ISO 14186:2013

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 14186
First edition
2013-08-15
Air cargo — Fire containment covers
— Design, performance and testing
requirements
Fret aérien — Couvertures anti-feu — Exigences de conception,
performances et essais
Reference number
©
ISO 2013
© ISO 2013
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ii © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 2
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 General requirements . 4
4.1 Approval . 4
4.2 Dimensions . 4
4.3 Materials . 4
4.4 Weight . 5
4.5 Design . 5
4.6 Environment . 6
4.7 Maintenance . 6
5 Performance . 7
5.1 Components . 7
5.2 FCC assembly . 7
5.3 Allowable damage . 8
6 Testing . 9
6.1 Materials testing . 9
6.2 FCC assembly test .12
7 Markings .14
8 Manufacturer’s instructions .15
9 Operator requirements .16
9.1 General .16
9.2 Operating instructions .16
9.3 Training and qualification .17
9.4 Quality control .17
Annex A (normative) Code D wide-body aircraft main deck contour .18
Annex B (normative) Code P wide-body aircraft lower deck contour .20
Annex C (normative) Code Y narrow-body aircraft main deck contour .21
Annex D (informative) Gaseous contaminants recommendations .22
Annex E (normative) Location of thermocouples for FCC assembly test .23
Bibliography .25
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2. www.iso.org/directives
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received. www.iso.org/patents
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 20, Aircraft and space vehicles, Subcommittee
SC 9, Air cargo and ground equipment.
iv © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

Introduction
This International Standard specifies the design and performance criteria and testing methods
applicable to fire containment covers intended to be used in conjunction with air cargo unit load devices
in order to meet through oxygen depletion the fire containment regulations in certain civil transport
aircraft cargo compartments.
Throughout this International Standard, the minimum essential criteria are identified by use of the
key word “shall”. Recommended criteria are identified by use of the key word “should” and, while not
mandatory, are considered to be of primary importance in providing fire containment covers meeting
the applicable regulatory requirements and ensuring effective protection against fires. Deviation from
recommended criteria should only occur after careful consideration, extensive testing, and thorough
service evaluation have shown alternate methods to be satisfactory.
The requirements of this International Standard are expressed in the applicable SI units, with
approximate inch-pound units conversion between brackets for convenience in those countries using
that system. Where it is deemed necessary to use exact values, the SI unit ones are to be used.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 14186:2013(E)
Air cargo — Fire containment covers — Design,
performance and testing requirements
1 Scope
1.1 This International Standard specifies the minimum design and performance criteria and testing
methods of fire containment covers (FCCs) used:
a) either in those cargo compartments of civil transport aircraft where they constitute one means of
complying with applicable airworthiness regulations,
b) or on a voluntary basis, when deemed appropriate by operators to improve fire protection in aircraft
cargo compartments where airworthiness regulations do not mandate their use.
1.2 The FCCs specified by this International Standard are intended to be used to cover unitized
cargo contained/restrained in an air cargo pallet and net assembly, for loading into aircraft main deck
cargo compartments:
a) either class F aircraft cargo compartments according to CS-25 § 25.857(f) and AMC to CS-25.855
and 25.857, in accordance with 1.1 a) above,
b) or class B aircraft cargo compartments according to CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3 or 14 CFR Part 25
§ 25.857 (b), in accordance with 1.1 a) or 1.1 b) above,
c) or class E aircraft cargo compartments according to CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3 or 14 CFR Part 25 §
25.857 (e), in accordance with 1.1 b) above.
NOTE Though nothing prevents an FCC from being carried in a lower deck class C aircraft cargo compartment,
it is not intended for this use since its fire containment capability would be redundant with that of the aircraft’s
fire detection and suppression system, which it could hamper.
1.3 The FCCs specified by this International Standard may be of two types:
a) type I: separate devices to be installed over a pallet’s load below a net approved for this purpose; or
b) type II: devices permanently attached to a pallet net approved for this purpose.
