Date: 201601
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Pax Seat
Component problem: Improperly Operated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Manuals
Primary problem: Manuals

Narrative: During the Preflight inspection of our aircraft (CRJ200) I found the last rows (13AB and 12CD) broken; as I thought. As I found them; both rows were leaning forward. In 13AB the seat backs down and touching the seat cushions while in 12CD the seat backs were at a 30 to 40 degree forward angle. Maintenance (MX) was called and after arriving they reported that the seats operated as they should be. In other words; the seat backs being folded onto the seat cushions was normal and okay. I objected; saying that that was absolutely incorrect. I then explained how these seat backs; being (down and floppy as they were) would easily impede or prohibit passengers in the window seats from exiting the aircraft in an emergency or even normal operations. We do not allow bags to be strapped into the aisle as to prohibit/impede the egress of passengers so why should a seat back be any different? MX responded that the seats are meant to fold down to allow access to the emergency equipment. I had never heard this; never seen this; so I consulted my operations manual (IOM) and found no such information. Furthermore; I searched the IOM for anything involving seat backs which; of course; the only thing that was relevant was the preflight inspection of the rows immediately in front of and behind the exit row. There was nothing to indicate that I was supposed to move these seat backs in order to access emergency equipment (the water fire extinguisher and PBE). I called my Chief Flight Attendant; for clarification and guidance. Her instruction was to go with whatever Maintenance and the Pilot in Command (PIC) said. I received no clarification as to why these seat backs can flop around and that is somehow okay. This is profoundly questionable when other scenarios are in place; for example car seats and CARES restraints may not operate as they are designed in a row that is supposedly designed as such. Passenger egress is another area of concern in the form passengers with special needs (blind; deaf; infant; unaccompanied minor and paralyzed briefings for those rows). My access to emergency equipment has never included the operation of a seat back prior to accessing equipment. This is highly suspicious and I am also concerned I may have violated 14 CFR 121.311 e. While the seat backs were moved to the upright position for passenger boarding they were not locked or secured as to what I imagine they should be. In light of my uncertainty and having received no clarification on the matter I have decided it best to submit this ASAP.Seat backs in rows 12 and 13 not secured to the upright position. No procedures; information; or education regarding these seat backs and how they are supposedly meant to allow access to emergency equipment.Clarification in our manuals as to the design and operation of the seat backs in rows 12 and 13 on their CRJ200. Procedures for individual briefings and review of devices (i.e. CARES) which may not be designed to be accommodated in these rows. Clarification of the intended means of accessing the emergency equipment underneath rows 12 and 13 (water fire extinguisher and PBE).




Synopsis: CRJ-200 Flight Attendant reported that the seat backs in rows 12 and 13 were not secured in the upright position. There are no procedures; information; or education regarding these seat backs and how they are supposedly meant to allow access to emergency equipment.