EASA SIB SAFO21003
Inspection of Lavatory Fire Extinguishing Bottles on Aircraft Parked or Stored for a Prolonged Period of Time in a High-Temperature Environment
Summary
SAFO 21003 is a Safety Alert for Operators issued by the FAA regarding the inspection of lavatory fire extinguishing bottles on aircraft parked or stored for prolonged periods in high-temperature environments. This alert applies to operators under 14 CFR Parts 91K, 121, 125, and 135 and highlights the risk of discharged lavatory fire extinguishing bottles due to elevated cabin temperatures. The document emphasizes the need for inspection during return-to-service maintenance checks to ensure safety.
What Changed
SAFO 21003 introduces a recommendation for operators to inspect lavatory fire extinguishing bottles after aircraft have been stored or parked in high-temperature environments for extended periods. It addresses inconsistencies found in various OEM Aircraft Maintenance Manuals regarding such inspections and highlights the risk of undetected discharged bottles upon return to service.
Why It Matters
This alert is important because discharged lavatory fire extinguishing bottles may go unnoticed when aircraft return to service, posing a safety risk in the event of a lavatory trash bin fire. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure these inspections are performed to maintain fire safety and regulatory compliance. It helps prevent potential in-flight hazards related to ineffective fire suppression equipment.
What To Do
Operators should inspect lavatory fire extinguishing bottles on aircraft that were parked or stored in high-temperature environments if this inspection was not already performed during return-to-service checks. They should incorporate this inspection into all future return-to-service procedures and coordinate with their Principal Maintenance Inspectors to establish appropriate inspection protocols. No specific compliance deadline is stated.