AMC2 ADR.OPS.B.010(a)(2) Rescue and firefighting services

ED Decision 2016/009/R

RFFS LEVEL OF PROTECTION

(a) The aerodrome operator should ensure that:

(1) the level of protection normally available at an aerodrome is determined and expressed in terms of the category of the rescue and firefighting services (RFF aerodrome category) as described below and in accordance with the types, amounts, and discharge rates of extinguishing agents normally available at the aerodrome; and

(2) the aerodrome category for rescue and firefighting is determined according to Table 1, based on the longest aeroplanes normally using the aerodrome and their fuselage width. If, after selecting the category appropriate to the longest aeroplane’s overall length, that aeroplane’s fuselage width is greater than the maximum width in Table 1, column 3, for that category, then the category for that aeroplane should actually be one category higher.

Aerodrome category for rescue and fire fighting
Aerodrome Category (1)	Aeroplane overall length (2)	Maximum fuselage width (3)
1	0 m up to but not including 9 m	2 m
2	9 m up to but not including 12 m	2 m
3	12 m up to but not including 18 m	3 m
4	18 m up to but not including 24 m	4 m
5	24 m up to but not including 28 m	4 m
6	28 m up to but not including 39 m	5 m
7	39 m up to but not including 49 m	5 m
8	49 m up to but not including 61 m	7 m
9	61 m up to but not including 76 m	7 m
10	76 m up to but not including 90 m	8 m

Table 1

(3) the rescue and firefighting level of protection provided is appropriate to the aerodrome category determined using the principles in (2) above except that where the number of movements (landing or take-off) of the aeroplanes performing passenger transportation in the highest category, normally using the aerodrome, is less than 700 in the busiest consecutive three months, the level of protection provided in accordance with (2) above may be reduced by no more than one category below the determined one.

(b) Notwithstanding (a), the aerodrome operator may, during anticipated periods of reduced activity (e.g. specific periods of the year or day), reduce the rescue and firefighting level of protection available at the aerodrome. In this case:

(1) the level of protection should be no less than that needed for the highest category of aeroplane planned to use the aerodrome during that time, irrespective of the number of movements; and

(2) the periods of aerodrome operation with reduced rescue and firefighting level of protection should be published in the aeronautical information publication (AIP) or through notice to airmen (NOTAM).

(c) The level of protection required for all-cargo, mail, ferry, training, test, positioning and end-of-life aeroplane operations, including those carrying dangerous goods, irrespective of the number of movements, may be reduced in accordance with Table 2 as follows:

Aerodrome category	RFF level of protection required
1	1
2	2
3	3
4	4
5	5
6	5
7	6
8	6
9	7
10	7

Table 2

(d) The aerodrome operator, in order to assess whether the rescue and firefighting level of protection to be provided at the aerodrome is appropriate to the aerodrome rescue and firefighting category, should, at least annually, forecast the aeroplane traffic expected to operate at the aerodrome for the next twelve-month period. Upon knowledge of planned changes to traffic volume and structure, additional assessments might be necessary. In doing so, the aerodrome operator may use all information available from aeroplane operators as well as statistics on aeroplane movements during the year preceding the day of review.

(e) Unforeseen circumstances leading to temporary reduction of the aerodrome rescue and firefighting level of protection are considered as unplanned events that result in unavailability of facilities, equipment and resources.

(f) For emergency landings and occasions when in the pilot’s-in-command opinion, a diversion or hold may create a more significant hazard, operation of aeroplanes whose required category is higher than the level of protection provided by the aerodrome should be permitted regardless of the rescue and firefighting level of protection available.