Oil Burner Testing

Oil burner testing plays an important role in evaluating the fire resistance and performance of aircraft materials and components exposed to severe flame conditions. ACES provides in-house oil burner testing for a range of aviation applications, including aircraft seat cushions and fire-blocking materials, cargo liners, acoustic insulation, powerplant firewalls, and fuel-system components. With experienced technicians, engineering support, and FAA DER expertise available within the same organization, ACES can help customers coordinate test planning, specimen preparation, testing, documentation, and certification support efficiently from initial evaluation through final compliance.

Intense orange flames engulfing a charred aircraft seat cushion test specimen during oil burner flammability testing inside a darkened laboratory.

The Oil Burner Test for aircraft seat cushions, commonly referred to as the Fireblock Test, evaluates the weight loss of the cushion assembly and the char length produced on the dress cover and underlying foam.

The test is used to demonstrate compliance with 14 CFR §§ 25.853(c) and 29.853(b).

Seat Cushions Commonly Requiring Testing

  • Back cushions
  • Bottom cushions
  • Headrest cushions
  • Footrest and leg-rest cushions

In addition to oil burner testing, applicable seat cushion materials are required to undergo 12-second vertical testing to support compliance with 14 CFR §§ 25.853(a) and 29.853(a).

ACES flammability specialists can help determine whether a particular seat cushion configuration requires oil burner fireblock testing.

Applicable CFRs

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Oil burner testing for cargo liners evaluates the flame-penetration resistance of aircraft cargo-compartment lining materials when exposed to a high-intensity open flame.

Testing is used to support compliance with 14 CFR § 25.855(c).

Components Commonly Tested

  • Cargo ceilings
  • Cargo walls
  • Cargo liners

Applicable CFRs

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Oil burner testing of thermal and acoustic insulation evaluates the material's ability to resist burnthrough when exposed to a high-intensity flame.

Testing is used to support demonstration of compliance with 14 CFR § 25.856(b).

Burnthrough testing evaluates the ability of thermal and acoustic insulation materials to maintain the required resistance to severe flame exposure.

Applicable CFRs

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ACES performs oil burner testing of high-temperature hose assemblies used in aircraft fire zones to evaluate their fire resistance.

Testing can support applicable requirements associated with TSO-C42, TSO-C53A and TSO-C75.

Applicable Standards

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Oil burner testing for powerplant firewalls evaluates the ability of firewall assemblies to resist flame propagation and flame penetration under severe fire exposure.

Testing can support demonstration of compliance with 14 CFR §§ 25.867, 25.865, 25.1191 and 25.1193.

Applicable CFRs

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