FAA · Information for Operators (InFO)
InFO 18013: Hand-held/Portable Fire Extinguisher Maintenance and Inspection.
In Brief
What It Addresses
This InFO serves to remind aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, suppliers, distributors, and maintenance technicians that hand-held/portable fire extinguishers have the potential to leak, and should be inspected per the proper prescribing guidance.
Why It Matters
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received reports that hand-held /portable fire extinguishers may leak prior to its expiration and thus may reduce firefighting capability when needed. In addition, it has come to the attention of the FAA that although requirements exist for maintenance and inspection of hand-held/portable fire extinguishers, operators may be unaware of the maintenance and inspection requirements.
Recommended Action
Aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, suppliers, distributors, and maintenance technicians should familiarize themselves with the information contained in this InFO and ensure that hand-held/portable fire extinguishers are being inspected, maintained, and records logged per the proper prescribing guidance.
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
Distributed by: Air Transportation Division
http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info An InFO contains valuable information for operators that should help them meet certain administrative, regulatory, or operational requirements with relatively low urgency or impact on safety.
Subject: Hand-held/Portable Fire Extinguisher Maintenance and Inspection.
Purpose: This InFO serves to remind aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, suppliers, distributors, and maintenance technicians that hand-held/portable fire extinguishers have the potential to leak, and should be inspected per the proper prescribing guidance.
Background: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received reports that hand-held /portable fire extinguishers may leak prior to its expiration and thus may reduce firefighting capability when needed. In addition, it has come to the attention of the FAA that although requirements exist for maintenance and inspection of hand-held/portable fire extinguishers, operators may be unaware of the maintenance and inspection requirements.
Discussion: The FAA has determined that hand-held/portable fire extinguisher leakage is not a potential safety issue if the operators follow maintenance and inspection procedures as specified by aircraft instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) or Technical Standard Order (TSO) maintenance instructions. In lieu of specific ICAs/TSOs, operators should follow the maintenance and inspection guidance provided in Advisory Circular (AC) 20-42D “Hand Fire Extinguishers for use in Aircraft,” Chapter 4, Section 6, which include following the:
manufacturer's nameplate instructions;
applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards; and
applicable U.S. Underwriters Laboratories standards.
The NFPA 10 (2018 Edition), Section 7.2.4 “Inspection Record Keeping” requires that monthly inspection records be kept including those requiring corrective action. Full capacity can be confirmed by weighing. The date of the inspection and the initials of the person performing the inspection should be recorded on a tag or label attached to each hand-held/portable fire extinguisher. As an alternative, the monthly inspections can be recorded on an inspection checklist maintained on file or by electronic means that provide a permanent record.
Recommended Action: Aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, suppliers, distributors, and maintenance technicians should familiarize themselves with the information contained in this InFO and ensure that hand-held/portable fire extinguishers are being inspected, maintained, and records logged per the proper prescribing guidance.
Contact: Questions or comments regarding this InFO should be directed to the Aircraft Maintenance Division’s, General Aviation Branch at (202) 267-1675.
InFOInformation for Operators
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
InFO 18013
DATE: 11/15/18
Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
InFO 18013