Special Conditions: Bombardier Inc., Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 Series Airplanes; Seats With Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panels, 76734-76736 [2013-30234]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
at a low state of charge. Replacement
batteries must be of the same
manufacturer and part number as
approved by the FAA. Precautions
should be included in the instructions
for continued airworthiness
maintenance instructions to prevent
mishandling of the rechargeable lithium
ion batteries and battery systems, which
could result in short-circuit or other
unintentional impact damage caused by
dropping or other destructive means.
Note 1: The term ‘‘sufficiently charged’’
means that the battery will retain enough of
a charge, expressed in ampere-hours, to
ensure that the battery cells will not be
damaged. A battery cell may be damaged by
lowering the charge below a point where
there is a reduction in the ability to charge
and retain a full charge. This reduction
would be greater than the reduction that may
result from normal operational degradation.
Note 2: These special conditions are not
intended to replace § 25.1353(b) at
Amendment 25–113 in the certification basis
of Boeing Model 777–200, –300, and –300ER
series airplanes. These special conditions
apply only to rechargeable lithium ion
batteries and battery systems and their
installations. The requirements of
§ 25.1353(b) at Amendment 25–113 remain in
effect for batteries and battery installations
on Boeing Model 777–200, –300, and –300ER
series airplanes that do not use rechargeable
lithium ion batteries.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on
December 10, 2013.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–30232 Filed 12–18–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA–2013–1051; Notice No. 25–
512–SC]
Special Conditions: Bombardier Inc.,
Models BD–500–1A10 and BD–500–
1A11 Series Airplanes; Seats With
Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic
Panels
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions; request
for comments.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
AGENCY:
These special conditions are
issued for the Bombardier Inc. Models
BD–500–1A10 and BD–500–1A11 series
airplanes. These airplanes will have a
novel or unusual design feature
associated with seats that include non-
SUMMARY:
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15:16 Dec 18, 2013
Jkt 232001
traditional, large, non-metallic panels
that would affect survivability during a
post-crash fire event. 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.
DATES: The effective date of these
special conditions is December 19,
2013. We must receive your comments
by February 3, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified
by docket number FAA–2013–1051
using any of the following methods:
• Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov/ and follow
the online instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
• Mail: Send comments to Docket
Operations, M–30, U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Room W12–140, West
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC
20590–0001.
• Hand Delivery or Courier: Take
comments to Docket Operations in
Room W12–140 of the West Building
Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except federal holidays.
• Fax: Fax comments to Docket
Operations at 202–493–2251.
Privacy: The FAA will post all
comments it receives, without change,
to https://www.regulations.gov/,
including any personal information the
commenter provides. Using the search
function of the docket Web site, anyone
can find and read the electronic form of
all comments received into any FAA
docket, including the name of the
individual sending the comment (or
signing the comment for an association,
business, labor union, etc.). DOT’s
complete Privacy Act Statement can be
found in the Federal Register published
on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–19478),
as well as at https://DocketsInfo.dot
.gov/.
Docket: Background documents or
comments received may be read at
https://www.regulations.gov/ at any time.
Follow the online instructions for
accessing the docket or go to the Docket
Operations in Room W12–140 of the
West Building Ground Floor at 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alan Sinclair, FAA, Airplane and Cabin
Safety Branch, ANM–115, Transport
Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
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Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue
SW., Renton, Washington, 98057–3356;
telephone 425–227–2195; facsimile
425–227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA
has determined that notice of, and
opportunity for prior public comment
on, these special conditions are
impracticable because these procedures
would significantly delay issuance of
the design approval and thus delivery of
the affected aircraft. In addition, the
substance of these special conditions
has been subject to the public comment
process in several prior instances with
no substantive comments received. The
FAA therefore finds that good cause
exists for making these special
conditions effective upon publication in
the Federal Register.
Comments Invited
We invite interested people to take
part in this rulemaking by sending
written comments, data, or views. The
most helpful comments reference a
specific portion of the special
conditions, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data.
