(6) Paragraph (c)(6). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) Neither the crew nor passengers should hear or otherwise receive any indication that the demonstration is about to begin. The first indication to persons on board the airplane should be the test start signal. (Amendment 25-15)
(ii) Following the test start signal, the flightcrew should simulate the time required for normal pilot compartment procedures prior to evacuating the flight deck. (Amendment 25-
15)
(iii) A group of crewmembers in excess of the number required for the demonstration should be available. The FAA will select the crew that will participate in the test from this group. Subsequent tests, if required, may use crewmembers from the group remaining.
(Amendment 25-15)
(7) Paragraph (c)(8). If the airplane is equipped with an off-wing assist means, it should be used during the demonstration in lieu of any stands or ramps. (Amendment 25-15)
(8) Paragraph (c)(9). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) If safety pillows or other equipment unique to the active exits are employed, passengers and crew should enter the airplane through a tunnel or other means that prevents them from viewing the airplane exterior. (Amendment 25-15)
(ii) Video cameras used to record activity inside the airplane should be positioned so as not to reveal the exits used in this demonstration. This may require the installation of cameras at inoperative exits. (Amendment 25-15)
(iii) If exit deactivation is by an external indication (e.g., red light outside exit), this indication should not be visible from inside the airplane until after the demonstration has begun.
Alternatively, unlit bulbs may be visible at all exits. (Amendment 25-15)
(iv) Airplanes equipped with emergency descent means should be so equipped at inactive exits as well as active exits. (Amendment 25-15)
(v) Safety personnel stationed outside the airplane to prevent injury to the participants, should not aid participants (until they have cleared the descent means) or interfere with the evacuation process, or position the assist means following its deployment. (Amendment 25-15)
(9) Paragraph (e). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) Military Specifications Mil W-5044B and -5044C, titled "Walkway Compound, Nonslip and Walkway Matting, Nonslip,” measure dynamic coefficient of friction and provide an
190 acceptable standard for the slip resistant properties when a minimum dynamic coefficient of friction of 0.45 is measured. This is an acceptable measure for this section and for § 25.793.
(Amendment 25-15)
(ii) A 42-inch wide escape path is acceptable for airplanes incorporating dual overwing Type III exits. (Amendment 25-15)
276. AMENDMENT 25-32, Effective May 1, 1972.
a. Regulation.
(a) Each crew and passenger area must have emergency means to allow rapid evacuation in crash landings, with the landing gear extended and retracted, considering the possibility of the airplane being on fire.
(b) Passenger ventral and tail cone exits and any floor level door or exit in the side of the fuselage (other than those leading into a cargo or baggage compartment that is not accessible from the passenger cabin) that is 44 or more-inches high and 20 or more-inches wide, but not wider than 46-inches, must meet the applicable emergency exit requirements of this section and §§ 25.807 through 25.813.
(c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, on airplanes having a seating capacity of more than 44 passengers, it must be shown by actual demonstration that the maximum seating capacity, including the number of crewmembers required by the operating rules, for which certification is requested can be evacuated from the airplane to the ground within 90 seconds. Evacuees using stands or ramps allowed by subparagraph (8) of this paragraph are considered to be on the ground when they are on the stand or ramp, provided that the passage width of the stand or ramp is no greater than the acceptance rate of the means available on the airplane for descent from the wing during an actual crash situation. The demonstration must be conducted under the following conditions:
(1) It must be conducted either during the dark of the night or during daylight with the dark of the night simulated, utilizing only the emergency lighting system and utilizing only the minimum number of required emergency exits and the emergency evacuation equipment on one side of the fuselage with the airplane in the normal ground attitude, with landing gear extended.
(2) All emergency equipment must be installed in accordance with specified limitations of the equipment.
(3) Each external door and exit, and each internal door and curtain must be in a configuration to simulate a normal takeoff.
(4) Seat belts and shoulder harnesses (as required) must be fastened.
(5) A representative passenger load of persons in normal health must be used as follows:
(i) At least 30 percent must be female.
(ii) Approximately 5 percent must be over 60 years of age, with a proportionate number of females.
(iii) At least 5 percent but no more than 10 percent must be children under 12 years of age, prorated through that age group.
(6) Persons who have knowledge of the operation of the exits and emergency equipment may be used to represent an air carrier crew. Such representative crewmembers must be in their seats assigned for takeoff and landing and none may be seated next to an emergency exit unless that seat is his assigned seat for takeoff.
They must remain in their assigned seats until receiving the signal for the beginning of the demonstration.
