[Federal Register: January 6, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 4)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 1163-1169]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06ja05-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. NM287; Special Conditions No. 25-281-SC]
Special Conditions: Airbus Model A330, A340-200 and A340-300
Series Airplanes; Lower Deck Mobile Crew Rest (LD-MCR) Compartment
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions.
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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A330,
A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes. These airplanes will have
novel or unusual design features associated with a lower deck mobile
crew rest (LD-MCR) compartment. The applicable airworthiness
regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for
this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional
safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to
establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the
existing airworthiness standards.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 23, 2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Backman, FAA, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98055-4056;
telephone (425) 227-2797; facsimile (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 20, 2003, Airbus applied for a change to Type Certificate
Numbers A46NM and A43NM to permit installation of an LD-MCR compartment
in Airbus Model A330, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes.
The LD-MCR compartment will be located under the passenger cabin
floor in the aft cargo compartment of Airbus Model A330, A340-200, and
A340-300 series airplanes. It will be the size of a standard airfreight
container and will be removable from the cargo compartment. The LD-MCR
compartment will be occupied in flight but not during taxi, takeoff, or
landing. No more than seven crewmembers at a time will be permitted to
occupy it. The LD-MCR compartment will have a smoke detection system, a
fire suppression system, and an oxygen system.
The LD-MCR compartment will be accessed from the main deck via a
``stairhouse.'' The floor within the stairhouse has a hatch that leads
to stairs which occupants use to descend into the LD-MCR compartment.
An interface will keep this hatch open when the stairhouse door is
open. In addition, there will be an emergency hatch which opens
directly into the main passenger cabin. The LD-MCR compartment has a
maintenance door. This door is intended to be used to allow maintenance
personnel and cargo handlers to enter the LD-MCR from the cargo
compartment when the airplane is not in flight.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of Sec. 21.101, Airbus must show that Airbus
Model A330, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes, as changed,
continue to meet (1) the applicable provisions of the regulations
incorporated by reference in A46NM (for Airbus Model A330) and in A43NM
(for Airbus Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes) or (2) the
applicable regulations in effect on the date of application for the
change. The regulations incorporated by reference in the type
certificate are commonly referred to as the ``original type
certification basis.'' The regulations incorporated by reference in
A46NM and A43NM are as follows:
The certification basis for Airbus Models A330-300, A340-200, and
A340-300 series airplanes is 14 CFR part 25, as amended by Amendments
25-1 through 25-63; certain regulations at later Amendments 25-65, 25-
66, and 25-77; and Amendment 25-64 with exceptions. Refer to Type
Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) A46NM or A43NM, as applicable, for a
complete description of the certification basis for these models,
including certain special conditions that are not relevant to these
proposed special conditions.
The certification basis for Airbus Model A330-200 series airplanes
is 14 CFR part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-63, 25-65,
25-66, 25-68, 25-69, 25-73, 25-75, 25-77, 25-78, 25-81, 25-82, 25-84
and 25-85; certain regulations at Amendments 25-72 and 25-74; and
Amendment 25-64 with exceptions. Refer to TCDS A46NM for a complete
description of the certification basis for that model, including
certain special conditions that are not relevant to these proposed
special conditions.
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for Airbus Model A330, A340-200, and A340-
300 series airplanes because of a novel or unusual design feature,
special conditions are prescribed under the provisions of Sec. 21.16.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, Airbus Model A330, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes
must comply with the fuel vent and exhaust emission requirements of 14
CFR part 34 and the noise certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36.
Special conditions, as defined in Sec. 11.19, are issued in
accordance with Sec. 11.38 and become part of the type certification
basis in accordance with Sec. 21.101.
Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which
they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model be amended
later to include any other model that incorporates the same or similar
novel or unusual design feature, or should any other model already
included on the same type certificate be modified to incorporate the
same or similar novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions
would also apply to the other model under the provisions of Sec.
21.101.
Novel or Unusual Design Features
While the installation of a crew rest compartment is not a new
concept for large transport category airplanes, each crew rest
compartment has unique features based on design, location, and use on
the airplane. The LD-MCR compartment is novel in terms of part 25 in
that it will be located below the passenger cabin floor in the aft
cargo compartment of Airbus Model A330, A340-200, and A340-300 series
airplanes. Due to the novel or unusual features associated with the
installation of a LD-MCR compartment, special conditions are considered
necessary to provide a level of safety equal to that established by the
airworthiness regulations incorporated by reference in the type
certificates of these airplanes. These special conditions do not negate
the need to address other applicable part 25 regulations.