We will consider all comments we
receive on or before the closing date for
comments. We may change these special
conditions based on the comments we
receive.
Background
On December 10, 2009, Bombardier
Inc. applied for a type certificate for
their new Models BD–500–1A10 and
BD–500–1A11 series airplanes (hereafter
collectively referred to as ‘‘C-series.’’
The C-series airplanes are swept-wing
monoplanes with a pressurized cabin.
They share an identical supplier base
and significant common design
elements. The fuselage is aluminum
alloy material, blended double-bubble
fuselage, sized for nominal 5-abreast
seating. Each airplane’s powerplant
consists of two under wing Pratt and
Whitney PW1524G ultra-high bypass,
geared turbofan engines. Flight controls
are fly-by-wire flight with two passive/
uncoupled side sticks. Avionics
includes five landscape primary cockpit
displays. The dimension of the
airplanes encompass a wingspan of 115
feet; a height of 37.75 feet; and a length
of 114.75 feet for the Model BD–500–
1A10 and a length of 127 feet for the
Model BD–500–1A11. Passenger
capacity is designated as 110 for the
Model BD–500–1A10 and 125 for the
Model BD–500–1A11. Maximum takeoff
weight is 131,000 pounds for the Model
BD–500–1A10 and 144,000 pounds for
the Model BD–500–1A11. Maximum
takeoff thrust is 21,000 pounds for the
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Model BD–500–1A10 and 23,300
pounds for the Model BD–500–1A11.
Range is 3,394 miles (5,463 kilometers)
for both models of airplanes. Maximum
operating altitude is 41,000 feet for both
model airplanes.
The interior arrangements of the Cseries airplanes will include passenger
and cabin crew seats in the passenger
cabin that incorporate non-traditional,
large, non-metallic panels in lieu of
traditional metal frame and foam/fabric
components.
The applicable airworthiness
regulations, Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 25, do not
require seats to meet the more stringent
flammability standards required of
large, non-metallic panels in the cabin
interior. At the time the applicable rules
were written, seats were designed with
a metal frame covered by fabric, not
with large, non-metallic panels. Seats
also met the then recently adopted
standards for flammability of seat
cushions. With the seat design being
mostly fabric and metal, the
contribution to a fire in the cabin had
been minimized and was not considered
a threat. For these reasons, seats did not
need to be tested to heat release and
smoke emission requirements.
Seat designs have now evolved to
occasionally include non-traditional,
large, non-metallic panels. Taken in
total, the surface area of these panels is
on the same order as the sidewall and
overhead stowage bin interior panels.
To provide the level of passenger
protection established by the
airworthiness standards, these nontraditional, large, non-metallic panels in
the cabin must meet the standards of 14
CFR, part 25, appendix F, parts IV and
V, heat release and smoke emission
requirements.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17,
Bombardier Inc. must show that the Cseries airplanes meet the applicable
provisions of 14 CFR part 25 as
amended by Amendments 25–1 through
25–129 thereto.
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 C-series airplanes because of a
novel or unusual design feature, special
conditions are prescribed under the
provisions of § 21.16.
Special conditions are initially
applicable to the model for which they
are issued. Should the type certificate
for that model be amended later to
include any other model that
incorporates the same or similar novel
or unusual design feature, the special
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conditions would also apply to the other
model under § 21.101.
In addition to the applicable
airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the C-series airplanes must
comply with the fuel vent and exhaust
emission requirements of 14 CFR part
34 and the noise certification
requirements of 14 CFR part 36, and the
FAA must issue a finding of regulatory
adequacy under § 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 § 11.38, and they become part of
the type-certification basis under
§ 21.17(a)(2).
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The C-series airplanes will
incorporate the following novel or
unusual design features:
These models offer interior
arrangements that include passenger
seats that incorporate non-traditional,
large, non-metallic panels in lieu of the
traditional metal frame covered by
fabric. The flammability properties of
these panels have been shown to
significantly affect the survivability of
the cabin in the case of fire. These seats
are considered a novel design for
transport category airplanes that include
Amendment 25–61 and Amendment
25–66 in the certification basis, and
were not considered when those
airworthiness standards were
established.
