ABC International has launched a rigid and transparent life-vest stowage box that has already been adopted for use by a major air carrier. The company reports that the box is ready to be installed, being fully compliant with CS/AR 25.853(a) requirements and successfully tested as part of the seat system against CS/FAR 25.562.
The box was designed in accordance with TSA safety and security regulations, to ensure easy access in every seating position, whenever needed, in one single quick action. At the same time an anti-intrusion system and special seals prevent and discourage improper removal or the introduction of foreign or dangerous objects. The item’s transparency enables crew to perform visual inspections as quickly as possible.
ABC International engineered the box to be easily installed on the most common seats by means of an adaptable aluminium interface sheet. The box is made from a flame-retardant and high-strength polycarbonate resin-UV stabilised material by means of injection moulding technology. It has been sized to allow installation of the most common single-cell passenger life preservers, and the company says different shapes and dimensions can be developed to enable full integration within any new seating system.
With its Part 21J privileges, ABC International can retrofit the box on in-service seats. The company adds cooperation is possible with seat OEMs to integrate the box in any cabin environment and configuration and on new seats.
“We usually receive very specific requests from our partners,” said Olindo Spatola, head of the design organisation at ABC International. “They are aware of our unique know-how and the unlimited cabin development support we can provide. They expect a lot from us. When I was informed about this project, I suddenly realised the importance of developing a flexible design to fit any future request. The challenging part has been to fulfil our client’s requirement bearing that in mind. This product will be asked to fly for many years and for other partners with different needs and ultimately it will perform in such a way.”