[[Page 1164]]
Operational Evaluations and Approval
These special conditions specify requirements for design approvals
(i.e., type design changes and supplemental type certificates) of LD-
MCR compartments administered by the FAA's Aircraft Certification
Service. Prior to operational use of a LD-MCR compartment, the FAA's
Flight Standards Service, Aircraft Evaluation Group (AEG), must
evaluate and approve the ``basic suitability'' of the LD-MCR
compartment for occupation by crewmembers. If an operator wishes to
utilize a LD-MCR compartment as ``sleeping quarters,'' the LD-MCR
compartment must undergo an additional operational evaluation and
approval. The LD-MCR compartments will be evaluated for compliance to
Sec. Sec. 121.485(a) and 121.523(b), with Advisory Circular 121-31
providing one method of compliance to these operating regulations.
To obtain an operational evaluation, the type design holder must
contact the AEG within the Flight Standards Service which has
operational approval authority for the project. In this instance, it is
the Seattle AEG. The type design holder must request a ``basic
suitability'' evaluation or a ``sleeping quarters'' evaluation of the
crew rest. The type design holder may make these requests concurrently
with the demonstration of compliance to these special conditions.
The results of these evaluations will be documented in the A330,
A340-200 and A340-300 Flight Standardization Board (FSB) Report
Appendix. In discussions with their FAA Principal Operating Inspector
(POI), individual operators may reference these standardized
evaluations as the basis for an operational approval, in lieu of an on-
site operational evaluation.
An operational re-evaluation and approval will be required for any
changes to the approved LD-MCR compartment configuration, if the
changes affect procedures for emergency egress of crewmembers, other
safety procedures for crewmembers occupying the LD-MCR compartment, or
training related to these procedures. The applicant for any such change
is responsible for notifying the Seattle AEG that a new crew rest
evaluation is required.
All instructions for continued airworthiness (ICAW), including
service bulletins, must be submitted to the Seattle AEG for approval
acceptance before the FAA issues its approval of the modification.
Discussion of Special Conditions No. 9 and 12
The following clarifies how Special Condition No. 9 should be
understood relative to the requirements of Sec. 25.1439(a). Amendment
25-38 modified the requirements of Sec. 25.1439(a) by adding the
following language,
In addition, protective breathing equipment must be installed in
each isolated separate compartment in the airplane, including upper
and lower lobe galleys, in which crewmember occupancy is permitted
during flight for the maximum number of crewmembers expected to be
in the area during any operation.
Section 25.1439(a) requires protective breathing equipment (PBE) in
isolated separate compartments in which crewmember occupancy is
permitted. But the PBE requirements of Sec. 25.1439(a) are not
appropriate in this case, because the LD-MCR compartment is novel and
unusual in terms of the number of occupants.
In 1976, when Amendment 25-38 was adopted, underfloor galleys were
the only isolated compartments that had been certificated, with a
maximum of two crewmembers expected to occupy those galleys. Special
Condition No. 9 addresses PBE requirements for LD-MCR compartments,
which can accommodate up to 7 crewmembers. This number of occupants in
an isolated compartment was not envisioned at the time Amendment 25-38
was adopted.
In the event of a fire, an occupant's first action should be to
leave the confined space, unless the occupant(s) is fighting the fire.
It is not appropriate for all LD-MCR compartment occupants to don PBE.
Taking the time to don the PBE would prolong the time for the
occupant's emergency evacuation and possibly interfere with efforts to
extinguish the fire.
In regard to Special Condition No. 12, the FAA considers that,
during the one minute smoke detection time, penetration of a small
quantity of smoke from the LD-MCR compartment into an occupied area on
this airplane configuration would be acceptable based upon the
limitations placed in these special conditions. The FAA determination
considers that the special conditions place sufficient restrictions in
the quantity and type of material allowed in crew carry-on bags that
the threat from a fire in this remote area would be equivalent to that
experienced in the main cabin.
