FAR 23.2330 — Fire Zone Protection
FAR 23.2330 covers fire protection requirements in designated fire zones: flight structures, engine mounts, electrical cables, and emergency equipment.
In Plain English
FAR 23.2330 establishes fire protection standards for parts of a Part 23 airplane located in or near designated fire zones — areas where a fire is most likely to occur, such as around the engine.
The rule requires that:
- Flight controls, engine mounts, and other flight structures within or adjacent to designated fire zones must be able to withstand the effects of a fire, so the airplane remains controllable long enough to land.
- Engines located in a designated fire zone must remain attached to the airplane if a fire occurs — the mounts can't burn through and let the engine separate.
- Any terminals, equipment, and electrical cables used during emergency procedures in a fire zone must be fire-resistant, so emergency systems (like fuel shutoffs or extinguishers) keep working during a fire.
Operationally, this matters because it gives pilots a fighting chance: the structure stays intact, the engine stays put, and emergency electrical paths still function while you run the engine fire checklist and divert.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 23.2330§ 23.2330 Fire protection in designated fire zones and adjacent areas.
(a) Flight controls, engine mounts, and other flight structures within or adjacent to designated fire zones must be capable of withstanding the effects of a fire.
(b) Engines in a designated fire zone must remain attached to the airplane in the event of a fire.
(c) In designated fire zones, terminals, equipment, and electrical cables used during emergency procedures must be fire-resistant.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What is a designated fire zone, and what protection does FAR 23.2330 require for flight structures in or near one?
A designated fire zone is an area of the airplane prone to fire, typically the engine compartment. Per FAR 23.2330(a), flight controls, engine mounts, and other flight structures within or adjacent to those zones must be capable of withstanding the effects of a fire.
Q2If an engine fire occurs, what does FAR 23.2330 require regarding the engine itself?
FAR 23.2330(b) requires that engines in a designated fire zone remain attached to the airplane in the event of a fire, so the engine cannot separate from the airframe due to fire damage.
Q3What standard applies to electrical cables and equipment used for emergency procedures inside a fire zone?
Under FAR 23.2330(c), terminals, equipment, and electrical cables used during emergency procedures in a designated fire zone must be fire-resistant so they remain functional during a fire.
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Related Sections in Part 23