Fire Containment Cover Testing

ACES provides Fire Containment Cover (FCC) and Unit Load Device (ULD) testing to support compliance with TSO-C203, with dedicated facilities and experienced personnel for large-scale fire-containment evaluations. Testing is conducted in a 2,400-square-foot laboratory equipped for complete six-hour burn tests, remote and on-site witnessing, thermographic imaging, and configurable thermocouple monitoring. From fire-load preparation and test-article installation through testing, data collection, and post-test extinguishment, ACES provides the capabilities needed to support customers throughout the FCC/ULD testing process.

3D CAD rendering of a large aircraft cargo fire containment cover test enclosure, showing a metal support frame, paneled walls, and a human figure for scale.
Fire containment test enclosure inside the ACES laboratory, viewed from an observation room with thermal imaging and temperature monitoring screens.
Thermal camera image of a fire containment test enclosure showing concentrated red and yellow hot spots against cooler blue surfaces.
Large rectangular cargo test assembly wrapped in transparent plastic with marked measurement locations, positioned on a metal platform inside the ACES testing laboratory.

ACES conducts testing of Fire Containment Covers (FCCs) and Unit Load Devices (ULDs) to support demonstration of compliance with Technical Standard Order TSO-C203.

Testing is performed in ACES' 2,400-square-foot laboratory dedicated specifically to large-scale test programs.

The dedicated laboratory provides the space and equipment needed to prepare, install, conduct, monitor, and safely complete full-scale fire-containment evaluations.

Applicable Standard

ACES DERs and trained laboratory technicians support the complete six-hour fire-containment test process from initial preparation through completion of the test.

Test Process

Fire Load Assembly ACES personnel prepare and assemble the required boxes and contents that make up the test fire load.
Test Article Installation The FCC or ULD test article is installed and prepared for the full-scale fire-containment evaluation.
Six-Hour Test ACES personnel conduct and monitor the complete six-hour fire-containment test.
Post-Test Extinguishment Following completion of the test, trained laboratory personnel extinguish the remaining fire in a controlled manner.

ACES provides multiple options for customers and project representatives to safely observe and monitor FCC and ULD testing.

On-Site Witnessing A climate-controlled observation room located inside the test laboratory provides a safe environment for customers and project representatives to witness testing.
Remote Witnessing Camera coverage allows authorized remote participants to view and record all four corners of the test article during the test.
Thermographic Imaging A thermographic imaging camera provides information regarding temperatures and the location of hot spots inside the test article.
Remote viewing capabilities allow project stakeholders to observe test activity without requiring every participant to be physically present at the laboratory.

ACES has designed a configurable thermocouple holding fixture to provide customers with detailed temperature data during fire-containment testing.

The fixture can accommodate any arrangement of up to 15 thermocouples, allowing measurement locations to be configured around the specific needs of the test article and test program.

Additional thermocouples can also be incorporated when required, providing flexibility for projects that require more extensive temperature monitoring.

Thermocouple monitoring can be combined with visual camera coverage and thermographic imaging to provide multiple sources of test data throughout the evaluation.