Discussion of Comments
Notice of proposed special conditions No. 25-04-02-SC for the
Airbus Model A330, A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes was published
in the Federal Register on September 3, 2004 (69 FR 53841). Several
commenters submitted comments on the proposed special conditions.
Proposed Special Condition 1(a) requires that there be appropriate
placards displayed in a conspicuous place at each entrance to the LD-
MCR compartment.
One commenter suggested that since cargo may be loaded through the
maintenance door, the placard should be required to be outside the
maintenance door.
The FAA considers that the special condition is sufficient as
written, because the maintenance door is strictly for accessing and
servicing the LD-MCR. No cargo or baggage will be loaded through the
maintenance door, and, therefore, a placard is not needed on the
outside of the door.
Proposed Special Condition 1(d) requires a means for any door
installed between the LD-MCR and the passenger cabin to be quickly
opened from ``inside'' the LD-MCR, even when crowding occurs at each
side of the door.
One commenter indicates that the requirement for quick opening
during crowding should also apply if there is an attempt to open the
door from the passenger cabin.
This requirement addresses crew members who are exiting the mobile
crew rest area and, therefore, do not have control of the area outside
the door. When crew members are entering the LD-MCR, they would have
sufficient control of the area outside the door to be able to enter the
LD-MCR. Therefore, the FAA considers the special conditions sufficient
to address this installation.
Proposed Special Condition 2 requires two emergency evacuation
routes which could be used by each occupant of the LD-MCR compartment
to rapidly evacuate to the main cabin.
One commenter states that the phrase ``each occupant'' in 14 CFR
part 25 has been interpreted to mean a 5th percent female to a 95th
percentile male. Yet the proposed Special Condition mentions only the
95th percentile male when addressing means to evacuate an incapacitated
crewmember. The commenter suggests that the FAA define ``each
occupant'' as used in this Special Condition.
In terms of evacuating an incapacitated crewmember, an
incapacitated 95th percentile male is considered the ``worst case'' and
is specifically addressed in the special conditions. The FAA concludes
that
[[Page 1165]]
these special conditions are sufficient to address this installation.
Proposed Special Condition 12, in the third paragraph, addresses
built-in fire extinguisher systems in the LD-MCR. It proposes that the
system ``must have adequate capacity to suppress any fire occurring in
the LD-MCR compartment, considering the fire threat, the volume of the
compartment, and the ventilation rate.''
One commenter suggests that the Special Condition be revised to
include the maximum approved Extended-Range Twin-Engine operations
(ETOPS) diversion time for the airplane in the list of things to be
considered when determining adequate capacity of the fire extinguisher
system.
The FAA does not concur. Since the certification regulations are
design requirements and do not address the types of operation, the
special conditions are intended to address only the design parameters
of the LD-MCR. Therefore, these special conditions are considered
sufficient to address this installation.
Proposed Special Condition 16 requires that materials and
mattresses comply with the flammability standards of 14 CFR Sec.
25.853 (Compartment Interiors) at Amendment 25-66.
One commenter states that--in Special Conditions No. 25-230-SC
which were applied to Boeing's overhead crew rests--the FAA required
that the materials comply with Sec. 25.853 at Amendment 25-83. The
commenter asks for clarification of the reason that the lower lobe area
allows for compliance with a lower amendment level of the design
requirements.
In response, the FAA notes that, before initiating these special
conditions, we determined the applicable airworthiness standards for
this design change in accordance with 14 CFR 21.101 and Advisory
Circular 21.101-1. Because the LD-MCR is not a ``product level''
change, we do not consider this change ``significant'' for purposes of
that regulation. Therefore, the applicable regulations are those
specified in the type certificate for the airplane, and it is not
necessary for the applicant to show compliance with later amendments.
For the A330 and A340, the certification amendment level is Amendment
25-66, whereas for the Boeing airplane, the certification amendment
level is Amendment 25-83. In adopting special conditions in accordance
with 14 CFR 21.16, we establish a level of safety equivalent to the
applicable regulations. Therefore, the referenced amendment level is
different for the two types of airplanes.
Proposed Special Condition 19 requires that ``means must be
provided to prevent access into the Class C cargo compartment during
all airplane operations and to ensure that the maintenance door is
closed during all airplane flight operations.
