---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 25.857"
title: "14"
number: "25.857"
heading: "Cargo compartment classification."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/25.857"
---

# §25.857. Cargo compartment classification.

- (a) **Class A;** A Class A cargo or baggage compartment is one in which—
  - (1) The presence of a fire would be easily discovered by a crewmember while at his station; and
  - (2) **Each part of the compartment is easily accessible in flight.**
- (b) **Class B.** A Class B cargo or baggage compartment is one in which—
  - (1) There is sufficient access in flight to enable a crewmember, standing at any one access point and without stepping into the compartment, to extinguish a fire occurring in any part of the compartment using a hand fire extinguisher;
  - (2) When the access provisions are being used, no hazardous quantity of smoke, flames, or extinguishing agent, will enter any compartment occupied by the crew or passengers;
  - (3) There is a separate approved smoke detector or fire detector system to give warning at the pilot or flight engineer station.
- (c) **Class C.** A Class C cargo or baggage compartment is one not meeting the requirements for either a Class A or B compartment but in which—
  - (1) There is a separate approved smoke detector or fire detector system to give warning at the pilot or flight engineer station;
  - (2) **There is an approved built-in fire extinguishing or suppression system controllable from the cockpit.**
  - (3) There are means to exclude hazardous quantities of smoke, flames, or extinguishing agent, from any compartment occupied by the crew or passengers;
  - (4) There are means to control ventilation and drafts within the compartment so that the extinguishing agent used can control any fire that may start within the compartment.
- (d) [Reserved]
- (e) **Class E.** A Class E cargo compartment is one on airplanes used only for the carriage of cargo and in which—
  - (1) [Reserved]
  - (2) There is a separate approved smoke or fire detector system to give warning at the pilot or flight engineer station;
  - (3) There are means to shut off the ventilating airflow to, or within, the compartment, and the controls for these means are accessible to the flight crew in the crew compartment;
  - (4) There are means to exclude hazardous quantities of smoke, flames, or noxious gases, from the flight crew compartment; and
  - (5) **The required crew emergency exits are accessible under any cargo loading condition.**
- (f) **Class F.** A Class F cargo or baggage compartment must be located on the main deck and is one in which—
  - (1) There is a separate approved smoke detector or fire detector system to give warning at the pilot or flight engineer station;
  - (2) There are means to extinguish or control a fire without requiring a crewmember to enter the compartment; and
  - (3) There are means to exclude hazardous quantities of smoke, flames, or extinguishing agent from any compartment occupied by the crew or passengers.

## Notes

### Amendments

[Doc. No. 5066, 29 FR 18291, Dec. 24, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 25-32, 37 FR 3972, Feb. 24, 1972; Amdt. 25-60, 51 FR 18243, May 16, 1986; Amdt. 25-93, 63 FR 8048, Feb. 17, 1998; Doc. No. Docket FAA-2014-0001, Amdt. 25-142, 81 FR 7704, Feb. 16, 2016]

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702 and 44704; Pub. L. 115-254, 132 Stat 3281 (49 U.S.C. 44903 note).

### Source

Source: Docket No. 5066, 29 FR 18291, Dec. 24, 1964, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[Doc. No. 5066, 29 FR 18291, Dec. 24, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 25-32, 37 FR 3972, Feb. 24, 1972; Amdt. 25-60, 51 FR 18243, May 16, 1986; Amdt. 25-93, 63 FR 8048, Feb. 17, 1998; Doc. No. Docket FAA-2014-0001, Amdt. 25-142, 81 FR 7704, Feb. 16, 2016]