(7) There can be no practice or rehearsal of the demonstration for the passengers except that they may be briefed as to the location of all emergency exits before the demonstration. However, no indication may be given of the particular exits to be used in the demonstration.
(8) Stands or ramps may be used for descent from the wing to the ground.
(9) All evacuees other than those using an overwing exit must leave the airplane by the means provided as part of the airplane's equipment.
(d) The emergency evacuation demonstration need not be repeated after a change in the interior arrangement of the airplane or an increase of not more than 5 percent in passenger seating capacity over that previously approved by actual demonstration, or both, if it can be substantiated by analysis, taking due account of the differences, that all the passengers for which the airplane is certificated can evacuate within 90 seconds.
[(e) An escape route must be established from each overwing emergency exit, and (except for flap surfaces suitable as slides) covered with a slip resistant surface.
Except where a means for channeling the flow of evacuees is provided-
(1) The escape route must be at least 42-inches wide at Type A passenger emergency exits and must be at least two feet wide at all other passenger emergency exits, and
(2) The escape route surface must have a reflectance of at least 80 percent, and must be defined by markings with a surface-to-marking contrast ratio of at least 5.1.]
b. Guidance.
(1) Paragraph (a). When installed above passenger egress paths, any features that hang (signs, video monitors etc.) from the ceiling or span across passenger egress paths (e.g., class dividers and curtain headers) should be at least 73-inches above the floor (top of the floor covering), unless they are retractable and are placarded to be retracted for taxi, takeoff, and landing (TT&L). For airplanes that do not have 73-inches between the floor and the ceiling panels, any features that hang (signs, video monitors, etc.) from the ceiling should not be positioned in the passenger cabin egress paths. Alternate locations should be used, e.g., over seat, on the side wall, etc. These features should also be appropriately padded or rounded to preclude injury when persons are moving about the cabin. (Amendment 25-0)
(2) Paragraph (c). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) "The maximum capacity, including the number of crewmembers required by the operating rules, for which certification is requested" refers to the airplane model presented for certification. Subsequent models which have planned passenger capacities in excess of the certificated model should be substantiated on an individual basis. (Amendment 25-15)
(ii) All passengers and crewmembers used in the demonstration must be evacuated to the ground or off-wing stand or ramp, if used, within 90 seconds to constitute a successful 90-second test. Use only the number of passengers for which approved seating is provided, not to exceed the limits of § 25.807(c) or (d). No credit is given for the number of evacuees on the ground at 90 seconds if all persons have not been evacuated. (Amendment 25-15)
(iii) FAA observers should be stationed inside the airplane at expected critical locations, and outside the airplane at each exit to be used. (Amendment 25-15)
(iv) The "acceptance rate" of the stand or ramp refers to the width of the passage to the stand or ramp. (Amendment 25-15)
(v) The airplane should be configured with minimum aisle and passage clearance expected to be type certificated. This may require combining features of more than one model.
(Amendment 25-15)
(3) Paragraph (c)(1). One exit from each pair of exits should be used. Illumination on the floor or ground may be used, but it should be kept low and shielded against shining into the airplane windows or doors. (Amendment 25-15)
(4) Paragraph (c)(2). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) The emergency descent devices used in the demonstration should be those to be in the airplane type design. The slide certification program should have progressed to the point where the system is reliable and can be expected to perform safely during the demonstration.
(Amendment 25-15)
(ii) The airplane interior need not be a specific airline configuration. For example, galleys and other furnishings may be simulated by mockups, seats need not be TSO'd, etc. The interior should be described in sufficient detail to allow an FAA conformity inspection and an FAA interior compliance inspection. (Amendment 25-15)
(5) Paragraph (c)(5). The following two age-sex distributions (A and B) have been found to be equivalent under the provisions of § 21.21(b)(1) to that stipulated in this paragraph:
(Amendment 25-15) (A) Distribution Age and Gender Percent of Total Passengers Male 21-50 Not to exceed 56% Male 51-59 At least 9% Male 60+ At least 3.5% Female any age* At least 24% Female 51-59 At least 6% Female 60+ At least 1.5% * This is in addition to the 6 and 1.5 percent requirements for females 51-59 and 60+ respectively.
(B) Distribution Age and Gender Percent of Total Passengers Male 18-50 Not to exceed 52.5% Male 51+ At least 15% Female 18-50 At least 22.5% Female 51+ At least 10% Note: These tables have been revised in format to make them easier to understand, but are the same as in the previous version of this AC (i.e., AC 25-17, dated 7/15/1991).