One commenter suggests that the proposed special condition is
confusing, because the FAA uses two very different phrases: ``airplane
operations'' and ``airplane flight operations.'' The commenter asks
that the FAA define the terms, since ``airplane operations'' seems to
be broader than ``airplane flight operations.'' In addition, the
commenter asks that the wording be revised to require that the door be
``secured'' during flight operations, not just closed. The securing of
this maintenance door during airplane operations is an important
security measure to prevent passengers from accessing the cargo
compartment or stowaways in the cargo compartment from accessing the
airplane.
The FAA concurs and will revise the special condition as follows:
Means must be provided to prevent access into the Class C cargo
compartment during all airplane flight operations and to ensure that
the maintenance door is closed and secured during all airplane
flight operations.
Proposed Additional Special Conditions:
One commenter suggests that there are some unique features of the
LD-MCR that do not appear to be adequately covered by the proposed
Special Condition.
1. One of these features is that two means of access from the LD-
MCR to the main passenger compartment are required as part of the
modification to the Airbus airplanes. Since the LD-MCR is removable,
there must be provisions to secure the access means to eliminate any
possibility of access between the cargo compartment and the passenger
cabin when the LD-MCR is not installed.
The FAA concurs, and the FAA considers these special conditions,
specifically No. 19, sufficient to address the certification
requirements for this installation.
2. The commenter states that another unique feature of the LD-MCR
is that it must connect to the airplane for electrical power and may
have potable water and waste water attachments if it contains a
lavatory. Since the LD-MCR is removable, those systems must be readily
disconnected. As such, there should be requirements that ensure the
integrity of those disconnects during a survivable crash landing, so
that there are no sources of electrical arcing or the waste water
system is not breached, possibly contaminating evacuating passengers.
The FAA concurs, and the FAA considers the basic requirements of 14
CFR part 25 and these special conditions sufficient to address the
certification requirements for this installation.
3. Finally, one commenter suggests that the facility should be
physically isolated from the active areas and located close to the
Flight Deck, so as to allow access to the flight deck without
transiting public areas.
In response, the FAA indicates that there are no current
regulations which require a crew rest to be located such that the
flight deck personnel have private access to the crew rest or do not
have to pass through public areas to get to it. These requirements are
not necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to the
regulations. The FAA concludes that these special conditions are
sufficient to address the certification requirements for this crew rest
installation.
Applicability
As mentioned above, these special conditions are applicable to
Airbus Model A330, A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. Should
Airbus apply at a later date for a change to the type certificate to
include another model incorporating the same or similar novel or
unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply to that
model as well.
Under standard practice, the effective date of final special
conditions would be 30 days after the date of publication in the
Federal Register; however, as the certification date for the Airbus
Model A330, A340-200, and A340-300 is imminent, the FAA finds that good
cause exists to make these special conditions effective upon issuance.
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on the A330, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes. It is not a rule
of general applicability, and it affects only the applicant which
applied to the FAA for approval of these features on the airplane.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
0
The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.
[[Page 1166]]
The Special Conditions
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of
the type certification basis for certain Airbus Model A330, A340-200,
and A340-300 series airplanes.
1. Occupancy of the LD-MCR compartment is limited to the total
number of installed bunks and seats in each compartment. For each
occupant permitted in the LD-MCR compartment, there must be an approved
seat or berth able to withstand the maximum flight loads when occupied.
The maximum occupancy in the LD-MCR compartment is seven.
(a) There must be appropriate placards displayed in a conspicuous
place at each entrance to the LD-MCR compartment indicating the
following information:
(1) The maximum number of occupants allowed;
(2) That occupancy is restricted to crewmembers trained in the
evacuation procedures for the LD-MCR compartment;
(3) That occupancy is prohibited during taxi, take-off and landing;
(4) That smoking is prohibited in the LD-MCR compartment; and
(5) That the LD-MCR compartment is limited to the stowage of
personal luggage of crewmembers and must not be used for the stowage of
cargo or passenger baggage.
(b) There must be at least one ashtray located conspicuously on or
near the entry side of any entrance to the LD-MCR compartment.
(c) There must be a means to prevent passengers from entering the
LD-MCR compartment in an emergency or when no flight attendant is
present.
(d) There must be a means for any door installed between the LD-MCR
compartment and the passenger cabin to be capable of being quickly
opened from inside the LD-MCR compartment, even when crowding occurs at
each side of the door.
