[Federal Register: October 13, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 196)]
[Notices]
[Page 52526]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13oc09-110]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Hand Fire Extinguishers for Use in Aircraft, AC 20-42D Revision
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and request for
public comments on the proposed revision of current Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular (AC) 20-42C, Hand Fire
Extinguishers for use in Aircraft. The proposed revision ``D'' to the
AC provides updated guidance for the fire-fighting effectiveness,
selection, location, mounting and safe-use of hand fire extinguishers
in aircraft. It also identifies three FAA approved replacement agents
for Halon 1211.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 27, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed revision to FAA AC 20-42D
to: Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service,
Aircraft Engineering Division, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, 5th Floor, SW.,
Washington, DC 20024. attn: John Petrakis, AIR-120. You may deliver
comments to: Federal Aviation Administration, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, 5th
Floor, SW., Washington, DC 20024, or electronically submit comments to
the following Internet address: 9-AWA-AVS-AIR120-TechPrograms@faa.gov.
Include in the subject line of your message the title of the document,
Comments FAA AC 20-42D, Hand Fire Extinguishers for use in Aircraft.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Petrakis, Senior Aerospace
Engineer, Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification
Service, Aircraft Engineering Division, Technical Programs and
Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, 5th Floor,
SW., Washington, DC 20024. Telephone (202) 385-6341, FAX (202) 385-
6475, or e-mail at: john.petrakis@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
You are invited to comment on the draft order listed in this notice
by sending such written data, views, or arguments to the above listed
address. Please identify ``FAA AC 20-42D, Hand Fire Extinguishers for
use in Aircraft'' as the subject of your comments. You may also examine
comments received on the proposals before and after the comment closing
date at FAA offices, 950 L'Enfant Plaza, 5th Floor, SW., Washington, DC
20024, weekdays except Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30
p.m. The Director of the Aircraft Certification Service will consider
all communications received on or before the closing date before
implementing the revision.
Background
The FAA developed this proposed revision to AC 20-42C with direct
industry assistance through the International Aircraft Systems Fire
Protection Working Group (IASFPWG). The proposed revision will provide
users with updated guidance on available extinguishing agents.
Specifically, the revised AC will provide guidance on the effectiveness
and safe-use of Halon 1211 and three FAA approved replacement agents.
It: (1) Establishes an FAA approved minimum performance standard
(MPS) for halon replacement agents developed by the FAA Technical
Center which requires a hidden fire test and a seat fire/toxicity test;
(2) Recommends that users of halon extinguishers transition to using
the new halocarbon clean replacement agents in fire extinguishers kept
onboard airplanes and rotorcraft; and (3) Provides guidance on how to
gain certification for halocarbon clean agent extinguishers intended to
replace Halon 1211 hand-held extinguishers.
How To Obtain Copies
You can get an electronic copy via the Internet at http://
www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/, and then select Advisory Circulars,
or by contacting the person named in the paragraph FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
Issued in Washington, DC on October 1, 2009.
Susan J.M. Cabler,
Assistant Manager Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-24517 Filed 10-9-09; 8:45 am]
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