A Comparison of the Performance of OSU-Compliant versus Non-OSU-Compliant Thermoplastics Used in the Lower Area of Aircraft Seats during a Simulated Post-crash Fire Scenario

Details

• Creators:
  Marker, Timothy R.
• Corporate Creators:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. William J. Hughes Technical Center
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Fires Fractional Effective Dose Model Fuselages Non-OSU-compliant OSU-compliant Post-crash Survival Tests For Suitability, Service And Quality Thermocouples Thermoplastic Materials
• Publication/ Report Number:
  DOT/FAA/TC-16/42
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. William J. Hughes Technical Center
• Abstract:
  This report summarizes the research effort undertaken by the FAA to determine any differences in occupant survivability during a simulated post-crash fire when using thermoplastic paneling located in the lower seating area that meets current heat release rate requirements versus paneling that does not meet the current heat release rate requirements. The heat release requirement is based on the Ohio State University (OSU) Rate of Heat Release Test Method.
  
  Two full-scale tests were conducted in the Full-Scale Fire Test Facility at the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The full-scale tests were conducted with a large external fuel fire adjacent to a B-707 narrow-body aircraft fuselage, which simulated a severe but survivable accident in which the fire entered the cabin through a simulated fuselage rupture. The fuselage was instrumented with thermocouples, gas-sampling lines, heat flux transducers, and smoke meters to monitor conditions during the test. The fuselage was also outfitted with flat honeycomb panels installed as sidewalls, stowage bins, and ceiling, and four simulated triple seats constructed of steel angle.
  
  The upper section of the seats contained fire-hardened seat-cushion bottoms and backs that met current FAA flammability requirements, and the lower area contained thermoplastic sheet material on the aft and side areas. During the initial test, thermoplastic paneling that met the current FAA heat release requirements was used, whereas, during a second test, the thermoplastic paneling did not meet current requirements. The tests determined that the use of the noncompliant paneling resulted in more hazardous conditions late in the test.
  
  These conditions were determined using a fractional effective dose model, using temperature and gas data collected during the tests.
  
  
• Format:
  PDF
• Collection(s):
  FAA Fire Safety FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:46f172f554071f4768e090ba8dcb3782a8ac9da1e4cd85d43cf3dc653cf0729ba42f472ac1c8f395a2a660efcd43c0e7ca6a6a0e717aba9e2aa01d2bc84250c4
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/57691/dot_57691_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.73 MB ]