This report, in conjunction with other referenced SAE documents, provides recommendations for development of aircraft cabin pressure control systems and equipment, with particular emphasis on performance objectives, requirements definition, operational scenarios, design practices, safety processes, and verification methods.
The objective of a Cabin Pressure Control System (CPCS) is to regulate aircraft cabin pressure throughout the operational flight envelope, in order to ensure occupant safety, aircraft safety, and passenger comfort.
The system should comply with all relevant certification and safety requirements, particularly in the areas of:
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Maintaining a breathable environment within occupied compartments
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Protecting the fuselage structure against excessive positive and negative differential pressure loads
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Supporting cabin egress on ground
The system should have the capability to schedule cabin pressure at rates of change that are comfortable to crew and passengers.
Careful consideration should be given to external system interfaces and the role of CPCS in providing supporting functions.
The system should be fault tolerant and reliable, support crew awareness of key system parameters and failure conditions, and support efficient fault isolation and resolution by maintenance crews.
If applicable, the system design should provision for high altitude airport operation or application on a freighter configuration aircraft.
The system architecture and design should minimize aircraft fuel burn through optimized weight.
To this end, the complexity and level of automation of the system should be carefully evaluated within the context of a functional hazard assessment and the overall impact to system reliability, maintainability, and cost of ownership.
This recommended practice is applicable to pressurized aircraft, both civil and military, regardless of the number of passengers or crew.