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Pressurization

Max differential pressure for a transport aircraft is a structural limit, generally between 7 and 9 psi.

When cabin is in climb then more air is let out than air in.

To maintain cabin height the same amount of air is let out as in. In cruise a constant pressure (isobaric
range) is maintained in the cabin. The outflow valves are partly open in the cruise.

To descend the cabin, less air is let out than is let in.

An aircraft takes 26 minutes to climb from an airfield at 2000ft to a cruise level of 31 000ft. What cabin
rate of climb would raise the cabin altitude to 8000 ft in that period?
Cabin has to climb from 2000ft to 8000ft = 6000 feet.
In 26 minutes cabin has to climb 6000 feet
In 1 minute cabin has to climb 6000/26 = 230
So cabin rate of climb = 230 ft/min.

The pressure hull does not include the undercarriage bays

Cabin Altitude is "Zc" and cabin rate of climb or descent is "Vzc"

Outflow valves (Discharge valves) are electro-pneumatically operated, automatically by the controller. In
manual mode their operation is by electric motors.

If the cabin pressure exceeds the max differential by 0.5 psi (failure of the normal control system) the
safety valves open and control the cabin.

Inward (negative pressure) relief valves limit negative differential pressure in an emergency descent. They
open at negative diffrential of 0.5 psi.

As compared to the modern electronic systems, in the older pneumatic systems the cabin altitude and rate
of change of cabin pressure is manually selected on the controller which then controls (by using air
pressure) the operation of the outflow valves automatically.

Decompression:
Normal Decompression - 6 to 10 seconds for the cabin pressure to equalise with the outside pressure.
Rapid Decompression - 4 to 6 seconds for the cabin pressure to equalise with the outside pressure.
Explosive Decompression - 0 to 3 seconds for the cabin pressure to equalise with the outside pressure.
An explosive decompression will be accompanied by dust (sucked up due drop in pressure) and mist (due
condensation as temperature and pressure drop) in the air.

System Warnings on Decompression:
10,000 ft cabin altitude - Visual and aural CABIN ALT warning.
13,850 ft cabin altitude - Illuminate the AUTO FAIL light on the control.
14,000 ft cabin altitude - Dropping of passengers oxygen masks automatically.

Plastic blow out bungs are fitted in the cabin floor to prevent the floor from collapsing due to differential
pressure between the cabin and cargo holds. In the event of a decompression the bungs blow out to
equalize the pressure.