EN 3844-3:2019

• Abstract:

  This document specifies the test for the determination of the resistance of non-metallic materials in part or in whole to flame and glow propagation and to flame penetration.; This test method is also used for testing non-metallic materials which have to meet the test criteria for the 45° Bunsen burner test.; It is used for evaluation of non-metallic materials or constructions used in the interiors of aerospace vehicles but also may be used in other applications as specified in applicable procurement and regulatory documents.; This standard should be used to measure and describe the properties of non-metallic materials, products or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 27-Aug-2019
• Withdrawal Date: 28-Feb-2020
• ICS: 49.025.15 - Non-ferrous alloys in general
• Technical Committee: ASD-STAN - Aerospace
• Drafting Committee: ASD-STAN/D 4/S 5 - Test Methods
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 21-Jan-2025
• Completion Date: 16-Sep-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN 3844-3:2019 - Aerospace series - Flammability of non metallic materials - Part 3: Small burner test, 45° - Determination of the resistance of material to flame and glow propagation and to flame penetration

• Replaces: EN 3844-3:2011 - Aerospace series - Flammability of non metallic materials - Part 3: Small burner test, 45° - Determination of the resistance of material to flame and glow propagation and to flame penetration
• Effective Date: 04-Sep-2019
• Referred By: EN 4841-1:2022 - Aerospace series - Shock mount with bushes - Part 1: Technical specification
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 2833-005:2013 - Aerospace series - Glass fibre thermosetting preimpregnates - Technical specification - Part 005: Glass fabric/phenolic resin preimpregnate
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 4691-1:2017 - Aerospace series - Tie rod with integrated bolts - Part 1: Technical specification
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

EN 3844-3:2019 is a European Standard developed by CEN that addresses the flammability of non-metallic materials in aerospace applications. Specifically, it details the 45° small burner test for determining material resistance to flame and glow propagation as well as to flame penetration. The standard is an essential tool for measuring and describing the fire performance of materials, products, or assemblies in controlled laboratory settings within the aerospace industry, and is broadly applicable wherever high standards of flame resistance are required.

Key Topics

• Flammability Testing: EN 3844-3 outlines a consistent procedure to assess the ability of non-metallic materials to resist ignition and the spread of fire, evaluating both flame and glow propagation.
• 45° Small Burner Test: The method uses a Bunsen or Tirril burner placed at 45° to test specimens, closely following requirements also recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for aircraft interiors.
• Critical Measurements:
  • After flame time: The period during which a specimen continues to flame after removal of the burner.
  • After glow time: The time the material continues to glow post-flame.
  • Flame penetration: Determines if the flame has penetrated the specimen during testing.
• Test Specimen Preparation: Standard conditions for temperature and humidity are specified to ensure repeatability and reliability of results.
• Reporting Requirements: Reports must document specimen description, supplier, method designation, results, and observations on material behavior under test.

Applications

EN 3844-3:2019 is widely used for:

• Aerospace Vehicles: Assessment of interior materials such as panels, seating, carpet, insulation, and other construction elements that must meet strict regulatory requirements for flammability and safety.
• Regulatory Compliance: Used in conjunction with procurement and regulatory documents to certify compliance with European and international fire safety standards for transport vehicles, especially in aviation.
• Other Sectors: While primarily intended for aerospace, the standard may also be referenced for non-metallic materials used in other high-risk environments where controlled fire testing is essential.

Key benefits include:

• Enhanced Safety: Reduces the risk of fire spread, vital for safeguarding passengers, crew, and critical equipment.
• Consistent Evaluation: Provides a harmonized testing methodology, improving comparability of results across suppliers and manufacturers.
• Risk Assessment Support: Though laboratory results do not measure actual fire hazard, data derived from the 45° small burner test are valuable inputs for broader fire risk assessments.

Related Standards

For those seeking comprehensive fire safety and material testing protocols, consider these related references:

• EN 3844-1 and EN 3844 series: Cover additional methods for flammability testing of non-metallic materials in aerospace.
• ASTM D5025: Standard Specification for Laboratory Burners used in testing (cited in EN 3844-3 for burner apparatus).
• FAR Part 25, Section 25.853 and 25.855, Appendix F: FAA regulations for fire protection in aircraft compartments, which align with the small burner test methodology.

