Baker Aviation, the distributor for the HOT-STOP ’L’ Fire Containment Kits, has released successful test results of the high intensity flame powerplant fire penetration test (FAA AC 20-135) of 30-minutes, twice the required time to be considered FIREPROOF, as defined by the Code of Federal Regulations 14 CFR 1.1.
“This is an intense powerplant flame penetration test that aircraft OEMs perform with FAA-Registered laboratories.,” says Ray Goyco, Jr., president, and COO for Baker Aviation Maintenance. “This test is typically a maximum of 15-minutes and is used for official fireproof or fire resistance designations by the CFR. We are excited to announce that these test results confirm our HOT-STOP fire containment kits are proven to be Fireproof and withstand heat, associated with fire, at least as well as ‘steel’, while also successfully doubling the test time. We went above and beyond the minimum testing not only to prove our leadership in this market but also to demonstrate to our clients that we are dedicated to their safety and focused on protecting them from the real threat of new and more powerful lithium battery devices being brought onboard aircraft today,” adds Goyco.
The Powerplant Fire Penetration test is used to demonstrate compliance with the aircraft powerplant (i.e. engine) fire protection requirements of the FAA. There are two types of fire protection designations as defined by 14 CFR 1.1:
Fire Resistant: the capacity to withstand the heat associated with fire at least as well as aluminum alloy in dimensions appropriate for the purpose for which they are used.
Fireproof: the capacity to withstand the heat associated with fire at least as well as steel in dimensions appropriate for the purpose for which they are used.
The test utilizes a modified gun-type oil burner which is calibrated to provide a high-intensity flame with a minimum average flame temperature of 2,000 °F and minimum heat transfer rate of 4,500 BTU/hr or 9.3 BTU/ft 2-sec.
As reported by Aeroblaze Laboratory, the HOT-STOP ‘L’ Fire Containment Kit successfully prevented the high-intensity flame from penetrating through its wall. The Containment Kit passed the five-minute Fire-Resistant test, the fifteen-minute Fireproof test, and the extended 30-minute test. The flame was applied for thirty minutes, then the burner was shut off and rotated out of position. No flame penetration or back-side burning occurred during testing. After examining the test sample, it was determined that the flame hadn’t penetrated the inner layer.