified in Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C69C (``Emergency 
Evacuation Slides, Ramps, Ramp/Slides, and Slide/Rafts'').
    Chapter 10--the Fire Containment Test of Waste Stowage Compartments 
to demonstrate compliance with Sec. 25.853.
    Chapter 15--the Oil Burner Test for Repaired Cargo Compartment 
Liners to demonstrate continued compliance with Sec. 25.855.
    Although these test methods cannot--and do not--supersede any 
method specified by and described in the regulations, they represent an 
acceptable means of compliance with the relevant regulation and, in 
some cases, a preferred option over the specified method.
    Section 25.853 includes a provision for use of ``other approved 
equivalent methods,'' when referring to the test procedures described 
in Appendix F of part 25. The FAA has accepted the test methods 
described in Chapters 1 through 10 and Chapter 15 of the Handbook as 
providing an equivalent level of safety to the test methods specified 
in Appendix F of part 25. In addition, these test methods are more 
repeatable, more reproducible, and easier to conduct.
    The FAA encourages applicants to use the test methods outlined in 
Chapters 1 through 10 and Chapter 15 of the Handbook. However, the FAA 
will consider other alternative methods that demonstrate an equivalent 
level of safety on a case-by-case basis along with the necessary 
supportive data.

Process for Modifying the Preferred Test Methods

    New materials and technology may make it necessary to modify the 
various test methods from time to time in order to address newly 
identified testing anomalies. In these cases, the FAA requires 
assurance that such changes do not affect the intended pass/fail 
criteria of the test (that is, the level of safety provided), but do 
provide an increase in repeatability, reproducibility, or ease of test 
conduct.
    Changes or modifications to any test method outlined in Chapters 1 
through 10 and Chapter 15 will be addressed first through the IAMFTWG. 
The IAMFTWG will evaluate all suggested

[[Page 11199]]

changes, modifications, and supportive data. Only changes that do not 
adversely affect the intended safety level of the test method (pass/
fail level) will be considered.
    Fire safety experts within the FAA will first approve the modified 
test methods before forwarding them to the Transport Airplane 
Directorate (Transport Standards Staff) for a determination of 
equivalent level of safety. Only if such a determination is made will 
the changes or modifications be incorporated into the electronic 
version of the Handbook (accessible at http://www.fire.tc.faa.gov/index.html?handbook.stm&1).

Use of the Test Methods

    The FAA will consider the test methods in Chapters 1 through 10 and 
Chapter 15 of the electronic version of the Handbook to be the most 
current methods. However, the test methods described in the version of 
the Handbook dated April 2000, will remain acceptable for showing 
compliance. The test methods described in the regulations, of course, 
will also remain acceptable methods of compliance.
    The test methods described in the Handbook are intended to be 
adopted in total, if they are used. That is, use of one section of a 
test method from the Handbook and another section of the test method 
from Appendix F of part 25 for example, is not covered by this policy 
statement. If an applicant proposes to use sections from more than one 
version of a test method to show compliance, the applicant first must 
obtain approval from the cognizant FAA Aircraft Certification Office. 
The applicant's requests should be coordinated with the Transport 
Airplane Directorate (Transport Standards Staff).

Effect of General Statement of Policy

    The general policy stated in this document is not intended to 
establish a binding norm; it does not constitute a new regulation and 
the FAA would not apply or rely upon it as a regulation. The FAA 
Aircraft Certification Offices (ACO) that certify transport category 
airplanes should generally attempt to follow this policy, when 
appropriate. However, in determining compliance with certification 
standards, each ACO has the discretion not to apply these guidelines 
where it determines that they are inappropriate. Applicants should 
expect that the certificating officials will consider this information 
when making findings of compliance relevant to new certificate actions. 
Applicants also may consider the material contained in this policy 
statement as supplemental to that currently contained in Report DOT/
FAA/AR-00/12, ``Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook,'' dated April 
2000, when developing a means of compliance with the relevant 
certification standards.
    In addition, as with all typical advisory material, this statement 
of policy identifies one means, but not the only means, of compliance.

Application of Policy Statement

    The FAA considers this policy statement an issue for which public 
comment is appropriate and, therefore, requests comment on it. However, 
it is the FAA's intention to immediately apply this policy. Resolution 
of any public comments received will determine how the policy is 
applied in the long term for future projects.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 14, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-4377 Filed 2-21-01; 8:45 am]
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