PURCHASE OF AN NBS SMOKE DENSITY CHAMBER UNIT. THE NBS SMOKE CHAMBER TEST METHOD IS USED TO DETERMINE THE SMOKE GENERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF AIRPLANE CABIN INTERIOR MATERIALS. THIS METHOD IS THE INDUSTRY STANDARD USED TO EVALUATE COMPLIANCE WITH FAR 25.853. IT IS USED TO DETERMINE THE MAXIMUM SPECIFIC OPTICAL DENSITY FROM MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS WHEN EXPOSED TO A FIXED INCIDENT RADIANT HEAT FLUX OF 2.5 W/M2. THE FAA IS INTERESTED IN REPLACING THE CURRENT 38 YEAR OLD UNIT AS IT HAS BECOME WORN OUT AND UNSERVICEABLE LENDING SPECULATION TO ANY DATA THAT IS TESTED. THIS FAA NBS IS CONSIDERED THE INDUSTRY 'STANDARD' AND MUST BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING RELIABLE DATA. IN IT'S CURRENT CONDITION THIS IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE. IN SPEAKING WITH FTT WE CAN GET A HECK OF A DISCOUNT IF WE PURCHASE BOTH THE OSU AND NBS THROUGH THEM. THEY ALREADY ARE THE CHEAPEST MANUFACTURERS SO IT MAY NOT BE A BAD IDEA. MY TWO TOP CHOICES WOULD BE FTT AND NEWPORT SCIENTIFIC INC PROVIDED THEY CAN PROVIDE EVERYTHING SPELLED OUT IN THE SPECIFICATION SHEET. FMS CODE: FIRESAFETY TAS::69 8108::TAS