[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 30, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6198-6200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01939]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0699; Special Conditions No. 25-474-SC]


Special Conditions: Airbus, Model A318-112 Airplane (S/N 3238); 
Certification of Cooktops

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A318-
112 airplane, serial number (S/N) 3238. This airplane, as modified by 
Fokker Services B.V., will have a novel or unusual design feature 
associated with a cooktop installation. The applicable airworthiness 
regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for 
this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional 
safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to 
establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the 
existing airworthiness standards.

DATES: Effective Date: January 24, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Jacquet, FAA, Airframe and Cabin 
Safety Branch, ANM-115, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-2676; facsimile 425-227-1100; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On January 12, 2010, Fokker Services B.V. applied for a 
supplemental type certificate for an interior conversion on an Airbus 
Model A318-112 airplane, S/N 3238. The Airbus Model A318-112 airplane 
is a large, transport-category airplane powered by two CFM56-5B9/P 
engines, with a basic maximum takeoff weight of 130,071 pounds.
    At the time of the notice of proposed special conditions No. 25-12-
02-SC, Fokker Services B.V. requested certification to convert an 
Airbus Model A318-112 (S/N 3238) to a corporate jet, operating for both 
common carriage and private use. As of this publication, Fokker 
Services B.V. requested certification for common carriage only. The 
aircraft will now be certified for a maximum of 8 crew and 19 
passengers and limited to common carriage only. The aircraft will be 
subdivided into an entrance way, executive lounge, two private lounges, 
and a private bathroom. The entry will include the installation of two 
wet galleys. One of the galleys will include the installation of two 
combined cooktop pan units. The addition of a cooktop to this interior 
conversion can lead to hazards to both the occupants and the aircraft. 
Special consideration is needed to address the safety standards 
associated with this installation.

Type Certification Basis

    Under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 
CFR) 21.101, Fokker Services B.V. must show that the Airbus Model A318-
112 (S/N 3238) airplane, as changed, continues to meet the applicable 
provisions of the regulations incorporated by reference in Type 
Certificate No. A28NM or the applicable regulations in effect on the 
date of application for the change. The regulations incorporated by 
reference in the type certificate are commonly referred to as the 
``original type certification basis.'' The regulations incorporated by 
reference in Type Certificate No. A28NM are 14 CFR part 25, as amended 
by Amendments 25-1 through 25-56, with reversions to earlier 
amendments, voluntary compliance to later amendments, special 
conditions, equivalent safety findings, and exemptions listed in the 
type certificate data sheet.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the Airbus Model A318-112 (S/N 3238) 
because of a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are 
prescribed under the provisions of Sec.  21.16.
    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the applicant apply for a supplemental type 
certificate to modify any other model included on the same type 
certificate to incorporate the same novel or unusual design feature, 
the special conditions would also apply to the other model under Sec.  
21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special 
conditions, the Airbus Model A318-112 (S/N 3238) must comply with the 
fuel vent and exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the 
noise certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36.
    The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in 
accordance with Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type-
certification basis under Sec.  21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Airbus Model A318-112 airplane, S/N 3238, will incorporate the 
following novel or unusual design feature: Cooktops in the passenger 
cabin. Cooktops introduce high heat, smoke, and the possibility of fire 
into the passenger cabin environment. The current airworthiness 
standards of part 25 do not contain adequate or appropriate safety 
standards to protect the airplane and its occupants from these 
potential hazards. The applicant's proposed system is considered to be 
a novel or unusual design feature.

Discussion

    Currently, ovens are the prevailing means of heating food on 
airplanes. Ovens are characterized by an enclosure that contains both 
the heat source and the food being heated. The hazards presented by 
ovens are thus inherently limited and are well understood through years 
of service experience. Cooktops, on the other hand, are characterized 
by exposed heat sources and the presence of relatively unrestrained hot 
cookware and heated food. These may represent unprecedented hazards to 
both the occupants and the airplane.
    Cooktops could have serious passenger and aircraft safety 
implications if appropriate requirements are not established for their 
installation and use. The requirements identified in these proposed 
special conditions are in addition to those considerations identified 
in Advisory Circular (AC) 20-168, Certification Guidance for 
Installation of Non-Essential, Non-Required Aircraft Cabin Systems and 
Equipment (CS&E), and those in AC 25-17A, Transport Airplane Cabin 
Interiors Crashworthiness Handbook. The intent of these proposed 
special conditions is to provide a level of safety that is consistent 
with that on similar aircraft without cooktops.
    In similar cooktop installations, the FAA has required a deployable 
cover and a means to automatically shut off the power when the cover 
was in use. In lieu of these requirements, the cooktop installation in 
this Airbus A318-112 (S/N 3238) will have a lid and a timer that is not 
covered by the lid. The timer switches the heating elements on and off, 
has a maximum time of 20 minutes, and is still accessible when the lid 
is closed. The

[[Page 6199]]

cabin crew will be instructed on its use. In addition to the lid and 
timer, the applicant will supply a fire blanket that is 1,100 by 1,100 
mm (catalogue no. SAP-967-T). The fire blanket meets the requirements 
of British Standard BS 6575:1965. These specifications contain the 
requirements for flexibility, heat, electrical resistance, and fire 
extinguishing including cooking oil fires for light duty and heavy duty 
(industrial) applications.
    For this cooktop installation, the FAA requires evidence that with 
the cooktop lid closed, the temperature set on ``high,'' and the timer 
at maximum, the cooktop will maintain safe operation and will not 
create a hazardous condition even with cooking oil in the cooktop.

