Cessna Citation Sovereign (C680)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Company Policy; Aircraft; Procedure
NEF item for XXXX Baggage area trim coverings is outside the scope of the FAA NEF deferral program. When Baggage compartment trim coverings hang down it blocks fire particle detection sensors and blocks the fire suppressant exhaust nozzles for extinguishing. I have [observed] where the carpeting is hanging down; [and I] can see where the extinguishing nozzle should be; however it is now behind the carpet. Same thing happens to the particle sensor on the side bulkheads.Being that luggage is required to keep from interfering with fire protective features; loose and hanging interior baggage trim would also fall within the scope of the FAR. For fire safety; baggage trim/carpeting should be removed from the NEF deferral list.FAR 25.855 (f) There must be means to prevent cargo or baggage from interfering with the functioning of the fire protective features of the compartment.
The reporter stated the CE-680 aft cargo hold is temperature controlled and cycles up to about 100F; cools then reheats. This cycling process apparently causes the carpet lining to shrink and detach from the fire retardant foamlike lining. Loose carpet may then hang in front of fire detectors and fire suppressant ejector nozzles. An additional issue with the carpet shrinking is occasionally the black foamlike fire protection lining does not detach from the shrinking carpet and it too separates from the aircraft interior frame. When recorded in the maintenance log; maintenance personnel may improperly use NEF to clear the discrepancy.
A CE-680 Captain reported the application of NEF for Baggage Area Trim Coverings was incorrect because fire particle detector sensors and fire suppressant exhaust nozzles were blocked by hanging carpet.