A Part 121 airplane's cargo compartment is equipped with an approved built-in fire or smoke detection system and a built-in fire extinguishing or suppression system controllable from the flight crew compartment. Under 14 CFR 121.219, this compartment meets the requirements for which class of cargo/baggage compartment?
- AClass A
- BClass E
- CClass C
- DClass B
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Class C
14 CFR 121.219 defines Class C cargo/baggage compartments as those equipped with both a fire or smoke detection system and a built-in fire extinguishing or suppression system controllable from the flight crew compartment. Class A relies on crew visibility with a hand extinguisher, Class B has a detector and crew access with a hand extinguisher, and Class E applies to all-cargo airplanes with ventilation shutoff capability but no built-in extinguishing system.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Class A compartments rely on visibility to crew and hand-held extinguishers, no built-in detection/suppression.
- B. Class E applies to cargo-only airplanes and requires airflow shutoff but not built-in fire extinguishing.
- D. Class B compartments have detection and crew access with a hand extinguisher, but no built-in suppression system.
Cargo Compartment Classification (121.219)
Cargo/baggage compartments are classified A through E based on fire detection and suppression capability; Class C requires both a detection system and a built-in extinguishing system controllable from the cockpit.
- Class A: visible to crew, hand extinguisher only
- Class B: detector + crew access + hand extinguisher
- Class C: detector + built-in extinguishing system, cockpit-controlled
- Class E: cargo-only airplanes, requires ventilation shutoff, no built-in suppression
Memory trick: 'A sees it, B reaches it, C suppresses it, E starves it of air.'