(e) For all doors installed in the evacuation routes, there must be
a means to preclude anyone from being trapped inside a compartment. If
a locking mechanism is installed, it must be capable of being unlocked
from the outside without the aid of special tools. The lock must not
prevent opening from the inside of a compartment at any time.
2. There must be at least two emergency evacuation routes, which
could be used by each occupant of the LD-MCR compartment to rapidly
evacuate to the main cabin and could be closed from the main passenger
cabin after evacuation.
(a) The routes must be located with one at each end of the LD-MCR
compartment or with two having sufficient separation within the LD-MCR
compartment and between the routes to minimize the possibility of an
event (either inside or outside of the LD-MCR compartment) rendering
both routes inoperative.
(b) The routes must be designed to minimize the possibility of
blockage, which might result from fire, mechanical or structural
failure or from persons standing on top of or against the escape route.
If an evacuation route utilizes an area where normal movement of
passengers occurs, it must be demonstrated that passengers would not
impede egress to the main deck. If a hatch is installed in an
evacuation route, the point at which the evacuation route terminates in
the passenger cabin should not be located where normal movement by
passengers or crew occur, such as in a main aisle, cross aisle,
passageway or galley complex.
If such a location cannot be avoided, special consideration must be
taken to ensure that the hatch or door can be opened when a person who
is the weight of a ninety-fifth percentile male is standing on the
hatch or door.
The use of evacuation routes must not be dependent on any powered
device. If there is low headroom at or near an evacuation route,
provision must be made to prevent or to protect occupants of the LD-MCR
compartment from head injury.
(c) Emergency evacuation procedures, including the emergency
evacuation of an incapacitated crewmember from the LD-MCR compartment,
must be established. All of these procedures must be transmitted to the
operator for incorporation into its training programs and appropriate
operational manuals.
(d) There must be a limitation in the Airplane Flight Manual or
other suitable means requiring that crewmembers be trained in the use
of evacuation routes.
3. There must be a means for the evacuation of an incapacitated
crewmember who is representative of a 95th percentile male from the LD-
MCR compartment to the passenger cabin floor. The evacuation must be
demonstrated for all evacuation routes. A flight attendant or other
crewmember (a total of one assistant within the LD-MCR compartment) may
provide assistance in the evacuation. Additional assistance may be
provided by up to three persons in the main passenger compartment. For
evacuation routes having stairways, the additional assistants may
descend down to one half the elevation change from the main deck to the
LD-MCR compartment or to the first landing, whichever is higher.
4. The following signs and placards must be provided in the LD-MCR
compartment:
(a) At least one exit sign which meets the requirements of Sec.
25.812(b)(1)(i) at Amendment 25-58 must be located near each exit.
However, a sign with reduced background area of no less than 5.3 square
inches (excluding the letters) may be utilized, provided that it is
installed such that the material surrounding the exit sign is light in
color (e.g., white, cream, light beige). If the material surrounding
the exit sign is not light in color, a sign with a minimum of a one-
inch wide background border around the letters would also be
acceptable;
(b) An appropriate placard which defines the location and the
operating instructions for each evacuation route must be located near
each exit;
(c) Placards must be readable from a distance of 30 inches under
emergency lighting conditions; and
(d) The exit handles and the placards with the evacuation path
operating instructions must be illuminated to at least 160
microlamberts under emergency lighting conditions.
5. There must be a means for emergency illumination to be
automatically provided for the LD-MCR compartment in the event of
failure of the main power system of the airplane or of the normal
lighting system of the LD-MCR compartment.
(a) This emergency illumination must be independent of the main
lighting system.
(b) The sources of general cabin illumination may be common to both
the emergency and the main lighting systems, if the power supply to the
emergency lighting system is independent of the power supply to the
main lighting system.
(c) The illumination level must be sufficient for the occupants of
the LD-MCR compartment to locate and transfer to the main passenger
cabin floor by means of each evacuation route.
(d) The illumination level must be sufficient to locate a deployed
oxygen mask with the privacy curtains in the closed position for each
occupant of the LD-MCR compartment.
