{"id":"F2006B09968","name":"AD/FPE/9 - Portable Extinguisher Discharge Head Trigger","slug":"ad-fpe-9-portable-extinguisher-discharge-head-trigger","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":55246,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09968-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/FPE/9 - Portable Extinguisher Discharge Head Trigger","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Fire Protection Equipment\n\n \n\nAD/FPE/9 Portable Extinguisher Discharge Head Trigger 3/93\n\nApplicability: All Cabin Portable Fire Extinguishers Halon 1211 and Water Glycol, manufactured by First Technology Fire and Safety Ltd (formally Fire Fighting Enterprises (UK) Ltd).\n\n \n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Fire Fighting Enterprises (UK) LTD Mandatory SB 26- 108.\n\n \n\nNote: UK CAA AD 004-09-92 refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Prior to 4 September 1993.\n\n \n\nBackground: Several incidents have been reported of broken triggers. The evidence indicates that the breakage occurred from an attempt to operate the trigger without lifting the safety catch. This Directive requires the fitment of a new trigger manufactured from an improved and stronger material.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in specific equipment. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating trigger replacement."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical requirement (replace trigger)","Only one defined applicability criterion (manufacturer and extinguisher type)","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a single note about a UK equivalent directive","Clear compliance deadline with no conditional exceptions","Background explanation provided in plain language","Total length is approximately 150 words"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).\n\n**What it does:**\nIt requires airlines and aircraft operators to replace the trigger mechanism on certain portable fire extinguishers found in airplane cabins. The old triggers were breaking when people tried to use them without first lifting the safety catch. The new triggers are made from stronger material.\n\n**Who it affects:**\nAnyone operating aircraft that carry specific models of cabin fire extinguishers made by First Technology Fire and Safety Ltd (previously called Fire Fighting Enterprises UK). These are Halon 1211 and Water Glycol type extinguishers.\n\n**What must be done:**\nOperators must follow the manufacturer's Service Bulletin SB 26-108 to install improved triggers.\n\n**When:**\nBefore 4 September 1993.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nBroken fire extinguisher triggers could mean a fire in the cabin cannot be put out quickly, endangering passengers and crew. This directive fixes a known design flaw before it causes a serious incident."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument confines measures to the specified extinguisher models and mandates replacement of the trigger per the manufacturer's service bulletin with a fixed compliance date. It does not broaden obligations beyond retrofit of the identified parts or extend to other equipment classes."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability to specific extinguisher types and a single manufacturer reduces legal scope complexity.","Prescriptive remedy: fitment per Mandatory Service Bulletin 26-108 simplifies required action.","Fixed compliance deadline creates an immediate implementation burden.","Safety-critical nature requires competent maintenance personnel and verification, adding operational complexity.","Dependency on obtaining parts from manufacturer or approved supplier introduces supply/logistics risk.","Cross-reference to UK CAA AD 004-09-92 indicates alignment with foreign authority, requiring coordination.","Enforcement falls under civil aviation regulatory framework; verification and record-keeping are potential administrative tasks."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of cabin portable fire extinguishers (Halon 1211 and Water Glycol) made by First Technology Fire and Safety Ltd (formerly Fire Fighting Enterprises (UK) Ltd) to fit a redesigned, stronger discharge-head trigger in accordance with the manufacturer's Mandatory Service Bulletin 26-108. Compliance was required prior to 4 September 1993. The stated purpose is to prevent trigger breakage caused by attempts to operate the trigger without lifting the safety catch. Owners/operators must source and fit the replacement parts and bear the cost and downtime."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-fpe-9-portable-extinguisher-discharge-head-trigger","history":"/api/acts/ad-fpe-9-portable-extinguisher-discharge-head-trigger/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-fpe-9-portable-extinguisher-discharge-head-trigger/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-fpe-9-portable-extinguisher-discharge-head-trigger/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-fpe-9-portable-extinguisher-discharge-head-trigger/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-fpe-9-portable-extinguisher-discharge-head-trigger/documents"}}