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Amazon Type A – 2019-08-16T090115.883

RTCA DO-160 Section 26.0 Fire Flammability Testing

The RTCA DO-160 Section 26 covers fire testing and flammability testing. This equipment is applicable to certain equipment. Equipment in pressurized zones such be fire tested. Equipment in fire zones should undergo flammability testing. Lastly, some equipment mounted in non-pressurized, non fire zones could be required to undergo fire test. Flammability and fire tests apply to equipment installed on fixed wing propeller driven aircraft, fixed-wing turbojet aircraft, turbofan aircraft, prop fan aircraft, and helicopters.

RTCA-DO-160G flammability testing outlines three categories of equipment.

  • Category A: Fireproof
    • This equipment is installed in a fire zone which must function during the first five minutes of fire. This equipment must keep its safety functions for at least fifteen minutes. For fluid handling components, there shall be no leakage to support a flame after the burner has been removed. It is important to note that wetting or droplet that self-extinguishes may be acceptable. For air handling components, there shall be no leakage that may additionally feed the fire. The equipment shall remain firmly attached to the mounting. The fireproof testing will be performed on equipment in the operating mode
  • Category B: Fire Resistant
    • This equipment is installed in fire zone which must not cause a hazardous condition during five minutes of fire without structural degradation. For fluid handling components there shall be no leakage to support a flame after the burner has been removed. It is important to note that wetting or droplet that self-extinguishes may be acceptable. For air handling components, there shall be no leakage that may additionally feed the fire. In general, any leakage of continued burning of the test article at the end of the five minutes would be considered a test failure. The exception would be when it can be shown that there is not a significant increase in the overall fire hazard. An example of this would be if the fire extinguishing equipment is capable of extinguishing the residual flame.
  • Category C: Flammability
    • This category applies to enclosures housing electronics and non-metallic material, component parts, sub-assemblies installed in pressurized or non-pressurized zones and non-fire zones. This flammability test is to be performed on equipment in a non-operating mode. The purpose of this test is to check the non-propagation of the flame in the case where ignition would appear inside or outside of the equipment. Tests will be performed on specimens of material. The flammability procedure shall be applied.

Please note the following exclusions detailed in the RTCA/DO-160G flammability testing standard. If all materials used in the construction of the equipment can be shown to meet the equivalent vertical and horizontal flammability tests herein, either through composition or previous testing, this test is not required. Testing is not necessary on enclosures housing electronic or non-metallic material if the following apply:

  1. The enclosures are constructed of metal (metal finish that is nonflammable), on all sides, and has no vent holes.
  2. The enclosures are constructed of metal (metal finish that is nonflammable) on five sides and one side is constructed of glass polycarbonate(display) that has met the 12 second vertical test, and has no vent holes.

Keystone Compliance is one of the leading environmental test labs in the country. With multiple temperature chambers and thermal shock machines, we offer short lead times on scheduling. Our climatics scope includes icing testing, temperature testing, humidity testing, thermal shock testing, blowing rain testing and solar radiation testing. Other testing areas include vibration, shock, ingress protection and package. We also offer EMC, shielding effectiveness and indirect lightning testing.

Our engineers provide communication throughout the entire test program. If challenges arise during the testing, our engineers will provide engineering guidance and problem resolution. Our test lab is 17025 accredited to RTCADO-160 testing. In addition to providing RTCA-DO-160G testing, Keystone is accredited to all previous versions of this military test standard as well.

Our test lab can accommodate small and large items. Please contact us to see firsthand why so many manufacturers rely on Keystone Compliance to be their RTCA DO-160 test lab.

Looking for other testing to other sections of RTCA DO-160 testing? Click on the links below:

Modifications from one Version of RTCA DO-160 to the Next:

Changes from DO-160C Fire and Flammability Testing to DO-160D Fire and Flammability Testing

N/A.

Changes from DO-160D Fire and Flammability Testing to DO-160E Fire and Flammability Testing

Section 26 was introduced in DO-160E.

Changes from DO-160E Fire and Flammability Testing to DO-160F Fire and Flammability Testing

No changes were made.

Changes from DO-160F Fire and Flammability Testing to DO-160G Fire and Flammability Testing

Categories A and B minor wording changes, test method remained the same.  Category C: Flammability Entire section removed and replaced with FAA accepted methods verbatim from FAA Fire Test Handbook.  Added configurations exempt from testing. Added definitions for “small parts exemption”.  Added user guide addressing all three categories. Abandon the use of nameplate marking for equipment environmental qualification category declaration.