The existing regulations do not
provide adequate or appropriate safety
standards for seat designs that
incorporate non-traditional, large, nonmetallic panels in their designs. In order
to provide a level of safety that is
equivalent to that afforded to the
balance of the cabin, additional
airworthiness standards, in the form of
special conditions, are necessary. These
special conditions supplement § 25.853.
The requirements contained in these
special conditions consist of applying
the identical test conditions required of
all other large panels in the cabin to
seats with non-traditional, large, nonmetallic panels.
Definition of ‘‘Non-Traditional, Large,
Non-Metallic Panel’’
A non-traditional large panel, in this
case, is defined as a panel with exposedsurface areas greater than 1.5 ft2
installed per seat place. The panel may
consist of either a single component or
multiple components in a concentrated
area. Examples of parts of the seat where
these non-traditional panels are
installed include, but are not limited to,
seat backs, bottoms and leg/foot rests,
kick panels, back shells, credenzas and
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76735
associated furniture. Examples of
traditional, exempted parts of the seat
include: Arm caps, armrest close-outs
such as end bays and center consoles,
food trays, video monitors and shrouds.
Clarification of ‘‘Exposed’’
Exposed is considered to include
those panels directly exposed to the
passenger cabin in the traditional sense,
plus those panels enveloped such as by
a dress cover. Traditional fabrics or
leathers currently used on seats are
excluded from the special conditions.
These materials must still comply with
§ 25.853(a) and (c) if used as a covering
for a seat cushion or § 25.853(a) if
installed elsewhere on the seat. Large
non-metallic panels covered with
traditional fabrics or leathers will be
tested without their coverings.
Discussion
In the early 1980s, the FAA
conducted extensive research on the
effects of post-crash flammability in the
passenger cabin. As a result of this
research and service experience, the
FAA adopted new standards for interior
surfaces associated with large surface
area parts. Specifically, the rules require
measurement of heat release and smoke
emission (part 25, appendix F, parts IV
and V) for the affected parts. Heat
release has been shown to have a direct
correlation with post-crash fire survival
time. Materials that comply with the
standards (i.e., § 25.853 Compartment
interiors, as amended by Amendment
25–61 and Amendment 25–66) extend
survival time by approximately two
minutes over materials that do not
comply.
At the time these standards were
written, the potential application of the
requirements of heat release and smoke
emission to seats was explored. The seat
frame itself was not a concern because
it was primarily made of aluminum, and
there were only small amounts of nonmetallic materials. It was determined
that the overall effect on survivability
was negligible, whether or not the food
trays met the heat release and smoke
requirements. The requirements
therefore did not address seats. The
preambles to both the Notice of
Proposed Rule Making, Notice No. 85–
10 (50 FR 15038, April 16, 1985) and the
Final Rule at Amendment 25–61 (51 FR
26206, July 21, 1986), specifically note
that seats were excluded ‘‘because the
recently-adopted standards for
flammability of seat cushions will
greatly inhibit involvement of the
seats.’’
Subsequently, the Final Rule at
Amendment 25–83 (60 FR 6615, March
6, 1995) clarified the definition of
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
minimum panel size: ‘‘It is not possible
to cite a specific size that will apply in
all installations; however, as a general
rule, components with exposed-surface
areas of 1 ft2 or less may be considered
small enough that they do not have to
meet the new standards. Components
with exposed surface areas greater than
2 ft2 may be considered large enough
that they do have to meet the new
standards. Those with exposed-surface
areas greater than 1 ft2, but less than 2
ft2, must be considered in conjunction
with the areas of the cabin in which
they are installed before a determination
could be made.’’
In the late 1990s, the FAA issued
Policy Memorandum 97–112–39,
Guidance for Flammability Testing of
Seat/Console Installations, October 17,
1997. That memo was issued when it
became clear that seat designs were
evolving to include large, non-metallic
panels with surface areas that would
impact survivability during a cabin fire
event, comparable to partitions or
galleys. The memo noted that large
surface area panels must comply with
heat release and smoke emission
requirements, even if they were attached
to a seat.
