I need to put in new upholstery and carpet. Someone said it had to meet some fire-resistance specs. What are they?
Owner-operators can legally perform interior refurbishment that does not involve disassembly of primary flight systems. The work still has to meet all applicable standards, as though it was done by an A&P or repair station. If you have the needed oversight or experience, including tools, materials, and techniques, you can “do it yourself”.
With credit to Steve King on MM:
Upholstery, carpet, and floorboards are required to meet the CAR Part 3 fire resistance standards specified in AC 43.13-1B, paragraph 9-61. One way to do this is to treat them with a fire retardant compound that meets FAR 25.853 (a&b). An example of this product is called “Inspecta Shield.” Aircraft Spruce sells it in a quart spray bottle for about $15. (A company called Dazian sells it by the gallon for $39.).
All of the automotive upholstery we looked at had an ASTME fire
resistance certification. That’s good enough for our planes which are
certificated under CAR Part 3. The upholstery sample books all
mentioned this certification, and the automotive carpet supplier
supplied us with a separate page showing that certification.
Automotive carpet does not meet the ASTM specs. You can choose nylon carpet (slower flame spread than polyester, and more durable), then treat it with a product such as Inspecta Shield.
Here is a sample logbook entry:
* Installed new seat and side panel upholstery meeting ASTME E84
Class A tunnel test fire resistance standard. Installed new
carpet treated with Inspecta-Shield fire retardant, a Class A fire
retardant meeting the standard of FAR 25.853 (a&b). Upholstery,
carpet, and floorboards all exceed CAR Part 3 fire resistance
standards specified in AC 43.13-1B, paragraph 9-61.