FAA-2000-7909: Improved Flammability Standards for Thermal/Acoustic Insulation Materials Used in Transport Category Airplanes; Final Rule

For full text of the FAA rule on Improved Flammability Standards for Thermal/Acoustic Insulation Materials Used in Transport Category Airplanes as published in the Federal Register on July 31, 2003 please see: FAA-2000-7909

Unofficial Summary:

Rulemaking

In 2000 a Notice on Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was issued that proposed upgraded flammability standards for thermal/acoustic insulation materials by adopting new flammability test methods and criteria that specifically address flame propagation and penetration under realistic fire scenarios.

On July 31, 2003 the Federal Aviation Administration issued the final Rule on Improved Flammability Standards for Thermal/Acoustic Insulation Materials Used in Transport Category Airplanes (FAA 2000-7909).

The Rule became effective on September 2, 2003.

Rule Requirements

The final Rule consists of two major parts:
a) Flame Propagation
b) Flame Penetration

The Rule gives the industry two years to comply with the new flame propagation standards, and four years to meet newly developed flame penetration requirements.

a) Flame Propagation

Flame Propagation part of the final Rule requires thermal/acoustic insulation materials installed in the fuselage of transport category airplanes to pass a flame propagation test (Radiant Panel Test) per FAR 25.856 (a).

Applicability:
? All new transport airplanes, regardless of size and capacity, manufactured after September 2, 2005.
? All replacement thermal/acoustic insulation materials installed on transport airplanes after September 2, 2005

b) Flame Penetration

Flame Penetration part of the final Rule requires thermal/acoustic insulation materials installed in the lower lobe of a transport category airplane with passenger capacity of 20 and greater to pass a flame penetration resistance test (Burnthrough Test) per FAR 25.856 (b).

Applicability:

All new airplanes with a passenger capacity of 20 and greater, manufactured after September 2, 2007.