AC 25-17A: Transport Airplane Cabin Interiors Crashworthiness Handbook

597 SECTION 25.1411 SAFETY EQUIPMENT—GENERAL

801. REGULATION IN EFFECT AT ADOPTION OF PART 25.

a. Regulation.

(a) Accessibility. Required safety equipment to be used by the crew in an emergency, such as automatic life raft releases, must be readily accessible.

(b) Stowage provisions. Stowage provisions for required emergency equipment must be furnished and must-

(1) Be arranged so that the equipment is directly accessible and its location is obvious; and

(2) Protect the safety equipment from inadvertent damage.

(c) Emergency exit descent device. The stowage provisions for the emergency exit descent device required by § 25.807(c)(4) must be at the exits for which they are intended.

(d) Life rafts. The stowage provisions for the life rafts described in § 25.1415 must accommodate enough rafts for the maximum number of occupants for which certification for ditching is requested. Life rafts must be stowed near exits through which the rafts can be launched during an unplanned ditching. Rafts automatically or remotely released outside the airplane must be attached to the airplane by means of the static line prescribed in § 25.1415.

(e) Long-range signaling device. The stowage provisions for the long-range signaling device required by § 25.1415 must be near an exit available during an unplanned ditching.

(f) Life preserver stowage provisions. The stowage provisions for life preservers described in § 25.1415 must accommodate one life preserver for each occupant for which certification for ditching is requested. Each life preserver must be within easy reach of each seated occupant.

(g) Life line stowage provisions. If certification for ditching under § 25.801 is requested, there must be provisions to store life lines. These provisions must-

(1) Allow one life line to be attached to each side of the fuselage; and

(2) Be arranged to allow the life lines to be used to enable the occupants to stay on the wing after ditching.

b. Guidance.

(1) Paragraphs (b)(1) and (2). (Amendment 25-0)

(i) Safety equipment should be fastened so that it remains operational and accessible following exposure to the emergency landing loads of § 25.561. (Amendment 25-0)

(ii) Stowage compartments for safety equipment which are large enough to accommodate additional items that could damage the equipment should be placarded for "soft article only," or, if the safety equipment could be obscured by soft articles, the compartment should be placarded for stowage of emergency equipment only. (Refer to paragraphs 101b(1), 1041b(5), and 1101b(2).) (Amendment 25-0)

(2) Paragraph (d). To the extent possible, life rafts should be distributed such that all exits suitable for launching rafts should have rafts stowed near them; i.e., rafts are equally distributed among qualified ditching exits (sills above water). "Near" in this context should be taken to mean as physically nearby the exit as practicable, where its stowed location could be readily determined from the vicinity of the exit, and where a minimum of portaging of the raft would be necessary. Also refer to § 25.1415. (Amendment 25-0)

(3) Paragraph (e). The long range signaling device should not be stowed in the cockpit.

(Amendment 25-0)

(4) Paragraph (f). For domestic operation when life preservers are not required, the life preserver location placard could be retained provided another approved flotation means is provided and its location placarded. (Amendment 25-0)

(5) Paragraph (f). Each life preserver must be within easy reach of each seated and belted occupant. The reach requirements should be accomplished by demonstration using a 95th percentile male. For occupants with a combination seat belt and shoulder harness, the shoulder harness may be slipped off while evaluating life vest retrieval. In cases where the life vest is not located directly beneath the seat, the life vest locating placard should accurately state the location of the life vest, e.g. “Life vest under center armrest.” (Amendment 25-0)

(6) Paragraph (g). (Amendment 25-0)

(i) Life line stowage provisions include any structural modifications necessary to accommodate the use of a life line. Therefore, all airplanes of a particular model certificated for ditching should incorporate lifeline stowage provisions. (Amendment 25-0)

(ii) Life line stowage provisions are not required for airplanes which do not have ditching exits that lead evacuees on to the wing. (Amendment 25-0)

802. AMENDMENT 25-32, Effective May 1, 1972.

a. Regulation.

(a) Accessibility. Required safety equipment to be used by the crew in an emergency, such as automatic liferaft releases, must be readily accessible.

(b) Stowage provisions. Stowage provisions for required emergency equipment must be furnished and must-

(1) Be arranged so that the equipment is directly accessible and its location is obvious; and

(2) Protect the safety equipment from inadvertent damage.

(c) Emergency exit descent device. The stowage provisions for the emergency exit descent device required by [§ 25.809 (f)] must be at the exits for which they are intended.

