# SAIB NM-06-54R1: Handheld fire extinguishers

- Type: Special airworthiness information bulletin (advisory, not mandatory)
- Status: Current
- Revision: 1
- Issued: October 18, 2006
- Products: Transport Category Handheld fire extinguishers
- Product type: Appliance
- PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/7f/b3/7fb3edabe233f7c474f670331f02c67354f468cbabf03823de12d056e208fd92
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/C9117CDFC216182986257259006D7D58.0001
- DRS record last changed: January 4, 2007
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/saib/NM-06-54R1

## Text

**SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS**

**INFORMATION BULLETIN**

Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration

NM-06-54R1 October 18, 2006 http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/SAIB This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Reason for Revision

This SAIB was originally issued July 11, 2006, stating that some handheld fire extinguishers are “improperly labeled”. This revision explains that those extinguishers may be properly labeled for certain uses but may not be of sufficient size to meet the requirements for use on US registered airplanes.

Introduction

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) tells you, registered owners and operators of Transport Category Airplanes, that some handheld fire extinguishers, that are required for cargo/baggage compartments of US Registered airplanes, are not approved by the US Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Inc. These fire extinguishers, which are labeled with a non-US UL approval, may not meet the same fire rating approval under the US UL system.

We have information that some of these fire extinguishers are installed on US Registered airplanes.

Background

FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 20-42C contains guidance to determine the necessary type and quantity of agent needed for the fire extinguishers to protect the cargo and baggage compartments on your airplane. Handheld fire extinguishers are marked as being rated for certain classes of fires. A non-US UL approved bottle may display a fire rating which would not meet the same US UL fire rating.

UL rates handheld fire extinguishers according to the amount of agent and the delivery system which provides the capability to quench specific material fires. For example, handheld fire extinguishers must contain 9 pounds of Halon 1211 to have a 1A, 10B:C and, 13 pounds of Halon 1211 to have a 2A, 40B:C fire rating per US UL requirements, respectively.

Please note that doubling the quantity of agent does not necessarily double the fire rating capability.

Recommendation

We recommend that owners and operators inspect the labeling of installed handheld fire extinguishers for indication of rating approval by an authority other than US UL. Compare the fire ratings shown on any non-US UL approved extinguisher against US UL requirements. Fire extinguishers found to provide an inadequate level of safety should be either removed and replaced or supplemented by additional extinguishers to provide an adequate level of safety. Owners and operators should review AC 20-42C to determine the necessary type and quantity of agent needed for the fire extinguishers to protect the cargo and baggage compartments on your airplane.

For Further Information Contact

Stephen Happenny, Aerospace Engineer, Transport Standards Staff, 1601 Lind Ave. SW, Renton, Washington 98057; phone:

425-227-2147; fax: 425-227-1320;

e-mail: stephen.happeny@faa.gov

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