The aircraft escape door, also known as the emergency exit, is a key facility for passengers and crew to evacuate quickly in the event of an emergency (such as emergency landing, fire after landing, etc.). It is not only a door, but also a complex emergency system.
I. The type and location of the escape door
Depending on the model and size of the aircraft, the number, type and location of escape doors also vary. It is mainly divided into the following types:
1. Main boarding gate/service gate
· Location: Usually located at the front and rear of the aircraft (left side).
· Features: This is the door used for daily boarding and loading and unloading luggage, but in case of emergency, they are also the main escape exit. These doors are the largest, usually equipped with double-channel slides/life rafts, and the evacuation efficiency is the highest.
2. Emergency exit above the wing
· Location: Located on both sides of the cabin above the wing.
· Features: This is the most common "small" escape door. They are smaller than the main boarding gate and are usually only equipped with single-channel slides. From the outside, there will be a clear mark on the glass or plastic window frame. From the inside, its surrounding structure will be very conspicuous.
3. Type III Emergency Exit
· Location: Usually in the rear of some small airliners (such as CRJ series, some ERJ series) or some models.
· Features: This is the smallest emergency exit, usually just a window that can be thrown out, and connected to an evacuation rope or slide. The opening is small, requiring passengers to jump out in a specific posture.
4. Cockpit emergency window
· Position: both sides of the cockpit.
· Features: Exclusively for pilots. In an emergency, pilots can open or throw away windows through specific organs and evacuate with built-in ropes.
II. The internal structure and operation mechanism of the escape door
In order to ensure that it can be opened quickly in an emergency (possible power outage, full of smoke, passengers panic), the design of the escape door follows the principles of simplicity, intuitiveness and efficiency.
1. Eye-catching signs: There must be a Chinese and English logo of "emergency exit" above the door, and there must be clear lighting signs near it (which can be seen even in smoke).
2. Operating handle/cover: There is a very conspicuous operating handle on or next to the door. It is usually protected by a transparent plastic cover to prevent accidental contact.
· Operation method: In case of emergency, the flight attendant or designated passenger needs to open or pull off the protective cover first, and then pull the handle in the direction indicated (usually up or down). The handle is connected to the latch mechanism of the door, and it will be unlocked when pulled.
3. Door opening method: After the door is unlocked, because it is an inflatable slide bag, it is very heavy (up to 80-100 kg), and it needs to be pushed out hard, and then it will automatically open out and fall off with the help of gravity, spring or inflatable device, and the slide bag will fall out and be automatically inflated in a few seconds.
4. Slide/life raft: This is the core of the escape door. The escape doors of modern airliners are pre-installed with emergency slides. Once the door is opened, the slide will automatically inflate and unfold, forming a sloping passage, allowing passengers to slide to the ground quickly. When forced landing on the water, some slides can be detached from the fuselage and used as life rafts.
III. Who can operate the escape door?
Under normal circumstances, it is absolutely forbidden for any passenger to touch any part of the escape door!
Only when the captain issued an evacuation order and the flight attendant shouted "evacuate! Evacuate! Evacuate!" After the password, it can be operated by the designated personnel.
1. Chief responsible person: crew members
· After strict and repeated training, flight attendants can skillfully operate escape doors in various extreme situations. They are the main force of the operation.
2. Assistor: designated emergency exit passengers
· Before the flight takes off, the passengers sitting in the row at the emergency exit will be asked and briefly explained by the flight attendants separately.
· Inquiry criteria: Are you over 15 years old, in good health, have sufficient physical strength, language ability and understanding, and are you willing to assist the crew in an emergency?
· Brief explanation: The flight attendant will instruct you to look at the safety notice card and simply tell you: "In case of emergency, after hearing the instruction, pull open the cover, pull down the handle, and push the door out hard. After that, please help guide other passengers, but don't be the first to jump down.
· If you are not eligible or unwilling to bear this responsibility, you can ask for a seat change.
IV. Important safety notes and laws and regulations
1. It is strictly forbidden to touch by mistake: it is a serious violation to touch the escape door handle in any non-emergency situation. It will lead to:
· Accidental release of the slide: An unexpected release will cause huge economic losses (the cost of re-folding and packing a slide is as high as hundreds of thousands of yuan), resulting in long-term delays or cancellations of flights.
· Legal consequences: The perpetrator will face high economic compensation and administrative detention and even criminal punishment. China's Public Security Administration Penalty Law and Civil Aviation Safety Regulations clearly stipulate this.
2. Obedience instructions: In case of emergency evacuation, time is life. Be sure to stay calm and obey the instructions of the crew. Don't act without permission, don't take your luggage, and evacuate in an orderly manner.
3. Read safety instructions: Every time you take a plane, take a minute to read the safety instructions card in the front seat pocket to know the location of the nearest emergency exit. Counting how many rows of seats are at the nearest exit is a good safety habit.
Sum up
The aircraft escape door is a set of sophisticated and life-threatening emergency systems. It is not an ordinary door, and its operation has strict procedures and regulations. As a passenger, what we need to do is:
· Never touch: In case of non-emergency, regard it as a restricted area.
· Understand the responsibility: If you sit in the exit seat, listen carefully to the flight attendant's explanation and confirm whether you are willing and able to take responsibility.
· Stay alert: pay attention to the exit position when boarding, follow the command in case of emergency, and evacuate in an orderly manner.
