Special Conditions: Boeing Model 787-8 Airplane; Overhead Flightcrew-Rest Compartment Occupiable During Taxi, Takeoff, and Landing, 10482-10489 [2011-4228]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 38 (Friday, February 25, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10482-10489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4228]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. NM411; Special Conditions No. 25-418-SC]


Special Conditions: Boeing Model 787-8 Airplane; Overhead 
Flightcrew-Rest Compartment Occupiable During Taxi, Takeoff, and 
Landing

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 787-8 
airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features 
associated with an overhead flightcrew-rest (OFCR) compartment, which 
is proposed to be occupiable during taxi, takeoff, and landing (TT&L). 
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. 
Additional special conditions will be issued for other novel or unusual 
design features of the Boeing Model 787-8 airplanes.

DATES: Effective Date: March 28, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Gardlin, FAA, Airframe/Cabin 
Safety Branch, ANM-115, Transport Standards Staff, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2136; facsimile 
(425) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On March 28, 2003, The Boeing Commercial Airplane Group (hereafter 
referred to as ``Boeing'') applied for an FAA type certificate for its 
new Boeing Model 787-8 passenger airplane. The company applied for an 
extension of time for the type certificate on March 9, 2009, and was 
granted that extension on March 13, 2009. The Boeing Model 787-8 
airplane will be an all-new, two-engine, jet transport airplane with a 
two-aisle cabin. The maximum takeoff weight will be 476,000 pounds, 
with a maximum passenger capacity of 381.

Type Certification Basis

    Under provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 
21.17, Boeing must show that the Boeing Model 787-8 airplane (hereafter 
referred to as ``the 787'') meets the applicable provisions of 14 CFR 
part 25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-117, 25-120, 25-124, 
25-125 and 25-128, except that Sec.  25.1309 remains at Amendment 25-
117 for cargo-fire protection systems. If the Administrator finds that 
the applicable airworthiness regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not 
contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the 787 because of 
a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed 
under the provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    In addition to complying with the applicable airworthiness 
regulations and special conditions, the 787 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. The FAA must also 
issue a finding of regulatory adequacy pursuant to section 611 of 
Public Law 92-574, the ``Noise Control Act of 1972.''
    The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type 
certification basis under Sec.  21.17(a)(2).
    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 novel or 
unusual design features, the special conditions would also apply to the 
other model under provisions of Sec.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    Flightcrew rest compartments have been installed and certificated 
on several Boeing airplane models in locations as varied as the main 
passenger seating area, the overhead space above the main passenger-
cabin

[[Page 10483]]

seating area, and below the passenger-cabin seating area within the 
cargo compartment. In each case, the Administrator has determined that 
the applicable regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) did not provide all 
of the necessary requirements because each installation had unique 
features by virtue of its design, location, and use on the airplane. 
The special conditions contain safety standards that the Administrator 
considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that 
established by the existing airworthiness standards.
    Most recently for the Boeing Model 777 series airplanes, the FAA 
has issued Special Conditions No. 25-230-SC, dated April 9, 2003, for 
crew-rest compartments allowed to be occupied by crewmembers and flight 
crewmembers during flight, and Special Conditions No. 25-260-SC, dated 
April 14, 2004, for crew-rest compartments allowed to be occupied by 
crewmembers and flight crewmembers during TT&L, as well as during 
flight.
    For the 787, an OFCR compartment is located in the overhead space 
above the main passenger cabin seating area immediately aft of the 
first pair of main deck emergency exits (Door 1). This compartment 
includes two private berths and up to two seats. Occupancy of the 
compartment will be limited to a maximum of four trained crewmembers 
during flight and two trained flight crewmembers, one in each seat, 
during TT&L. Stairs through a vestibule access the compartment from the 
main deck. In addition, a secondary evacuation route, which opens 
directly into the main passenger-seating area, will be available as an 
alternate for evacuating occupants of the compartment. A smoke 
detection system and an oxygen system will be provided in the 
compartment. Other optional features, such as a sink with cold-drink 
stowage or a lavatory, may be provided as well.
    This 787 OFCR compartment is unique because of its design, 
location, and use on the airplane. It is also unique because it is in 
the overhead area of the passenger compartment and is proposed to be 
occupied by trained flightcrew during TT&L.
    Because of the novel or unusual features associated with 
installation of this OFCR compartment, special conditions are 
considered necessary to provide a level of safety equal to that 
established by the airworthiness regulations.
    These special conditions do not negate the need to address 
applicable part 25 regulations.

Discussion of Comments

    Notice of proposed special conditions 25-09-07-SC for the Boeing 
Model 787 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
January 4, 2010. No comments were received, and these special 
conditions are adopted as proposed.