6. There must be means for two-way voice communications between
crewmembers on the flight deck and crewmembers in the LD-MCR
compartment. Section 25.785(h) at Amendment 25-51 requires flight
attendant seats near required floor level emergency exits. Each such
exit seat on the aircraft must have a public address system microphone
that allows two-way
[[Page 1167]]
voice communications between flight attendants and crewmembers in the
LD-MCR compartment. One microphone may serve more than one such exit
seat, provided the proximity of the exits allows unassisted verbal
communications between seated flight attendants.
7. There must be a means for manual activation of an aural
emergency alarm system, audible during normal and emergency conditions,
to enable crewmembers on the flight deck and at each pair of required
floor-level emergency exits to alert crewmembers in the LD-MCR
compartment of an emergency. Use of a public address or crew interphone
system will be acceptable, provided an adequate means of
differentiating between normal and emergency communications is
incorporated. The system must be powered in flight for at least ten
minutes after the shutdown or failure of all engines and auxiliary
power units (APU) or the disconnection or failure of all power sources
which are dependent on the continued operation of the engines and APUs.
8. There must be a means--readily detectable by seated or standing
occupants of the LD-MCR compartment--which indicates when seat belts
should be fastened. If there are no seats, at least one means, such as
sufficient handholds, must be provided to cover anticipated turbulence.
Seat belt-type restraints must be provided for berths and must be
compatible with the sleeping attitude during cruise conditions. There
must be a placard on each berth indicating that seat belts must be
fastened when the berth is occupied. If compliance with any of the
other requirements of these special conditions is predicated on
specific head location, there must be a placard specifying the head
position.
9. To provide a level of safety equivalent to that provided to
occupants of a small isolated galley--in lieu of the requirements of
Sec. 25.1439(a) at Amendment 25-38 that pertain to isolated
compartments--the following equipment must be provided in the LD-MCR
compartment:
(a) At least one approved hand-held fire extinguisher appropriate
for the kinds of fires likely to occur;
(b) Two Personal Breathing Equipment (PBE) units approved to
Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C116 or equivalent, which are suitable
for fire fighting, or one PBE for each hand-held fire extinguisher,
whichever is greater; and
(c) One flashlight.
Note: Additional PBEs and fire extinguishers in specific
locations, beyond the minimum numbers prescribed in Special
Condition No. 9, may be required as a result of any egress analysis
accomplished to satisfy Special Condition No. 2(a).
10. A smoke or fire detection system or systems must be provided to
monitor each occupiable area within the LD-MCR compartment, including
those areas partitioned by curtains. Flight tests must be conducted to
show compliance with this requirement. Each smoke or fire detection
system must provide the following:
(a) A visual indication to the flight deck within one minute after
the start of a fire;
(b) An aural warning in the LD-MCR compartment; and
(c) A warning in the main passenger cabin. This warning must be
readily detectable by a flight attendant, taking into consideration the
positioning of flight attendants throughout the main passenger
compartment during various phases of flight.
11. The LD-MCR compartment must be designed such that fires within
it can be controlled without a crewmember having to enter the
compartment or be designed such that crewmembers equipped for fire
fighting have unrestricted access to the compartment. The time for a
crewmember on the main deck to react to the fire alarm, don the fire
fighting equipment, and gain access must not exceed the time for the
compartment to become smoke-filled, making it difficult to locate the
source of the fire.
12. There must be a means provided to exclude hazardous quantities
of smoke or extinguishing agent originating in the LD-MCR compartment
from entering any other compartment occupied by crewmembers or
passengers. This means must include the time periods during the
evacuation of the LD-MCR compartment and, if applicable, when accessing
the LD-MCR compartment to manually fight a fire. Smoke entering any
other compartment occupied by crewmembers or passengers when the LD-MCR
compartment is opened during an emergency evacuation must dissipate
within five minutes after the LD-MCR compartment is closed.
Hazardous quantities of smoke may not enter any other compartment
occupied by crewmembers or passengers during subsequent access to
manually fight a fire in the LD-MCR compartment. (The amount of smoke
entrained by a firefighter exiting the LD-MCR compartment through the
access is not considered hazardous.) During the one-minute smoke
detection time, penetration of a small quantity of smoke from the LD-
MCR compartment into an occupied area is acceptable. Flight tests must
be conducted to show compliance with this requirement.
