30 September 2006 AN-83 P.1 CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT ...

CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENTHONG KONG, CHINAAirworthiness Notice1 ApplicabilityTHIS NOTICE GIVES DETAILS OF A MANDATORY ACTIONFIRE PRECAUTIONS – AIRCRAFT TOILETSNo. 83Issue 730 September 2006This Notice is applicable to Hong Kong registered aircraft over 5700 kg MTWAcertificated in the Transport Category (Passenger).2 Introduction2.1 In view of the history of in-flight fires which have occurred in the toiletcompartments of large transport category aeroplanes, a survey has beenconducted to re-appraise the fire precautions on the various types of aircraftused by Hong Kong operators.2.2 The results of this survey have shown that in some instances the design ofreceptacles (e.g. towel dispensers, waste containers), provided within toiletareas for the carriage of flammable materials and in particular flammablewaste, does not comply with the current interpretation of publishedairworthiness requirements. In other instances, the receptacles are notsufficiently robust to withstand the effects of wear and deterioration in service.The survey also showed that, regardless of notices prohibiting smoking intoilets, smoking does occur, and that, even when ashtrays are provided, theyare often not used, and cigarette ends are deposited in other receptacles.2.3 The purpose of this Notice is to publish requirements aimed at reducing theprobability of persons smoking in toilet compartments and at minimising thepotential fire hazard caused by persistent smokers.3 Background3.1 When this Notice was first issued on 1 June 1987, the Director-Generalrequired that an inspection be completed on toilet receptacles within onecalendar month from the date of issue with repeat inspections at 1000 hourlyintervals, however, as a result of a further survey it was concluded that someaircraft toilets had been allowed to deteriorate and were therefore out ofcompliance.AN-83 P.130 September 2006

4 Requirements4.1 InspectionAt intervals not exceeding 72 hours elapsed time, or at such other intervals asmay be agreed with the Director-General on the basis of available data, thefollowing inspection shall be performed:(a)(b)All receptacles, provided within toilet areas, shall be inspected toascertain that all entry flaps or doors still operate, fit, seal and latchcorrectly, ashtrays are fitted, notices installed and receptacle stowagecompartment is clean with all debris removed.Any defects revealed by the inspection of (a) are corrected.The inspection shall be included in the Maintenance Schedules using thenormal procedure.4.2 Prohibition of Smoking in Toilet Compartments4.2.1 Smoking shall not be permitted in toilet compartments.4.2.2 'No Smoking' bilingual placards and ashtrays are required both insideand outside these compartments.4.2.2.1 Except as provided for in paragraph 4.2.2.2, the Englishwordings of the 'No Smoking' placards shall read:"It is an offence under Hong Kong law to smoke in the toilet ofthe aircraft. It is also an offence to smoke in any other area ofthe aircraft when the 'No Smoking' signs are illuminated.Offenders will be liable to a fine not exceeding HK$5,000."and the Chinese wordings of the placards shall read:"着 "4.2.2.2 With effect from 1 January 2007, the English wordings of the'No Smoking' placards shall read:"It is an offence under Hong Kong law to smoke in the toilet of30 September 2006 AN-83 P.2

the aircraft. It is also an offence to smoke in any other area ofthe aircraft when the 'No Smoking' signs are illuminated.Offenders are liable on conviction, to a fine not exceedingHK$50,000 and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2years."and the Chinese wordings of the placards shall read:"着 50,000 2 "The 'No Smoking' placards prescribed in this paragraph may beused in lieu of the 'No Smoking' placards prescribed inparagraph 4.2.2.1 prior to the effective date.4.2.3 The 'No Smoking' bilingual placards shall be displayed so as to beprominent to, and the ashtrays shall be obviously and convenientlyplaced for, those about to enter and those within these compartments.4.3 Re-AssessmentExcept where agreement has been obtained from the Director-General thatcompliance would not be justified in the circumstances of a particular case, thedesign of all receptacles provided in the toilet compartments of aircraft over5700 kg MTWA, certificated in the Transport Category (Passenger), shall bereassessed against paragraph 5 of this Notice at Issue 7, and proposals shall bemade, by the operators of such aircraft to the Director-General for theincorporation of modifications necessary to show compliance, including a date(to be agreed by the Director-General). The operator should consult theaircraft manufacturer regarding such modifications. The re-assessment shallbe completed by 1 January 2007.5 Interpretation of Requirements5.1 EASA CS 25.853(h) states that:'Each receptacle used for the disposal of flammable waste material must befully enclosed, constructed of at least fire resistant materials, and must containfires likely to occur in it under normal use. The ability of the receptacle tocontain those fires under all probable conditions of wear, misalignment, andventilation expected in service must be demonstrated by test.'AN-83 P.330 September 2006

Similar wording is provided in BCAR Section D, Chapter D4-3 Paragraph6.4.1, JAR 25.853(h) and FAR 25.853(h) at Amendment 25-83.5.2 For compliance to be shown, such receptacles (but see paragraph 5.4 for toweldispensers) shall be constructed of materials which are fire resistant * , andwhich in addition, will retain sufficient mechanical properties as to containsuch a fire as may develop by burning of materials such as paper towels, asmay be within the receptacle. (It should be noted that although athermoplastic material may be 'fire resistant' it would not necessarily retainadequate mechanical properties in the case of a fire.) The receptacle shall becompletely enclosed with the exception of a self-closing entry flap or door,which itself shall be rigid, and when closed, form as airtight a seal as ispracticable. Entry flaps or doors shall be designed so that they remainself-closing even after exposure to a fire within the receptacle.5.3 It is, however, permissible for receptacles to be open topped provided thatthey are mounted in a cabinet which itself complies with paragraph 5.2. Inthis instance, the door of the cabinet shall be of a robust construction and suchas to ensure an adequate seal and to withstand misuse in service. Suchcabinets shall not contain other flammable materials, potential fire sources (e.g.electrical apparatus) or apertures which would either allow air to feed a fire orpermit a fire to spread beyond the cabinet (e.g. through apertures provided forservices).5.4 It is accepted that some receptacles, e.g. paper towel dispensers, cannotreadily be designed to meet the above requirements. In such instances, theyshall be so designed and positioned within the compartment to ensure that:(a)(b)the likelihood of the depositing of cigarette ends, etc., into them isminimised; anda fire, which could be expected to start in another container, cannotreadily spread to them; for example, a paper towel dispenser must notbe positioned adjacent to, or immediately above, either the entry flapor door of a waste container or an ashtray provided in thecompartment.*Fire resistant is defined in EASA CS-Definitions.30 September 2006 AN-83 P.4

6 CancellationThis Notice cancels Airworthiness Notice No. 83 Issue 6, dated 30 September 2002,which should be destroyed.Norman LODirector-General of Civil AviationAN-83 P.530 September 2006

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