Federal Aviation Administration
Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook
Resources
This section will provide links to updated versions of the Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook as well as the early versions. A segmented version is also available for those who are having trouble downloading the full version.
FAA Policy on Use of the Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook
Federal Register for Use of the Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook
Links for Regulatory Information
Individual Chapters and Appendixes (Latest Update)
09/29/09: In an effort to provide a constant for simplifying the calibration factor calculation in FAR 25, Appendix F, a long standing error was noted in Chapter 5 (Heat Release Rate Test for Cabin Materials) of the Handbook. The constant value located in the equation (Paragraph 5.6.6) is currently 23.55 and should actually be 25.31.
Last update to the Handbook was made on 5/18/06 in accordance with Policy Letter on use of Handbook above.
| Chapter | Title |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1 April Update |
Vertical Bunsen Burner Test for Cabin & Cargo Compartment Materials Burn Length Determination Lab Test Form - Bunsen Burner Test |
| Chapter 2 |
45-Degree Bunsen Burner Test for Cargo Compartment Liners and Waste
Stowage Compartment Material Lab Test Form - Bunsen Burner Test |
| Chapter 3 |
Horizontal Bunsen Burner Test for Cabin, Cargo Compartment, and Miscellaneous
Materials Lab Test Form - Bunsen Burner Test |
| Chapter 4 |
60-Degree Bunsen Burner Test for Electric Wire Lab Test Form - Bunsen Burner Test |
| Chapter 5 April Update |
Heat Release Rate Test for Cabin Materials Lab Test Form - OSU Heat Release Test Heat Release Rate Calibration Factor |
| Chapter 6 |
Smoke Test for Cabin Materials Lab Test Form - NBS Smoke Burner Test Report on the Smoke Chamber Furnace New Furnace |
| Chapter 7 June 2023 Update |
Oil Burner Test for Seat Cushions Advisory Circular on Flammability Requirements for Aircraft Seat Cushions. Lab Test Form - Oil Burner Seat Cushion Test Seat Cushion Test Procedures Training Video: View Online | Download Sonic Burner Assembly and Operation: View Online | Download |
| Chapter 8 June 2023 Update |
Oil Burner Test for Cargo Liners Lab Test Form - Oil Burner Cargo Liner Test Cargo Liner Test Procedures Training Video: View Online | Download Sonic Burner Assembly and Operation: View Online | Download |
| Chapter 9 March 2023 Updated | Radiant Heat Testing of Evacuation Slider, Ramps, and Rafts |
| Chapter 10 Feb. 2023 Updated | Fire Containment Test of Waste Stowage Compartments |
| Chapter 11 January Updated | Powerplant Hose Assemblies Test |
| Chapter 12 | Powerplant Fire Penetration Test |
| Chapter 13 | Test for Electrical Connectors used in Firewalls |
| Chapter 14 | Test for Electrical Wire used in Designated Fire Zones |
| Chapter 15 | Two Gallon per hour Oil Burner Certification Testing for Repaired Cargo Compartment Liners |
| Chapter 18 |
Recommended Procedure for the 4-Ply Horizontal Flammability Test for
Aircraft Blankets Lab Test Form - Bunsen Burner Test |
| Chapter 19 | Smoke test for Insulated Aircraft Wire |
| Chapter 20 | Dry Arc Tracking Test Procedure |
| Chapter 21 | Dry Arc-Propagation Resistance |
| Chapter 22 | Cotton Swab Test for Thermal Acoustic Insulation Blankets |
| Chapter 23 July Update |
Test Method To Determine the Flammability and Flame Propagation Characteristics
of Thermal/Acoustic Insulation Materials Advisory Circular on Thermal/Acoustic Insulation Flame Propagation Test Method Details Radiant Panel Procedures Training Video: View Online | Download |
| Chapter 24 June 2023 Update |
