CS 25.811 Emergency exit marking

ED Decision 2017/015/R

(See AMC 25.811)

(a)     Each passenger emergency exit, its means of access, and its means of opening must be conspicuously marked.

(b)     The identity and location of each passenger emergency exit must be recognisable from a distance equal to the width of the cabin.

(c)      Means must be provided to assist the occupants in locating the exits in conditions of dense smoke.

(d)     The location of each passenger emergency exit must be indicated by a sign visible to occupants approaching along the main passenger aisle (or aisles). There must be See AMC 25.811(d)):

(1)     A passenger emergency exit locator sign above the aisle (or aisles) near each passenger emergency exit, or at another overhead location if it is more practical because of low headroom, except that one sign may serve more than one exit if each exit can be seen readily from the sign;

(2)     A passenger emergency exit marking sign next to each passenger emergency exit, except that one sign may serve two such exits if they both can be seen readily from the sign; and

(3)     A sign on each bulkhead or divider that prevents fore and aft vision along the passenger cabin to indicate emergency exits beyond and obscured by the bulkhead or divider, except that if this is not possible the sign may be placed at another appropriate location.

(e)     The location of the operating handle and instructions for opening exits from the inside of the aeroplane must be shown in the following manner:

(1)     Each passenger emergency exit must have, on or near the exit, a marking that is readable from a distance of 76 cm (30 inches).

(2)     Each passenger emergency exit operating handle and the cover removal instructions, if the operating handle is covered, must –

(i)      Be self-illuminated with an initial brightness of at least 0.51 candela/m² (160 microlamberts), or

(ii)     Be conspicuously located and well illuminated by the emergency lighting even in conditions of occupant crowding at the exit.

(3)     Reserved

(4)     All Type II and larger passenger emergency exits with a locking mechanism released by motion of a handle, must be marked so as to its operation by an arrow with a shaft at least 19 mm (0.75 inches) wide, adjacent to the handle, that indicates the full extent and direction of the unlocking motion required. The word OPEN must be horizontally situated adjacent to the arrowhead and must be in red capital letters at least 25 mm (1 inch) high. The arrow and word OPEN must be located on a background, which provides adequate contrast. (See AMC 25.811(e)(4).)

(f)      Each emergency exit that is required to be openable from the outside, and its means of opening, must be marked on the outside of the aeroplane. In addition, the following apply:

(1)     The outside marking for each passenger emergency exit in the side of the fuselage must include a 51 mm (2 inch) coloured band outlining the exit.

(2)     Each outside marking including the band must have colour contrast to be readily distinguishable from the surrounding fuselage surface. The contrast must be such that if the reflectance of the darker colour is 15% or less, the reflectance of the lighter colour must be at least 45%. ‘Reflectance’ is the ratio of the luminous flux reflected by a body to the luminous flux it receives. When the reflectance of the darker colour is greater than 15%, at least a 30% difference between its reflectance and the reflectance of the lighter colour must be provided.

(3)     In the case of exits other than those in the side of the fuselage, such as ventral or tail cone exits, the external means of opening, including instructions if applicable, must be conspicuously marked in red, or bright chrome yellow if the background colour is such that red is inconspicuous. When the opening means is located on only one side of the fuselage, a conspicuous marking to that effect must be provided on the other side.

(g)     Each sign required by sub-paragraph (d) of this paragraph may use the word ‘exit’ in its legend in place of the term ‘emergency exit’ or a universal symbolic exit sign (See AMC 25.812(b)(1), AMC 25.812(b)(2) and AMC 25.812(e)(2)). The design of exit signs must be chosen to provide a consistent set throughout the cabin.

[Amdt 25/3]

[Amdt 25/17]

[Amdt 25/19]