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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

Red Line Process for Updating Fire Test Handbook New


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 August 2023 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
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