Test Method To Determine the Burnthrough Resistance of Thermal/Acoustic
Insulation Materials Advisory Circular on Installation of Thermal/Acoustic Insulation for Burnthrough Protection Sonic Burner Assembly and Operation: View Online | Download Thermal/Acoustic Insulation Materials Test Training Video: View Online | Download |
| Chapter 25 | Oil Burner Flammability Test for Magnesium Alloy Seat Structure Sonic Burner Assembly and Operation: View Online | Download |
| Chapter 26 February Update | Test Method to Determine the Flammability and Flame Propagation Characteristics of Magnesium Alloy |
| Appendix A | FAA Regulations |
| Appendix B | The Approval Process |
| Appendix C | Materials Used in Aircraft |
| Appendix D | Regulatory Methodology Used By Other Countries |
| Appendix E | Aircraft Industries Internal Test Methods and Guidelines |
| Appendix F June 2024 Update | Laboratories Actively Using Fire Test Procedures |
| Appendix G July 2021 Update | Commercial Manufacturers of Fire Test Equipment |
Archive of Changes to Handbook
| Archival Date | Archival Section |
|---|---|
| 06/17/2024 | Appendix F |
| 09/07/2023 | Appendix F |
| 07/26/2023 | Chapter 24 |
| 07/26/2023 | Chapter 8 |
| 07/26/2023 | Chapter 7 |
| 07/26/2023 | Chapter 23 |
| 07/12/2023 | Chapter 10 |
| 04/18/2023 | Chapter 5 |
| 03/30/2023 | Chapter 9 |
| 03/02/2023 | Appendix F |
| 03/01/2022 | Appendix F |
| 11/09/2021 | Appendix F |
| 07/09/2021 | Appendix G |
| 04/08/2021 | Chapter 1 |
| 02/25/2021 | Appendix F |
| 02/02/2021 | Appendix F |
| 01/21/2021 | Chapter 11 |
| 07/24/2020 | Appendix F |
| 04/20/2020 | Chapter 23 |
| 02/20/2020 | Appendix F |
| 11/20/2019 | Chapter 23 |
| 10/04/2019 | Chapter 1 |
| 09/05/2019 | Chapter 1 |
| 07/17/2019 | Appendix F |
| 06/11/2019 | Chapter 23 |
| 05/23/2019 | Chapter 23 |
| 02/11/2019 | Chapter 26 |
| 01/22/2019 | Appendix F |
| 09/12/2018 | Chapter 24 |
| 08/06/2018 | Appendix F |
| 07/10/2018 | Chapter 23 |
| 03/23/2018 | Chapter 23 |
| 02/13/2018 | Chapter 1 |
| 02/13/2018 | Appendix F |
| 01/03/2018 | Chapter 23 |
| 10/20/2017 | Chapter 8 |
| 10/20/2017 | Chapter 7 |
| 08/24/2017 | Appendix F |
| 08/24/2017 | Chapter 11 |
| 07/31/2017 | Chapter 8 |
| 07/31/2017 | Chapter 7 |
| 06/21/2017 | Chapter 8 |
| 06/21/2017 | Chapter 7 |
| 06/20/2017 | Chapter 23 |
| 03/10/2017 | Appendix B |
| 02/17/2017 | Appendix G |
| 02/17/2017 | Appendix F |
| 02/17/2017 | Chapter 25 |
| 02/17/2017 | Chapter 6 |
| 10/03/2016 | Chapter 7 |
| 08/18/2016 | Chapter 8 |
| 07/12/2016 | Appendix F |
| 07/12/2016 | Chapter 8 |
| 01/29/2016 | Chapter 7 |
| 11/18/2015 | Appendix F |
| 06/12/2015 | Appendix F |
| 04/28/2015 | Chapter 5 |
| 03/30/2015 | Chapter 8 |
| 03/27/2015 | Appendix F |
| 02/18/2015 | Chapter 25 |
| 10/10/2014 | Appendix F |
| 10/10/2014 | Appendix G |
| 05/07/14 | Appendix F |
| 05/07/14 | Appendix G |
| 05/17/13 | Chapter 6 |
| 05/17/13 | Appendix F |
| 01/21/13 | Appendix G |
| 01/21/13 | Appendix F |
| 10/05/12 | Appendix F |
| 09/10/12 | Appendix F |
| 07/20/12 | Appendix F |
| 02/09/12 | Appendix F |
| 02/09/12 | Appendix G |
| 10/21/11 | Appendix F |
| 02/25/11 | Appendix F |
| 07/13/10 | Appendix F |
| 02/17/10 | Appendix F |
| 12/17/09 | Appendix F |
| 09/29/09 | Chapter 5 |
| 09/04/09 | Appendix F |
| 02/05/09 | Appendix F |
| 01/14/09 | Appendix F |
| 05/21/08 | Appendix F |
| 05/02/08 | Appendix F |
| 04/21/08 | Appendix F |
| 02/22/08 | Appendix F |
| 02/22/08 | Appendix G |
| 01/28/08 | Appendix F |
| 01/14/08 | Chapter 7 |
| 05/04/07 | Appendix G |
| 05/04/07 | Appendix F |
| 05/04/07 | Chapter 7 |
| 01/26/07 | Appendix F |
| 11/09/06 | Chapter 8 |
| 10/2/06 | Appendix F |
| 05/18/06 | Chapter 6 |
| 05/18/06 | Chapter 7 |
| 05/18/06 | Chapter 15 |