Definition
A property of a material indicating that it will not readily ignite, support combustion, or continue to burn after the source of flame is removed. Flame-resistant materials may char or be damaged by direct flame, but they will not sustain a fire on their own.
Plain English
The material won't easily catch fire, and if a flame touches it, the burning stops once the flame is taken away.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance, interior materials, fabric covering, protective clothing, and equipment specifications.
Derivation
Flame comes from the Latin flamma, meaning flame. Resistant comes from a Latin word meaning to stand against. Together, the words point to a material that stands against flame rather than one that is completely untouched by it.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces the speed at which fire spreads inside the cabin, giving occupants more time to exit during an emergency.
Intuition Check
Flame resistant does not mean flameproof. It means the material resists burning, but it is not impossible to burn.
Example Sentence 1
The cabin upholstery must be made of flame-resistant material to meet FAA certification standards.
Example Sentence 2
Technicians replaced the wiring loom with flame resistant insulation after the inspection.