Consideration of a Requirement for an External Exit

    For Boeing Model 777 Special Conditions No. 25-260-SC, the FAA 
considered whether or not a special condition should require that the 
OFCR compartment have an external exit leading directly outside the 
airplane. The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), and 
International Federation of Air Line Pilots (IFALPA) reviewed the 
design of the 777 OFCR compartment and informed the FAA that in their 
opinion an external exit was not needed because two independent, 
internal evacuation routes were provided. That input, and the fact that 
flight crewmembers would be the only occupants of the compartment 
during TT&L, supported the FAA in determining that a special condition 
requiring an external exit was not required. The FAA considers that the 
following, in addition to Special Conditions No. 25-260-SC, provide a 
level of safety equivalent to that established by part 25 for main-deck 
occupants:
    1. The distances along the evacuation routes from the seats in the 
OFCR compartment to the Door 1 exits on the main deck are significantly 
shorter than the maximum distance a seated passenger on the main deck 
would need to travel to reach an exit.
    2. Occupancy during TT&L will be limited to two flight crewmembers 
trained in the evacuation, fire fighting, and depressurization 
procedures of the OFCR compartment. An airplane-flight-manual 
limitation must be established to restrict occupancy to only persons 
the pilot in command has determined are able to use both evacuation 
routes rapidly. The ability of such persons to fit through the escape 
hatch must be considered in this determination.
    For the reasons noted above, the FAA does not believe that this 
special condition should require that the 787 OFCR compartment have an 
external exit.

Operational Evaluations and Approval

    These special conditions establish requirements for OFCR-
compartment design approvals administered by the FAA's Aircraft 
Certification Service. Before operational use of an OFCR compartment, 
the FAA's Flight Standards Service must evaluate and approve the 
``basic suitability'' of the compartment for crew occupation. 
Additionally, if an operator wishes to use an OFCR compartment as 
``sleeping quarters,'' the compartment must undergo an additional 
evaluation and approval (reference 14 CFR 121.485(a), 121.523(b), and 
135.269(b)(5)). Compliance with these special conditions does not 
ensure that the applicant has demonstrated compliance with the 
requirements of parts 121 or 135.
    To obtain an operational evaluation, the type certificate holder 
must contact the appropriate aircraft evaluation group (AEG) in the 
Flight Standards Service and request a ``basic suitability'' evaluation 
or a ``sleeping quarters'' evaluation of its OFCR compartment. The 
results of these evaluations should be documented in a 787 flight 
standardization board (FSB) report appendix. Individual operators may 
reference these standardized evaluations in discussions with their FAA 
principal operating inspector (POI) as the basis for an operational 
approval, in lieu of an on-site operational evaluation.
    Any changes to the approved OFCR compartment configuration that 
affect crewmember emergency egress, or any other procedures affecting 
safety of the occupying crewmembers or related emergency training, will 
require re-evaluation and approval. The applicant for an OFCR 
compartment design change that affects egress, safety procedures, or 
training is responsible for notifying the FAA's AEG that a new 
compartment evaluation is required. The results of a re-evaluation 
should also be documented in a 787 FSB report appendix.
    Procedures must be developed to ensure that a crewmember, acting as 
firefighter, entering the OFCR compartment through the stairway/
vestibule to fight a fire, will examine the stairway/vestibule and the 
adjacent galley or lavatory areas (if installed) for the source of the 
fire before entering the remaining areas of the compartment. This is 
intended to ensure that the source of the fire is not between the 
crewmember and the entrance to the OFCR compartment. If a fire source 
is not immediately evident to the firefighter, the firefighter should 
check for potential fire sources at areas closest to the OFCR 
compartment entrance first, then proceed to check areas in such a 
manner that the fire source, when found, will not be between the 
firefighter and his or her way to get out of the compartment. 
Procedures describing methods for searching the

[[Page 10484]]

OFCR compartment for fire source(s) must be transmitted to operators 
for incorporation into their training programs and appropriate 
operational manuals.

Discussion of Rescue-Crew Training Materials

    Installation of an OFCR compartment that can be occupied during 
TT&L by flightcrew is unusual. Appropriate information must be provided 
to airport fire-rescue personnel so that they understand that this 
remote compartment may be occupied during an emergency landing. The 
applicant must provide rescue-crew training materials to the local FAA 
Airports Division, Safety and Standards Branch, to address this issue. 
The FAA Airports Division, Safety and Standards Branch, will ensure 
that these materials are distributed to appropriate airports, domestic 
and foreign. A special condition is not considered appropriate to 
address this issue.