1.4 The unit load devices (pallet and net) used in conjunction with the fire containment cover are
specified in this International Standard only insofar as their flammability requirements are concerned.
They are not otherwise specified in this International Standard.
NOTE See Bibliography for applicable ULD airworthiness approval and general design standards.
1.5 This International Standard is not intended to cover fire containment of loose baggage or loose
cargo loaded in bulk cargo compartments.
1.6 This International Standard does not cover requirements for fire detection or suppression
devices. The specified FCCs are passive devices.
1.7 The use of fire containment covers meeting the requirements of this International Standard
is not sufficient alone to ensure flight safety: this International Standard is based on the assumption
that the approved fire containment covers will be installed and checked prior to aircraft loading in
accordance with appropriate operating instructions, by competent, suitably trained personnel as
[9]
defined, for example, in ISO 9001:2008 , 6.2.2 (see 9.3 hereafter).
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 4892-1, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 1: General guidance
ISO 4892-3, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 3: Fluorescent UV lamps
1)
ISO 7137, Aircraft — Environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment
ISO 7166, Aircraft — Rail and stud configuration for passenger equipment and cargo restraint
ISO 10046, Aircraft — Methodology of calculating cargo compartment volumes
ISO 10254, Air cargo and ground equipment — Vocabulary
ISO 12236, Geosynthetics — Static puncture test (CBR test)
2)
CAAC CCAR-25, Airworthiness Standards – Transport Category Airplanes
CAAC Chinese Technical Standard Order CTSO C90d, Cargo pallets, nets and containers
3)
2)
EASA CS-25, Certification Specifications for Large Aeroplanes
3)
EASA Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) to CS-25.855/25.857, Cargo or baggage compartments
3)
EASA Technical Standard Order ETSO C90d, Cargo pallets, nets and containers (Unit Load Devices)
4)
2)
Japanese Airworthiness Standard Part 3 (Civil Aeronautics Law Article 10 § 4)
U.S.A. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 14 Part 25 – Airworthiness Standards : Transport Category
5)
2)
Airplanes (“14 CFR Part 25”)
5)
U.S. FAA Technical Standard Order TSO C90d, Cargo pallets, nets and containers (Unit Load Devices)
[7] [12]
NOTE Also see ULD (TSO/ETSO) airworthiness approval standards under references and in
Bibliography.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 10254 and the following apply.
1) ISO 7137 is the de facto recognition of the latest revisions of EUROCAE ED-14 and RTCA DO-160 with the
same title. EUROCAE ED-14G can be obtained from the European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment, 102
rue Etienne Dolet, 92240 Malakoff, France, or its website at www.eurocae.eu. RTCA DO-160G can be obtained from
RTCA Inc, 1828 L Street, NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036, USA, or through its website at www.rtca.org.
2) See paragraphs 25.855, 25.857 and Appendix F.
3) EASA CS-25, abbreviated throughout this standard as “CS-25”, constitutes the European governments’ transport
aircraft airworthiness approval Regulations. It can be obtained from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA),
Otto Platz 1, Postfach 101253, D-50452 Cologne, Germany, or its website at www.easa.europa.eu
4) The Japanese Airworthiness Standard Part 3 (ISBN 4-89279-661-1) constitutes the Japanese government
transport aircraft airworthiness approval Regulations, and can be obtained from the Civil Aviation Bureau (CAB) of
the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Tourism and Transport, Tokyo, Japan, or its website at www.mlit.go.jp/en
5) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 14 Part 25, abbreviated throughout this standard as “14 CFR Part 25”,
constitutes the USA government transport aircraft airworthiness approval Regulations, and can be obtained from
the US. Government Printing Office, Mail Stop SSOP, Washington DC 20402-9328, USA, or its website at www.ecfr.gov
2 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

3.1
fire containment
fire control
ensuring that a fire does not grow to a state where damage to the aeroplane or harm to passengers or
crew occurs during the time for which the fire containment system is demonstrated to be effective
3.2
fire containment cover
FCC
passive device used in conjunction with an air cargo pallet and net in order to contain a possible cargo
fire beneath it for a rated period
Note 1 to entry: Guidance addressing the use of FCCs is provided in airworthiness regulatory guidance as one
allowable means of compliance with fire containment requirements in certain classes of aircraft cargo compartment.
