Review of Handbook Chapters

1
Review ofHandbook Chapters

• Pat Cahill
• Patricia.Cahill_at_FAA.gov

2
Chapter 4 Aircraft Wire Test

• Recommendation Include the need for a special
  tool to test fiber optics.
• FAA Response We will look in to this matter. We
  have not conducted any (flammability) testing of
  fire optic wire/cable at the Tech Center.

3
Chapter 7 Seat Test (7.3.2.4)

• Recommendation Change pressure regulator
  tolerance from /- 0.038 liter/hour to /- 0.38
  liter/hour.
• FAA Response Agree.

4
Chapter 7 Seat Test (7.7.3)

• Recommendation Delete or greater in the third
  sentence.
• FAA Response Sentence is incorrect as written in
  the handbook. It should read, 10 BTUs/ft2 or
  greater. This is based on response from labs
  and industry on the difficulty of achieving the
  specified flux even with a tolerance.

5
Chapter 7 Seat Test (7.7.4)

• Recommendation Add tolerances to the 7
  thermocouple temperatures.
• FAA Response Two thermocouples are allowed to be
  equal to 1750F (954 C) or greater. No benefit
  would be derived from adding tolerance to this
  temperature and this also applies to the 5
  thermocouples required to be 1800F (982 C) or
  greater. It is permissible to have temperature
  variation on all thermocouples as long as they
  have reached the minimum temperature requirements.

6
Chapter 7 Seat Test (7.7.4)

• Recommendation Use up to 8 wires to secure
  leather seat components.
• FAA Response From testing performed at the Tech
  Center on leather seat test samples, we agree
  that 1 wire is not adequate to restrain them. We
  are requesting input and guidance from industry
  on
• What is commonly used?
• Is the data compromised based on the number of
  restraining wires used other than 1 wire?

7
Chapter 7 Seat Test (7.6.2)

• Recommendation Allow chamber air speed to be 60
  feet/min (1 foot/sec) measured at any/all
  locations. This is a pre-test measurement.
• FAA Response Input from labs that have any
  experience with any differences in test outcome
  based on various air speeds would be greatly
  appreciated. We currently have no data
  evaluating this parameter.

8
Chapter 7 Seat Test (7.8.5)

• Recommendation Reduce the 2-minute warm up time
  due to excessive soot build up.
• FAA Response Testing would be needed to verify
  that the test results would not be compromised.

9
Round Robin 6

• Pat Cahill
• Patricia.Cahill_at_FAA.gov

10
Round Robin 6 Results
11
Flame Propagation Test
12
Radiant Panel Angle

• Angle of panel with the horizontal - 30? with no
  tolerance specified
• ASTM E 648 Flooring Test calls out nominal
  angle of 30/- 5? (25? to 35?)
• Unacceptable tolerance for flame propagation test

13
Internal Chimney

• Air/propane internal chimney width is 4-½ inches
  board-to-board and 4 inches metal-to-metal
  (frame)
• Electric panel internal chimney width is 4 inches
  board- to- board and is 3 ¾ inch metal-to-metal
• Data from both the air/propane and electric
  radiant panel test chambers are similar. It does
  not appear that the ¼ inch difference in width
  has an effect
• The dimensions (with appropriate tolerances) will
  be amended in the appendix of the Handbook

14
Construction Materials

• Metals, such as stainless steel used in the
  construction of the sliding platform (notably the
  top flange), and the retaining frame, should be
  painted black if the surface is shiny. High
  temperature paint, such as grill paint is
  acceptable.

15
Glass Viewing Window
The high temperature glass-viewing window in the
electric radiant panel test chamber is bigger
than the viewing window in the air/propane test
chamber. It consists of 2 pieces of glass opposed
to the multiple rectangular pieces in the
air/propane chamber. Based on testing in both
chambers, the glass size does not appear to be a
significant variable.
16
Thermocouple
The thermocouple sheathing material is not
specified in the Rule. Since it is not rigid, the
thermocouple can be moved inadvertently. This
will be addressed in the appendix of the Handbook.