Discussion of the Special Conditions

    These special conditions apply to OFCR compartments that are 
occupiable during TT&L and are installed immediately aft of the Door 1 
exits on the 787. These special conditions supplement 14 CFR part 25. 
Except as noted below, these special conditions for the 787 are 
identical to Boeing Model 777 Special Conditions No. 25-260-SC.
    Special Conditions 6 and 16 contain requirements for the exit signs 
that must be provided in the OFCR compartment. Symbols that satisfy the 
equivalent level of safety finding established for the 787 may be used 
in lieu of the text required by Sec.  25.812(b)(1)(i). The FAA expects 
that the meaning of any symbolic exit sign will be reinforced as a part 
of crewmember training in evacuation procedures.
    Special Condition 15 contains requirements for supplemental oxygen 
systems. Special Conditions No. 25-260-SC required that each berth be 
provided with two oxygen masks. This was intended to address the case 
where a person not in a berth was moving around within the flightcrew 
rest compartment and needed quick access to the oxygen. For the designs 
used in the model 777, this requirement was sufficient. However, for 
the 787, the requirement to have two masks per berth may not always 
meet the objective of having masks available to persons who are in 
transition within the compartment. Therefore, the wording of this 
special condition has been modified to better state the objective 
rather than specifying a two-masks-per-berth requirement. In addition, 
the requirement to have adequate illumination to retrieve the mask, 
while implied previously, is made explicit in these special conditions.
    Special Condition 18 contains the requirements for materials used 
in the construction of the OFCR compartment. Special Conditions No. 25-
260-SC stated that Sec.  25.853 as amended by Amendment 25-83 is the 
appropriate regulation. Section 25.853 has since been further amended, 
and these special conditions reference the latest amendment level for 
Sec.  25.853, Amendment 25-116.
    Compliance with these special conditions does not relieve the 
applicant from the existing airplane certification-basis requirements. 
One particular area of concern is that installation of OFCR 
compartments changes the compartment volume in the overhead area of the 
airplane. The applicant must comply with the pressurized compartment 
loads requirements of Sec.  25.365(e), (f), and (g) for the OFCR 
compartment, as well as for any other airplane compartments whose 
decompression characteristics are affected by the installation of an 
OFCR compartment. Compliance with Sec.  25.813 emergency exit access 
requirements must be demonstrated for all phases of flight during which 
occupants will be present.
    The configuration includes a seat installed adjacent to the OFCR 
compartment exit which will be occupiable during TT&L. It should be 
noted that the emergency landing conditions requirements of Sec. Sec.  
25.561(d) and 25.562(c)(8)apply to this configuration. Deformations 
resulting from required static and dynamic structural tests must not 
impede rapid evacuation of the OFCR compartment occupants. Seat 
deformations must not prevent opening of the secondary escape hatch or 
rapid evacuation through the secondary escape route.
    Section 25.785(h)(2) mandates that the flight attendant seats 
required by the operating rules be located in a position that provides 
a direct view of the cabin area for which the flight attendant is 
responsible. Since the OFCR compartment will be occupied only by 
trained crewmembers, the FAA does not consider this requirement 
applicable to the seating area in the OFCR compartment.
    Section 25.787(a) requires each stowage compartment in the 
passenger cabin, except for underseat and overhead stowage compartments 
for passenger convenience, to be completely enclosed. This requirement 
does not apply to the flight deck, because flight crewmembers must be 
able to quickly access items to better perform their duties. Flight 
crewmembers occupying the OFCR compartment will not be performing 
flight deck duties however. Therefore, stowage compartments in the OFCR 
compartment, except for underseat compartments for occupant 
convenience, should be completely enclosed. This will provide occupants 
of the OFCR compartment a similar level of safety to that provided to 
passengers on the main deck. Special Condition 20 contains this 
requirement.
    Section 25.811(c) requires that means be provided to assist 
occupants in locating the exits in conditions of dense smoke. Section 
25.812(e) requires floor proximity emergency escape path marking to 
provide guidance for passengers when all sources of illumination above 
4 feet from the cabin aisle floor are totally obscured. The FAA 
considers that the current OFCR compartment design is sufficient in 
regard to these regulations. The two OFCR compartment seats are only a 
couple of steps away from the stairway and once a trained flight 
crewmember is at the top of the stairway, the stairway itself will 
guide him/her to the main deck. Once the crewmember is on the main 
deck, floor proximity lighting and exit marker signs, which are less 
than 4 feet above the floor, are provided.
    Section 25.813(e) prohibits installation of interior doors between 
passenger compartments, but the FAA has historically found flightcrew 
rest-compartment doors to be acceptable, because flightcrew rest 
compartments are not passenger compartments. Special Conditions 2 and 
16 provide requirements for flightcrew rest-compartment doors which are 
considered to provide an appropriate level of safety to OFCR 
compartment occupants.
    Sections 25.1443, 25.1445, and 25.1447 describe oxygen requirements 
for flightcrew, passengers, and cabin attendants. Flight crewmembers 
occupying the OFCR compartment are not on duty, and therefore are 
considered passengers in determining compliance with these oxygen 
regulations.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
787. Should Boeing apply at a later date for a change to the type 
certificate to include another model incorporating the same novel or 
unusual design features, these special conditions would apply to that 
model as well.

[[Page 10485]]

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
of the 787. It is not a rule of general applicability.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.

