AD/FPE/7 - Kidde Water Based Fire Extinguisher Cartridge Holder - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations. These regulations address various aspects of aviation safety, including the requirements for airworthiness directives, such as the one concerning fire protection equipment. Specifically, AD/FPE/7 mandates the inspection of Walter Kidde water based fire extinguisher cartridge holders to prevent failures due to corrosion and other integrity issues. This directive applies to specific models of Walter Kidde extinguishers and requires compliance unless inspections have already been performed prior to a specified date. The objective of this regulation is to maintain the safety and reliability of fire extinguishing equipment on board aircraft by ensuring that the cartridge holders are in good working condition and free from defects that could compromise their effectiveness during an emergency. The enactment of these regulations is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that all aviation safety measures are met and maintained.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, applies to the Airworthiness Directive concerning fire protection equipment, particularly the Kidde water based fire extinguisher cartridge holder. This directive applies to specific models of Walter Kidde water based fire extinguishers, identified by the part numbers 970317, 871685, 890017, 890275, 891318, 892480, and 893948, ensuring their continued airworthiness and safety. The directive mandates that these extinguishers, unless already inspected before 31 August 1981, must be inspected according to the instructions outlined in either Walter Kidde Service Bulletin No. 162, Kidde Belleville Service Bulletin No. 26-20-240, or a scheme approved by the Secretary that confirms the integrity and dimensions of the cartridge holder internal peg. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and is integral for maintaining safety standards within the aviation industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39, impose a requirement on certain Walter Kidde water based fire extinguishers to undergo inspection as per AD/FPE/7 (7/81). Specifically, the directive applies to fire extinguishers with specific part numbers: 970317, 871685, 890017, 890275, 891318, 892480, and 893948. This directive necessitates an inspection to confirm the integrity and dimensions of the cartridge holder internal peg, ensuring it meets the specified standards to avoid operational failures. The applicable documentation for compliance includes Walter Kidde Service Bulletin No. 162, Kidde Belleville Service Bulletin No. 26-20-240, or an approved scheme by the Secretary that confirms the integrity and dimension of the cartridge holder internal peg. Compliance with this directive is mandatory unless the inspection has already been completed before 31 August 1981. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Primarily, it mandates that fire extinguishers of the specified types must be inspected to ensure the cartridge holder internal peg is not corroded or shortened, which could otherwise prevent the extinguisher from operating effectively. This inspection must be performed in accordance with the provided service bulletins or an approved alternative scheme. Furthermore, operators or owners of these fire extinguishers must ensure that any required inspections are completed within the stipulated timeframe, unless they have already been performed prior to the compliance deadline. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the fire extinguisher being deemed non-compliant and potentially unsafe for use. Breaches of the provisions set out in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/FPE/7 (7/81), could lead to various consequences. While the exact nature of the penalties or consequences is not detailed in the provided text, it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance could result in civil penalties, administrative actions, or even criminal charges if the breach leads to a safety incident. The specific penalties for non-compliance would typically be determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and could include fines, enforcement actions, or other measures deemed necessary to ensure compliance with aviation safety standards. Operators and owners are thus strongly encouraged to adhere to the outlined requirements to avoid any adverse outcomes.