3.3
active fire protection unit load device
unit load device incorporating built-in fire detection and/or fire extinguishing systems
3.4
passive unit load device
unit load device or accessory thereto (e.g. FCC) that includes neither fire detection nor fire extinguishing
systems, and ensures fire containment by its use of fire-resistant or fire-proof material and limiting the
supply of air
3.5
unit load device
ULD
device for grouping, transferring and restraining cargo for transit
Note 1 to entry: It may consist of a pallet with a net or it may be a container.
3.6
class A fire
fire in ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and plastics for which the
quenching and cooling effects of quantities of water, or of solutions containing a large percentage of
water, are of prime importance
3.7
fire resistant
grade designating components, equipment and structures capable of withstanding application of heat
by a defined flame for 5 min
Note 1 to entry: See ISO 2685 and EUROCAE ED-14G [ISO 7137] sect. 26.
Note 2 to entry: Compare with fire proof (3.8).
3.8
fire proof
grade designating components, equipment and structures capable of withstanding the application of
heat by a defined flame for 15 min
Note 1 to entry: See ISO 2685 and EUROCAE ED-14G [ISO 7137] sect. 26.
Note 2 to entry: Compare with fire resistant (3.7).
3.9
burn length
distance from the original edge to the farthest evidence of damage on a test specimen due to flame
impingement, including areas of partial or complete consumption, charring or embrittlement, but not
including areas sooted, stained, warped, or discoloured, nor areas where material has shrunk or melted
away from the heat source
4 General requirements
4.1 Approval
4.1.1 The fire containment cover type design shall be approved on the basis of demonstration of
compliance with the present International Standard, and a Certificate of Conformity shall accordingly
be delivered by the manufacturer. Where the fire containment cover is intended to constitute a means
of complying with applicable airworthiness regulations per 1.1 a) and 1.2 a) above, type approval should
be sought from the airworthiness Authority concerned, who may include additional requirements.
4.1.2 The fire containment cover may be an entirely separate device (type I), or it may be attached to
or integrated with an approved air cargo pallet net (type II). In the latter case, both sets of airworthiness
approval requirements shall simultaneously be met, and no feature of either the cover or the net shall
compromise an applicable requirement for the other function. The pallet net used in conjunction with the
cover (type I) or attached to it (type II) shall be airworthiness approved under TSO/ETSO C90, and meet the
additional flammability requirements in 5.1.3 hereafter. The TSO/ETSO C90 ultimate load requirements
for the net and the flammability requirements are not required to be met simultaneously, because it is
highly improbable that a cargo fire and maximum flight load condition would simultaneously occur.
4.2 Dimensions
4.2.1 The fire containment cover shall completely enclose one of the standard ULD contours in
Annexes A to C hereafter, down to its base pallet edges but not covering its surface (see Note 1).
NOTE 1 The absence of a floor covering requirement is based on the fact that all known modern approved pallets
have aluminium alloy base sheets sufficient to meet regulatory requirements [CS-25 / 14 CFR Part 25 Appendix F
Part I § (a) (2) (iii)] by themselves. FCCs built to the present International Standard may not be suitable for pallets
constructed of other materials. See 5.1.2 hereafter: pallets not meeting this minimum performance requirement
would at least require a cover with a bottom panel over the pallet’s surface, not specified in the present standard.
NOTE 2 Industry standard ULD contours, applicable to pallets, are defined in the IATA ULD Regulations
[13]
Standard Specification 50/0 (see in Bibliography) Appendix E. Where the FCC is intended and approved for
one aircraft type only, the specific maximum ULD contour for that aircraft is to be used. In all cases, maximum
pallet load contour is 50 mm (2,0 in) inside the maximum ULD contour on all four sides (see ISO 10046).