The Special Conditions

    Accordingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes the 
following special conditions as part of the type certification basis 
for the Boeing Model 787-8 airplanes with an OFCR compartment installed 
adjacent to or immediately aft of the first pair of exits (Door 1).
    1. During flight, occupancy of the OFCR compartment is limited to 
the total number of installed bunks and seats in the compartment, and 
that are approved to the maximum flight-loading conditions. During 
TT&L, occupancy of the OFCR compartment is limited to the total number 
of installed seats approved for the flight- and ground-load conditions, 
and emergency-landing conditions. Therefore, the OFCR compartment is 
limited to a maximum of four crewmembers during flight, and two flight 
crew members during TT&L.
    (a) Appropriate placards must be located inside and outside each 
entrance to the OFCR compartment to indicate:
    (1) The maximum number of crewmembers allowed during flight and the 
maximum number of flight crewmembers allowed during TT&L.
    (2) Occupancy is restricted to crewmembers the pilot in command has 
determined to be both trained in the emergency procedures for the OFCR 
compartment and able to rapidly use the evacuation routes.
    (3) Smoking is prohibited in the OFCR compartment.
    (4) Stowage in the OFCR compartment area is limited to crew 
personal luggage. The stowage of cargo or passenger baggage is not 
allowed.
    (b) At least one ashtray must be located on both the inside and the 
outside of any entrance to the OFCR compartment.
    (c) A limitation in the airplane flight manual must be established 
to restrict occupancy to crewmembers the pilot in command has 
determined to be both trained in the emergency procedures for the OFCR 
compartment and able to rapidly use the evacuation routes of the OFCR 
compartment.
    2. The following requirements are applicable to OFCR compartment 
door(s):
    (a) A means for any door installed between the OFCR compartment and 
the passenger cabin to be quickly opened from inside the OFCR 
compartment, even when crowding from an emergency evacuation occurs at 
each side of the door.
    (b) Doors installed across emergency egress routes must have a 
means to latch them in the open position. The latching means must be 
able to withstand the loads imposed upon it when the door is subjected 
to the ultimate inertia forces, relative to the surrounding structure, 
listed in Sec.  25.561(b).
    (c) A placard must be displayed in a conspicuous place on the 
outside of the entrance door of the OFCR compartment, and on any other 
door(s) installed across emergency egress routes of the OFCR 
compartment, requiring those doors to be latched open during TT&L when 
the OFCR compartment is occupied.
    (1) This requirement does not apply to emergency-escape hatches 
installed in the floor of the OFCR compartment.
    (2) A placard must be displayed in a conspicuous place on the 
outside of the entrance door to the OFCR compartment that requires it 
to be closed and locked when it is not occupied.
    (3) Procedures for meeting these requirements must be transmitted 
to the operator for incorporation into its training programs and 
appropriate operational manuals.
    (d) For all doors installed in the OFCR compartment, a means must 
be in place to preclude anyone from being trapped inside the OFCR 
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 the OFCR compartment 
at any time.
    3. In addition to the requirements of Sec.  25.562 for seats, which 
are occupiable during takeoff and landing, and restraint systems, the 
OFCR compartment structure must be compatible with the loads imposed by 
the seats as a result of the conditions specified in Sec.  25.562(b).
    4. At least two emergency evacuation routes must be available and 
which could be used by each occupant of the OFCR compartment to rapidly 
evacuate to the main cabin. These evacuation routes must be able to be 
closed from the main passenger cabin after evacuation. In addition--
    (a) The routes must be located with sufficient separation within 
the OFCR compartment to minimize the possibility of an event either 
inside or outside of the OFCR compartment rendering both routes 
inoperative.
    Compliance with requirements of Special Condition 4(a) may be shown 
by inspection or by analysis. Regardless of which method is used, the 
maximum acceptable distance between flightcrew-rest compartment exits 
is 60 feet.

Compliance by Inspection

    Inspection may be used to show compliance with Special Condition 
4(a). An inspection finding that an OFCR compartment has evacuation 
routes located so that each occupant of the seats and berths has an 
unobstructed route to at least one of the OFCR compartment exits, 
regardless of the location of a fire, would be reason for a finding of 
compliance. A fire within a berth that only blocks the occupant of that 
berth from exiting the berth need not be considered. Therefore, 
flightcrew rest-compartment exits that are located at opposite ends 
(i.e., adjacent to opposite end walls) of the OFCR compartment would 
require no further review or analysis with regard to exit separation.

Compliance by Analysis

    Analysis must show that the OFCR compartment configuration and 
interior features allow all occupants of the OFCR compartment to escape 
the compartment in the event of a hazard inside or outside of the 
compartment. Elements to consider in this evaluation are as follows:
    (1) Fire inside or outside the OFCR compartment, considered 
separately, and the design elements used to reduce the available fuel 
for the fire.
    (2) Design elements used to reduce fire-ignition sources in the 
OFCR compartment.
    (3) Distribution and quantity of emergency equipment within the 
OFCR compartment.
    (4) Structural failure or deformation of components that could 
block access to the available evacuation routes (e.g., seats, folding 
berths, contents of stowage compartments, etc).
    (5) An incapacitated person blocking the evacuation routes.
    (6) Any other foreseeable hazard not identified above that could 
cause the evacuation routes to be compromised.
    Analysis must consider design features affecting access to the 
evacuation routes. Possibilities for design components affecting 
evacuation that should be considered include, but are not limited to, 
seat deformations (reference Sec. Sec.  25.561(d) and 25.562(c)(8)), 
seat-back break-over, rigid structure that reduces access from one part 
of the compartment to another, and

