82 FR 22402 - Special Conditions: The Boeing Company, Model 747-8 Series Airplanes; Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 93 (May 16, 2017)

Page Range		22402-22405
FR Document		2017-09843

These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 747- 8 series airplanes. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 93 (Tuesday, May 16, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 16, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22402-22405]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09843]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0385; Special Conditions No. 25-675-SC]

Special Conditions: The Boeing Company, Model 747-8 Series
Airplanes; Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable
lithium battery installations on The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 747-
8 series airplanes. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or
unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology
envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category
airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain
adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These
special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the
Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety
equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

DATES: This action is effective on The Boeing Company on May 16, 2017.
We must receive your comments by June 30, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2017-0385
using any of the following methods:
Federal eRegulations Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ and follow the online instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30, U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room
W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at 202-493-2251.
Privacy: The FAA will post all comments it receives, without
change, to http://www.regulations.gov/, including any personal
information the commenter provides. Using the search function of the
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the electronic form of all
comments received into any FAA docket, including the name of the
individual sending the comment (or signing the comment for an
association, business, labor union, etc.). DOT's complete Privacy Act
Statement can be found in the Federal Register published on April 11,
2000 (65 FR 19477-19478), as well as at http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov/.
Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at
http://www.regulations.gov/ at any time. Follow the online instructions
for accessing the docket or go to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of
the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nazih Khaouly, Airplane and Flight
Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington, 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2432; facsimile 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Future Requests for Installation of Non-Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

The FAA anticipates that non-rechargeable lithium batteries will be
installed in most makes and models of transport category airplanes. We
intend to require special conditions for certification projects
involving non-rechargeable lithium battery installations to address
certain safety issues until we can revise the airworthiness
requirements. Applying special conditions to these installations across
the range of transport category airplanes will ensure regulatory
consistency.
Typically, the FAA issues special conditions after receiving an
application for type certificate approval of a novel or unusual design
feature. However, the FAA has found that the presence of non-
rechargeable lithium batteries in certification projects is not always
immediately identifiable, since the battery itself may not be the focus
of the project. Meanwhile, the inclusion of these batteries has become
virtually ubiquitous on in-production transport category airplanes,
which shows that there will be a need for these special conditions.
Also, delaying the issuance of special conditions until after each
design application is received could lead to costly certification
delays. Therefore the FAA finds it necessary to issue special
conditions applicable to these battery installations on particular
makes and models of aircraft.
On April 22, 2016, the FAA published special conditions no. 25-612-
SC in the Federal Register (81 FR 23573) applicable to Gulfstream
Aerospace Corporation for the GVI airplane. Those were the first
special conditions the FAA issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery
installations. We explained in that document our decision to make those
special conditions effective one year after publication in the Federal
Register, which is April 22, 2017. In those special conditions, the FAA
stated its intention to apply non-rechargeable lithium battery special
conditions to design changes on other makes and models applied for
after this same date.
Section 1205 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 1996 requires the
FAA to consider the extent to which Alaska is not served by
transportation modes other than aviation and to establish appropriate
regulatory distinctions when modifying airworthiness regulations that
affect intrastate aviation in Alaska. In consideration of this
requirement and the overall impact on safety, the FAA does not intend
to require non-rechargeable lithium battery special conditions for
design changes that only replace a 121.5 megahertz (MHz) emergency
locator transmitter (ELT) with a 406 MHz ELT that meets Technical
Standard Order C126b, or later revision, on transport airplanes
operating only in Alaska. This will support our efforts of encouraging
operators in Alaska to upgrade to a 406 MHz ELT. These ELTs provide
significantly improved accuracy for lifesaving services to locate an
accident

[[Page 22403]]

site in Alaskan terrain. The FAA considers that the safety benefits
from upgrading to a 406 MHz ELT for Alaskan operations will outweigh
the battery fire risk.

Comments Invited

The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the
notice and comment period in prior instances and has been derived
without substantive change from those previously issued. It is unlikely
that prior public comment would result in a significant change from the
substance contained herein. Therefore, the FAA has determined that
prior public notice and comment are unnecessary and impracticable, and
good cause exists for adopting these special conditions upon
publication in the Federal Register. The FAA is requesting comments to
allow interested persons to submit views that may not have been
submitted in response to the prior opportunities for comment described
above.
We invite interested people to take part in this rulemaking by
sending written comments, data, or views. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the special conditions, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data.
We will consider all comments we receive by the closing date for
comments. We may change these special conditions based on the comments
we receive.

