Fire Containment of Waste Stowage Compartments

Test Sample Requirements

The unit to be tested is typically equivalent to the actual production unit.

• Maximum misalignment with regard to air gaps, seal interfaces, overlaps, etc. are simulated in the test unit.
• Stowed cart test arrangements require a galley structure equipped with power outlets and air inlet/outlet ducting to simulate in-flight use.
• If a liner is used within a waste compartment, the test must be conducted both with and without the liner installed.

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History of the Fire Containment Test of Waste Stowage Compartments

In 1953, the Civil Aeronautics Board issued Civil Air Regulation (CAR) Part 4b for Airplane Airworthiness of Transport Categories. Section 4b.381 "Cabin Interiors", section (d) stated that "All receptacles for used towels, paper, and waste shall be of fire-resistant material, and shall incorporate covers or other provisions for containing possible fires." The term "fire resistant" was defined at the time as:

With respect to sheet or structural members, means the capacity to withstand the heat associated with fire at least as well as aluminum alloy in dimensions appropriate for the purpose for which they are used.

In 1947, the U.S. Civil Air Authority (CAA) issued Safety Regulation Release (SRR) No. 259 to provide approved test methods to be used in demonstrating compliance with fire and flammability requirements. Flight Standards Service Release (FSSR) No. 453 superseded SRR No. 259 in 1961. Both the SRR and FSSR releases contained a test method to show compliance with the "fire resistant" requirement of CAR 4b.381. In 1965, when the regulations were recodified into 14 CFR Part 25, the requirements carried forward into section 25.853(d).

In 1991 the FAA issued Advisory Circular (AC) 25-17 "Transport Airplane Cabin Interiors Crashworthiness Handbook" which provided acceptable certification methods for demonstrating compliance with the crashworthiness requirements of 14 CFR Part 25. This AC provided an acceptable test method for demonstrating fire containment of containers, carts, and compartments. The AC defined "fire resistant" compliance as meeting the 45-degree burn test and by containing the fire described in this test procedure. This AC was amended to AC 25-17A in 2009, and included this same test procedure in Appendix 8 of the AC.

In order to facilitate improvements to the test standard without constantly changing the CFR, the FAA published Report DOT/FAA/CT-99/15 "Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook" in 1990. The tests in this handbook are considered an acceptable equivalent to those in the CFR. The handbook was updated in 2000 to DOT/FAA/AR-00/12, with the Fire Containment Test of Waste Stowage Compartments located in Chapter 10 of the handbook.

Sources: FAA Fire Test Handbook

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Additional Resources

Resource	Description
14 CFR 23.853	Passenger and Crew Compartment Interiors (Normal, Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category Airplanes) U.S. Regulations for FAR 23.853 at Amendment 23-62. (Historical)
14 CFR 25.853	Compartment Interiors (Transport Category Airplanes) U.S. Regulations for FAR 25.853 at Amendment 25-116.
14 CFR 29.853	Compartment Interiors (Transport Category Rotorcraft) U.S. Regulations for FAR 29.853 at Amendment 29-30.
14 CFR 29.855	Cargo and Baggage Compartments (Transport Category Rotorcraft) U.S. Regulations for FAR 29.855 at Amendment 29-30.
FAA Fire Test Handbook, Chapter 10	FAA Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook (DOT/FAA/AR-00/12); Chapter 10; Fire Containment Test of Waste Stowage Compartments. This handbook provides an acceptable means of compliance with the relevant regulations. This is the preferred test method to find compliance with the listed regulations.
FAA Advisory Circular AC 25-17A	Transport Airplane Cabin Interiors Crashworthiness Handbook Provides acceptable certification methods for demonstrating compliance with the crashworthiness requirements of 14 CFR Part 25.