(d) Liferafts. The stowage provisions for the liferafts described in § 25.1415 must accommodate enough rafts for the maximum number of occupants for which certification for ditching is requested. Liferafts must be stowed near exits through which the rafts can be launched during an unplanned ditching. Rafts automatically or remotely released outside the airplane must be attached to the airplane by means of the static line prescribed in § 25.1415.

(e) Long-range signaling device. The stowage provisions for the long-range signaling device required by § 25.1415 must be near an exit available during an unplanned ditching.

(f) Life preserver stowage provisions. The stowage provisions for life preservers described in § 25.1415 must accommodate one life preserver for each occupant for which certification for ditching is requested. Each life preserver must be within easy reach of each seated occupant.

(g) Life line stowage provisions. If certification for ditching under § 25.801 is requested, there must be provisions to store life lines. These provisions must-

(1) Allow one life line to be attached to each side of the fuselage; and

(2) Be arranged to allow the life lines to be used to enable the occupants to stay on the wing after ditching.

b. Guidance.

(1) Paragraphs (b)(1) and (2). (Amendment 25-0)

(i) Safety equipment should be fastened so that it remains operational and accessible following exposure to the emergency landing loads of § 25.561. (Amendment 25-0)

(ii) Stowage compartments for safety equipment which are large enough to accommodate additional items that could damage the equipment should be placarded for "soft article only," or, if the safety equipment could be obscured by soft articles, the compartment should be placarded for stowage of emergency equipment only. (Refer to paragraphs 101b(1), 1041b(5), and 1101b(2).) (Amendment 25-0)

(2) Paragraph (d). To the extent possible, life rafts should be distributed such that all exits suitable for launching rafts should have rafts stowed near them; i.e., rafts are equally distributed among qualified ditching exits (sills above water). "Near" in this context should be taken to mean as physically nearby the exit as practicable, where its stowed location could be readily determined from the vicinity of the exit, and where a minimum of portaging of the raft would be necessary. Also refer to § 25.1415. (Amendment 25-0)

(3) Paragraph (e). The long range signaling device should not be stowed in the cockpit.

(Amendment 25-0)

(4) Paragraph (f). For domestic operation when life preservers are not required, the life preserver location placard could be retained provided another approved flotation means is provided and its location placarded. (Amendment 25-0)

(5) Paragraph (f). Each life preserver must be within easy reach of each seated and belted occupant. The reach requirements should be accomplished by demonstration using a 95th percentile male. For occupants with a combination seat belt and shoulder harness, the shoulder harness may be slipped off while evaluating life vest retrieval. In cases where the life vest is not located directly beneath the seat, the life vest locating placard should accurately state the location of the life vest, e.g. “Life vest under center armrest.” (Amendment 25-0)

(6) Paragraph (g). (Amendment 25-0)

(i) Life line stowage provisions include any structural modifications necessary to accommodate the use of a life line. Therefore, all airplanes of a particular model certificated for ditching should incorporate lifeline stowage provisions. (Amendment 25-0)

(ii) Life line stowage provisions are not required for airplanes which do not have ditching exits that lead evacuees on to the wing. (Amendment 25-0)

803. AMENDMENT 25-46, Effective December 1, 1978.

a. Regulation.

[(a) Accessibility.

(1) Required safety equipment to be used by the crew in an emergency must be readily accessible.

(2) At least one public address system, microphone intended for flight attendant use must be positioned at each floor level exit in a passenger compartment and be readily accessible to a flight attendant seated at any seat adjacent to that exit.]

(b) Stowage provisions. Stowage provisions for required emergency equipment must be furnished and must-

(1) Be arranged so that the equipment is directly accessible and its location is obvious; and

(2) Protect the safety equipment from inadvertent damage.

(c) Emergency exit descent device. The stowage provisions for the emergency exit descent device required by § 25.809(f) must be at the exits for which they are intended.

[(d) Liferafts.

(1) The stowage provisions for the liferafts described in § 25.1415 must accommodate enough rafts for the maximum number of occupants for which certification for ditching is requested.

(2) Liferafts must be stowed near exits through which the rafts can be launched during an unplanned ditching.

(3) Rafts automatically or remotely released outside the airplane must be attached to the airplane by means of the static line prescribed in § 25.1415.

(4) The stowage provisions for each portable liferaft must allow rapid detachment and removal of the raft for use at other than the intended exits.]

(e) Long-range signaling device. The stowage provisions for the long-range signaling device required by § 25.1415 must be near an exit available during an unplanned ditching.

(f) Life preserver stowage provisions. The stowage provisions for life preservers described in § 25.1415 must accommodate one life preserver for each occupant for

602 which certification for ditching is requested. Each life preserver must be within easy reach of each seated occupant.