(6) Paragraph (c)(6). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) Neither the crew nor passengers should hear or otherwise receive any indication that the demonstration is about to begin. The first indication to persons on board the airplane should be the test start signal. (Amendment 25-15)
(ii) Following the test start signal, the flightcrew should simulate the time required for normal pilot compartment procedures prior to evacuating the flight deck. (Amendment 25-
15)
(iii) A group of crewmembers in excess of the number required for the demonstration should be available. The FAA will select the crew that will participate in the test from this group. Subsequent tests, if required, may use crewmembers from the group remaining.
(Amendment 25-15)
(7) Paragraph (c)(8). If the airplane is equipped with an off-wing assist means, it should be used during the demonstration in lieu of any stands or ramps. (Amendment 25-15)
(8) Paragraph (c)(9). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) If safety pillows or other equipment unique to the active exits are employed, passengers and crew should enter the airplane through a tunnel or other means that prevents them from viewing the airplane exterior. (Amendment 25-15)
(ii) Video cameras used to record activity inside the airplane should be positioned so as not to reveal the exits used in this demonstration. This may require the installation of cameras at inoperative exits. (Amendment 25-15)
(iii) If exit deactivation is by an external indication (e.g., red light outside exit), this indication should not be visible from inside the airplane until after the demonstration has begun.
Alternatively, unlit bulbs may be visible at all exits. (Amendment 25-15)
(iv) Airplanes equipped with emergency descent means should be so equipped at inactive exits as well as active exits. (Amendment 25-15)
(v) Safety personnel stationed outside the airplane to prevent injury to the participants, should not aid participants (until they have cleared the descent means) or interfere with the evacuation process, or position the assist means following its deployment. (Amendment 25-15)
(9) Paragraph (e). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) Military Specifications Mil W-5044B and Mil-W-5044C, titled "Walkway Compound, Nonslip and Walkway Matting, Nonslip,” measure dynamic coefficient of friction and provide an acceptable standard for the slip resistant properties when a minimum dynamic coefficient of friction of 0.45 is measured. This is an acceptable measure for this section and for § 25.793. (Amendment 25-15)
(ii) A 42-inch wide escape path is acceptable for airplanes incorporating dual overwing Type III exits. (Amendment 25-15)
277. AMENDMENT 25-46, Effective December 1, 1978.
a. Regulation.
Note: This amendment substantially revised the regulation to incorporate part 121 requirements.
(a) Each crew and passenger area must have emergency means to allow rapid evacuation in crash landings, with the landing gear extended and retracted, considering the possibility of the airplane being on fire.
(b) Passenger ventral and tail cone exits and any floor level door or exit in the side of the fuselage (other than those leading into a cargo or baggage compartment that is not accessible from the passenger cabin) that is 44 or more-inches high and 20 or more-inches wide, but not wider than 46-inches, must meet the applicable emergency exit requirements of this section and sections 25.807 through 25.813.
[(c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, for airplanes having a seating capacity or more than 44 passengers, it must be shown by actual demonstration that the maximum seating capacity, including the number of crewmembers required by the operating rules for which certification is requested, can be evacuated from the airplane to the ground within 90 seconds. The demonstration must be conducted under the following conditions:
(1) It must be conducted either during the dark of the night or during daylight with the dark of the night simulated. If the demonstration is conducted indoors during daylight hours it must be conducted with each window covered and each door closed to minimize the daylight effect. Illumination on the floor or ground may be used, but it must be kept low and shielded against shining into the airplane's windows or doors.
(2) The airplane must be in a normal attitude with landing gear extended.
(3) Stands or ramps may be used for descent from the wing to the ground, and safety equipment such as mats or inverted life rafts may be placed on the floor or ground to protect participants. No other equipment that is not part of the airplane's emergency evacuation equipment may be used to aid the participants in reaching the ground.
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, only the airplane's emergency lighting system may provide illumination.
(5) All emergency equipment required for the planned operation of the airplane must be installed.
(6) Each external door and exit, and each internal door or curtain, must be in the takeoff configuration.
(7) Each crewmember must be seated in the normally assigned seat for takeoff and must remain in that seat until receiving the signal for commencement of the demonstration. Each crewmember must be-
(i) For compliance with this section or § 121.291 of this chapter, a member of a regularly scheduled line crew, or
(ii) For compliance with this section, a person having knowledge of the operation of exits and emergency equipment.
(8) A representative passenger load of persons in normal health must be used as follows:
(i) At least 30 percent must be females.
(ii) At least 5 percent must be over 60 years of age with a proportionate number of females.
