From early 2024, QCM Flamelab will be offering oil burn for seat cushion tests alongside our other fire testing capabilities.
Oil burn for seat cushion tests play a vital role in ensuring the safety and performance of seat cushions in aircraft. Using a high-intensity open flame, we can determine burn resistance and weight loss characteristics, ensuring that they meet stringent safety standards, and meet regulatory compliance.
Below are photos from various milestones over the last 2 months displaying the progress of our new facility so far, as we prepare it for the new testing capabilities.
Construction of the oil burner “test cell” started early December with installation of the ventilation system, which was completed before Christmas, and the construction of the separation wall, which commenced in mid-January, was completed by February 1.
While construction is well underway, we still have a number of steps to complete before the new oil burner test is ready to be used:
- Finalization of ventilation system and connecting everything to the electrical installation
- Installation of new electrical installation for heavy duty purposes (air compressor)
- Installation of air compressor which will supply compressed air at required pressure and flow to the oil burner
- Installation of fuel chilling units which are also combined 40l fuel tanks
- Installation of the test frame and the burner
- Connecting the system to the computer for data gathering and test operation
- Air supply / pressure tests
- Fuel supply / pressure tests
- Ventilation tests
- Full capacity tests with open flame, air and fuel supply to the burner
- Commercial test readiness
To keep up-to-date with the launch of the oil burner, and other Flamelab news, we invite you to sign up to our Flamelab Newsletter here.
Early December 2023: New range hoods ensure that the oil burner tests have adequate ventilation
Late December 2023: The ventilation system has been installed
Once the range hoods have been installed, it’s time for the construction of the separation walls to begin!
Mid-Jan 2024: The construction of the separation wall is underway
Late Jan 2024: We received our delivery of Jet A-1 fuel, which will be used to fuel the new oil burner tests
Feb 1 2024: The construction of the separation wall is complete
Since opening in 2021, QCM Flamelab has been specializing in testing aviation interior materials using fire testing compliant with EASA and FAA standards, to ensure that your materials meet applicable regulations.
Unlike other labs, we use automated tests developed exclusively for QCM Flamelab, to eliminate human factors during manually performed tests. This results in simple, precise and efficient testing and reporting of your materials, allowing for quicker results and a more accurate analysis of your samples.
Our fire testing capabilities include Bunsen Burner Testing, which measures the flammability and fire resistance of materials to be used in aviation interiors, and, as of April 2024, also includes Oil Burn for Seat Cushions (Fireblock) testing, which determines the burn resistance and weight loss characteristics of cushions using a high-intensity open flame.
As well as servicing the aviation industry, our fire testing capabilities extend to a range of other industries, including public transport, interior design, yachting & boating, and textile/leather manufacturing.
For more information about how we can assist you with fire testing your materials, contact us at sales@flamelab.ch or visit https://www.flamelab.ch/
Qualifications: AS 9100 D / EN 9100:20018 | ISO 9001:2015 | FAA Listing DOT/FAA/AR-00/12 Appendix F