[[Page 10486]]

items known to be the cause of potential hazards. Factors that also 
should be considered are availability of emergency equipment to address 
fire hazards; availability of communications equipment; supplemental 
restraint devices to retain items of mass that, if broken loose, could 
hinder evacuation; and load-path isolation between components 
containing evacuation routes.
    Analysis of fire threats should be used in determining placement of 
required fire extinguishers and protective breathing equipment (PBE). 
This analysis should consider the possibility of fire in any location 
in the OFCR compartment. The location and quantity of PBE equipment and 
fire extinguishers should allow occupants located in any approved seats 
or berths access to the equipment necessary to fight a fire in the OFCR 
compartment.
    The intent of this special condition is to provide sufficient exit-
route separation. Therefore, the exit-separation analysis described 
above should not be used to approve OFCR-compartment exits that have 
less physical separation (measured between the centroid of each outlet 
opening) than the minimums prescribed below, unless compensating 
features are identified and submitted to the FAA for evaluation and 
approval.
    For an OFCR compartment with one outlet located near the forward or 
aft end of the compartment (as measured by having the centroid of the 
exit opening within 20 percent of the forward or aft end of the total 
OFCR-compartment length), the outlet separation from one outlet to the 
other should not be less than 50 percent of the total OFCR-compartment 
length.
    For OFCR compartments with neither required flightcrew rest-
compartment outlet located near the forward or aft end of the 
compartment (as measured by not having the centroid of either outlet 
opening within 20 percent of the forward or aft end of the total OFCR-
compartment length), the outlet separation from one outlet to the other 
should not be less than 30 percent of the total OFCR-compartment 
length.
    (b) The routes must be designed to minimize the possibility of 
blockage, which might result from fire, mechanical or structural 
failure, or persons standing below or against the flightcrew-rest 
compartment outlets. One of the two OFCR compartment outlets should not 
be located where normal movement or evacuation by passengers occurs 
(main aisle, cross aisle, or galley complex, for example) that would 
impede egress from the OFCR compartment. If an evacuation route is in 
an area where normal movement or evacuation of passengers occurs, it 
must be demonstrated that passengers would not impede egress to the 
main deck. If low headroom is at or near the evacuation route, 
provisions must be made to prevent or to protect occupants of the OFCR 
compartment from head injury. Use of evacuation routes must not depend 
on any powered device. If an OFCR-compartment outlet is over an area of 
passenger seats, a maximum of five passengers may be displaced from 
their seats temporarily during the process of evacuating an 
incapacitated person(s). If such an evacuation procedure involves the 
evacuee stepping on seats, the seats must not be damaged to the extent 
that they would not be acceptable for occupancy during an emergency 
landing.
    (c) Emergency evacuation procedures, including procedures for 
emergency evacuation of an incapacitated occupant from the OFCR 
compartment, must be established. The applicant must transmit all of 
these procedures to the operator for incorporation into its training 
programs and appropriate operational manuals.
    (d) A limitation must be included in the airplane flight manual or 
other suitable means to require that crewmembers are trained in the use 
of the OFCR-compartment evacuation routes. This training must instruct 
them to ensure that the OFCR compartment (including seats, doors, etc.) 
is in its proper TT&L configuration during TT&L.
    (e) In the event no flight attendant is present in the area around 
the door to the OFCR compartment, and also during an emergency, 
including an emergency evacuation, a means must be available to prevent 
passengers on the main deck from entering the OFCR compartment.
    (f) Doors or hatches separating the OFCR compartment from the main 
deck must not adversely affect evacuation of occupants on the main deck 
(slowing evacuation by encroaching into aisles, for example) or cause 
injury to those occupants during opening or while opened.
    (g) The means of opening doors and hatches to the OFCR compartment 
must be simple and obvious. The OFCR compartment doors and hatches must 
be able to be closed from the main passenger cabin.
    5. A means must be available for evacuating an incapacitated person 
(representative of a 95th percentile male) from the OFCR compartment to 
the passenger cabin floor.
    (a) Such an evacuation must be demonstrated for all evacuation 
routes. A crewmember (a total of one assistant within the OFCR 
compartment) may provide assistance in the evacuation. Additional 
assistance may be provided by up to three persons in the main passenger 
compartment. These additional assistants must be standing on the floor 
while providing assistance. For evacuation routes with stairways, the 
additional assistants may ascend up to one half the elevation change 
from the main deck to the OFCR compartment, or to the first landing, 
whichever is lower.
    6. The following signs and placards must be provided in the OFCR 
compartment and they must meet the following criteria:
    (a) At least one exit sign, located near each OFCR compartment 
outlet, meeting the emergency lighting requirements of Sec.  
25.812(b)(1)(i). One allowable exception would be a sign with reduced 
background area of no less than 5.3 square inches (excluding the 
letters), provided that it is installed so that the material 
surrounding the exit sign is light in color (white, cream, light beige, 
for example). 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 be acceptable. Another allowable exception is 
a sign with a symbol that the FAA has determined to be equivalent for 
use as an exit sign in an OFCR compartment.
    (b) An appropriate placard located conspicuously on or near each 
OFCR-compartment door or hatch that defines the location and the 
operating instructions for access to and operation of the outlet door 
or hatch.
    (c) Placards must be readable from a distance of 30 inches under 
emergency lighting conditions.
    (d) The door or hatch handles and operating-instruction placards 
required by Special Condition 6(b) of these special conditions must be 
illuminated to at least 160 microlamberts under emergency lighting 
conditions.
    7. A means must be available, in the event of failure of the 
aircraft's main power system, or of the normal OFCR compartment 
lighting system, for emergency illumination to be automatically 
provided for the OFCR compartment.
    (a) This emergency illumination must be powered independently 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.