NOTE 3 At the time of publication of this International Standard, there are no known aircraft lower deck
cargo compartments where fire containment covers are allowed means of meeting the regulatory requirements.
However, because pallets built-up to the lower deck contour can be carried on main deck, FCCs for this purpose
may also be built to the lower deck P standard ULD contour (see Annex C).
4.2.2 The fire containment cover’s size shall provide sufficient clearance over the allowable contour to
allow installation, but also to enable minimizing the risk of air entry at the base edge after installation
(see 9.2.4).
4.3 Materials
4.3.1 The fire containment cover shall be constructed of flexible fire-proof or fire-resistant material,
or multi-layer composite material, meeting the fire resistance (flammability and flame penetration)
requirements specified in 5.1 hereafter.
4.3.2 Any other elements of the fire containment cover’s construction, e.g. sewing thread, any seams,
welding, gluing, bonding, closure devices, seals, attachments, labels, placard holders, shall meet the
same requirements once fitted on the FCC assembly.
4.3.3 Material selection shall ensure the highest possible wear, abrasion, shearing, tearing and
puncture resistance. See 6.1.2 for puncture resistance testing and 6.1.4 for abrasion testing.
4.3.4 During material selection, preference shall be given to recyclable materials where this does not
compromise best fire protection performance. Asbestos or asbestos compounds shall not be used. Other
materials shall be assessed prior to selection as to potential detrimental effects on human health.
4 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

4.3.5 Material heating should not produce hazardous amounts of toxic gases. See 5.2.4.
4.3.6 Material colour is open to purchaser’s choice, but should be selected in order to be clearly different
from and contrasting with that of any general purpose cargo covers (see 9.1.2 of ISO 16412:2005) used
by the same operator in order to avoid mistakes. Where a composite material of a non-attached fire
containment cover is such that one side must be the inner one to withstand fire, the inner and outer
colours shall be different to prevent inverted installation (also see 7.4).
4.4 Weight
4.4.1 The fire containment cover’s weight shall be kept to a minimum, consistent with fire and puncture
resistance requirements. As a target, a type I fire containment cover’s mass should not exceed 45 kg
(100 lb), in order to allow installation by 2 persons, and a type II (with attached net) FCC’s mass should
not exceed 70 kg (150 lb), to allow installation by three persons where mechanical aids are not available.
4.4.2 If the 45 kg (100 lb) target mass is exceeded, consideration should be given to providing
mechanical handling aids at pallet build-up sites, and the fire containment cover should have features
and/or provisions for their use (see 4.5.7).
4.5 Design
4.5.1 The fire containment cover’s design shall be such that any inner features provide the minimum
required fire resistance.
4.5.2 Where cover installation/removal requires opening/closing, the closure devices shall provide the
required minimum fire resistance, and be protected by a sealing feature to prevent air entry once closed.
4.5.3 The fire containment cover’s outer surface should be as smooth as possible to avoid any
interference with the aircraft’s doors, compartment linings, and lights, and /or risk of snagging on
adjacent ULDs hardware.
4.5.4 Where deemed necessary, the lower edges of the fire containment cover, if not attached to or
integrated with an approved pallet net, may include attachment fittings to fix it to the pallet’s outer seat
track. Such fittings, if provided, shall meet ISO 7166 geometric requirements. No minimum ultimate
load capability is required, but fittings shall withstand normal cargo handling without disengaging.
4.5.5 The cover’s normal and emergency (rapid decompression) pressure equalization functions
[10]
(see ISO 11242 ) are to be ensured by there being no airtight closure between the bottom edges and
the pallet edges. No specific feature is required.
4.5.6 For a type II fire containment cover attached to a pallet net, net attachment to the fire containment
cover shall meet the flammability requirements for the net per 5.1.3.