(g) Life line stowage provisions. If certification for ditching under § 25.801 is requested, there must be provisions to store life lines. These provisions must-

(1) Allow one life line to be attached to one side of the fuselage; and

(2) Be arranged to allow the life lines to be used to enable the occupants to stay on the wing after ditching.

b. Guidance.

(1) Paragraph (a)(2). (Amendment 25-46)

(i) The public address system microphone should be accessible to a 5th percentile female when seated and with seat belt and harness fastened. (Amendment 25-46)

(ii) Refer to Paragraph 804 (the amended words to § 25.1411(a)(2)) for the intent of this paragraph. (Amendment 25-46)

(2) Paragraphs (b)(1) and (2). (Amendment 25-0)

(i) Safety equipment should be fastened so that it remains operational and accessible following exposure to the emergency landing loads of § 25.561. (Amendment 25-0)

(ii) Stowage compartments for safety equipment which are large enough to accommodate additional items that could damage the equipment should be placarded for "soft article only," or, if the safety equipment could be obscured by soft articles, the compartment should be placarded for stowage of emergency equipment only. (Refer to paragraphs 101b(1), 1041b(5), and 1101b(2).) (Amendment 25-0)

(3) Paragraph (d). To the extent possible, life rafts should be distributed such that all exits suitable for launching rafts should have rafts stowed near them; i.e., rafts are equally distributed among qualified ditching exits (sills above water). "Near" in this context should be taken to mean as physically nearby the exit as practicable, where its stowed location could be readily determined from the vicinity of the exit, and where a minimum of portaging of the raft would be necessary. Also refer to § 25.1415. (Amendment 25-0)

(4) Paragraph (d)(4). Rapid detachment and removal of life rafts should be demonstrated by test. Two able-bodied adult males directed by a trained crewmember may be used, if the airplane configuration permits use of that many persons. (Amendment 25-46)

(5) Paragraph (e). The long range signaling device should not be stowed in the cockpit.

(Amendment 25-0)

(6) Paragraph (f). For domestic operation when life preservers are not required, the life preserver location placard could be retained provided another approved flotation means is provided and its location placarded. (Amendment 25-0)

(7) Paragraph (f). Each life preserver must be within easy reach of each seated and belted occupant. The reach requirements should be accomplished by demonstration using a 95th percentile male. For occupants with a combination seat belt and shoulder harness, the shoulder harness may be slipped off while evaluating life vest retrieval. In cases where the life vest is not located directly beneath the seat, the life vest locating placard should accurately state the location of the life vest, e.g. “Life vest under center armrest.” (Amendment 25-0)

(8) Paragraph (g). (Amendment 25-0)

(i) Life line stowage provisions include any structural modifications necessary to accommodate the use of a life line. Therefore, all airplanes of a particular model certificated for ditching should incorporate lifeline stowage provisions. (Amendment 25-0)

(ii) Life line stowage provisions are not required for airplanes which do not have ditching exits that lead evacuees on to the wing. (Amendment 25-0)

804. AMENDMENT 25-53, Effective August 31, 1980.

a. Regulation.

(a) Accessibility.

(1) Required safety equipment to be used by the crew in an emergency must be readily accessible.

[(2) At least one public address system, microphone intended for flight attendant use must be positioned at each floor level exit in a passenger compartment and be readily accessible to a flight attendant seated at any seat adjacent to that exit.]

(b) Stowage provisions. Stowage provisions for required emergency equipment must be furnished and must-

(1) Be arranged so that the equipment is directly accessible and its location is obvious; and

(2) Protect the safety equipment from inadvertent damage.

(c) Emergency exit descent device. The stowage provisions for the emergency exit descent device required by § 25.809(f) must be at the exits for which they are intended.

(d) Liferafts.

(1) The stowage provisions for the liferafts described in § 25.1415 must accommodate enough rafts for the maximum number of occupants for which certification for ditching is requested.

(2) Liferafts must be stowed near exits through which the rafts can be launched during an unplanned ditching.

(3) Rafts automatically or remotely released outside the airplane must be attached to the airplane by means of the static line prescribed in § 25.1415.

(4) The stowage provisions for each portable liferaft must allow rapid detachment and removal of the raft for use at other than the intended exits.

(e) Long-range signaling device. The stowage provisions for the long-range signaling device required by § 25.1415 must be near an exit available during an unplanned ditching.

(f) Life preserver stowage provisions. The stowage provisions for life preservers described in § 25.1415 must accommodate one life preserver for each occupant for which certification for ditching is requested. Each life preserver must be within easy reach of each seated occupant.