[[Page 10487]]

    (c) The illumination level must be sufficient to allow occupants of 
the OFCR compartment to locate and move to the main passenger cabin 
floor by means of each evacuation route.
    (d) The illumination level must be sufficient, with the privacy 
curtains in the closed position, for each occupant of the OFCR 
compartment to locate a deployed oxygen mask.
    8. A means must be available for two-way voice communications 
between crewmembers on the flight deck and occupants of the OFCR 
compartment. Two-way communications must also be available between 
occupants of the OFCR compartment and each flight attendant station in 
the passenger cabin that is required per Sec.  25.1423(g) to have a 
public-address-system microphone. In addition, the public-address 
system must include provisions to provide only the relevant information 
to the crewmembers in the OFCR compartment (e.g., fire in flight, 
aircraft depressurization, preparation of the compartment for landing, 
etc.). That is, provisions must be made so that occupants of the OFCR 
compartment will not be disturbed with normal, non-emergency 
announcements made to the passenger cabin.
    9. A means must be available 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 occupants of the OFCR compartment 
of an emergency situation. 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, after the shutdown 
or failure of all engines and auxiliary power units, for a period of at 
least ten minutes.
    10. A means, readily detectable by seated or standing occupants of 
the OFCR compartment, must be in place to indicate when seat belts 
should be fastened. Seatbelt-type restraints must be provided for 
berths and must be compatible with the sleeping position during cruise 
conditions. A placard on each berth must require that these restraints 
be fastened when occupied. If compliance with any of the other 
requirements of these special conditions is predicated on specific head 
position, a placard must identify that head position.
    11. In lieu of the requirements specified in Sec.  25.1439(a) 
pertaining to isolated compartments, and to provide a level of safety 
equivalent to that provided to occupants of an isolated galley, the 
following equipment must be provided in the OFCR compartment:
    (a) At least one approved, hand-held fire extinguisher appropriate 
for the kinds of fires likely to occur.
    (b) Two PBE devices suitable for firefighting, or one PBE for each 
hand-held fire extinguisher, whichever is greater. All PBE devices must 
be approved to Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C116 or equivalent.
    (c) One flashlight.

    Note: Additional PBE devices and fire extinguishers in specific 
locations, beyond the minimum numbers prescribed in Special 
Condition 11, may be required as a result of the egress analysis 
accomplished to satisfy Special Condition 4(a).

    12. A smoke- or fire-detection system (or systems) must be provided 
that monitors each occupiable space within the OFCR compartment, 
including those areas partitioned by curtains or doors. Flight tests 
must be conducted to show compliance with this requirement. If a fire 
occurs, each system (or systems) must provide:
    (a) A visual indication to the flight deck within one minute after 
the start of a fire.
    (b) An aural warning in the OFCR compartment.
    (c) A warning in the main passenger cabin. This warning must be 
readily detectable by a flight attendant, taking into consideration the 
locations of flight attendants throughout the main passenger 
compartment during various phases of flight.
    13. A means to fight a fire must be provided. This can be either a 
built-in extinguishing system or a manual, hand-held extinguishing 
system.
    (a) For a built-in extinguishing system:
    (1) The system must have adequate capacity to suppress a fire 
considering the fire threat, volume of the compartment, and the 
ventilation rate. The system must have sufficient extinguishing agent 
to provide an initial knockdown and suppression environment per the 
minimum performance standards that have been established for the agent 
being used. In addition, certification flight testing will verify the 
acceptable duration that the suppression environment can be maintained.
    (2) If the capacity of the extinguishing system does not provide 
effective fire suppression that will last for the duration of flight 
from the farthest point in route to the nearest suitable landing site 
expected in service, an additional manual firefighting procedure must 
be established. For the built-in extinguishing system, the time 
duration for effective fire suppression must be established and 
documented in the firefighting procedures in the airplane flight 
manual. If the duration of time for demonstrated effective fire 
suppression provided by the built-in extinguishing agent will be 
exceeded, the firefighting procedures must instruct the crew to:
    (i) Enter the OFCR compartment at the time that demonstrated fire 
suppression effectiveness will be exceeded.
    (ii) Check for and extinguish any residual fire.
    (iii) Confirm that the fire is out.
    (b) For a manual, hand-held extinguishing system (designed as the 
sole means to fight a fire or to supplement a built-in extinguishing 
system of limited suppression duration) for the OFCR compartment:
    (1) A limitation must be included in the airplane flight manual or 
other suitable means requiring that crewmembers be trained in the 
firefighting procedures.
    (2) The OFCR compartment design must allow crewmembers equipped for 
firefighting to have unrestricted access to all parts of the OFCR 
compartment.
    (3) The time for a crewmember on the main deck to react to the fire 
alarm, don the firefighting equipment, and gain access to the OFCR 
compartment must not exceed the time it would take for the compartment 
to become filled with smoke, thus making it difficult to locate the 
fire source.
    (4) Approved procedures describing methods for searching the OFCR 
compartment for fire source(s) must be established. These procedures 
must be transmitted to the operator for incorporation into its training 
programs and appropriate operational manuals.
    14. A means must be provided to prevent hazardous quantities of 
smoke or extinguishing agent originating in the OFCR compartment from 
entering any other occupiable compartment.
    (a) Small quantities of smoke may penetrate from the OFCR 
compartment into other occupied areas during the one-minute smoke 
detection time.
    (b) A provision in the firefighting procedures must ensure that all 
doors and hatches at the OFCR compartment outlets are closed after 
evacuation of the compartment and during firefighting to minimize smoke 
and extinguishing agent entering other occupiable compartments.
    (c) All smoke entering any occupiable compartment when access to 
the OFCR compartment is open for evacuation must dissipate within five 
minutes after the access to the OFCR compartment is closed.