If the FAA had not issued such
policy, seat designs could have been
viewed as a loophole to the
airworthiness standards that would
result in an unacceptable decrease in
survivability during a cabin fire event.
In October 2004, an issue was raised
regarding the appropriate flammability
standards for passenger seats that
incorporated non-traditional, large, nonmetallic panels in lieu of the traditional
metal covered by fabric. The Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office and
Transport Standards Staff reviewed this
design and determined that it
represented the kind and quantity of
material that should be required to pass
the heat release and smoke emissions
requirements. We have determined that
special conditions would be
promulgated to apply the standards
defined in § 25.853(d) to seats with
large, non-metallic panels in their
design.
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Applicability
As discussed above, these special
conditions are applicable to the
Bombardier Models BD–500–1A10 and
BD–500–1A11 series airplanes. Should
Bombardier Inc. apply at a later date for
a change to the type certificate to
include another model incorporating the
same novel or unusual design feature,
the special conditions would apply to
that model as well.
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Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel
or unusual design features on two
model series of airplanes. It is not a rule
of general applicability.
The substance of these special
conditions has been subjected to the
notice and comment period in several
prior instances and has been derived
without substantive change from those
previously issued. It is unlikely that
prior public comment would result in a
significant change from the substance
contained herein. Therefore, because a
delay would significantly affect the
certification of the airplane, the FAA
has determined that prior public notice
and comment are unnecessary and
impracticable, and good cause exists for
adopting these special conditions upon
publication in the Federal Register. The
FAA is requesting comments to allow
interested persons to submit views that
may not have been submitted in
response to the prior opportunities for
comment described above.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
otherwise required to meet these
requirements. Examples include:
a. Airplanes with passenger capacities
of 19 or less;
b. Airplanes that do not have smoke
and heat release in their certification
basis and do not need to comply with
the requirements of 14 CFR 121.312;
and
c. Airplanes exempted from smoke
and heat release requirements.
4. Only airplanes associated with new
seat certification programs approved
after the effective date of these special
conditions will be affected by the
requirements in these special
conditions. Previously certificated
interiors on the existing airplane fleet
and follow-on deliveries of airplanes
with previously certificated interiors are
not affected.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on
December 11, 2013.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–30234 Filed 12–18–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
The authority citation for these
special conditions is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,
44702, 44704.
14 CFR Part 25
The Special Conditions
Accordingly, pursuant to the
authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the following special
conditions are issued as part of the type
certification basis for the Bombardier
Inc. Models BD–500–1A10 and BD–
500–1A11 series airplanes.
Seats With Non-Traditional, Large,
Non-Metallic Panels
1. Compliance with Title 14 CFR part
25, appendix F, parts IV and V, heat
release and smoke emission, is required
for seats that incorporate nontraditional, large non-metallic panels
that may either be a single component
or multiple components in a
concentrated area in their design.
2. The applicant may designate up to
and including 1.5 ft2 of non-traditional,
non-metallic panel material per seat
place that does not have to comply with
No. 1. A triple seat assembly may have
a total of 4.5 ft2 excluded on any portion
of the assembly (e.g., outboard seat
place 1 ft2, middle 1 ft2, and inboard 2.5
ft2).
3. Seats need not meet the test
requirements of 14 CFR part 25,
appendix F, parts IV and V when
installed in compartments that are not
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Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA–2013–1054; Notice No. 25–
513–SC]
Special Conditions: Bombardier Inc.,
Models BD–500–1A10 and BD–500–
1A11 Series Airplanes; Side Stick
Controllers: Pilot Strength, Pilot
Control Authority, and Pilot Control
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions; request
for comments.
AGENCY:
These special conditions are
issued for the Bombardier Inc. Models
BD–500–1A10 and BD–500–1A11 series
airplanes. These airplanes will have a
novel or unusual design feature
associated with side stick controllers for
pitch and roll control instead of
conventional wheels and columns. 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.