4.5.7 The fire containment cover’s design shall minimize installation and removal time. The target
for installation over a full contour cargo pallet assembly built-up to the same maximum contour should
not exceed 2 persons for a duration no longer than a standard net’s, and installation should be possible
without tools except means of access (e.g. ladder). Where a 45 kg (100 lb) target mass is exceeded,
consideration should be given to providing mechanical handling aids at cargo terminals, and any
provisions necessary for their use on the fire containment cover. If provisions for handling aids are fixed
on the cover, they shall meet the requirements of 5.1.
4.5.8 The target time for removal should not exceed 2 persons for a duration no longer than a standard
net’s, preferably without mechanical handling aids.
4.5.9 Two placard holders shall be provided on opposite long sides of the outer surface of the fire
containment cover at a height between 1 200 mm and 1 600 mm (48 in and 64 in) above the pallet edge.
They shall receive a minimum ISO A5 format (148 × 210 mm, 8 1/4 × 5 7/8 in) standard pallet tag.
4.6 Environment
4.6.1 The fire containment cover shall be designed and its materials selected assuming it will be
operated outdoors throughout temperature ranges of − 40 °C (− 40 °F) to 60 °C (140 °F) with relative
humidity between 20 % and 85 %, including ice, snow and soaking in water.
4.6.2 The fire containment cover’s materials shall be assessed for potential deterioration of their
fire and puncture resistance due to weathering or other environmental factors, including U.V. and
chemicals (e.g. kerosene, solvents, lubricants, aircraft hydraulic fluid, glycol-based de-icing or anti-
icing fluid), temperature variations, humidity or fungus exposure, likely to be encountered in the
course of worldwide air cargo operations. The manufacturer shall inform the purchaser about expected
performance degradation and any identified chemical incompatibility.
4.6.3 The above shall be substantiated by at least the following tests performed on material specimens:
a) U.V. and humidity test (see 6.1.3 for methods and requirements);
b) puncture test (see 6.1.2 for methods and requirements);
c) abrasion test (see 6.1.4 for methods and requirements).
4.6.4 Where applicable, testing should take into account the requirements of the EUROCAE ED-14G
[ISO 7137] standard, and be accordingly subject to an Environment Qualification Form identifying the
performed tests.
[20]
NOTE See EUROCAE ED-14G Appendix A for Environment Qualification Form. RTCA DO-160G is equivalent
to EUROCAE ED-14G and may alternately be used.
4.6.5 An expiry date after which the rated performance may not be expected to be maintained shall
be provided to the purchaser at or before the time of delivery of each production batch, and shall be
marked on each cover as part of the required traceability code (see 7.2). The expiry date may take into
account the expected storage duration, provided storage conditions which might affect performance
degradation are identified and catered for.
4.6.6 If the fire containment cover’s construction includes woven textile material or thread, the
available data concerning degradation of woven textile fibre performance when exposed to environment
factors should be taken into account for material and thread selection and treatment, commensurate
with the expected storage and service life of the fire containment cover unit. See ISO/TR 8647.
[21]
NOTE SAE AIR 1490C is equivalent to ISO/TR 8647 and may alternately be referred to.
4.6.7 In addition, the fire containment cover’s components and materials should be selected in order
to allow identified recycling methods when the unit is out of use or after its expiry date. Instructions for
recycling shall be provided by the manufacturer (see 8.1).
4.7 Maintenance
4.7.1 The manufacturer should, where feasible, provide approved procedures and repair kits meeting
the fire resistance (flammability and flame penetration) requirements specified in 5.1 to durably repair
punctures or tears in excess of the allowable damage limits (see 5.3) in the fire containment covers.
4.7.2 The approved repair method(s) shall be defined in the Component Maintenance Manual (CMM,
see 8.2 hereafter). Any approved repairs shall re-establish the unit’s fire containment and air-tightness
performance. This shall be substantiated by a repaired cover being subjected to a full scale FCC assembly
test (see 6.2). For this test, the repaired part should be located adjacent to and over the ignition box (see
6.2.2 and Annex E).
