FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B
Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices
Aircraft Inspection and Repair
AC 43.13-1B | 9. Aircraft Systems and Components | 4. Cabin Interior | 9-62. Part 23 Aircraft Interior
9/8/98
SECTION 4. CABIN INTERIOR
AC 43.13-1B
9-60. GENERAL. Only materials that are
flash-resistant should be used in cabin
interiors. The requirements related to fire
protection qualities of cabin interior materials
are specified in CAR 3.388, fire precautions or
14 CFR part 23, section 23.853 compartment
interiors
9-61. CAR-3 AIRCRAFT INTERIOR.
The requirement for an interior of a CAR-3
aircraft that is used only in 14 CFR, part 91
operations, where smoking is not permitted, is
that the materials shall be flash-resistant.
(Reference CAR-3.388.)
a. For compartments in CAR-3 aircraft
where smoking is permitted, the wall and
ceiling linings, the covering of all
upholstering, floors, and furnishings shall be
flame-resistant. Such compartments should be
equipped with an adequate number of self-
contained ash trays. All other compartments
shall be placarded against smoking. (Refer to
CAR-3.388.)
(1) If fabric is bought in bulk to
refurbish the interior, seats, and ceiling liners
for a CAR-3 aircraft used in part 91
operations, a manufacturer’s statement,
declaring that the material meets the American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or
similar national standard for either flash
resistance or flame resistance, would be
acceptable, but only for a CAR-3 aircraft
installation. (Refer to 14 CFR part 43,
section 43.13(a).) A manufacturer’s statement
is acceptable due to neither the Civil
Aeronautics Administration (CAA) nor the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) having
published an FAA fire standard for either flash
or flame resistance for interior materials for
CAR-3 aircraft. Since the FAA would accept
and
recognize
a
national
standard, the mechanic would reference the
manufacturer’s statement and the national
standard that the material meets in the
aircraft’s maintenance records.
(2) If an annual inspection is performed
on a CAR-3 aircraft with a new interior and
there is no mention of a manufacturer’s
statement that the fabric is flash or flame
resistant as applicable, the possibility exists
that the fabric is an unapproved part. The
mechanic should take the necessary steps to
ensure that the fabric meets or exceeds the
ASTM or national standards. (Refer to
14 CFR part 23, appendix F.)
(3) If an FAA-approved STC interior kit
is installed in a CAR-3 aircraft, and the
material and fabric in the kit are PMA or TSO
approved, the mechanic should include the
STC number in block 8 of FAA Form 337.
b. It is recommended that for all CAR-3
interiors to use only fabric and materials that
meets the more stringent requirements of
part 23, appendix F.
9-62. PART 23 AIRCRAFT INTERIOR.
Materials used in part 23 aircraft interiors must
meet the requirements of section 23.853, and
the burn test requirements called out in part 23,
appendix F.
a. If the fabric is bought in bulk to
refurbish a part 23 aircraft then the fabric must
meet the part 23 burn requirements. A burn
test would have to be done on samples of the
material and fabrics by an approved and rated
FAA Repair Station. That FAA Repair Station
would certify that all the material and fabrics
meet part 23, appendix F requirements. The
mechanic would include that repair station’s
statement in the aircraft’s records.
Par 9-60
Page 9-45