If a built-in fire suppression system is used in lieu of manual
fire fighting, the fire suppression system must be designed so that no
hazardous quantities of extinguishing agent will enter other
compartments occupied by passengers or crewmembers. The system must
have adequate capacity to suppress any fire occurring in the LD-MCR
compartment, considering the fire threat, the volume of the compartment
and the ventilation rate.
13. For each seat and berth in the LD-MCR compartment, there must
be a supplemental oxygen system equivalent to that provided for main
deck passengers. The system must provide an aural and visual warning to
alert the occupants of the LD-MCR compartment of the need to don oxygen
masks in the event of decompression. The warning must activate before
the cabin pressure altitude exceeds 15,000 feet. The aural warning must
sound continuously for a minimum of five minutes or until a reset push
button in the LD-MCR compartment is depressed. Procedures for
crewmembers in the LD-MCR compartment to follow in the event of
decompression must be established. These procedures must be transmitted
to the operator for incorporation into their training programs and
appropriate operational manuals.
14. The following requirements apply to LD-MCR compartments that
are divided into several sections by the installation of curtains or
doors:
(a) To warn crewmembers who may be sleeping, there must be an aural
alert that accompanies automatic presentation of supplemental oxygen
masks. The alert must be able to be heard in each section of the LD-MCR
compartment. A visual indicator that occupants must don an oxygen mask
is required in each section where seats or berths are not installed. A
minimum of two supplemental oxygen masks is required for each seat or
berth. There must also be a means to manually deploy the oxygen masks
from the flight deck.
(b) A placard is required adjacent to each curtain that visually
divides or separates the LD-MCR compartment into small sections for
privacy purposes. The placard must indicate that the curtain is to
remain open when the private section it creates is unoccupied.
(c) For each section created by the installation of a curtain, the
following requirements of these special conditions
[[Page 1168]]
must be met both with the curtain open and with the curtain closed:
(1) Emergency illumination (Special Condition No. 5);
(2) Aural emergency alarm (Special Condition No. 7);
(3) Fasten seat belt signal or return to seat signal as applicable
(Special Condition No. 8); and
(4) Smoke or fire detection (Special Condition No. 10).
(d) Crew rest compartments visually divided to the extent that
evacuation could be affected must have exit signs that direct occupants
to the primary stairway exit. The exit signs must be provided in each
separate section of the LD-MCR compartment and must meet the
requirements of Sec. 25.812(b)(1)(i) at Amendment 25-58. An exit sign
with reduced background area, as described in Special Condition No. 4.
(a), may be used to meet this requirement.
(e) For sections within a LD-MCR compartment that are created by
the installation of a partition with a door separating the sections,
the following requirements of these special conditions must be met with
the door open and with the door closed:
(1) There must be a secondary evacuation route from each section to
the main deck, or it must be shown that any door between the sections
has been designed to preclude anyone from being trapped inside the
compartment. Removal of an incapacitated crewmember from this area must
be considered. A secondary evacuation route from a small room designed
for only one occupant for a short period of time, such as a changing
area or lavatory, is not required. However, removal of an incapacitated
occupant from this area must be considered.
(2) Any door between the sections must be shown to be openable when
crowded against, even when crowding occurs at each side of the door.
(3) There may be no more than one door between any seat or berth
and the primary stairway exit.
(4) There must be exit signs in each section which meet the
requirements of Sec. 25.812(b)(1)(i) at Amendment 25-58 that direct
occupants to the primary stairway exit. An exit sign with reduced
background area, as described in Special Condition No. 4.(a), may be
used to meet this requirement.
(5) Special Conditions No. 5 (emergency illumination), No. 7 (aural
emergency alarm), No. 8 (fasten seat belt signal or return to seat
signal as applicable) and No. 10 (smoke and fire detection) must be met
both with the door open and the door closed.
(6) Special Conditions No. 6 (two-way voice communication) and No.
9 (PBE and other equipment) must be met independently for each separate
section, except in lavatories or other small areas that are not
intended to be occupied for extended periods of time.
15. Where a waste disposal receptacle is fitted, it must be
equipped with a built-in fire extinguisher designed to discharge
automatically upon occurrence of a fire in the receptacle.
16. Materials, including finishes or decorative surfaces applied to
the materials, must comply with the flammability standards of Sec.
25.853 at Amendment 25-66. Mattresses must comply with the flammability
standards of Sec. 25.853(b) and (c) at Amendment 25-66.