4.7.3 Whenever possible, repairs should be achievable using field kits without returning the damaged
unit to a specialized workshop. Any curing time for bonding or equivalent shall be specified, and should
not exceed 2 h in the open in the defined weather conditions. The allowable minimum and maximum
6 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

ambient conditions together with the associated curing time shall be specified in the Component
Maintenance Manual (CMM).
5 Performance
5.1 Components
5.1.1 Cover
The fire containment cover’s material(s) shall meet the flammability requirements of CS-25, CCAR-25,
JAS Part 3 or 14 CFR Part 25 Appendix F, Part I, paragraphs (a)(2)(ii) and (a)(1)(ii), i.e. must be self-
extinguishing when tested vertically in accordance with Part I paragraph (b)(4), and there must be no
flame penetration during application of the specified flame source when subjected to the 45° angle test
defined in Part I, paragraph (b)(6).
NOTE The 45° test may be replaced by the Appendix F Part III flame penetration test hereafter, deemed
more critical.
In addition, it/they shall meet the flame penetration requirements of CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3 or 14
CFR Part 25 Appendix F, Part III, paragraph (a)(3), i.e. there must be no flame penetration within 5 min
after application of the specified flame source, and the peak temperature measured at 100 mm (4,0
in) above the upper surface of the horizontal test sample must not exceed 204 °C (400 °F). See 6.1.1.1,
materials flammability testing.
5.1.2 Pallet
The material(s) of any pallet used in conjunction with the fire containment cover shall meet the
requirements of CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3 or 14 CFR Part 25 Appendix F, Part I, paragraphs (a)(1)(ii)
and (a)(2)(iii), i.e. must be self-extinguishing when tested vertically in accordance with Part I paragraph
(b)(4), and there must be no flame penetration during application of the specified flame source when
subjected to the 45° angle test defined in Part I, paragraph (b)(6). See 6.1.1.2.
For pallets not meeting this requirement, see Note 1 under 4.2.1 above.
5.1.3 Net
The material of any pallet net used in conjunction with the fire containment cover, whether or not
attached to it, shall, in addition to TSO/ETSO C90, meet the requirements of CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3
or 14 CFR Part 25 Appendix F, Part I, paragraph (a)(1)(ii), i.e. must be self-extinguishing when tested
vertically in accordance with Part I paragraph (b)(4). See 6.1.1.3, and 7.5 for marking requirements of
nets that satisfied the tests.
Pallet nets not meeting this requirement shall not be used on a fire containment cover.
5.2 FCC assembly
5.2.1 The fire containment cover assembly when properly installed onto a pallet shall effectively
contain and control – see 3.1 – a fire beneath it.
5.2.2 The fire containment cover assembly when properly installed onto a pallet shall minimize heat
generated outside it, to ensure that the adjacent aircraft systems and structure are not adversely affected.
Compliance with this requirement shall be demonstrated by successfully completing both 6.1.1 materials
flammability tests and 6.2 FCC assembly tests, showing that the temperature measured at any point
100 mm (4,0 in) outside of the ULD contour or below the pallet at no time exceeds 204 °C (400 °F), in
accordance with CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3 or 14 CFR Part 25 Appendix F, Part III, paragraph (a)(3)
(Amendment 25-72) and no flame penetration occurs. See 6.2.
5.2.3 The temperatures recorded and heat loads calculated at locations above, around and below the
FCC covered pallet shall be used to establish the length of protection time afforded by the system. Where
the FCC is intended and approved for one aircraft type only, the so determined protection time shall
not be less than the approved extended range operations (EROPS) or long range operations (LROPS)
maximum diversion time for the intended aircraft type. For unlimited aircraft type use, the protection
time should not be less than 360 min (6 h).
5.2.4 The fire containment cover assembly when properly installed onto a pallet should minimize the
amount of contaminants such as smoke, fumes or noxious gases coming out of the covered pallet load.
