Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Service Blankets

PURPOSE

This Air Carrier Advisory Circular (ACAC) is to inform air operators of the availability of the report entitled "The Development of a Flammability Test for Aircraft Blankets" and to recommend that service blankets be replaced at the end of their service life with blankets that meet new flammability standards.

REFERENCE

• Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Aviation Safety Advisory # 2324
   
• Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Aviation Safety Recommendation A95-14, Passenger Service Blankets
   
• ACAC No. 0087, Service Blankets, dated 1995.05.23
   
• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB of USA) Safety Recommendation A-94-131 (Sept. 94)
   
• Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards Information Bulletin # FSAT 96-11

BACKGROUND

On November 28, 1993, shortly after push-back from the passenger loading ramp at the Montreal International (Dorval) Airport, Quebec, a fire erupted in an overhead baggage bin of a Boeing 727 operated by a U. S. air operator. The fire was extinguished by the cabin crew, and the passengers were evacuated. Several passengers were treated for minor injuries including smoke inhalation.

The investigation determined that the fire originated in several blankets stored in the overhead compartment. It was noted that the blanket fabric was 100% polyester. There was some evidence that suggested the fire had been deliberately set, most likely with a match.

Passenger service blankets are neither aircraft furnishings, nor are they subject to aircraft certification approval. They are an optional item, provided by the air operator, for the convenience of passengers

DISCUSSION

As a result of the above incident, the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) develop a fire performance test method and performance criteria (standard) for blankets.

Some years ago, the FAA Technical Center formed the International Aircraft Materials Fire Test Working Group, to address aircraft materials flammability issues. In October 1994, this working group was tasked with reviewing blanket (and pillow) flammability and developing an appropriate test standard. This work was completed in March 1996, and subsequently published in FAA Technical Center report DOT/FAA/AR-96/15. Transport Canada Civil Aviation, Aircraft Certification Branch, is a member of this working group and participated in the development of the subject standard.

The FAA has recommended that air operators replace old blankets at the end of their service life with blankets that meet these new standards.

The FAA published a Flight Standards Information Bulletin (FSIB) which contains information and recommendations concerning the flammability of blankets typically carried aboard commercial aircraft.

The FAA’s FSIB references the technical report (DOT/FAA/AR-96/15) that was developed by the Airport and Aircraft Safety Research and Development Division, FAA Technical Center, Atlantic City, which is entitled "The Development of a Flammability Test Method for Aircraft Blankets". This document is available to the public.

PROCEDURES

Transport Canada recommends that air operators obtain a copy of the report entitled "The Development of a Flammability Test Method for Aircraft Blankets" which can be obtained from:

National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, Virginia
USA 22161

Telephone: (703) 487-4650

Publication Number: ADA 307201
Cost: $21.50 U.S., plus $4.00 handling charges

This report is available in Microsoft Word format on the FEDWORLD BBS (703) 321-3339.

This report is also available on the Internet at the FAA’s Flight Standards Home Page. The address is http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/.

Transport Canada also recommends that air operators replace old service blankets at the end of their service life with blankets that meet these new standards.

CONCLUSION

This ACAC cancels ACAC 0087 dated May 23, 1995.

This ACAC is intended to inform air operators of the availability of the report entitled "The Development of a Flammability Test for Aircraft Blankets" and to recommend that service blankets be replaced at the end of their service life with blankets that meet new flammability standards.

A.J. LaFlamme
Director
Commercial and Business Aviation