C E R T A L E R T

ADVISORY       CAUTIONARY      NON-DIRECTIVE
FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:  Ken Gilliam, AAS-310 (407) 812.6331 Ext.134

DATE: 	12/29/2004	No. 04-18	
TO: 	Airport Operators, FAA Airport Certification Safety Inspectors	
TOPIC: 	Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Training Facility Pool Size (Fixed and Mobile)	
One of the requirements of part 139 is for all ARFF personnel to participate in at least one live-fire drill every 12 months.  As guidance for airport operators in providing this training, the FAA issued standards for different size fire training facilities based on the largest air carrier aircraft serving the airport.  With the introduction of new technologies, ARFF personnel have had the option to train on both mobile as well as fixed training facilities.  The FAA published a Notice of Policy in the Federal Register on Monday, December 27 on page 77311.  That Notice indicates that FAA’s policy is now to accept mobile simulators for 2 years for Index C, D, and E airports holding a Class I airport operating certificate.  Every third year, these airport fire departments will be required to attend a large fixed facility to learn about new technologies and procedures and to gain experience fighting a larger pit fire than the mobile simulators can duplicate.  Class I airports that are Index A and B and Class II, III, and IV airports may continue to use the mobile trainer every year to meet the 14 CFR part 139 requirements.
A mobile trainer is normally found with approximately 2,500 square feet of pool fire. The allowance of this smaller pool fire is extended to fixed training facilities that meet all other requirements of a mobile trainer facility. This does not eliminate the requirement of every third year, that Index C, D, and E airports holding a Class I airport operating certificate will be required to attend a large fixed facility to learn about new technologies and procedures and to gain experience fighting a larger pool fire than the smaller pool fire can provide.

	December 29, 2004	
Ben Castellano, Manager 
Airport Safety & Operations Division	Date