GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS
CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SECTION 2 - AIRWORTHINESS
SERIES 'O' PART VII
ISSUE I, DATED 17TH NOVEMBER '1993
FILE NO. 11-690/93-AI(2) EFFECTIVE : 1ST JANUARY '1994
Subject : Exit Row Seating.
1. APPLICABILITY :
This part of the Civil Aviation Requirement is issued under
Section 5A of Aircraft Act 1934 and Rule 133A of the
Aircraft Rules 1937 to set out the requirements to be
followed by the operators for exit row seating. The
requirements laid down in this CAR are applicable to
aircraft with 10 or more passenger seats.
2. BACKGROUND :
Mishaps in commercial aviation are extremely rare, but when
they occur, survivability is a function of many aspects
relating amongst others to the design and construction of
the aircraft and its interior and the operating procedures
followed by airlines. Some of these aspects, in isolation,
may seem small, but all are necessary elements to the safety
of aircraft operations.
A critical prerequisite to survivability in many
accidents/incidents is the fastest possible evacuation of
the aircraft. Essential to this objective is the fastest
possible opening of emergency exit doors/windows, followed
by quickest possible movement of passengers through the
exits.
In aircraft accidents in which decelerative forces do not
result in massive cabin destruction, survival is determined
largely by the ability of the uninjured passenger to make
his or her way from a seat to an exit within time limits
imposed by the thermotoxic environment. It is crucial that
people evacuate quickly before heat, flames, toxic fumes, or
an explosion kill or injure them. Seconds can mean the
difference between life and death in the aftermath of a
crash inasmuch as evacuation might be terminated abruptly by
an explosion at any point. This CAR is therefore aimed to
help quickest evacuation of aircraft in the event of an
accident or incident.
3. DEFINITIONS :
Exit Seat means :
Each seat having direct access to an exit i.e a seat from
which a passenger can proceed directly to the exit without
entering an aisle or passing around an obstruction.
4. REQUIREMENTS :
4.1 Each operator shall determine to the extent necessary to
perform the applicable functions of this CAR, the
suitability of each person it permits to occupy an exit
seat.
4.2 Each operator shall designate the exit seats for each
passenger seating configuration in its fleet in accordance
with the definitions in this CAR and make it a part of the
procedures laid down in the Operations Manual.
4.3 Each Operator should seat a person in the exit seat who
would be able to perform the applicable functions listed in
this CAR.
4.3.1 The person allotted the exit seat should not be
invalid.
4.3.2 The person should not be less than 15 years of age and
should have the capacity to perform the applicable
functions listed in paragraph 4.6 of this CAR without
the assistance of another person.
4.3.3 The person should be able to reach and understand
instructions related to emergency evacuation provided
by the operator in printed, handwritten or graphic form
or the ability to understand oral crew commands.
4.4 Each passenger shall comply with instructions given by a
crew member or other authorized of the operator implementing
exit seating restrictions established in accordance with
this section.
4.5 Each operator shall include on passenger information cards,
presented in the language in which briefings and oral
announcements are made by the crew, at each exit seat
affected by this CAR, information that in the event of an
emergency in which a crew member is not available to assist,
a passenger occupying an exit seat may use, if called upon,
to perform the following functions:
1) Locate the emergency exit;
2) Recognize the emergency exit opening mechanism;
3) Comprehend the instructions for operating the emergency
exit;
4) Operate the emergency exit;
5) Follow oral directions and hand signals given by a crew
member.
6) Stow or secure the emergency exit door so that it will
not impede use of the exit;
7) Pass expeditiously through the emergency exit; and
8) Assess, select, and follow a safe path away from the
emergency exit.
4.6 Each operator shall include in its passenger briefings a
request that a passenger identify himself or herself to allow
reseating if he or she -
i) cannot meet the selection criteria set forth in this
CAR.
ii) Has a nondiscernible condition that will prevent him
or her from performing the applicable functions
listed in this CAR.
iii)May suffer bodily harm as the result of performing
one or more of those functions; or
iv) Does not wish to perform those functions.
An operator shall not require the passenger to disclose his
or her reason for needing reseating.
4.7 Each operator shall make available for inspection by the
public at all passenger loading gates and ticket counters at
each airport where it conducts passenger operations, written
procedures established for making determinations in regard
to exit row seating.
4.8 Before taxi or pushback crew member should verify that no
exit seat is occupied by a person who may be unable to
perform the applicable functions listed in this CAR.
4.9 Each operator shall include in its passenger briefings a
reference to the passenger information cards, required by
paragraph 4.6, the criteria set forth in paragraph 4 of this
CAR.
4.10 Each operator shall ensure that the passenger occupying the
exit row seat is properly briefed by the cabin crew
regarding the emergency exit procedures. Wherever
applicable, the weight of the emergency exit shall also be
specified.
5. In the event an operator determines in accordance with this
CAR that it is likely that a passenger assigned to an exit
seat would be unable to perform the functions listed in
paragraph 4.6 of this CAR, or a passenger requests a non-
exit seat, the operator will expeditiously relocate the
passenger to a non-exit seat.
6. In order to comply with this part of the CAR operators shall
establish procedures in their Operations Manual regarding -
i) The criteria listed in paragraph 4 of this part of the
CAR.
ii) The functions listed in paragraph 4.6 of this part of
the CAR.
iii) The requirements for airport information, passenger
information cards, crew member verification of
appropriate seating in exit, passenger briefings and
seat assignments as set forth in this part of the CAR.
iv) How to resolve disputes arising from implementation of
this part, including identification of the operator
employee on the airport to whom complaints should be
addressed for resolution; and
7. In order to avoid any problem of re-seating in the aircraft
after boarding, the exit row seats should be allotted to
passengers who can perform the functions described in the
CAR and willingness of passenger is obtained before
allotting exit seat to him/her at the time of check-in.
Sd/-
(H. S. Khola)
Director General of Civil Aviation