Background

Boeing holds type certificate no. A20WE, which provides the
certification basis for the 747-8 series airplanes. The 747-8 airplane
is a four engine, transport category airplane with a passenger seating
capacity of 605 and a maximum takeoff weight of 970,000 pounds.
The FAA is issuing these special conditions for non-rechargeable
lithium battery installations on the 747-8 series airplanes. The
current battery requirements in title 14, Code of Federal Regulations
(14 CFR) part 25 are inadequate for addressing an airplane with non-
rechargeable lithium batteries.

Type Certification Basis

Under the provisions of 14 CFR 21.101, Boeing must show that the
747-8 series airplanes meet the applicable provisions of the
regulations listed in type certificate no. A20WE or the applicable
regulations in effect on the date of application for the change, except
for earlier amendments as agreed upon by the FAA. In addition, the
certification basis includes certain special conditions, exemptions, or
later amended sections that are not relevant to these special
conditions.
If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or
appropriate safety standards for the 747-8 series airplanes because of
a novel or unusual design feature, special conditions are prescribed
under the provisions of Sec. 21.16.
Special conditions are initially applicable to the airplane model
for which they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model
be amended later to include any other model that incorporates the same
novel or unusual design feature, or should any other model already
included on the same type certificate be modified to incorporate the
same novel or unusual design feature, these special conditions would
also apply to the other model under Sec. 21.101.
In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and special
conditions, the 747-8 series airplanes must comply with the fuel vent
and exhaust emission requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the noise
certification requirements of 14 CFR part 36.
The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in
accordance with Sec. 11.38, and they become part of the type
certification basis under Sec. 21.101.

Novel or Unusual Design Feature

The novel or unusual design feature is the installation of non-
rechargeable lithium batteries.
For the purpose of these special conditions, we refer to a battery
and battery system as a battery. A battery system consists of the
battery and any protective, monitoring, and alerting circuitry or
hardware inside or outside of the battery. It also includes vents
(where necessary) and packaging.

Discussion

The FAA derived the current regulations governing installation of
batteries in transport category airplanes from Civil Air Regulations
(CAR) 4b.625(d) as part of the recodification of CAR 4b that
established 14 CFR part 25 in February 1965. This recodification
basically reworded the CAR 4b battery requirements, which are currently
in Sec. 25.1353(b)(1) through (4). Non-rechargeable lithium batteries
are novel and unusual with respect to the state of technology
considered when these requirements were codified. These batteries
introduce higher energy levels into airplane systems through new
chemical compositions in various battery cell sizes and construction.
Interconnection of these cells in battery packs introduces failure
modes that require unique design considerations, such as provisions for
thermal management.
Recent events involving rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium
batteries prompted the FAA to initiate a broad evaluation of these
energy storage technologies. In January 2013, two independent events
involving rechargeable lithium-ion batteries revealed unanticipated
failure modes. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) letter to
the FAA, dated May 22, 2014, which is available at http://www.ntsb.gov,
filename A-14-032-036.pdf, describes these events.
On July 12, 2013, an event involving a non-rechargeable lithium
battery in an emergency locator transmitter installation demonstrated
unanticipated failure modes. The United Kingdom's Air Accidents
Investigation Branch Bulletin S5/2013 describes this event.
Some known uses of rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium
batteries on airplanes include:
Flight deck and avionics systems such as displays, global
positioning systems, cockpit voice recorders, flight data recorders,
underwater locator beacons, navigation computers, integrated avionics
computers, satellite network and communication systems, communication
management units, and remote-monitor electronic line-replaceable units;
Cabin safety, entertainment, and communications equipment,
including emergency locator transmitters, life rafts, escape slides,
seatbelt air bags, cabin management systems, Ethernet switches, routers
and media servers, wireless systems, internet and in-flight
entertainment systems, satellite televisions, remotes, and handsets;
Systems in cargo areas including door controls, sensors,
video surveillance equipment, and security systems.
Some known potential hazards and failure modes associated with non-
rechargeable lithium batteries are:
Internal failures: In general, these batteries are
significantly more susceptible to internal failures that can result in
self-sustaining increases in temperature and pressure (i.e., thermal
runaway) than their nickel-cadmium or lead-acid counterparts. The
metallic lithium can ignite, resulting in a self-sustaining fire or
explosion.
Fast or imbalanced discharging: Fast discharging or an
imbalanced discharge of one cell of a multi-cell battery may create an
overheating condition that results in an uncontrollable venting
condition, which

