CS 29.811 Emergency exit marking

(a) Each emergency exit, its means of access, and its means of opening must be conspicuously marked for the guidance of occupants using the exits in daylight or in the dark.

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

(c) The location of each passenger emergency exit must be indicated by a sign visible to occupants approaching along the main passenger aisle. There must be a locating sign:

(1) Next to or above the aisle near each floor emergency exit, except that one sign may serve two exits if both exits can be seen readily from that sign; and

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

(d) Each passenger emergency exit marking and each locating sign must have white letters on a red background or a universal emergency exit symbol, of adequate size. These signs must be self or electrically illuminated, and have a minimum luminescence (brightness) of at least 0.51 candela/m² (160 microlamberts). The colours of a text-based sign may be reversed if this will increase the emergency illumination of the passenger compartment.

(e) The location of each passenger emergency exit operating handle and instructions for opening must be shown:

(1) For each emergency exit, by a marking on or near the exit that is readable from a distance of 0.76 m (30 inches); and

(2) For each Type I or Type II emergency exit with a locking mechanism released by rotary motion of the handle, by:

(i) A red arrow, with a shaft at least 19 mm (¾ inch) wide and a head twice the width of the shaft, extending along at least 70° of arc at a radius approximately equal to three-fourths of the handle length; and

(ii) The word ‘open’ in red letters 25 mm (l inch) high, placed horizontally near the head of the arrow.

(f) Each emergency exit, and its means of opening, must be marked on the outside of the rotorcraft. In addition, the following apply:

(1) There must be a 51 mm (2-inch) coloured band outlining each passenger emergency exit, except small rotorcraft with a maximum weight of 5 670 kg (12 500 pounds) or less may have a 51 mm (2-inch) coloured band outlining each exit release lever or device of passenger emergency exits which are normally used doors.

(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.

(g) Exits marked as such, though in excess of the required number of exits, must meet the requirements for emergency exits of the particular type. Emergency exits need only be marked with the word ‘Exit’ or a universal emergency exit symbol.

(h) If certification with ditching provisions is requested by the applicant, in addition to the markings required by (a) above:

(1) each underwater emergency exit required by CS 29.805(c) or CS 29.807(d), its means of access and its means of opening, must be provided with highly conspicuous illuminated markings that illuminate automatically and are designed to remain visible with the rotorcraft capsized and the cabin or cockpit, as appropriate, flooded; and

(2) each operational device (pull tab(s), operating handle, ‘push here’ decal, etc.) for these emergency exits must be marked with black and yellow stripes.

[Amdt No: 29/5]

[Amdt No: 29/11]