ETSO-C78

Date : 24.10.03
European
Aviation
Safety
Agency

European Technical Standard Order

Subject: CREWMEMBER DEMAND OXYGEN MASKS

1 - Applicability
This ETSO gives the requirements which crewmember demand oxygen masks that are manufactured
on or after the date of this ETSO must meet in order to be identified with the applicable ETSO
marking.

2 - Procedures
2.1 - General
Applicable procedures are detailed in CS-ETSO Subpart A.
2.2 - Specific
None.

3 - Technical Conditions
3.1 - Basic
3.1.1 - Minimum Performance Standard
Standards set forth in the attached „Federal Aviation Administration Standard, Crewmember
Demand Oxygen Masks“.
3.1.2 - Environmental Standard
As stated in the Federal Aviation Administration Standard.
3.1.3 – Computer Software
None
3.2 - Specific
None

4 - Marking
4.1 - General
Marking is detailed in CS-ETSO Subpart A paragraph 1.2; in addition each mask shall be marked
to indicate:
(i) whether it is a „non pressure demand“ or a „pressure demand“ mask
(ii) the maximum environmental (cabin) altitude for which it is qualified.
4.2 - Specific
None.

5 - Availability of Referenced Document

See CS-ETSO Subpart A paragraph 3.

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 FAA Standard associated with ETSO–C78

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION STANDARD conducted at ambient atmospheric conditions of

Crewmember Demand Oxygen Masks approximately 30" hg. and 70° F., except as
otherwise specified. Gas flow rates and pressures
1.0 Purpose.
must be corrected to STPD.
This Standard contains minimum performance 3.1 Quick-disconnect Coupling. The force
standards for the manufacture of demand type oxygen required to separate quick disconnect couplings not
masks for use with non-pressure demand (straight- designed to prevent inadvertent separation must not
demand and diluter-demand) and pressure-demand be less than 10 pounds exerted along the axis of
oxygen systems. symmetry of the oxygen supply tube.
3.2 Strength.
(a) The mask must be capable of sustaining a
2.0 Design and Construction of Mask.
pull force on the suspension device attachment
To be eligible for approval under a Technical fittings of not less than 35 pounds in any direction for
Standard Order authorization, the oxygen mask must a period of not less than 3 seconds.
possess the following design and construction (b) The oxygen supply tube assembly must be
characteristics. capable of sustaining a pull force of not less than
2.1 Masks designed for use with a remotely 30 pounds exerted along the axis of symmetry of the
located oxygen flow regulator must include a flexible tube for a period of not less than 3 seconds.
oxygen supply tube fixed or detachable at the mask (c) The oxygen supply tube assembly must be
or at the regulator or at both. Oxygen supply tubes capable of sustaining an internal pressure of 1.5
used in conjunction with mask-mounted oxygen flow p.s.i.g.
regulators are not subject to this paragraph. 3.3 Leakage.
2.2 The mask must be designed for respiration (a) The total inward leakage rate, with the
through the nose and mouth (oronasal). The mask complete mask positioned on the face or on a suitable
may also include integral goggles designed to protect test stand in a manner which simulates normal use,
the eyes from smoke and harmful gases (fullface). must not exceed 0.10 LPM STPD at any negative
2.3 The mask must be constructed of materials differential pressure within the range of from zero to
that – 6.0 inches of water.
(a) do not contaminate air or oxygen: (b) Inhalation valves installed in pressure-
(b) are not adversely affected by continuous demand masks must not backleak more than 0.015
contact with oxygen; and LPM, STPD, when subjected to a suction pressure
(c) are at least flame resistant. differential of 0.1" H2O and not more than 0.15
2.4 The mask must be designed to prevent the LPM, STPD, when subjected to a suction pressure
accumulation of hazardous quantities of expiratory differential of 12.0" H2O.
gases within the facepiece chamber. (c) The oxygen supply tube assembly must not
2.5 The mask must be designed to prevent the leak when subjected to an internal pressure of
formation of accumulation of frost which would 1.5 p.s.i.g.
interfere with the function of the exhalation valve, 3.4 Flow Resistance.
unless it can be shown that the frost can be removed (a) The inspiratory resistance of the mask and
by external manipulation without removing the mask oxygen supply tube including the oxygen supply
from the face of the user. connector when inserted in an appropriate mating
2.6 The fullface mask must be designed to fitting must not exceed the following negative
include means for the prevention or the removal of differential pressures at the corresponding oxygen
condensation from the inside surfaces of the goggle flow rates:
lenses. Differential Pressure Flow Rate
2.7 Masks equipped with oxygen supply tubes (inches H2O) (LPM)
designed for quick disconnection at the mask or at 0.6 20
the regulator must incorporate means to alert the user 1.5 70
when his oxygen supply tube has become 2.5 100
disconnected. Such means must not restrict the flow (b) The expiratory resistance of the mask must
of ambient air through the oxygen supply tube by an not exceed the following positive differential
amount exceeding 25 percent. This section does not pressures at the corresponding oxygen flow rates:
apply if the quick disconnect device incorporates Differential Pressure Flow Rate
means to prevent inadvertent separation. (inches H2O) (LPM)
1.0 20
3.0 Performance.
2.0 70
3.0 100
Five masks of each kind for which approval is 3.5 Pressure-Demand. Exhalation Valve
sought must be shown to comply with the minimum Performance. The exhalation valve installed in a
performance standards set forth in paragraphs 3.1 pressure demand mask must open when the pressure
through 3.12, except that only one mask of each kind within the facepiece is 20 mm Hg and the pressure in
is required to comply with the provisions of the supply tube is 15 to 19.9 mm Hg.
paragraphs 3.6, 3.8, 3.9, and 3.11. Tests must be