DATES: The effective date of these
special conditions is December 19,
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76734-76736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30234]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 25
[Docket No. FAA-2013-1051; Notice No. 25-512-SC]
Special Conditions: Bombardier Inc., Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-
500-1A11 Series Airplanes; Seats With Non-Traditional, Large, Non-
Metallic Panels
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Inc.
Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 series airplanes. These airplanes
will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with seats that
include non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels that would affect
survivability during a post-crash fire event. 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.
DATES: The effective date of these special conditions is December 19,
2013. We must receive your comments by February 3, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2013-1051
using any of the following methods:
Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ and follow the online instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30, U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without
change, to https://www.regulations.gov/, including any personal
information the commenter provides. Using the search function of the
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the electronic form of all
comments received into any FAA docket, including the name of the
individual sending the comment (or signing the comment for an
association, business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act
Statement can be found in the Federal Register published on April 11,
2000 (65 FR 19477-19478), as well as at https://DocketsInfo.dot.gov/.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
https://www.regulations.gov/ at any time. Follow the online instructions
for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140
of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Sinclair, FAA, Airplane and Cabin
Safety Branch, ANM-115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-2195; facsimile 425-227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has determined that notice of, and
opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions are
impracticable because these procedures would significantly delay
issuance of the design approval and thus delivery of the affected
aircraft. In addition, the substance of these special conditions has
been subject to the public comment process in several prior instances
with no substantive comments received. The FAA therefore finds that
good cause exists for making these special conditions effective upon
publication in the Federal Register.
Comments Invited
We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by
sending written comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the special conditions, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data.
We will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing
date for comments. We may change these special conditions based on the
comments we receive.
Background
On December 10, 2009, Bombardier Inc. applied for a type
certificate for their new Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 series
airplanes (hereafter collectively referred to as ``C-series.'' The C-
series airplanes are swept-wing monoplanes with a pressurized cabin.
They share an identical supplier base and significant common design
elements. The fuselage is aluminum alloy material, blended double-
bubble fuselage, sized for nominal 5-abreast seating. Each airplane's
powerplant consists of two under wing Pratt and Whitney PW1524G ultra-
high bypass, geared turbofan engines. Flight controls are fly-by-wire
flight with two passive/uncoupled side sticks. Avionics includes five
landscape primary cockpit displays. The dimension of the airplanes
encompass a wingspan of 115 feet; a height of 37.75 feet; and a length
of 114.75 feet for the Model BD-500-1A10 and a length of 127 feet for
the Model BD-500-1A11. Passenger capacity is designated as 110 for the
Model BD-500-1A10 and 125 for the Model BD-500-1A11. Maximum takeoff
weight is 131,000 pounds for the Model BD-500-1A10 and 144,000 pounds
for the Model BD-500-1A11. Maximum takeoff thrust is 21,000 pounds for
the
[[Page 76735]]
Model BD-500-1A10 and 23,300 pounds for the Model BD-500-1A11. Range is
3,394 miles (5,463 kilometers) for both models of airplanes. Maximum
operating altitude is 41,000 feet for both model airplanes.
The interior arrangements of the C-series airplanes will include
passenger and cabin crew seats in the passenger cabin that incorporate
non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels in lieu of traditional
metal frame and foam/fabric components.
The applicable airworthiness regulations, Title 14, Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 25, do not require seats to meet the more
stringent flammability standards required of large, non-metallic panels
in the cabin interior. At the time the applicable rules were written,
seats were designed with a metal frame covered by fabric, not with
large, non-metallic panels. Seats also met the then recently adopted
standards for flammability of seat cushions. With the seat design being
mostly fabric and metal, the contribution to a fire in the cabin had
been minimized and was not considered a threat. For these reasons,
seats did not need to be tested to heat release and smoke emission
requirements.
Seat designs have now evolved to occasionally include non-
traditional, large, non-metallic panels. Taken in total, the surface
area of these panels is on the same order as the sidewall and overhead
stowage bin interior panels. To provide the level of passenger
protection established by the airworthiness standards, these non-
traditional, large, non-metallic panels in the cabin must meet the
standards of 14 CFR, part 25, appendix F, parts IV and V, heat release
and smoke emission requirements.
