Aircraft cabin materials - panels, partitions, ceiling and sidewall laminates - must pass the Ohio State University (OSU) heat release test before they can fly. The acceptance limits in FAR 25.853 (a peak heat release rate of 65 kW/m² and a two-minute total of 65 kW·min/m² are the well-known figures from the rule) are measured on this apparatus, which exposes a vertically mounted specimen to a radiant heat source with pilot flames in a controlled chamber.
How the OSU Heat Release Rate Apparatus works
The specimen is held vertically in the chamber and exposed to radiant heat at the flux set by the method, with pilot ignition. Heat release is followed through the temperature rise of the gas stream leaving the chamber, measured against a calibration with a known heat input, giving heat release rate over the five-minute test and the integrated two-minute value the rule is written around.
Key specifications
| Standards | FAR 25.853, FAA Fire Test Handbook, BSS 7322, AITM 2.0006, ASTM E906 |
|---|---|
| Application field | Aircraft cabin interior materials: panels, partitions, ceilings, sidewalls and large cabin surfaces |
| Configuration | Chamber, radiant heat source, specimen holder, pilot burners and heat-flux measurement; confirm the current configuration against the datasheet |
What the test reports
- Peak heat release rate
- Two-minute integrated heat release
- Heat release rate curve over the full test
Applications
Aviation material suppliers and cabin interior manufacturers use the OSU apparatus for FAR 25.853 qualification and for development work on low-heat-release panel systems. It sits alongside the NBS smoke chamber and the FAA oil burner series in a complete aviation fire test laboratory.
Frequently asked questions
Which standard should I order against?
Order against the standard your reports must cite. The instrument platform is shared across the listed standards, but fixtures, software templates and calibration routines differ, so name the standard (and its year) in your inquiry and the configuration will be matched to it.
Can the instrument be installed in an existing laboratory?
Yes, in most cases. Tell us the available floor space, ceiling height, exhaust capacity and gas supplies in your inquiry; large systems such as the SBI and tunnel furnaces need a dedicated exhaust arrangement, which is confirmed in the layout proposal before ordering.
Is this the same as a cone calorimeter?
No. Both measure heat release, but the OSU apparatus follows its own chamber method and calibration defined for aircraft materials in FAR 25.853 and ASTM E906. One does not substitute for the other in a certification report.
Configuration, installation and support
Every OSU Heat Release Rate Apparatus is supplied as a configured system, not a bare instrument: the test chamber or frame, the burner or heater assemblies named in the method, the measurement chain and the control software with the report templates for FAR 25.853, ASTM E906, BSS 7322, AITM 2.0006. Before quotation we confirm the installation conditions with you - floor loading and ceiling height for large rigs, exhaust and extraction routes, gas and fuel services, and power supply - because a fire test instrument only produces defensible data when the room around it is right. Commissioning covers assembly, calibration of the measurement chain against the method's own checks, and training of your operators on running the test and maintaining the apparatus. Spare ignition parts, thermocouples and other consumables for the first period of operation can be included in the supply, and the instrument is supported with calibration and maintenance services after installation.
What to include in your inquiry
To quote the OSU Heat Release Rate Apparatus correctly the first time, send: the standard and edition you will test to (FAR 25.853, ASTM E906, BSS 7322, AITM 2.0006); the materials or products you will test and their sizes; the configuration options you already know you need; and the destination laboratory's location and available services. If you are building a new fire laboratory rather than adding one instrument, say so - this apparatus is often planned together with the other instruments in its category, and a combined layout and exhaust plan is cheaper than three separate ones.