Introducing a Methodology to Evaluate Influencing Factors of Aircraft Cabin Component Fire Tests

Certification processes of aircraft components are complex and cost intensive. Components must be tested for certification in accordance with various regulations and must meet additional demands of original equipment manufacturers. Material tests and especially fire tests are required for materials which are used for aircraft cabin compartment interiors. A significant challenge for manufacturing companies and suppliers is to understand influencing factors of fire tests and to understand correlations between different influencing factors. This article addresses the evaluation of test influencing factors of fire tests for aircraft cabin compartment interiors by introducing a matrix-based methodology. This proposed methodology can be used to identify, assess and evaluate test influencing factors by using colored and scaled matrices. We claim that the use of colored and scaled matrices is a best practice to support engineers in the material testing domain. Additionally, we are presenting recommendations to design colored and scaled matrices. By following the proposed matrix-based methodology and using the presented recommendations critical test influencing factors can be immediately identified and appropriate corrective actions can be implemented. The methodology is presented in detail through a step-by-step process and is verified by presenting an illustrative example. In context of the illustrative example eight different test influencing factors of a compartment interiors fire test were identified, assessed and evaluated. By using the proposed methodology, the critical test influencing factors were successfully determined and appropriate corrective action were derived. After the implementation of the corrective actions a selection of critical test influencing factors were re-assessed. The presented methodology contributed to evaluate and validate a new fire test method in the certification procedure.