(g) Life line stowage provisions. If certification for ditching under § 25.801 is requested, there must be provisions to store life lines. These provisions must-

(1) Allow one life line to be attached to one side of the fuselage; and

(2) Be arranged to allow the life lines to be used to enable the occupants to stay on the wing after ditching.

b. Guidance.

(1) Paragraph (a)(1). Megaphones should be demonstrated to be accessible within five seconds by a 5th percentile female in the nearest flight attendant seat. (Amendment 25-53)

(2) Paragraph (a)(2). (Amendment 25-46)

(i) The public address system microphone should be accessible to a 5th percentile female when seated and with seat belt and harness fastened. (Amendment 25-46)

(ii) Refer to Paragraph 804 (the amended words to § 25.1411(a)(2)) for the intent of this paragraph. (Amendment 25-46)

(3) Paragraphs (b)(1) and (2). (Amendment 25-0)

(i) Safety equipment should be fastened so that it remains operational and accessible following exposure to the emergency landing loads of § 25.561. (Amendment 25-0)

(ii) Stowage compartments for safety equipment which are large enough to accommodate additional items that could damage the equipment should be placarded for "soft article only," or, if the safety equipment could be obscured by soft articles, the compartment should be placarded for stowage of emergency equipment only. (Refer to paragraphs 101b(1), 1041b(5), and 1101b(2).) (Amendment 25-0)

(4) Paragraph (d). To the extent possible, life rafts should be distributed such that all exits suitable for launching rafts should have rafts stowed near them; i.e., rafts are equally distributed among qualified ditching exits (sills above water). "Near" in this context should be taken to mean as physically nearby the exit as practicable, where its stowed location could be readily determined from the vicinity of the exit, and where a minimum of portaging of the raft would be necessary. Also refer to § 25.1415. (Amendment 25-0)

(5) Paragraph (d)(4). Rapid detachment and removal of life rafts should be demonstrated by test. Two able-bodied adult males directed by a trained crewmember may be used, if the airplane configuration permits use of that many persons. (Amendment 25-46)

(6) Paragraph (e). The long range signaling device should not be stowed in the cockpit.

(Amendment 25-0)

(7) Paragraph (f). For domestic operation when life preservers are not required, the life preserver location placard could be retained provided another approved flotation means is provided and its location placarded. (Amendment 25-0)

(8) Paragraph (f). Each life preserver must be within easy reach of each seated and belted occupant. The reach requirements should be accomplished by demonstration using a 95th percentile male. For occupants with a combination seat belt and shoulder harness, the shoulder harness may be slipped off while evaluating life vest retrieval. In cases where the life vest is not located directly beneath the seat, the life vest locating placard should accurately state the location of the life vest, e.g. “Life vest under center armrest.” (Amendment 25-0) [This is a change in policy however this is harmonized with the JAA]

(9) Paragraph (g). (Amendment 25-0)

(i) Life line stowage provisions include any structural modifications necessary to accommodate the use of a life line. Therefore, all airplanes of a particular model certificated for ditching should incorporate lifeline stowage provisions. (Amendment 25-0)

(ii) Life line stowage provisions are not required for airplanes which do not have ditching exits that lead evacuees on to the wing. (Amendment 25-0)

805. AMENDMENT 25-70, Effective November 27, 1989.

a. Regulation.

(a) Accessibility [requirements].

(1) Required safety equipment to be used by the crew in an emergency must be readily accessible.

[(2) If public address system is required by this chapter-

(i) For each required floor-level passenger emergency exit which has an adjacent flight attendant seat, there must be a public address system microphone which is readily accessible to the seated flight attendant, except that-

(ii) One microphone may serve more than one exit, provided the proximity of the exits allows unassisted verbal communication between seated flight attendants.]

(b) Stowage provisions. Stowage provisions for required emergency equipment must be furnished and must-

(1) Be arranged so that the equipment is directly accessible and its location is obvious; and

(2) Protect the safety equipment from inadvertent damage.

(c) Emergency exit descent device. The stowage provisions for the emergency exit descent device required by § 25.809(f) must be at the exits for which they are intended.

Note: The reference to § 25.809(f) above applies to Amendment 25-47 of § 25.809.

Amendment 25-72 relocated this requirement from § 25.809(f) to § 25.810(a) at Amendment 25-72.

(d) Liferafts. (1) The stowage provisions for the liferafts described in § 25.1415 must accommodate enough rafts for the maximum number of occupants for which certification for ditching is requested.