[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 5665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2961]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration


Proposed Advisory Circular 25.812-XX, Photoluminescent Floor 
Proximity Emergency Escape Path Marking Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 
25.812-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 
material for use in demonstrating compliance with the provisions of 
part 25 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) regarding floor 
proximity emergency escape path marking (FPEEPM) systems using 
photoluminescent elements. 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 March 10, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on proposed AC to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Attention: Frank Tiangsing, Regulations 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:
Katherine Burks, Transport Standards Staff, at the address above, 
telephone (206) 227-2114.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    A copy of the draft AC may be obtained by contacting the person 
named above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 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 25.812-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.

Discussion

    Manufacturers of photoluminescent materials have begun marketing 
FPEEPM systems utilizing such material. These systems do not require 
electrical power, which has been an integral part of all previous 
FPEEPM systems. Instead, the elements of these new systems are 
``Charged'' by incident light provided by the normal airplane passenger 
cabin lighting, including sunlight which enters the cabin when the 
cabin window shades are open during daylight hours. When the cabin 
darkens, the elements ``discharge the stored energy in the form of a 
luminescent glow.''
    Since these systems employ a different technology from those 
currently installed in airplanes, guidance in the form of an advisory 
circular is deemed necessary to ensure appropriate procedures are 
followed in the evaluations of these systems.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 30, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service, ANM-100.
[FR Doc. 97-2961 Filed 2-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M