Protective breathing equipment

This regulation requires Part 121 air carriers to provide approved protective breathing equipment (PBE) for flight crew and cabin crew to protect against smoke, harmful gases, and oxygen-deficient environments during fires or other emergencies (excluding depressurization).

Key requirements:

• Equipment must allow crew to see clearly (including with corrective glasses), communicate via radio and interphone, and perform their duties
• Must provide at least 15 minutes of breathing gas at 8,000 feet altitude
• Flight deck PBE must be easily accessible at each flight crewmember station
• Additional portable PBE units required throughout the cabin—one near each hand fire extinguisher in galleys and passenger compartments (within 3 feet)
• Flight crew must check their PBE before each flight; a designated crewmember checks all other units before the first flight of the day
• Equipment must be regularly inspected per manufacturer guidelines

The regulation ensures crew can safely fight fires and continue operating the aircraft during smoke or fume events.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*