CHAPTER 10: AIRPORT RESCUE AND FIRE FIGHTING SERVICES

10.1 Introduction

10.1.1 The details contained in this chapter relate to various operational standards
applicable to aerodrome rescue and fire fighting services at AAI aerodromes.

10.2 Criteria for establishment of ARFF.

10.2.1 ARFF services will be provided at all airports in conformity with ICAO
standards and guidelines regarding level of fire protectio n.

10.3 Determining the category of the aerodrome

10.3.1 The level of protection provided at an aerodrome for rescue and fire
fighting will be appropriate to the aerodrome category determined in accordance with
Table 10-1 below and will be based on the longest aeroplanes normally using the
aerodrome and their fuselage width. If after selecting the category appropriate to the
longest aeroplane’s overall length, that aeroplane’s fuselage width is greater than the
maximum width in Table 10-1 below for that category, then the category for that
aeroplane will be taken as one category higher. The level of protection will be
appropriate to the aerodrome category so determined.

10.3.2 Where the number of movements of the aero-planes in the highest

category normally using the aerodrome is less than 700 in the busiest consecutive
three months, the level of protection will not be less than one category below the
determined category.

10.3.3 However, from 1st January 2005, the level of protection provided will be
equal to the aerodrome category determined based on the longest aeroplane normally
using the aerodrome and their fuselage width.

10.3.4 Availability of ARFF services including level of protection and watch

hours will be notified through Aeronautical Information Publication and any
temporary change in the status of service will be notified through NOTAM.

10.3.5 During the period of reduced activity, the level of protection will not be
less than that required for the highest category of aeroplane using the aerodrome
during that period irrespective of the number of movements.
Table 10-1: Aerodrome category for rescue and fire fighting

Aerodrome Aeroplane overall length Maximum fuselage

category width
(1) (2) (3)
1 0 m up to but not including 9 m 2m
2 9 m up to but not including 12 m 2m
3 12 m up to but not including 18 m 3m
4 18 m up to but not including 24 m 4m
5 24 m up to but not including 28 m 4m
6 28 m up to but not inc luding 39 m 5m
7 39 m up to but not including 49 m 5m
8 49 m up to but not including 61 m 7m
9 61 m up to but not including 76 m 7m
10 76 m up to but not including 90 m 8m

10.4 ARFF vehicles

10.4.1 Number of vehicles provided for ARFF service will be commensurate

with the aerodrome category as defined in Airport Services Manual part 1. The
minimum number of rescue and fire fighting vehicles provided at an aerodrome will
be in accordance with the following and as contained in OPS/720/81 dated 29/8/2002
(Operational circular no. 4 of 2002).

Category of aerodrome ARFF vehicles

1 to 5 1
6, 7 2
8 3
9 4
10 5

10.5 Vehicle performance

10.5.1 ARFF vehicles will meet all the requirements outlined in Table 5-1 of
chapter 5 of ICAO Airport Services Manual part 1.

10.5.2 ARFF vehicles and equipment will be subjected to inspection schedules

and tests on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, half- yearly and annual basis. These
inspections and tests will be as prescribed vide Fire Order No. 1 of 2001.

10.5.3 The ARFF will have a comprehensive fleet management programme

with a prescribed test method to check performance at regular interval, as per Fire
Order No. 3 of 1993.
10.6 Response time

10.6.1 Response time is considered as the time between the initial call to the
ARFF and the time when the first responding vehicle(s) is (are) in position and if
required, apply foam at a rate of at least 50 % of the discharge rate specified in Table
9.2 of Annex 14.

10.6.2 The operational objective of the ARFF will be to achieve response time
not exceeding three minutes to the end of each runway in conditions of visibility 2500
m or better and dry, paved surface conditions.

10.7 Fire extinguishing agent performance criteria

10.7.1 The primary attack agent for ARFF will be foam (AFFF), conforming to
level B, recommended in Airport Service Manual part 1. Requisite quantities of
foam compound will be maintained at each station in conformatio n with ICAO guide
lines.

10.7.2 In addition to primary agent, necessary amount of complementary agent

will also be carried in ARFF vehicles.

10.7.3 A minimum of 200 % of foam concentrate and complementary agent will

be held in reserve and will be available at all times on the aerodrome. Additional
stocks of extinguishing agents required for training will be also provided as per
operation Circular No.4 of 2002.

10.8 Ancillary equipment and performance criteria

10.8.1 ARFF will carry a wide range of rescue, fire fighting and salvage
equipment as complements for providing rescue and fire fighting function. The list of
such ancillary equipment will be maintained at each ARFF station.

10.8.2 The equipment will be tested at regular intervals in conformation with

performance criteria and the results will be recorded in equipment log books to draw
life cycle for repair / refurbishing / replacement.

10.9 ARFF personnel protective clothing and other equipment

10.9.1 At least two close proximity suits will be provided in each CFT to enable
ARFF staff to perform their function safely and effectively. These protective suits
will conform to the accepted International Standards.

10.9.2 All ARFF Personnel will be provided with a personal issue of helmet with
visor, fireman shoes, safety overalls, gloves, rain coats and gum boots and other
personal protective items.
10.9.3 In addition to above, provision of BA sets will be made in all CFTs for
ARFF Personnel.

10.10 ARFF operational procedures

10.10.1 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), circulated in the form of Fire

Orders/ Operational Circulars, will be complied with for effective provision of ARFF
services.

