ISO 19281:2025

International
Standard
ISO 19281
Second edition
Air cargo — Fire-resistant
2025-05
containers — Design, performance
and testing requirements
Fret aérien — Conteneurs résistant au feu — Exigences de
conception, performances et essais
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General requirements . 2
4.1 Approval .2
4.2 Construction .2
4.3 Materials .3
4.4 Weight . .3
4.5 General design .3
4.6 Environment .4
4.7 Maintenance .5
5 Performance and testing . 5
5.1 Container body .5
5.1.1 General .5
5.1.2 Base .5
5.1.3 45° Angle test .5
5.1.4 Accessories .6
5.2 Environmental testing .6
5.3 FRC assembly .6
5.4 FRC full scale test .6
5.5 Allowable damage .7
5.6 General data collection and preservation requirements .8
6 Markings . 8
7 Manufacturer's instructions . 9
8 Operator requirements . 10
Annex A (normative) Location of thermocouples for FRC full scale test .11
Bibliography .12

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
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in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 20, Aircraft and space vehicles, Subcommittee
SC 9, Air cargo and ground equipment.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 19281:2016), which has been
technically revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— Clause 1: revision of the scope;
— Clause 3: revision of the original term entries 3.4 and 3.5, suppression of definitions 3.6, 3.8 and 3.9;
— Clause 4: revision of the general requirements, suppression of 4.1.3, 4.2.1, 4.6.6 and 4.6.7, addition of
4.5.5 and 4.7.2;
— Clause 5: revision of performance with the addition of testing (5.2 “Environmental testing”, 5.4 “FRC full
scale test”);
— Clause 8 (previous Clause 9): revision of the operator requirements with the suppression of 9.2 “Operating
instructions”, 9.3 “Training and qualification” and 9.4 “Quality control”.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
Fatal accidents have demonstrated the risk of uncontrolled fires occurring within cargo to transport
aircraft; it is evident that the use of fire protecting devices can improve flight safety.
This document specifies the design and performance criteria and testing methods for fire-resistant
containers used to provide enhanced protection against cargo fires in civil transport aircraft cargo
compartments.
The fire-resistant containers (FRCs) specified by this document are intended to be used to contain and
restrain unitized cargo for loading into aircraft cargo compartments, for example:
a) Class E aircraft cargo compartments according to CS-25, CCAR-25, JAS Part 3 or 14CFR Part 25 25.857 (e);
b) Class F aircraft cargo compartments according to CS-25 § 25.857(f) and AMC to CS-25.855 and 25.857,
or 14CFR Part 25 § 25.857(f) and FAA Advisory Circular AC25.857-X.
NOTE Though nothing formally prevents a fire-resistant container (FRC) from being carried in a Class C aircraft
cargo compartment, it is not intended for this use since its fire containment capability is redundant with that of the
aircraft's fire detection and suppression system. Current regulatory guidance materials and aircraft type's Weight
and Balance Manual can be consulted whenever available.
This document only specifies the flammability requirements and fire resistance performance for FRCs.
Nonetheless the other applicable general standards shall be taken into account (e.g. ISO 21100, ISO 8097,
ISO 10327, ISO 11242).
The containers specified in this document shall be designed and tested at both the full-scale and component
levels to demonstrate performance.
The use of fire-resistant containers meeting the requirements of this document alone is not sufficient to
ensure flight safety: this document is based on the assumption that the approved fire-resistant containers
are built up, installed, and checked prior to aircraft loading in accordance with appropriate operating
instructions, by competent, suitably trained, personnel (see Clause 8).
Recommended criteria are, while not mandatory, considered to be of primary importance in providing fire-
resistant containers meeting the applicable regulatory requirements and ensuring effective protection
against fires. Deviation from recommended criteria should only occur after careful consideration, extensive
testing, and thorough service evaluation have shown alternate methods to be satisfactory.
The requirements of this document are expressed in the applicable SI units, with approximate inch-pound
unit conversion between brackets for the convenience of countries using that system. Where it is deemed
necessary to use exact values, the values in SI units are used.

v
International Standard ISO 19281:2025(en)
Air cargo — Fire-resistant containers — Design, performance
and testing requirements
1 Scope
This document specifies the minimum design and performance criteria and testing methods of passive fire-
resistant containers (FRCs) used in cargo compartments of civil transport aircraft to improve fire protection.
This document does not cover requirements for fire detection or suppression devices. The specified fire-
resistant containers (FRCs) are passive devices capable of containing a fire for a specific duration.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 877-1, Plastics — Methods of exposure to solar radiation — Part 1: General guidance
ISO 4892-1, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 1: General guidance
ISO 4892-3, Plastics — Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources — Part 3: Fluorescent UV lamps
ISO 8097, Aircraft — Minimum airworthiness requirements and test conditions for certified air cargo unit
load devices
ISO 10046, Air
...