Type Certification Basis
Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.17, Bombardier Inc. must show
that the C-series airplanes meet the applicable provisions of 14 CFR
part 25 as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-129 thereto.
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 C-series airplanes because of a
novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed
under the provisions of Sec. 21.16.
Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which
they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model be amended
later to include any other model that incorporates the same or similar
novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would also
apply to the other model under Sec. 21.101.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the C-series airplanes must comply with the fuel vent and
exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the noise
certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36, and the FAA must issue a
finding of regulatory adequacy under Sec. 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).
Novel or Unusual Design Features
The C-series airplanes will incorporate the following novel or
unusual design features:
These models offer interior arrangements that include passenger
seats that incorporate non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels in
lieu of the traditional metal frame covered by fabric. The flammability
properties of these panels have been shown to significantly affect the
survivability of the cabin in the case of fire. These seats are
considered a novel design for transport category airplanes that include
Amendment 25-61 and Amendment 25-66 in the certification basis, and
were not considered when those airworthiness standards were
established.
The existing regulations do not provide adequate or appropriate
safety standards for seat designs that incorporate non-traditional,
large, non-metallic panels in their designs. In order to provide a
level of safety that is equivalent to that afforded to the balance of
the cabin, additional airworthiness standards, in the form of special
conditions, are necessary. These special conditions supplement Sec.
25.853. The requirements contained in these special conditions consist
of applying the identical test conditions required of all other large
panels in the cabin to seats with non-traditional, large, non-metallic
panels.
Definition of ``Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panel''
A non-traditional large panel, in this case, is defined as a panel
with exposed-surface areas greater than 1.5 ft\2\ installed per seat
place. The panel may consist of either a single component or multiple
components in a concentrated area. Examples of parts of the seat where
these non-traditional panels are installed include, but are not limited
to, seat backs, bottoms and leg/foot rests, kick panels, back shells,
credenzas and associated furniture. Examples of traditional, exempted
parts of the seat include: Arm caps, armrest close-outs such as end
bays and center consoles, food trays, video monitors and shrouds.
Clarification of ``Exposed''
Exposed is considered to include those panels directly exposed to
the passenger cabin in the traditional sense, plus those panels
enveloped such as by a dress cover. Traditional fabrics or leathers
currently used on seats are excluded from the special conditions. These
materials must still comply with Sec. 25.853(a) and (c) if used as a
covering for a seat cushion or Sec. 25.853(a) if installed elsewhere
on the seat. Large non-metallic panels covered with traditional fabrics
or leathers will be tested without their coverings.
Discussion
In the early 1980s, the FAA conducted extensive research on the
effects of post-crash flammability in the passenger cabin. As a result
of this research and service experience, the FAA adopted new standards
for interior surfaces associated with large surface area parts.
Specifically, the rules require measurement of heat release and smoke
emission (part 25, appendix F, parts IV and V) for the affected parts.
Heat release has been shown to have a direct correlation with post-
crash fire survival time. Materials that comply with the standards
(i.e., Sec. 25.853 Compartment interiors, as amended by Amendment 25-
61 and Amendment 25-66) extend survival time by approximately two
minutes over materials that do not comply.
At the time these standards were written, the potential application
of the requirements of heat release and smoke emission to seats was
explored. The seat frame itself was not a concern because it was
primarily made of aluminum, and there were only small amounts of non-
metallic materials. It was determined that the overall effect on
survivability was negligible, whether or not the food trays met the
heat release and smoke requirements. The requirements therefore did not
address seats. The preambles to both the Notice of Proposed Rule
Making, Notice No. 85-10 (50 FR 15038, April 16, 1985) and the Final
Rule at Amendment 25-61 (51 FR 26206, July 21, 1986), specifically note
that seats were excluded ``because the recently-adopted standards for
flammability of seat cushions will greatly inhibit involvement of the
seats.''