10.11 Reports of an accident or incident

10.11.1 ARFF service will have an operation reporting system including incident /
accident as detailed in fire order number 1 of 2001.

10.11.2 The ARFF service reporting through various reports and returns will
pertain to following:

a. Aircraft crash / fire report.

b. Building fire incident report.
c. Standby report.
d. Other fires report.

10.12 Quality control

10.12.1 Quality of service provided by ARFF will conform to ICAO requirements.

10.12.2 Regular audits will be conducted by the Directorate of Fire Services and
the Directorate of Aviation Safety.

10.13 ARFF training establishments

10.13.1 Fire Service Training Colleges are established at Kolkatta and Delhi.

10.13.2 All the training courses conform to ICAO training manual.

10.14 ARFF personnel- recruitment

10.14.1 The recruitment of ARFF personnel will conform to the recruitment rules
laid by Airports Authority of India.

10.14.2 Details of academic, physical and medical standards for each category will
conform to recruitment rules issued by Airports Authority of India.
10.15 ARFF personnel training and manning requirements

10.15.1 All operational staff will be qualified and competent for their respective
level in the service.

10.15.2 ARFF officers and staff will undergo stipulated training courses at the fire
training college/centre before deployment at the station.

10.15.3 The ARFF personnel will undergo station level familiarization training on
local topography and equipment before deployment in actual service.

10.15.4 ARFF officers and staff will undergo stipulated training courses before
promotion to next higher grade in service.

10.15.5 The standard manning level for each equipment and unit related to ARFF
services will be maintained in conformation with Directorate of Personnel circular
no. 11013/10/2001-MPC dt. 28/3/2002 & Opn Circular No 3/2002 (IAD) on
manning level.

10.16 Competency levels

10.16.1 ARFF staff and officers will be required to possess educational and
technical qualification, beside physical and medical standard as laid in recruitment
rules. In addition to this, specific courses as per circular no. 2/2/92ARII (EQ) dated
18/12/1998 must be passed for promotion to each higher grades.

10.16.2 In addition to general courses, the staff will be deputed for different
operations training.

10.16.3 Refresher courses will be conducted for each category of ARFF staff
every three years.

10.17 ARFF medical/physical fitness

10.17.1 ARFF personnel will have to conform to the prescribed medical and
physical fitness as stipulated in Department of Personnel Recruitment Rules and
Standing Fire Advisory Council of India recommendation.

10.17.2 Physical & Medical Fitness will be compulsory for admission to training
courses at all levels.
10.17.3 A Standard Physical Fitness Programme will be carried out at station level
for annual assessment and for proficiency grading.

10.18 ARFF facilities

10.18.1 Facilities related to ARFF services will be provided at each airport in

conformation with ICAO guide lines.

10.18.2 The infrastructural facilities for ARFF services will be provided at each
airport in conformation with fire Order No. 4 of 2001.

10.18.3 Communication facilities provided for ARFF services will conform to fire
Order No. 4 of 2001.

10.18.4 The routine programme at fire station will be part of proficiency

maintenance and will be divided in daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, half yearly and
annual exercises in conformation with fire order no. – 1 of 2001 & Opn. Circular No.
5 of 1999.

10.18.5 ARFF service includes RFF vehicles (major CFTs, small CFTs),
Ambulances, water bousers, rescue tenders, high mast lights.

10.19 Facility maintenance plan

10.19.1 A standard procedure for maintenance of equipment and system will be

followed at periodic interval in confirmation to fire order no. 1 of 2001, circular No. 4
of 2000 & Operation Circular No.10,14 & 27 of 1998.

10.20 Interruption or change to level of operational service and contingency

plans

10.20.1 A system of notification with regard to level of fire protection and

category reduction / up-gradation will be followed as and when any emergency or
break down is encountered.

10.21 Arrangements with state/city fire brigades and other 3rd party
providers.

10.21.1 Arrangement will be made at each airport for State/City and/or other 3rd
party fire brigades to supplement airport fire services during aircraft emergency.

10.22 Service and facility management requirements

 10.22.1 Each equipment and system will be tested by station level, regional level
and central level teams to ensure proper functioning and periodic maintenance of
equipment / system.

10.23 Reports, returns, and record.

10.23.1 ARFF services will maintain all relevant records related to manpower,
equipment, activity and other infrastructure at station level in confirmation to fire
order no. 1 of 2001.

10.23.2 Reports and returns will be submitted by the stations to regional and
central headquarter for monitoring and data processing.

10.24 Aerodrome emergency plan

10.24.1 Aerodrome emergency plans will be developed for each aerodrome to deal
with following emergencies:
(i) aircraft crash;
(ii) aircraft emergencies (local standby, visibility standby & full
emergency);
(iii) bomb threat;
(iv) unlawfully seized aircraft
(v) building fires; and
(vi) natural disasters.

10.25 Aerodrome emergency exercise

10.25.1 In order to test the adequacy of the aerodrome emergency plan full scale
aerodrome emergency exercise will be carried out at intervals of not exceeding 2
years and partial emergency exercise once in the intervening period to ensure that
any deficiencies found during the exercises are corrected.

10.25.2 Records of reviews and exercises, including real emergencies, will be kept
and retained for 3 years.

10.26 Disabled aircraft removal

10.26.1 Disabled aircraft removal plan will be developed by each aerodrome and
included in the aerodrome manual.