Sec. 23.853 - Passenger and crew compartment
interiors.
For each compartment to be used by the
crew or passengers:
(a) The materials must be at least
flame-resistant;
(b) [Reserved]
(c) If smoking is to be prohibited,
there must be a placard so stating, and if smoking is to be allowed --
(1) There must be an adequate number of
self-contained, removable ashtrays; and
(2) Where the crew compartment is
separated from the passenger compartment, there must be at least one
illuminated sign (using either letters or symbols) notifying all
passengers when smoking is prohibited. Signs which notify when smoking is
prohibited must --
(i) When illuminated, be legible to each
passenger seated in the passenger cabin under all probable lighting
conditions; and
(ii) Be so constructed that the crew can
turn the illumination on and off; and
(d) In addition, for commuter category
airplanes the following requirements apply:
(1) Each disposal receptacle for towels,
paper, or waste must be fully enclosed and constructed of at least fire
resistant materials and must contain fires likely to occur in it under
normal use. The ability of the disposal receptacle to contain those fires
under all probable conditions of wear, misalignment, and ventilation
expected in service must be demonstrated by test. A placard containing the
legible words "No Cigarette Disposal" must be located on or near each
disposal receptacle door.
(2) Lavatories must have "No Smoking" or
"No Smoking in Lavatory" placards located conspicuously on each side of
the entry door and self-contained, removable ashtrays located
conspicuously on or near the entry side of each lavatory door, except that
one ashtray may serve more than one lavatory door if it can be seen from
the cabin side of each lavatory door served. The placards must have red
letters at least
1/2 inch high on a white background at least 1 inch high (a "No
Smoking" symbol may be included on the placard).
(3) Materials (including finishes or
decorative surfaces applied to the materials) used in each compartment
occupied by the crew or passengers must meet the following test criteria
as applicable:
(i) Interior ceiling panels, interior
wall panels, partitions, galley structure, large cabinet walls, structural
flooring, and materials used in the construction of stowage compartments
(other than underseat stowage compartments and compartments for stowing
small items such as magazines and maps) must be self-extinguishing when
tested vertically in accordance with the applicable portions of appendix F
of this part or by other equivalent methods. The average burn length may
not exceed 6 inches and the average flame time after removal of the flame
source may not exceed 15 seconds. Drippings from the test specimen may not
continue to flame for more than an average of 3 seconds after falling.
(ii) Floor covering, textiles (including
draperies and upholstery), seat cushions, padding, decorative and
nondecorative coated fabrics, leather, trays and galley furnishings,
electrical conduit, thermal and acoustical insulation and insulation
covering, air ducting, joint and edge covering, cargo compartment liners,
insulation blankets, cargo covers and transparencies, molded and
thermoformed parts, air ducting joints, and trim strips (decorative and
chafing), that are constructed of materials not covered in paragraph
(d)(3)(iv) of this section must be self extinguishing when tested
vertically in accordance with the applicable portions of appendix F of
this part or other approved equivalent methods. The average burn length
may not exceed 8 inches and the average flame time after removal of the
flame source may not exceed 15 seconds. Drippings from the test specimen
may not continue to flame for more than an average of 5 seconds after
falling.
(iii) Motion picture film must be safety
film meeting the Standard Specifications for Safety Photographic Film
PH1.25 (available from the American National Standards Institute, 1430
Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10018) or an FAA approved equivalent. If the film
travels through ducts, the ducts must meet the requirements of paragraph
(d)(3)(ii) of this section.
(iv) Acrylic windows and signs, parts
constructed in whole or in part of elastomeric materials, edge-lighted
instrument assemblies consisting of two or more instruments in a common
housing, seatbelts, shoulder harnesses, and cargo and baggage tiedown
equipment, including containers, bins, pallets, etc., used in passenger or
crew compartments, may not have an average burn rate greater than 2.5
inches per minute when tested horizontally in accordance with the
applicable portions of appendix F of this part or by other approved
equivalent methods.
(v) Except for electrical wire cable
insulation, and for small parts (such as knobs, handles, rollers,
fasteners, clips, grommets, rub strips, pulleys, and small electrical
parts) that the Administrator finds would not contribute significantly to
the propagation of a fire, materials in items not specified in paragraphs
(d)(3)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this section may not have a burn rate
greater than 4.0 inches per minute when tested horizontally in accordance
with the applicable portions of appendix F of this part or by other
approved equivalent methods.
(e) Lines, tanks, or equipment
containing fuel, oil, or other flammable fluids may not be installed in
such compartments unless adequately shielded, isolated, or otherwise
protected so that any breakage or failure of such an item would not create
a hazard.
(f) Airplane materials located on the
cabin side of the firewall must be self-extinguishing or be located at
such a distance from the firewall, or otherwise protected, so that
ignition will not occur if the firewall is subjected to a flame
temperature of not less than 2,000 degrees F for 15 minutes. For
self-extinguishing materials (except electrical wire and cable insulation
and small parts that the Administrator finds would not contribute
significantly to the propagation of a fire), a vertifical
self-extinguishing test must be conducted in accordance with appendix F of
this part or an equivalent method approved by the Administrator. The
average burn length of the material may not exceed 6 inches and the
average flame time after removal of the flame source may not exceed 15
seconds. Drippings from the material test specimen may not continue to
flame for more than an average of 3 seconds after falling.
[Amdt. 23-14, 23 FR 31822, Nov. 19, 1973, as
amended by Amdt. 23-23, 43 FR 50593, Oct. 30, 1978; Amdt. 23-25, 45 FR
7755, Feb. 4, 1980; Amdt. 23-34, 52 FR 1831, Jan. 15, 1987]