Subsequently, the Final Rule at Amendment 25-83 (60 FR 6615, March
6, 1995) clarified the definition of
[[Page 76736]]
minimum panel size: ``It is not possible to cite a specific size that
will apply in all installations; however, as a general rule, components
with exposed-surface areas of 1 ft\2\ or less may be considered small
enough that they do not have to meet the new standards. Components with
exposed surface areas greater than 2 ft\2\ may be considered large
enough that they do have to meet the new standards. Those with exposed-
surface areas greater than 1 ft\2\, but less than 2 ft\2\, must be
considered in conjunction with the areas of the cabin in which they are
installed before a determination could be made.''
In the late 1990s, the FAA issued Policy Memorandum 97-112-39,
Guidance for Flammability Testing of Seat/Console Installations,
October 17, 1997. That memo was issued when it became clear that seat
designs were evolving to include large, non-metallic panels with
surface areas that would impact survivability during a cabin fire
event, comparable to partitions or galleys. The memo noted that large
surface area panels must comply with heat release and smoke emission
requirements, even if they were attached to a seat.
If the FAA had not issued such policy, seat designs could have been
viewed as a loophole to the airworthiness standards that would result
in an unacceptable decrease in survivability during a cabin fire event.
In October 2004, an issue was raised regarding the appropriate
flammability standards for passenger seats that incorporated non-
traditional, large, non-metallic panels in lieu of the traditional
metal covered by fabric. The Seattle Aircraft Certification Office and
Transport Standards Staff reviewed this design and determined that it
represented the kind and quantity of material that should be required
to pass the heat release and smoke emissions requirements. We have
determined that special conditions would be promulgated to apply the
standards defined in Sec. 25.853(d) to seats with large, non-metallic
panels in their design.
Applicability
As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the
Bombardier Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 series airplanes. Should
Bombardier Inc. apply at a later date for a change to the type
certificate to include another model incorporating the same novel or
unusual design feature, the special conditions would apply to that
model as well.
Conclusion
This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features
on two model series of airplanes. It is not a rule of general
applicability.
The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the
notice and comment period in several prior instances and has been
derived without substantive change from those previously issued. It is
unlikely that prior public comment would result in a significant change
from the substance contained herein. Therefore, because a delay would
significantly affect the certification of the airplane, the FAA has
determined that prior public notice and comment are unnecessary and
impracticable, and good cause exists for adopting these special
conditions upon publication in the Federal Register. The FAA is
requesting comments to allow interested persons to submit views that
may not have been submitted in response to the prior opportunities for
comment described above.
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, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of
the type certification basis for the Bombardier Inc. Models BD-500-1A10
and BD-500-1A11 series airplanes.
Seats With Non-Traditional, Large, Non-Metallic Panels
1. Compliance with Title 14 CFR part 25, appendix F, parts IV and
V, heat release and smoke emission, is required for seats that
incorporate non-traditional, large non-metallic panels that may either
be a single component or multiple components in a concentrated area in
their design.
2. The applicant may designate up to and including 1.5 ft\2\ of
non-traditional, non-metallic panel material per seat place that does
not have to comply with No. 1. A triple seat assembly may have a total
of 4.5 ft\2\ excluded on any portion of the assembly (e.g., outboard
seat place 1 ft\2\, middle 1 ft\2\, and inboard 2.5 ft\2\).
3. Seats need not meet the test requirements of 14 CFR part 25,
appendix F, parts IV and V when installed in compartments that are not
otherwise required to meet these requirements. Examples include:
a. Airplanes with passenger capacities of 19 or less;
b. Airplanes that do not have smoke and heat release in their
certification basis and do not need to comply with the requirements of
14 CFR 121.312; and
c. Airplanes exempted from smoke and heat release requirements.
4. Only airplanes associated with new seat certification programs
approved after the effective date of these special conditions will be
affected by the requirements in these special conditions. Previously
certificated interiors on the existing airplane fleet and follow-on
deliveries of airplanes with previously certificated interiors are not
affected.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 11, 2013.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-30234 Filed 12-18-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