Discussion of Comments

    Notice of proposed special conditions No. 25-12-02-SC for the 
Airbus Model A318-112 airplane (S/N 3238) was published in the Federal 
Register on August 28, 2012 (77 FR 51944-51946). No comments were 
received, and the special conditions are adopted as proposed.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Airbus Model A318-112 (S/N 3238). Should Fokker Services B.V. apply at 
a later date for a supplemental type certificate to modify any other 
model included on Type Certificate No. A28NM to incorporate the same 
novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply 
to that model as well.
    Under standard practice, the effective date of final special 
conditions would be 30 days after the date of publication in the 
Federal Register; however, as the certification date for the Airbus 
Model A318-112 airplane (S/N 3238) is imminent, the FAA finds that good 
cause exists to make these special conditions effective upon issuance.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on one model of airplane. It is not a rule of general applicability and 
affects only the applicant who applied to the FAA for approval of these 
features on the airplane.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.

The Special Conditions

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of 
the type certification basis for the Airbus Model A318-112 airplane, 
serial number 3238, modified by Fokker Services B.V.
    Cooktop installations with electrically powered burners must comply 
with the following criteria:
    1. Means, such as conspicuous burner-on indicators, physical 
barriers, or handholds, must be installed to minimize the potential for 
inadvertent personnel contact with hot surfaces of both the cooktop and 
cookware. Conditions of turbulence must be considered.
    2. Sufficient design means must be included to restrain cookware 
while in place on the cooktop, as well as representative contents, 
e.g., soup, sauces, etc., from the effects of flight loads and 
turbulence. Restraints must be provided to preclude hazardous movement 
of cookware and contents. These restraints must accommodate any 
cookware that is identified for use with the cooktop. Restraints must 
be designed to be easily utilized and effective in service. The 
cookware restraint system should also be designed so that it will not 
be easily disabled, thus rendering it unusable. Placarding must be 
installed which prohibits the use of cookware that cannot be 
accommodated by the restraint system.
    3. Placarding must be installed that prohibits the use of cooktops 
(i.e., power on any burner) during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
    4. Means must be provided to address the possibility of a fire 
occurring on or in the immediate vicinity of the cooktop. Two 
acceptable means of complying with this requirement are as follows:
    a. Placarding must be installed that prohibits any burner from 
being powered when the cooktop is unattended, which would prohibit a 
single person from cooking on the cooktop and intermittently serving 
food to passengers while any burner is powered; a fire detector must be 
installed in the vicinity of the cooktop that provides an audible 
warning in the passenger cabin; and a fire extinguisher of appropriate 
size and extinguishing agent must be installed in the immediate 
vicinity of the cooktop. Access to the extinguisher must not be blocked 
by a fire on or around the cooktop. One of the fire extinguishers 
required by Sec.  25.851 may be used to satisfy this requirement. If 
this is not possible, then the extinguisher in the galley area would be 
additional; or,
    b. An automatic, thermally activated, fire-suppression system must 
be installed to extinguish a fire at the cooktop and immediately 
adjacent surfaces. The agent used in the system must be an approved, 
total-flooding agent suitable for use in an occupied area. The fire-
suppression system must have a manual override. The automatic 
activation of the fire-suppression system must also automatically shut 
off power to the cooktop.
    5. The surfaces of the galley surrounding the cooktop, which would 
be exposed to a fire on the cooktop surface or in cookware on the 
cooktop, must be constructed of materials that comply with the 
flammability requirements of 14 CFR part 25, appendix F, part III. This 
requirement is in addition to the flammability requirements typically 
required of the materials in these galley surfaces. During the 
selection of these materials, consideration must also be given to 
ensure that the flammability characteristics of the materials will not 
be adversely affected by the use of cleaning agents and utensils used 
to remove cooking stains.
    6. The cooktop ventilation system ducting must be protected by a 
flame arrestor. In addition, procedures and time intervals must be 
established and included in the instructions for continued 
airworthiness to inspect and clean or replace the ventilation system to 
prevent a fire hazard from the accumulation of flammable oils. [Note: 
The applicant may find additional useful information in the Society of 
Automotive Engineers, Aerospace Recommended Practice 85, Rev. E, 
entitled, ``Air Conditioning Systems for Subsonic Airplanes,'' dated 
August 1, 1991.]
    7. Means must be provided to contain spilled foods or fluids in a 
manner that prevents the creation of a slipping hazard to occupants, 
and that will not lead to the loss of structural strength due to 
corrosion.
    8. Cooktop installations must provide adequate space for the user 
to immediately escape a hazardous cooktop condition.
    9. A means to shut off power to the cooktop must be provided at the 
galley containing the cooktop and in the cockpit. If additional 
switches are introduced in the cockpit, revisions to smoke or fire 
emergency procedures of the airplane flight manual (AFM) will be 
required.
    10. Cooktop installations must incorporate a timer that will switch 
the

[[Page 6200]]

heating elements off after a maximum time of 20 minutes.
    11. Instructions for the cabin crew to ensure safe operation of the 
cooktop lid and timer must be provided.
    12. Evidence must be provided that with the cooktop lid closed, the 
temperature set on ``high,'' and the timer at maximum, the cooktop will 
maintain safe operation and will not create a hazardous condition even 
with cooking oil in the cooktop.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 24, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-01939 Filed 1-29-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P