[[Page 22404]]

in turn leads to a thermal event or an explosion.
Flammability: Unlike nickel-cadmium and lead-acid
batteries, lithium batteries use higher energy and current in an
electrochemical system that can be configured to maximize energy
storage of lithium. They also use liquid electrolytes that can be
extremely flammable. The electrolyte, as well as the electrodes, can
serve as a source of fuel for an external fire if the battery casing is
breached.
Special condition no. 1 of these special conditions requires that
each individual cell within a non-rechargeable lithium battery be
designed to maintain safe temperatures and pressures. Special condition
no. 2 addresses these same issues but for the entire battery. Special
condition no. 2 requires the battery be designed to prevent propagation
of a thermal event, such as self-sustained, uncontrollable increases in
temperature or pressure from one cell to adjacent cells.
Special conditions nos. 1 and 2 are intended to ensure that the
non-rechargeable lithium battery and its cells are designed to
eliminate the potential for uncontrollable failures. However, a certain
number of failures will occur due to various factors beyond the control
of the battery designer. Therefore, other special conditions are
intended to protect the airplane and its occupants if failure occurs.
Special conditions 3, 7, and 8 are self-explanatory.
Special condition no. 4 makes it clear that the flammable fluid
fire protection requirements of Sec. 25.863 apply to non-rechargeable
lithium battery installations. Section 25.863 is applicable to areas of
the airplane that could be exposed to flammable fluid leakage from
airplane systems. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries contain an
electrolyte that is a flammable fluid.
Special condition no. 5 requires that each non-rechargeable lithium
battery installation not damage surrounding structure or adjacent
systems, equipment, or electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or gases
that may escape in such a way as to cause a major or more severe
failure condition.
While special condition no. 5 addresses corrosive fluids and gases,
special condition no. 6 addresses heat. Special condition no. 6
requires that each non-rechargeable lithium battery installation have
provisions to prevent any hazardous effect on airplane structure or
systems caused by the maximum amount of heat the battery installation
can generate due to any failure of it or its individual cells. The
means of meeting special conditions nos. 5 and 6 may be the same, but
the requirements are independent and address different hazards.
These special conditions apply to all non-rechargeable lithium
battery installations in lieu of Sec. 25.1353(b)(1) through (4) at
Amendment 25-123 or Sec. 25.1353(c)(1) through (4) at earlier
amendments. Those regulations remain in effect for other battery
installations.
These special conditions contain the additional safety standards
that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of
safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness
standards.

Applicability

These special conditions are applicable to the 747-8 series
airplanes. Should Boeing apply at a later date for a change to the type
certificate to include another model incorporating the same novel or
unusual design feature, these special conditions would apply to that
model as well.
These special conditions are only applicable to design changes
applied for after the effective date.
These special conditions are not applicable to changes to
previously certified non-rechargeable lithium battery installations
where the only change is either cosmetic or to relocate the
installation to improve the safety of the airplane and occupants.
Previously certified non-rechargeable lithium battery installations, as
used in this paragraph, are those installations approved for
certification projects applied for on or before the effective date of
these special conditions. A cosmetic change is a change in appearance
only, and does not change any function or safety characteristic of the
battery installation. These special conditions are also not applicable
to unchanged, previously certified non-rechargeable lithium battery
installations that are affected by a change in a manner that improves
the safety of its installation. The FAA determined that these
exclusions are in the public interest because the need to meet all of
the special conditions might otherwise deter these design changes that
improve safety.

Conclusion

This action affects only a certain novel or unusual design feature
on one model of airplane. It is not a rule of general applicability.
The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the
notice and comment period in prior instances and has been derived
without substantive change from those previously issued. It is unlikely
that prior public comment would result in a significant change from the
substance contained herein. Therefore, the FAA has determined that
prior public notice and comment are unnecessary and impracticable, and
good cause exists for adopting these special conditions upon
publication in the Federal Register. The FAA is requesting comments to
allow interested persons to submit views that may not have been
submitted in response to the prior opportunities for comment described
above.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and record keeping
requirements.

The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.

The Special Conditions

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of
the type certification basis for the Boeing Model 747-8 series
airplanes.

Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations

In lieu of Sec. 25.1353(b)(1) through (4) at Amendment 25-123 or
Sec. 25.1353(c)(1) through (4) at earlier amendments, each non-
rechargeable lithium battery installation must:
1. Be designed to maintain safe cell temperatures and pressures
under all foreseeable operating conditions to prevent fire and
explosion.
2. Be designed to prevent the occurrence of self-sustaining,
uncontrollable increases in temperature or pressure.
3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases, either in normal operation or
as a result of its failure, that may accumulate in hazardous quantities
within the airplane.
4. Meet the requirements of Sec. 25.863.
5. Not damage surrounding structure or adjacent systems, equipment,
or electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or gases that may escape in
such a way as to cause a major or more severe failure condition.
6. Have provisions to prevent any hazardous effect on airplane
structure or systems caused by the maximum amount of heat it can
generate due to any failure of it or its individual cells.
7. Have a failure sensing and warning system to alert the
flightcrew if its failure affects safe operation of the airplane.
8. Have a means for the flightcrew or maintenance personnel to
determine the battery charge state if the battery's

[[Page 22405]]

function is required for safe operation of the airplane.

Note: A battery system consists of the battery and any
protective, monitoring, and alerting circuitry or hardware inside or
outside of the battery. It also includes vents (where necessary) and
packaging. For the purpose of these special conditions, a
``battery'' and ``battery system'' are referred to as a battery.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 9, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-09843 Filed 5-15-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 93 / Tuesday, May 16, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 22403

site in Alaskan terrain. The FAA special conditions, exemptions, or later Interconnection of these cells in battery
considers that the safety benefits from amended sections that are not relevant packs introduces failure modes that
upgrading to a 406 MHz ELT for to these special conditions. require unique design considerations,
Alaskan operations will outweigh the If the Administrator finds that the such as provisions for thermal
battery fire risk. applicable airworthiness regulations management.
(i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain Recent events involving rechargeable
Comments Invited adequate or appropriate safety standards and non-rechargeable lithium batteries
The substance of these special for the 747–8 series airplanes because of prompted the FAA to initiate a broad
conditions has been subjected to the a novel or unusual design feature, evaluation of these energy storage
notice and comment period in prior special conditions are prescribed under technologies. In January 2013, two
instances and has been derived without the provisions of § 21.16. independent events involving
substantive change from those Special conditions are initially rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
previously issued. It is unlikely that applicable to the airplane model for revealed unanticipated failure modes. A
prior public comment would result in a which they are issued. Should the type National Transportation Safety Board
significant change from the substance certificate for that model be amended (NTSB) letter to the FAA, dated May 22,
contained herein. Therefore, the FAA later to include any other model that 2014, which is available at http://
has determined that prior public notice incorporates the same novel or unusual www.ntsb.gov, filename A–14–032–
and comment are unnecessary and design feature, or should any other 036.pdf, describes these events.
impracticable, and good cause exists for model already included on the same On July 12, 2013, an event involving
adopting these special conditions upon type certificate be modified to a non-rechargeable lithium battery in an
publication in the Federal Register. The incorporate the same novel or unusual emergency locator transmitter
FAA is requesting comments to allow design feature, these special conditions installation demonstrated unanticipated
interested persons to submit views that would also apply to the other model failure modes. The United Kingdom’s
may not have been submitted in under § 21.101. Air Accidents Investigation Branch
response to the prior opportunities for In addition to the applicable Bulletin S5/2013 describes this event.
comment described above. airworthiness regulations and special Some known uses of rechargeable and
We invite interested people to take conditions, the 747–8 series airplanes non-rechargeable lithium batteries on
part in this rulemaking by sending must comply with the fuel vent and airplanes include:
written comments, data, or views. The exhaust emission requirements of 14 • Flight deck and avionics systems
most helpful comments reference a CFR part 34 and the noise certification such as displays, global positioning
specific portion of the special requirements of 14 CFR part 36. systems, cockpit voice recorders, flight
conditions, explain the reason for any The FAA issues special conditions, as data recorders, underwater locator
recommended change, and include defined in 14 CFR 11.19, in accordance beacons, navigation computers,
supporting data. with § 11.38, and they become part of integrated avionics computers, satellite
We will consider all comments we the type certification basis under network and communication systems,
receive by the closing date for § 21.101. communication management units, and
comments. We may change these special remote-monitor electronic line-
Novel or Unusual Design Feature replaceable units;
conditions based on the comments we
receive. The novel or unusual design feature is • Cabin safety, entertainment, and
the installation of non-rechargeable communications equipment, including
Background lithium batteries. emergency locator transmitters, life
Boeing holds type certificate no. For the purpose of these special rafts, escape slides, seatbelt air bags,
A20WE, which provides the conditions, we refer to a battery and cabin management systems, Ethernet
certification basis for the 747–8 series battery system as a battery. A battery switches, routers and media servers,
airplanes. The 747–8 airplane is a four system consists of the battery and any wireless systems, internet and in-flight
engine, transport category airplane with protective, monitoring, and alerting entertainment systems, satellite
a passenger seating capacity of 605 and circuitry or hardware inside or outside televisions, remotes, and handsets;
a maximum takeoff weight of 970,000 of the battery. It also includes vents • Systems in cargo areas including
pounds. (where necessary) and packaging. door controls, sensors, video
The FAA is issuing these special surveillance equipment, and security
Discussion
conditions for non-rechargeable lithium systems.
battery installations on the 747–8 series The FAA derived the current Some known potential hazards and
airplanes. The current battery regulations governing installation of failure modes associated with non-
requirements in title 14, Code of Federal batteries in transport category airplanes rechargeable lithium batteries are:
Regulations (14 CFR) part 25 are from Civil Air Regulations (CAR) • Internal failures: In general, these
inadequate for addressing an airplane 4b.625(d) as part of the recodification of batteries are significantly more
with non-rechargeable lithium batteries. CAR 4b that established 14 CFR part 25 susceptible to internal failures that can
in February 1965. This recodification result in self-sustaining increases in
Type Certification Basis basically reworded the CAR 4b battery temperature and pressure (i.e., thermal
Under the provisions of 14 CFR requirements, which are currently in runaway) than their nickel-cadmium or
21.101, Boeing must show that the 747– § 25.1353(b)(1) through (4). Non- lead-acid counterparts. The metallic
8 series airplanes meet the applicable rechargeable lithium batteries are novel lithium can ignite, resulting in a self-
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES

provisions of the regulations listed in and unusual with respect to the state of sustaining fire or explosion.
type certificate no. A20WE or the technology considered when these • Fast or imbalanced discharging:
applicable regulations in effect on the requirements were codified. These Fast discharging or an imbalanced
date of application for the change, batteries introduce higher energy levels discharge of one cell of a multi-cell
except for earlier amendments as agreed into airplane systems through new battery may create an overheating
upon by the FAA. In addition, the chemical compositions in various condition that results in an
certification basis includes certain battery cell sizes and construction. uncontrollable venting condition, which

VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:05 May 15, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\16MYR1.SGM 16MYR1

22404 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 93 / Tuesday, May 16, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

in turn leads to a thermal event or an nos. 5 and 6 may be the same, but the prior public comment would result in a
explosion. requirements are independent and significant change from the substance
• Flammability: Unlike nickel- address different hazards. contained herein. Therefore, the FAA
cadmium and lead-acid batteries, These special conditions apply to all has determined that prior public notice
lithium batteries use higher energy and non-rechargeable lithium battery and comment are unnecessary and
current in an electrochemical system installations in lieu of § 25.1353(b)(1) impracticable, and good cause exists for
that can be configured to maximize through (4) at Amendment 25–123 or adopting these special conditions upon
energy storage of lithium. They also use § 25.1353(c)(1) through (4) at earlier publication in the Federal Register. The
liquid electrolytes that can be extremely amendments. Those regulations remain FAA is requesting comments to allow
flammable. The electrolyte, as well as in effect for other battery installations. interested persons to submit views that
the electrodes, can serve as a source of These special conditions contain the may not have been submitted in
fuel for an external fire if the battery additional safety standards that the response to the prior opportunities for
casing is breached. Administrator considers necessary to comment described above.
Special condition no. 1 of these establish a level of safety equivalent to
special conditions requires that each that established by the existing List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25
individual cell within a non- airworthiness standards. Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting
rechargeable lithium battery be designed and record keeping requirements.
to maintain safe temperatures and Applicability
The authority citation for these
pressures. Special condition no. 2 These special conditions are special conditions is as follows:
addresses these same issues but for the applicable to the 747–8 series airplanes.
Should Boeing apply at a later date for Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701,
entire battery. Special condition no. 2
44702, 44704.
requires the battery be designed to a change to the type certificate to
prevent propagation of a thermal event, include another model incorporating the The Special Conditions
such as self-sustained, uncontrollable same novel or unusual design feature, Accordingly, pursuant to the
increases in temperature or pressure these special conditions would apply to authority delegated to me by the
from one cell to adjacent cells. that model as well. Administrator, the following special
Special conditions nos. 1 and 2 are These special conditions are only conditions are issued as part of the type
intended to ensure that the non- applicable to design changes applied for certification basis for the Boeing Model
rechargeable lithium battery and its after the effective date. 747–8 series airplanes.
cells are designed to eliminate the These special conditions are not
potential for uncontrollable failures. applicable to changes to previously Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery
However, a certain number of failures certified non-rechargeable lithium Installations
will occur due to various factors beyond battery installations where the only In lieu of § 25.1353(b)(1) through (4)
the control of the battery designer. change is either cosmetic or to relocate at Amendment 25–123 or § 25.1353(c)(1)