(iii) At least 5 percent but not more than 10 percent, must be children under 12 years of age, prorated through that age group.
(iv) Three life-size dolls, not included as part of the total passenger load, must be carried by passengers to simulate live infants 2 years old or younger.
(v) Crewmembers, mechanics, and training personnel, who maintain or operate the airplane in the normal course of their duties, may not be used as passengers.
(9) No passenger may be assigned a specific seat except as the Administrator may require. Except as required by paragraph (c)(12) of this section, no employee of the applicant may be seated next to an emergency exit.
(10) Seat belts and shoulder harnesses (as required) must be fastened.
(11) Before the start of the demonstration approximately one-half of the total average amount of carry-on baggage, blankets, pillows, and other similar articles must be distributed at several locations in the aisles and emergency exits access ways to create minor obstructions.
(12) Each crewmember must be seated in his normally assigned seat for takeoff and must remain in that seat until receiving the signal for commencement of the demonstration.
(13) No prior indication may be given to any crewmember or passenger of the particular exits to be used in the demonstration.
(14) The applicant may not practice, rehearse, or describe the demonstration for the participants nor may any participant have taken part in this type of demonstration within the preceding 6 months.
(15) The pretakeoff passenger briefing required by § 121.571 of this chapter may be given. The passengers may also be advised to follow directions of crewmembers, but not be instructed on the procedures to be followed in the demonstration.
(16) If safety equipment as allowed by paragraph (c)(3) of this section is provided, either all passenger and cockpit windows must be blacked out or all of the emergency exits must have safety equipment in order to prevent disclosure of the available emergency exits.
(17) Not more than 50 percent of the emergency exits in the sides of the fuselage of an airplane that meet all of the requirements applicable to the required emergency exits for that airplane may be used for the demonstration. Exits that are not to be used in the demonstration must have the exit handle deactivated or must be indicated by red lights, red tape, or other acceptable means, placed outside the exits to indicate fire or other reason why they are unusable. The exits to be used must be representative of all the emergency exits on the airplane and must be designated by the applicant, subject to approval by the Administrator. At least one floor level exit must be used.
(18) All evacuees, except those using an over-the-wing exit, must leave the airplane by a means provided as part of the airplane's equipment.
(19) The applicant's approved procedures must be fully utilized during the demonstration.
(20) The evacuation time period is completed when the last occupant has evacuated the airplane and is on the ground. Provided that the acceptance rate of the stand or ramp is no greater than the acceptance rate of the means available on the airplane for descent from the wing during an actual crash situation, evacuees using stands or ramps allowed by paragraph (c)(3) of this section are considered to be on the ground when they are on the stand or ramp.
(d) A combination of analysis and tests may be used to show that the airplane is capable of being evacuated within 90 seconds under the conditions specified in § 25.803(c) of this section if the Administrator finds that the combination of analysis and tests will provide data with respect to the emergency evacuation capability of the airplane equivalent to that which would be obtained by actual demonstration.]
(e) An escape route must be established from each overwing emergency exit, and (except for flap surfaces suitable as slides) covered with a slip resistant surface.
Except where a means for channeling the flow of evacuees is provided-
(1) The escape route must be at least 42-inches wide at Type A passenger emergency exits and must be at least two feet wide at all other passenger emergency exits, and
(2) The escape route surface must have a reflectance of at least 80 percent, and must be defined by markings with a surface-to-marking contract ratio of at least 5:1.
b. Guidance.
(1) Paragraph (a). When installed above passenger egress paths, any features that hang (signs, video monitors etc.) from the ceiling or span across passenger egress paths (e.g., class dividers and curtain headers) should be at least 73-inches above the floor (top of the floor covering), unless they are retractable and are placarded to be retracted for taxi, takeoff, and landing (TT&L). For airplanes that do not have 73-inches between the floor and the ceiling panels, any features that hang (signs, video monitors, etc.) from the ceiling should not be positioned in the passenger cabin egress paths. Alternate locations should be used, e.g., over seat, on the side wall, etc. These features should also be appropriately padded or rounded to preclude injury when persons are moving about the cabin. (Amendment 25-0)
(2) Paragraph (c). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) "The maximum capacity, including the number crewmembers required by the operating rules for which certification is requested" refers to the airplane model presented for certification. Subsequent models which have planned passenger capacities in excess of the certificated model should be substantiated on an individual basis. (Amendment 25-15)
(ii) All passengers and crewmembers used in the demonstration must be evacuated to the ground or off-wing stand or ramp, if used, within 90 seconds to constitute a successful 90-second test. Use only the number of passengers for which approved seating is provided, not to exceed the limits of § 25.807(c) or (d). No credit is given for the number of evacuees on the ground at 90 seconds if all persons have not been evacuated. (Amendment 25-15)
(iii) FAA observers should be stationed inside the airplane at expected critical locations, and outside the airplane at each exit to be used. (Amendment 25-15)
(iv) The airplane should be configured with minimum aisle and passage clearance expected to be type certificated. This may require combining features of more than one model.
