§ 23.855 - Cargo and baggage compartment fire protection.

§ 23.855 Cargo and baggage compartment fire protection.

(a) Sources of heat within each cargo and baggage compartment that are capable of igniting the compartment contents must be shielded and insulated to prevent such ignition.

(b) Each cargo and baggage compartment must be constructed of materials that meet the appropriate provisions of § 23.853(d)(3).

(c) In addition, for commuter category airplanes, each cargo and baggage compartment must:

(1) Be located where the presence of a fire would be easily discovered by the pilots when seated at their duty station, or it must be equipped with a smoke or fire detector system to give a warning at the pilots' station, and provide sufficient access to enable a pilot to effectively reach any part of the compartment with the contents of a hand held fire extinguisher, or

(2) Be equipped with a smoke or fire detector system to give a warning at the pilots' station and have ceiling and sidewall liners and floor panels constructed of materials that have been subjected to and meet the 45 degree angle test of appendix F of this part. The flame may not penetrate (pass 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 seconds, and the average glow time may not exceed 10 seconds. The compartment must be constructed to provide fire protection that is not less than that required of its individual panels; or

(3) Be constructed and sealed to contain any fire within the compartment.

[Doc. No. 27806, 61 FR 5167, Feb. 9, 1996]