17. A lavatory within the LD-MCR compartment must meet the same
requirements as a lavatory installed on the main deck, except with
regard to Special Condition No. 10 for smoke detection.
18. When a LD-MCR compartment is installed or enclosed as a
removable module in part of a cargo compartment or is located directly
adjacent to a cargo compartment without an intervening cargo
compartment wall, the following conditions apply:
(a) Any wall of the LD-MCR compartment--which forms part of the
boundary of the reduced cargo compartment and is subject to direct
flame impingement from a fire in the cargo compartment--and any
interface item between the LD-MCR compartment and the airplane
structure or systems must meet the applicable requirements of Sec.
25.855 at Amendment 25-60.
(b) Means must be provided to ensure that the fire protection level
of the cargo compartment meets the applicable requirements of
Sec. Sec. 25.855 at Amendment 25-60; 25.857 at Amendment 25-60; and
25.858 at Amendment 25-54 when the LD-MCR compartment is not installed.
(c) Use of each emergency evacuation route must not require
occupants of the LD-MCR compartment to enter the cargo compartment in
order to return to the passenger compartment.
(d) The aural emergency alarm specified in Special Condition No. 7
must sound in the LD-MCR compartment in the event of a fire in the
cargo compartment.
19. Means must be provided to prevent access into the Class C cargo
compartment--whether or not the LD-MCR is installed--during all
airplane flight operations and to ensure that the maintenance door is
closed and secured during all airplane flight operations.
20. All enclosed stowage compartments within the LD-MCR
compartment--that are not limited to stowage of emergency equipment or
airplane supplied equipment (i.e., bedding)--must meet the design
criteria given in the table below. As indicated in the table, enclosed
stowage compartments larger than 200 ft \3\ in interior volume are not
addressed by this Special Condition. The in-flight accessibility of
very large enclosed stowage compartments and the subsequent impact on
the crewmembers' ability to effectively reach any part of the
compartment with the contents of a hand fire extinguisher will require
additional fire protection considerations similar to those required for
inaccessible compartments such as Class C cargo compartments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interior volume of stowage compartment
Fire protection features -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 25 ft\3\ 25 ft\3\ to 57 ft\3\ 57 ft\3\ to 200 ft\3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Materials of Construction \1\..... Yes.................. Yes.................. Yes.
Smoke or Fire Detectors \2\....... No................... Yes.................. Yes.
Liner \3\......................... No................... Conditional.......... Yes.
Location Detector \4\............. No................... Yes.................. Yes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Material
The material used to construct each enclosed stowage compartment must at least be fire resistant and must meet
the flammability standards for interior components specified in Sec. 25.853. For compartments less than 25
ft\3\ in interior volume, the design must ensure the ability to contain a fire likely to occur within the
compartment under normal use.
\2\ Detectors
Enclosed stowage compartments with an interior volume which equals or exceeds 25 ft\3\ must be provided with a
smoke or fire detection system to ensure that a fire can be detected within a one-minute detection time.
Flight tests must be conducted to show compliance with this requirement. Each system (or systems) must
provide:
(a) A visual indication in the flight deck within one minute after the start of a fire;
[[Page 1169]]
(b) An aural warning in the LD-MCR compartment; and
(c) A warning in the main passenger cabin. This warning must be readily detectable by a flight attendant, taking
into consideration the positioning of flight attendants throughout the main passenger compartment during
various phases of flight.
\3\ Liner
If it can be shown that the material used to construct the stowage compartment meets the flammability
requirements of a liner for a Class B cargo compartment, no liner would be required for enclosed stowage
compartments equal to or greater than 25 ft\3\ but less than 57 ft\3\ in interior volume. For all enclosed
stowage compartments equal to or greater than 57 ft\3\ but less than or equal to 200 ft\3\ in interior volume,
a liner must be provided that meets the requirements of Sec. 25.855 at Amendment 25-60 for a class B cargo
compartment.
\4\ Location Detector
LD-MCR compartments which contain enclosed stowage compartments with an interior volume which exceeds 25 ft\3\
and which are located away from one central location, such as the entry to the LD-MCR compartment or a common
area within the LD-MCR compartment, would require additional fire protection features or devices to assist the
firefighter in determining the location of a fire.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 29, 2004.
Kevin Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-235 Filed 1-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P