Aircraft Components Fire Test Facility

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 Diakon Solutions supported FAA engineers at the Aircraft Components Fire Test Facility in their efforts to develop a new testing procedure for thermal acoustic insulation.  The Vertical Bunsen Burner Test had previously served this purpose but multiple incidents in China and the United States, and, ultimately, the Swiss Air MD-11 accident in 1999, prompted FAA management to reevaluate the test’s effectiveness.  The Fire Safety Branch was assigned the task of developing a new and improved method for testing the flammability of thermal acoustic insulation.  Diakon Solutions staff supported these efforts by modifying a radiant panel test chamber previously used to test the flammability characteristics of aircraft flooring materials.  This effort played a key role in supporting the FAA as parameters were developed and implemented for the newly modified testing apparatus.  Two notable accomplishments were designing and fabricating steel frames to hold samples taut and tucked during testing and evaluating different heat flux settings to determine the most suitable for this test.  

 As progress was made and testing procedures evolved, the decision was made to build a separate radiant panel test chamber that would use an electric radiant panel heat source.  This decision was made due to inconsistencies observed with the current air propane radiant panel heat source.  Diakon Solutions personnel were responsible for making several modifications to the new apparatus and also played key roles in coordinating with the manufacturer of the electric radiant panel heat source to refine the panel’s operation; specifically, working with the manufacturer to ensure the heat being emitted was consistent across the entire surface of the panel.  As testing progressed, procedures were further developed.  Diakon Solutions supported efforts to design and fabricate samples that represented thermal acoustic insulation installed in hidden areas of aircraft.  Thermal acoustic insulation incorporates several materials, such as tapes, hook and loop, damping material, and silicone impregnated fiberglass.  Standards were also established for sample fabrication and, as a result, Advisory Circulars (ACs) were issued.