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 FAA Standard associated with ETSO–C78

3.6 Vibration. The flow of gases during the the following simulated breathing schedule for a total
respiratory process must not cause vibration, flutter, of 50,000 cycles:
or chatter which would interfere with the satisfactory Respiratory Minute Flow Rate Volume, Tidal
operation of the mask. Cycles LPM, STPD Liters
3.7 Acceleration Load. The exhalation valve 20,000 20 1.0
must not inadvertently operate under a 3g load 25,000 30 1.5
applied in any direction. 5,000 70 2.0
3.8 Extreme Temperature. The mask must A constant time interval must be maintained
comply with paragraphs 3.3 through 3.5 in an between respiratory cycles.
ambient temperature of 70° F. within 15 minutes after 3.12 Microphone. If the mask is designed to
being stored at a temperature of 160° F. for 12 hours, include a microphone, the installation of the
and within 15 minutes after being stored at 0° F. for microphone must not interfere with the operation of
2 hours. The relative humidity during storage must the mask.
vary from 5 to 95 percent. The mask facepiece must
4.0 Quality Control.
not be gummy or sticky and must provide a normal
seal after the high temperature exposure. 4.1 Production Tests. Each mask must be shown
3.9 Low Temperature Test Delay to comply with the provisions of paragraph 3.3(a),
(a) The mask must function properly, without total leakage.
apparent delay, at a temperature of 70° F. after being 4.2 Random Tests. One mask must be selected at
stored at a temperature of 20° F. for not less than random from each lot and must be shown to comply
2 hours. with paragraph 3.1 through 3.12. The lot size must
(b) The mask must function properly, without be selected by the applicant subject to the approval of
apparent delay, and continue for a period of not less the Federal Aviation Administration (see FAR §
than 15 minutes when tested at a temperature of 20° 37.5), on the basis of evaluation of the applicant’s
F. after being stored at a temperature of 70° F. for not quality control systems (see § 37.5 (a) (3) ).
less than 12 hours.
3.10 Decompression. 5.0 Maximum Environmental (Cabin) Altitude.
(a) A mask not equipped with a pressure relief
valve must not suffer damage and must comply with The minimum pressure to which the mask has
paragraphs 3.3 through 3.5 after being subjected to a been shown to decompress satisfactorily in
decrease in ambient pressure from 12 p.s.i.a. to not accordance with paragraphs 3.10(a) or (b) of this
less than 2.7 p.s.i.a. for a straight or diluter-demand standard determines the maximum environmental
kind, or to not less than 2.1 p.s.i.a. for a pressure altitude of the mask, except that it shall not exceed
demand kind, within a period of not more than 1 the value shown in the following table:
second. This decompression test must simulate the MAXIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL

condition that could be imposed on a mask being (CABIN) ALTITUDE KIND OF MASK

worn by a crewmember during the specified 40,000 feet STRAIGHT OR DILUTER-DEMAND

decompression. 45,000 feet PRESSURE-DEMAND

(b) A mask equipped with a pressure relief value

must be subjected to the decompression specified in 6.0 Abbreviations and Definitions.
subparagraph (a) of this section during which the
pressure relief valve must open at a differential LPM Liters per minute.
pressure of 17" H2O and must relieve the differential STPD Standard temperature and pressure,
pressure to a value not exceeding l6" H2O within dry (0°C. 760 mm. Hg.)
5 seconds. During the 5-second interval, the pressure p.s.i.g. Pounds per square inch, gage.
differential must not exceed a value of 20" H2O. The p.s.i.a. Pounds per square inch, absolute.
pressure relief valve must close at a differential g Acceleration or gravity, 32.2 feet/
pressure of 14" H2O. second2.
3.11 Cycling. The mask must comply with Tidal volume Volume of air inspired per breath.
paragraphs 3.3 through 3.5 after being subjected to

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