Conclusion

Following EN 3844-3:2019 ensures that non-metallic materials used in aerospace meet stringent fire safety and flammability performance requirements. Adhering to this standard facilitates regulatory compliance, supports effective fire risk management, and promotes the use of materials that enhance safety in both aerospace and other high-risk environments. For manufacturers, engineers, and regulatory bodies, EN 3844-3:2019 is a vital instrument in the continuous effort to improve fire resistance and overall material safety.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2019
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 3844-3:2012
Aeronavtika - Vnetljivost nekovinskih materialov - 3. del: Preskus majhnih
gorilnikov, 45° - Ugotavljanje odpornosti materiala proti širjenju ognja in tlenju ter
pregorevanju
Aerospace series - Flammability of non metallic materials - Part 3: Small burner test, 45°
- Determination of the resistance of material to flame and glow propagation and to flame
penetration
Luft- und Raumfahrt - Entflammbarkeit nichtmetallischer Werkstoffe - Teil 3:
Kleinbrenner-Prüfung, 45° - Bestimmung der Beständigkeit eines Materials gegen die
Ausbreitung von Flammen und Glimmen und gegen Durchbrennen
Série aérospatiale - Inflammabilité des matériaux non métalliques - Partie 3 : Essai au
brûleur, 45° - Détermination de la résistance du matériau à la propagation de la flamme
et de l'incandescence, et à la pénétration de la flamme
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 3844-3:2019
ICS:
13.220.40 Sposobnost vžiga in Ignitability and burning
obnašanje materialov in behaviour of materials and
proizvodov pri gorenju products
49.025.15 Neželezove zlitine na Non-ferrous alloys in general
splošno
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 3844-3
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
August 2019
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 49.025.15 Supersedes EN 3844-3:2011
English Version
Aerospace series - Flammability of non-metallic materials -
Part 3: Small burner test, 45° - Determination of the
resistance of material to flame and glow propagation and
to flame penetration
Série aérospatiale - Inflammabilité des matériaux non Luft- und Raumfahrt - Entflammbarkeit
métalliques - Partie 3 : Essai au brûleur, 45° - nichtmetallischer Werkstoffe - Teil 3: Kleinbrenner-
Détermination de la résistance du matériau à la Prüfung, 45° - Bestimmung der Beständigkeit eines
propagation de la flamme et de l'incandescence, et à la Materials gegen die Ausbreitung von Flammen und
pénétration de la flamme Glimmen und gegen Durchbrennen
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 12 May 2019.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2019 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 3844-3:2019 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Principle of method . 5
5 Designation . 5
6 Test apparatus . 5
6.1 Test cabinet . 5
6.2 Specimen holder . 6
6.3 Burner . 6
6.3.1 Burner type . 6
6.3.2 Burner fuel . 6
6.3.3 Plumbing for gas supply . 6
6.3.4 Flame height indicator . 6
6.3.5 Flame Temperature . 6
6.4 Timer . 6
7 Test specimens . 6
7.1 Number of specimens . 6
7.2 Specimens size . 7
8 Conditioning. 7
9 Burner adjustment . 7
10 Test procedure . 7
11 Test report . 8
Annex A (informative) Standard evolution form . 14
Bibliography . 15

European foreword
This document (EN 3844-3:2019) has been prepared by the Aerospace and Defence Industries
Association of Europe — Standardization (ASD-STAN).
After enquiries and votes carried out in accordance with the rules of this Association, this Standard has
received the approval of the National Associations and the Official Services of the member countries of
ASD, prior to its presentation to CEN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by February 2020, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by February 2020.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 3844-3:2011.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United
Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies the test for the determination of the resistance of non-metallic materials in part
or in whole to flame and glow propagation and to flame penetration.
This test method is also used for testing non-metallic materials which have to meet the test criteria for
the 45° Bunsen burner test.
It is used for evaluation of non-metallic materials or constructions used in the interiors of aerospace
vehicles but also may be used in other applications as specified in applicable procurement and regulatory
documents.
This standard should be used to measure and describe the properties of non-metallic materials, products
or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be
used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual
fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment which takes
into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end
use.
2 Normative references
The fol
...