[[Page 10488]]

    (d) Hazardous quantities of smoke may not enter any occupied 
compartment during access to manually fight a fire in the OFCR 
compartment. The amount of smoke entrained by a firefighter exiting the 
OFCR compartment is not considered hazardous.
    (e) Flight tests must be conducted to show compliance with this 
requirement.
    15. A supplemental oxygen system within the OFCR compartment must 
provide the following:
    (a) At least one mask for each seat and berth in the OFCR 
compartment.
    (b) If a destination area (such as a changing area) is provided in 
the OFCR compartment, an oxygen mask must be readily available for each 
occupant who can reasonably be expected to be in the destination area 
(with the maximum number of required masks within the destination area 
being limited to the placarded maximum occupancy of the OFCR 
compartment).
    (c) An oxygen mask must be readily accessible to each occupant who 
can reasonably be expected to be moving from the main cabin into the 
OFCR compartment, moving around within the OFCR compartment, or moving 
from the OFCR compartment to the main cabin.
    (d) The system must provide an aural and visual alert to warn 
occupants of the OFCR compartment to don oxygen masks in the event of 
decompression. The aural and visual alerts must activate concurrently 
with deployment of the oxygen masks in the passenger cabin. To 
compensate for sleeping occupants, the aural alert must be heard in 
each section of the OFCR compartment and must sound continuously for a 
minimum of five minutes or until a reset switch within the OFCR 
compartment is activated. A visual alert that informs occupants that 
they must don an oxygen mask must be visible in each section.
    (e) A means must be in place by which oxygen masks can be manually 
deployed from the flight deck.
    (f) Approved procedures must be established for OFCR occupants in 
the event of decompression. These procedures must be transmitted to the 
operator for incorporation into its training programs and appropriate 
operational manuals.
    (g) The supplemental oxygen system for the OFCR compartment must 
meet the same 14 CFR part 25 regulations as the supplemental oxygen 
system for the passenger cabin occupants except for the 10 percent 
additional masks requirement of 14 CFR 25.1447(c)(1).
    (h) The illumination level of the normal OFCR compartment-lighting 
system must automatically be sufficient for each occupant of the 
compartment to locate a deployed oxygen mask.
    16. The following additional requirements apply to OFCR 
compartments that are divided into several sections by the installation 
of curtains or partitions:
    (a) A placard is required adjacent to each curtain that visually 
divides or separates, for example, for privacy purposes, the OFCR 
compartment into multiple sections. The placard must require that the 
curtain(s) remains open when the section it creates is unoccupied. The 
vestibule section adjacent to the stairway is not considered a private 
section and, therefore, does not require a placard.
    (b) For each section of the OFCR compartment created by the 
installation of a curtain, the following requirements of these special 
conditions must be met with the curtain open or closed:
    (1) No-smoking placard requirement (Special Condition 1).
    (2) Emergency illumination requirement (Special Condition 7).
    (3) Emergency alarm-system requirement (Special Condition 9).
    (4) Seatbelt-fasten signal or return-to-seat signal as applicable 
requirement (Special Condition 10).
    (5) Smoke- or fire-detection system requirement (Special Condition 
12).
    (6) Oxygen-system requirement (Special Condition 15).
    (c) OFCR compartments that are visually divided to the extent that 
evacuation could be adversely affected must have exit signs directing 
occupants to the primary stairway outlet. The exit signs must be 
provided in each separate section of the OFCR compartment, except for 
curtained bunks, and must meet requirements of Sec.  25.812(b)(1)(i). 
An exit sign with reduced background area or a symbolic exit sign, as 
described in Special Condition 6(a), may be used to meet this 
requirement.
    (d) For sections within an OFCR compartment created by the 
installation of a rigid partition with a door separating the sections, 
the following requirements of these special conditions must be met with 
the door open or closed:
    (1) A secondary evacuation route from each section to the main 
deck, or the applicant must show that any door between the sections 
precludes anyone from being trapped inside a section of the 
compartment. Removal of an incapacitated occupant from within this area 
must be considered. A secondary evacuation route from a small room 
designed for only one occupant for a short time duration, such as a 
changing area or lavatory, is not required, but removal of an 
incapacitated occupant from within such a small room 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) No more than one door may be located between any seat or berth 
and the primary stairway door.
    (4) In each section, exit signs meeting requirements of Sec.  
25.812(b)(1)(i), or shown to have an equivalent level of safety, must 
direct occupants to the primary stairway outlet. An exit sign with 
reduced background area or a symbolic exit sign, as described in 
Special Condition 6(a), may be used to meet this requirement.
    (5) Special Conditions 1 (no-smoking placards), 7 (emergency 
illumination), 9 (emergency alarm system), 10 (fasten-seatbelt signal 
or return-to-seat signal as applicable), 12 (smoke- or fire-detection 
system), and 15 (oxygen system) must be met with the OFCR compartment 
door open or closed.
    (6) Special Conditions 8 (two-way voice communication) and 11 
(emergency firefighting and protective equipment) must be met 
independently for each separate section except for lavatories or other 
small areas that are not intended to be occupied for extended periods 
of time.
    17. If a waste-disposal receptacle is fitted in the OFCR 
compartment, it must be equipped with an automatic fire extinguisher 
that meets the performance requirements of Sec.  25.854(b).
    18. Materials (including finishes or decorative surfaces applied to 
the materials) must comply with flammability requirements of Sec.  
25.853 as amended by Amendment 25-116. Seat cushions and mattresses 
must comply with the flammability requirements of Sec.  25.853(c) as 
amended by Amendment 25-116 and the test requirements of part 25, 
appendix F, part II, or other equivalent methods.
    19. The addition of a lavatory within the OFCR compartment would 
require the lavatory to meet the same requirements as those for a 
lavatory installed on the main deck except with regard to Special 
Condition 12 for smoke detection.
    20. Each stowage compartment in the OFCR compartment, except for 
underseat compartments for occupant convenience, must be completely 
enclosed. All enclosed stowage compartments within the OFCR compartment 
that are not limited to stowage of emergency equipment or airplane-
supplied equipment (i.e., bedding) must meet the design criteria 
described in the table below. Enclosed stowage compartments greater 
than 200