Smoke and gaseous contaminants emitted by the cover itself when heated should not exceed the levels
specified in Annex D.
5.3 Allowable damage
5.3.1 Performance of the fire containment cover assembly shall be maintained in the presence of
maximum allowable damage, to be determined and substantiated by the manufacturer. The maximum
allowable damage shall be defined in the Component Maintenance Manual (see 8.2).
5.3.2 Manufacturers are encouraged to demonstrate the highest sustainable degree of in-service
damage that maintains the highest degree of fire containment performance. However, in order to
facilitate damage control in third-party handling operational conditions, the minimum required extent
of maximum allowable damage shall be as follows:
a) two 50 mm × 200 mm (2 in × 8 in) punctures in the lower part of one side, corresponding to typical
damage resulting from a forklift blades hit (see Figure 1), and simultaneously;
b) two 25 mm (1 in) diameter holes opposite to each other in the top part of opposite sides of the cover,
corresponding to either tears from inappropriately used tools or cover handling mechanical aids, or
impact from a high velocity projectile (see Figure 1).
NOTE Impact from a high velocity projectile also is an event required to be withstood by cargo compartment
components in accordance with CS-25.795, Security considerations, paragraph (b)(3)(i) and paragraph 8.a (2) (a)
of FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 25.795–5 on Cargo compartment fire suppression, addressing the revision of
14 CFR 25.795 (b)(3), both based on ICAO Annex 8 Amendment 97 standards.
5.3.3 Intended maximum allowable damage shall be substantiated through a cover presenting that
damage being subjected to the full scale FCC assembly test (see 6.2).
8 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

Dimensions in millimetres
250 ± 50
Dia 25
400 ± 100
200 # 800 200
Key
1 two opposite sides
2 simulated forklift hit (one side)
Figure 1 — Maximum allowable damage
6 Testing
6.1 Materials testing
6.1.1 Flammability and flame penetration tests
6.1.1.1 General
6.1.1.1.1 For fire containment cover’s material qualification, at least three (406 ± 3) mm ×
(610 ± 3) mm [(16 ± 1/8) in × (24 ± 1/8) in) specimens of the fire containment cover’s material shall be
tested in accordance with CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3 or 14 CFR Part 25 Appendix F, Part III, using the
test apparatus (mounting stand, kerosene test burner, thermocouples) specified in its paragraph (d) and
the test procedure specified in its paragraph (g).
6.1.1.1.2 Each specimen shall be pre-conditioned prior to testing as follows:
a) Soak for 24 h in water, then dry at room temperature in a well ventilated place (weighing is
recommended before and after pre-conditioning to confirm the specimen was fully dried).
NOTE The burning resistance of textile materials was empirically found to be negatively affected by
previous soaking, which is a very common and hardly avoidable occurrence in air cargo.
b) Then apply the sample conditioning procedure of CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3 or 14 CFR Part 25
Appendix F, Part I, paragraph (b) (1), i.e. bring the specimens to (21 ± 3) °C [(70 ± 5) °F) and at
50 % ± 5 % relative humidity until moisture equilibrium is reached or for 24 h. Each specimen must
remain in the conditioning environment until it is subjected to the flame.
6.1.1.1.3 Each specimen shall be tested in the horizontal position. Where the material is
unsymmetrical, it shall be installed on the apparatus with the inner side of the FCC material down
(exposed to the flame).
6.1.1.1.4 The tested specimens shall include any other elements part of the FCC’s construction, e.g.
sewing thread, seams, welding, gluing, bonding, closure devices, seals, any accessories, placard holders,
labels, the failure of which would affect the capability of the cover to safely contain a fire.
6.1.1.1.5 On completion of the tests, there shall be no flame penetration of any specimen within
5 min after application of the flame source, and the peak temperature measured at 100 mm (4,0 in)
above the upper surface of the horizontal test sample shall not exceed 204 °C (400 °F).