(Amendment 25-15)
(3) Paragraph (c)(3). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) The emergency descent devices used in the demonstration should be those to be in the airplane type design. The slide certification program should have progressed to the point where the system is reliable and can be expected to perform safely during the demonstration.
(Amendment 25-15)
(ii) The airplane interior need not be a specific airline configuration. For example, galleys and other furnishings may be simulated by mockups, seats need not be TSO'd, etc. The interior should be described in sufficient detail to allow an FAA conformity inspection and an FAA interior compliance inspection. (Amendment 25-15)
(4) Paragraph (c)(3). If the airplane is equipped with an off-wing assist means, it should be used during the demonstration in lieu of any stands or ramps. (Amendment 25-15)
(5) Paragraph (c)(8). The following two age-sex distributions (A and B) are acceptable alternates to that stipulated in this paragraph: (Amendment 25-15) (A) Distribution Age and Gender Percent of Total Passengers Male 21-50 Not to exceed 56% Male 51-59 At least 9% Male 60+ At least 3.5% Female any age* At least 24% Female 51-59 At least 6% Female 60+ At least 1.5% * This is in addition to the 6 and 1.5 percent requirements for females 51-59 and 60+ respectively.
(B) Distribution Age and Gender Percent of Total Passengers Male 18-50 Not to exceed 52.5% Male 51+ At least 15% Female 18-50 At least 22.5% Female 51+ At least 10% Note: These tables have been revised in format to make them easier to understand, but are the same as in the previous version of this AC (i.e., AC 25-17, dated 7/15/1991).
(6) Paragraph (c)(12). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) Neither the crew nor passengers should hear or otherwise receive any indication that the demonstration is about to begin. The first indication to persons on board the airplane should be the test start signal. (Amendment 25-15)
(ii) Following the test start signal, the flightcrew should simulate the time required for normal pilot compartment procedures prior to evacuating the flight deck. (Amendment 25-
15)
(iii) A group of crewmembers in excess of the number required for the demonstration should be available. The FAA will select the crew that will participate in the test from this group. Subsequent tests, if required, may use crewmembers from the group remaining.
(Amendment 25-15)
(7) Paragraph (c)(17). One exit from each pair of exits may be used to satisfy the 50 percent requirement. (Amendment 25-46)
(8) Paragraph (c)(17). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) Video cameras used to record activity inside the airplane should be positioned so as not to reveal the exits used in this demonstration. This may require the installation of cameras at inoperative exits. (Amendment 25-15)
(ii) If exit deactivation is by an external indication (e.g., red light outside exit), this indication should not be visible from inside the airplane until after the demonstration has begun.
Alternatively, unlit bulbs may be visible at all exits. (Amendment 25-15)
(iii) Airplanes equipped with emergency descent means should be so equipped at inactive exits as well as active exits. (Amendment 25-15)
(iv) Safety personnel stationed outside the airplane to prevent injury to the participants, should not aid participants (until they have cleared the descent means) or interfere with the evacuation process, or position the assist means following its deployment. (Amendment 25-15)
(9) Paragraph (d). Evacuation analyses should be based on actual demonstrations used to show compliance with §§ 25.803 or 121.291 and/or other appropriate tests. If the test data is available, and applicable to the additional configuration, analysis may be conducted. The analysis should include consideration of exit size and distribution; slide deployment times and evacuee evacuation rates; analysis of critical passenger flow points i.e., door, aisle, slide, for evacuation rate limiting factor; expected evacuee behavior (hesitation, etc.) as observed on previous tests; and any other consideration pertinent to the particular model airplane.
(Amendment 25-46)
(10) Paragraph (e). (Amendment 25-15)
(i) Military Specifications Mil W-5044B and Mil-W-5044C, titled "Walkway Compound, Nonslip and Walkway Matting, Nonslip,” measure dynamic coefficient of friction and provide an acceptable standard for the slip resistant properties when a minimum dynamic coefficient of friction of 0.45 is measured. This is an acceptable measure for this section and for § 25.793. (Amendment 25-15)