[[Page 10489]]

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-held fire-extinguishing system will require additional fire-
protection considerations similar to those required for inaccessible 
compartments such as Class C cargo compartments.

   Design Criteria for Enclosed Stowage Compartments Not Limited to Stowage of Emergency or Airplane-Supplied
                                                    Equipment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Applicability of fire protection requirements by interior volume
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Fire protection features                                  25 cubic feet to less     57 cubic feet to 200
                                       Less than 25 cubic feet    than  57 cubic feet           cubic feet
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compliant Materials of Construction    Yes....................  Yes....................  Yes.
 \1\.
Smoke or Fire Detectors \2\..........  No.....................  Yes....................  Yes.
Liner \3\............................  No.....................  Conditional............  Yes.
Fire Location Detector \4\...........  No.....................  Yes....................  Yes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Compliant Materials of Construction: The material used in constructing each enclosed stowage compartment
  must at least be fire resistant and must meet the flammability standards established for interior components
  (i.e., 14 CFR part 25 Appendix F, Parts I, IV, and V) per the requirements of 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\ Smoke or Fire Detectors: Enclosed stowage compartments equal to or exceeding 25 ft.\3\ in interior volume
  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.
(b) An aural warning in the OFCR compartment.
(c) A warning in the main passenger cabin. This warning must be readily detectable by a flight attendant, taking
  into consideration the locations of flight attendants throughout the main passenger compartment during various
  phases of flight.
\3\ Liner: If material used in constructing the stowage compartment can be shown to meet the flammability
  requirements of a liner for a Class B cargo compartment (i.e., Sec.   25.855 at Amendment 25-116, and Appendix
  F, part I, paragraph (a)(2)(ii)), then 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\ in interior volume but less than or equal to 200 ft.\3\, a liner must be
  provided that meets the requirements of Sec.   25.855 for a Class B cargo compartment.
\4\ Fire Location Detector: If an OFCR compartment has enclosed stowage compartments exceeding 25 ft.\3\
  interior volume that are located separately from the other stowage compartments (located, for example, away
  from one central location, such as the entry to the OFCR compartment or a common area within the OFCR
  compartment, where the other stowage compartments are), that OFCR compartment would require additional fire-
  protection features and/or devices to assist the firefighter in determining the location of a fire.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 15, 2011.
K.C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-4228 Filed 2-24-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P