6.1.1.2 Pallet
Unless previously tested and demonstrated to meet flammability requirements, at least three specimens
of the material(s) of any pallet to be used in conjunction with the fire containment cover shall be tested
in accordance with CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3 or 14 CFR Part 25 Appendix F, Part I paragraphs (a)(1)(ii)
and (a)(2)(iii) as follows.
a) Vertical test:
1) Each specimen shall be tested in accordance with CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3 or 14 CFR Part 25
Appendix F, Part I, paragraph (a)(1)(ii), using specimen configuration specified in its paragraph
(b)(2), a Bunsen burner, the test apparatus (draft-free cabinet) specified in its paragraph (b)(3)
and the test procedure specified in its paragraph (b)(4).
2) The minimum flame temperature measured by a thermocouple in its centre must be 840 °C
(1 550 °F). The flame must be applied for 12 s and then removed. Subsequent flame time, burn
length and flaming time of drippings, if any, are to be recorded.
3) On completion of the tests, the average burn length may not exceed 203 mm (8 in), the average
flame time after removal of the flame source may not exceed 15 s, and drippings from the test
specimens, if any, may not continue to flame for more than an average of 5 s after falling.
b) 45° angle test:
1) Each specimen shall be tested in accordance with CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3 or 14 CFR Part 25
Appendix F, Part I, paragraph (a)(2)(iii), using specimen configuration specified in its paragraph
(b)(2), a Bunsen burner, the test apparatus (draft-free cabinet) specified in its paragraph (b)(3)
and the test procedure specified in its paragraph (b)(6).
2) The minimum flame temperature measured by a thermocouple in its centre must be 840 °C
(1 550 °F). The flame must be applied for 30 s with one third contacting the material at the
centre of the specimen, and then removed. Subsequent flame time, glow time, and whether the
flame passes through the specimen are to be recorded.
3) On completion of the tests, the flame may not have passed through the material during
application of the flame or subsequent to its removal, the average flame time after removal of
the flame source may not exceed 15 s, and the average glow time may not exceed 10 s.
6.1.1.3 Net
For material qualification of pallet nets for use in conjunction with the fire containment cover, at least
three specimens of the net’s material shall be tested vertically in accordance with CS-25, CCAR-25,
JAS Part 3 or 14 CFR Part 25 Appendix F, Part I paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and (b)(iv) as follows.
— Each specimen shall be tested in accordance with CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3 or 14 CFR Part 25
Appendix F, Part I, paragraph (a)(1)(ii), using specimen configuration specified in its paragraph
(b)(2), the test apparatus (draft-free cabinet) specified in its paragraph (b)(3) and test procedure
specified in its paragraph (b)(4);
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— The minimum flame temperature measured by a thermocouple in its centre must be 840 °C (1 550
°F). The flame must be applied for 12 s and then removed. Subsequent flame time, burn length and
flaming time of drippings, if any, are to be recorded.
— On completion of the tests, the average burn length may not exceed 203 mm (8 in), the average flame
time after removal of the flame source may not exceed 15 s, and drippings from the test specimens,
if any, may not continue to flame for more than an average of 5 s after falling.
6.1.2 Puncture test
6.1.2.1 The cover’s material shall be tested for puncture resistance in order to assess the likeliness
of in-service puncture affecting the cover’s capability to safely contain a fire. Five wetted specimens
shall be tested using the apparatus, plunger and methodology of ISO 12236, at a pushing rate of (50 ±
10) mm/min [(2 ± 3/8) in/min].
6.1.2.2 The mean push-through force in kN (lbf) measured at full puncture through the material shall
be recorded, and provided to the purchaser on request. It shall not be less than 3,3 kN (725 lbf).
6.1.2.3 The test shall be repeated with samples previously submitted to 6.1.3, accelerated U.V. and
humidity test. See 6.1.3.4.
6.1.3 U.V. and humidity test
6.1.3.1 An accelerated U.V. and humidity test shall be conducted in accordance with ISO 4892-1 and
ISO 4892-3, using laboratory equipment specified therein, for a minimum
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