NEPALESE CIVIL AIRWORTHINESS REQUIREMENTS

SECTION C
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
CHAPTER C.11 ISSUE 1
OCTOBER 1982

SAFETY EQUIPMENT
1. GENERAL

1.1 This chapter prescribes airworthiness standards that apply to the maintenance of
safety equipment carried on Nepalese aircraft.

1.2 Safety equipment is equipment which is not usually an integral part of an aircraft
but which is carried in flight for the protection of the aircraft, its crew and
passengers during normal operations or emergency situations. Safety equipment
includes seat belts, safety harnesses, flotation equipment, portable fire
extinguishers, First Aid Kits/Physician's Kit, emergency escape devices and
portable oxygen bottles.

2. SEAT BELTS AND SAFETY HARNESSES

2.1 Each seat belt or safety harness shall be inspected at the periods specified in the
approved Maintenance Schedule for:
a) wear, damage, broken stitches, discolouration and deterioration of each strap.
b) security, excessive wear and elongation of attachment holes.
c) freedom from slip of the release mechanism and means of adjustment.
d) release mechanism action.
e) freedom of operation of safety harness inertia reels.

2.2 Whenever inspection shows that a belt or harness may have lost strength, each
seat belt and safety harness shall be proof tested. The proof test shall be made by
applying a tensile load to the belt or harness equal to 50% of its rated strength.

The rated strength is determined from the number of g the belt or strap is
designed to withstand. The unit value of g may be assumed to be:
120 lb. for safety belts and safety harness lower straps. 45 lb. for safety harness
shoulder straps.
Note 1. : For a safety belt designed to a 9g specification, the test load would be:
= 540 lb. 120 x 9
2

Note 2.: The rated strength of safety belts conforming to T.S.O. C.22 is 1,500 lb.

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Amendment 1, March 2002
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Issue 1, September, 1982
 2.3 Safety belts under test must show no signs of slipping or disengagement. After the
belt has been tested at the full test load, the load must be reduced to a value of
1.5g, i.e. 180 lb., and the release mechanism be tested for ease of operation.

2.4 If a belt or harness is found to be satisfactory after proof test, the date of the test,
and the licence or approval number of the certifying person shall be stencilled on
it with indelible ink before it is returned to service. Unsatisfactory items must be
repaired or scrapped.

3. FLOTATION EQUIPMENT

3.1 Flotation equipment includes inflatable life jackets, floating baby survival cots and
inflatable life rafts. Unless otherwise specified by the Director General in the
approved Maintenance Schedule all such equipment shall be inspected and tested
at intervals not exceeding 12 months

3.2 At the inspection period, the flotation equipment shall be unpacked and be
visually inspected for defects. It shall then be inflated and be checked for leaks.

3.3 If the equipment manufacturer specifies a test pressure, that pressure shall be
used. If no test pressure is specified, the equipment shall be inflated to 14 K Pa (2
lb. per sq. in.).

3.4 The light unit, electrical cell, gas cylinder and operating unit must be inspected
and tested in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions.

3.5 After all tests are completed and the equipment is proven serviceable, a tie-on
label must be attached giving the serial number of the flotation equipment, the
date when the next inspection is due and the licence or approval number of the
person releasing the equipment for service.

4. PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

4.1 All portable fire extinguisher shall be maintained as specified in the manufacturers'
instructions and at the periods approved in the Maintenance Schedule for the
aircraft. Unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer, bottles shall be pressure
tested every five years.

4.2 Each portable fire extinguisher shall be fully charged at the commencement of
each flight. If an extinguisher is discharged or partially discharged in flight, an
entry shall be made in the Technical (Flight) Log and, at the conclusion of the
flight, the discharged extinguisher shall be removed from the aircraft.

4.3 Each portable fire extinguisher shall be tested for condition of charge:

a) whenever it is suspected that it may not be fully charged.

b) at intervals not exceeding 12 months.

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Issue 1, September, 1982
 4.4 The test shall be made by weighing the extinguisher with weighing equipment of
known accuracy. The weight shall not be less than that specified by the
manufacturer for a fully charged extinguisher.

4.5 After an extinguisher has been weighed, a tie-on label must be attached giving the
date of the weighing and the licence or approval number of the person who did
the weighing.

5. FIRST AID KITS AND PHYSICIAN'S KIT

5.1 First Aid Kits/or Physician's Kit shall be packed, inspected and stowed as
specified in Appendix-1 and Appendix-2 as applicable of this Chapter C.10.

5.2 No licensed or approved person shall issue a Maintenance Release unless satisfied
that all required First Aid Kits and/or Physician's Kit are complete and properly
stowed on the aircraft.

6. EMERGENCY ESCAPE EQUIPMENT

6.1 Emergency escape hatches shall be tested for freedom of action at the intervals
specified in the approved Maintenance Schedule. The certifying person must
ensure that each escape hatch could be operated easily in difficult circumstances.
If locking handles are secured by lock wire, the wire must be thin and weak so
that no excessive force is required to break it.

6.2 At each daily and all other periodic inspections, the certifying person shall ensure
that each escape hatch is properly secured and can only be opened as the result of
intentional action.

6.3 Unless otherwise specified by the Director General in the approved Maintenance
Schedule, all emergency escape chutes, escape ropes or harnesses shall be tested
at intervals not exceeding 12 months. The deployment of inflatable emergency
escape chutes should be witnessed by an authorized person from the
Airworthiness Division prior to its removal for test.

7. PORTABLE OXYGEN BOTTLES

7.1 Portable oxygen bottles and associated equipment such as masks shall be serviced
and maintained only by person who have been specially trained in the care and
maintenance of oxygen storage and distribution systems.

7.2 Whenever prescribed by operational requirements, portable oxygen cylinders shall

be carried in flight. The cylinders must be fully filled with aviation breathing
oxygen complying with International Standard ISO 2046.

7.3 Prior to issuing a Maintenance Release, the certifying person shall ensure that the
required number of portable oxygen bottles and masks are on board, are fully
charged and are clean and free from any defects such as damaged connections or
kinked hoses.

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Issue 1, September, 1982
 7.4 All portable oxygen equipment shall be maintained as specified in the
manufacturers' instructions and at the periods approved in the Maintenance
Schedule for the aircraft. Unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer Bottles
shall be pressure tested every three years.

Note: Great care and extreme cleanliness is essential when handling bottles or pipes
containing oxygen to avoid the risk of fire or explosion.

8. CERTIFICATION

8.1 Removable items of emergency equipment which may be interchanged from one
aircraft to another must have their history recorded on a record card and be
identified by a label attached to the item. All labels shall be strong, clearly written
and firmly attached. The recording on the label of the licence number of the
certifying person and the date constitutes the Certificate of Compliance required
by Chapter C.2.

8.2 The testing of safety equipment which is part of the aircraft, e.g. emergency
escape hatches, shall be recorded and certified in the aircraft logbook.

Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

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NCAR, Chapter C.11 Issue 1,October 1982
Amendment 1, March 2002
I
Issue 1, September, 1982