Therefore, other special conditions are the installation to improve the safety of through (4) at earlier amendments, each
intended to protect the airplane and its the airplane and occupants. Previously non-rechargeable lithium battery
occupants if failure occurs. certified non-rechargeable lithium installation must:
Special conditions 3, 7, and 8 are self- battery installations, as used in this 1. Be designed to maintain safe cell
explanatory. paragraph, are those installations temperatures and pressures under all
Special condition no. 4 makes it clear approved for certification projects foreseeable operating conditions to
that the flammable fluid fire protection applied for on or before the effective prevent fire and explosion.
requirements of § 25.863 apply to non- date of these special conditions. A 2. Be designed to prevent the
rechargeable lithium battery cosmetic change is a change in occurrence of self-sustaining,
installations. Section 25.863 is appearance only, and does not change uncontrollable increases in temperature
applicable to areas of the airplane that any function or safety characteristic of or pressure.
could be exposed to flammable fluid the battery installation. These special 3. Not emit explosive or toxic gases,
leakage from airplane systems. Non- conditions are also not applicable to either in normal operation or as a result
rechargeable lithium batteries contain unchanged, previously certified non- of its failure, that may accumulate in
an electrolyte that is a flammable fluid. rechargeable lithium battery hazardous quantities within the
Special condition no. 5 requires that installations that are affected by a airplane.
each non-rechargeable lithium battery change in a manner that improves the 4. Meet the requirements of § 25.863.
installation not damage surrounding safety of its installation. The FAA 5. Not damage surrounding structure
structure or adjacent systems, determined that these exclusions are in or adjacent systems, equipment, or
equipment, or electrical wiring from the public interest because the need to electrical wiring from corrosive fluids or
corrosive fluids or gases that may escape meet all of the special conditions might gases that may escape in such a way as
in such a way as to cause a major or otherwise deter these design changes to cause a major or more severe failure
more severe failure condition. that improve safety. condition.
While special condition no. 5 6. Have provisions to prevent any
addresses corrosive fluids and gases, Conclusion hazardous effect on airplane structure or
special condition no. 6 addresses heat. This action affects only a certain systems caused by the maximum
Special condition no. 6 requires that novel or unusual design feature on one amount of heat it can generate due to
each non-rechargeable lithium battery model of airplane. It is not a rule of any failure of it or its individual cells.
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES

installation have provisions to prevent general applicability. 7. Have a failure sensing and warning
any hazardous effect on airplane The substance of these special system to alert the flightcrew if its
structure or systems caused by the conditions has been subjected to the failure affects safe operation of the
maximum amount of heat the battery notice and comment period in prior airplane.
installation can generate due to any instances and has been derived without 8. Have a means for the flightcrew or
failure of it or its individual cells. The substantive change from those maintenance personnel to determine the
means of meeting special conditions previously issued. It is unlikely that battery charge state if the battery’s

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Document Created: 2017-05-16 13:52:13
Document Modified: 2017-05-16 13:52:13

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Rules and Regulations
Action		Final special conditions; request for comment.
Dates		This action is effective on The Boeing Company on May 16, 2017. We must receive your comments by June 30, 2017.
Contact		Nazih Khaouly, Airplane and Flight Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington, 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-2432; facsimile 425-227-1149.
FR Citation		82 FR 22402
CFR Associated		Aircraft; Aviation Safety and Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements

82 FR 22402 - Special Conditions: The Boeing Company, Model 747-8 Series Airplanes; Non-Rechargeable Lithium Battery Installations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 93 (May 16, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration