[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 14 (Friday, January 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 3519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1481]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Proposed Advisory Circular 20-XX, Recommended Method for FAA 
Approval of Aircraft Fire Extinguishing System Components

AGENCY:  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:  Notice of Availability of Proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 20-
XX, and request for comments.

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SUMMARY:  This notice announces the availability of and requests 
comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) which provides guidance 
on the various aspects that should be considered in the FAA approval 
process of fire extinguishing system components manufactured under a 
Production Certificate (PC), components to be FAA approved under the 
Part Manufacturer Approval (PMA) process, or design changes to 
components originally approved by either method. This notice is 
necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present 
their views on the proposed AC.

DATES:  Comments must be received on or before April 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Send all comments on proposed AC 20-XX to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Attention: Jan Thor, Program Management Branch, ANM-
114, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected 
at the above address between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. weekdays, except 
Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jan Thor, Transport Standards Staff, 
at the address above, telephone (425) 227-2127.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed AC by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Commenters should identify AC 20-XX and submit comments, in duplicate, 
to the address specified above. All communications received on or 
before the closing date for comments will be considered by the 
Transport Standards Staff before issuing the final AC. The proposed AC 
can be found and downloaded from the Internet at http://www.faa.gov/avr/air/airhome.htm, at the link titled ``Draft AC's.'' A paper copy of 
the proposed AC may be obtained by contacting the person named above 
under the caption ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:''.

Discussion

    A fire extinguishing system is comprised of many components which 
are critical for the proper operation of a system as installed in an 
aircraft. Section 25.901(b)(2) requires that components of the 
installation must be constructed, arranged, and installed so as to 
ensure their continued safe operation between normal inspections and 
overhauls. The applicant should evaluate the fire extinguishing system 
and establish minimum reliability standards for the components of the 
system so that the overall system can meet this requirement. The 
components should be designed and qualified to meet specific operating 
performance, service life and reliability requirements of the fire 
suppression system design established at the time of type design 
approval. It is recommended that Production Approval Holders (PAH) and 
Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) applicants demonstrate that their 
candidate components meet or exceed these criteria. The proposed AC 
describes the critical parameters involved with the design, production 
and testing of the following components: Explosive firing cartridge, 
precision burst disc, fill fitting, pressure indicator and discharge 
head. The proposed AC does not address the complete aircraft system 
installation. There may be airframe installation requirements and 
boundary conditions that should be met prior to installation approval.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 11, 2000.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service, ANM-100.
[FR Doc. 00-1481 Filed 1-20-00; 8:45 am]
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