ASTM F3238-17(2023)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3238 − 17 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Specification for
Design and Installation of an Infrared (IR) Searchlight
System (USA)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3238; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This specification establishes the exposure limits and safe operating guidelines for infrared (IR)
radiating devices to be mounted on N registered aircraft or any aircraft which is flown or operated in
the United States or its territories. This specification applies to devices such as searchlights and
landing lights or other IR radiating devices that emit incoherent IR energy. For IR systems that emit
coherent IR radiation, refer to FAA AC 20-183. This specification does not establish the requirements
for mounting to a specific aircraft and does not authorize the installation onto an aircraft. Specific
installation requirements for each airframe type shall comply with Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) regulations and guidelines and are in addition to the requirements set forth in this specification.
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has established
threshold limit values (TLVs) for IR radiation exposure. The TLVs represent a safe exposure limit
without physical harm, even with daily exposure. In general terms, the components of the TLV are a
function of the intensity of the IR radiation (within a specified band), the distance to (or from) the
radiating source, over a period of time (exposure).
For this specification, the safe exposure time has been set at 100 seconds to reach the TLV.
Therefore, the safe operating distance is established by determining the maximum output radiation of
the device such that 100 seconds of exposure does not exceed one TLV as established by ACGIH.
1. Scope 1.3 This specification covers IR device emissions in support
of night vision goggles or other devices such as electro-optical/
1.1 This specification establishes the manufacturing design,
infrared (EO/IR) sensors capable of detecting IR radiation.
manufacturing quality system and installation requirements for
airborne infrared (IR) searchlight equipment, systems, and
1.4 This specification covers IR device emissions that may
devices. This specification applies only to IR devices that
pose a hazard to the flight crew, aircraft, and bystanders.
produce incoherent IR radiation and affixed to an aircraft which
1.5 This specification covers IR device emissions and re-
is N registered or operated and flown within the United States
lated safety controls such as duration, beam width, radiant
and its territories.
intensity, and wavelength.
1.2 This specification establishes the minimum and maxi-
mum system performance and provides guidelines for an
1.6 This specification encourages an Original Equipment
operator to develop functional operation requirements to en-
Manufacturer (OEM) to maintain a robust quality assurance
sure IR safety.
program and a well-documented configuration control process
at the component level and continued through installation at the
1 system level.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F39 on Aircraft
Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F39.04 on Aircraft
1.7 The OEM shall include the warnings, exposure limita-
Systems.
Current edition approved July 15, 2023. Published July 2023. Originally
tions and corresponding data, and installation instructions
approved in 2017. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as F3238 – 17. DOI:
described within this specification in their operation and
10.1520/F3238-17R23.
installation manuals. These manuals shall be provided with the
Light and Near-Infrared Radiation: TLV(R) Physical Agents, 7th ed., American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 2015, www.acgih.org. product or device.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3238 − 17 (2023)
NOTE 1—For all referenced documents, the latest version of the released
1.8 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
document shall be used.
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
this standard.
3. Terminology
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.1 beam width, n—beam diameter or beam width of an
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
electromagnetic beam is the diameter along any specified line
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
that is perpendicular to the beam axis and intersects it.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The beam diameter or beam width is
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
measured at 10 % of the peak intensity.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.2 effective spectral radiance, n—integrated radiance of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
an IR device per unit wavelength weighted by the hazard
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
function and the measurement is expressed in units of (W/
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
cm ·sr) and used to establish the threshold limit values (TLVs).
3.1.3 exposure duration, n—time the infrared (IR) source is
2. Referenced Documents
directly viewed or directed toward a human target.
2.1 FAA Standards:
3.1.3.1 Discussion—The exposure duration is a function of
FAA AC 21-16(G) RTCA Document DO–160 Versions D, E,
the intensity and wavelength of radiation over time. The
F, and G Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
for Airborne Equipment, or latest versions available
(ACGIH) has established safe exposure limits (TLVs) that
FAA AC 20-115C Airborne Software Assurance
define exposure to an IR source without permanent physical
FAA AC 20-183 Laser Airworthiness Installation Guidance
damage.
FAA 8110.4C Type Certification
3.1.4 eye safe distance, n—distance and duration of unob-
2.2 IEC Standard:
structed exposure to the direct IR beam at effective spectral
IEC 61508 Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic/
radiances.
Programmable Electronic Safety-Related Systems
3.1.5 intended function, n—through the emission of IR,
2.3 RTCA Standards:
facilitates the utilization of night vision equipment (cameras or
RTCA/DO-160 Versions D, E, F, G, or latest Environmental
goggles, or both).
Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment
RTCA/DO-178 Software Considerations in Airborne Sys-
3.1.6 wavelength, n—for an electromagnetic wave, the dis-
tems and Equipment Certification
tance in the direction of propagation between nearest points at
RTCA/DO-254 Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne
which the electric vector has the same phase.
Electronic Hardware
3.1.6.1 Discussion—The wavelength unit generally used in
2.4 SAE Standard:
spectrophotometry related to colorimetry is the nanometer
SAE/ARP4761 Guidelines and Methods for Conducting the
(nm). Unless otherwise stated, values of wavelength are
Safety Assessment Process on Civil Airborne Systems and generally those in air.
Equipment
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
2.5 Federal Standards:
3.2.1 infrared light, IR, n—in this specification, refers to the
14 CFR Part 27 Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category
nonvisible portion of the light spectrum that may be either
Rotorcraft
filtered or direct emission, adjacent to the red end of the visible
14 CFR Part 29 Airworthiness Standards: Transport Cat-
spectrum, with wavelengths from 700 to 3000 nm.
egory Rotorcraft
14 CFR Part 21 Section 21.307 and 21.308 Certification
4. Performance Requirements
Procedures for Products and Articles, Quality System and
4.1 The minimum safe operating distance is established by
Quality Manual
analyzing the total radiated IR energy such that the TLV is not
MIL-STD 3009 Lighting, Aircraft, Night Vision Imaging
exceeded during 100 seconds of exposure.
System (NVIS) Compatible
4.2 The IR emitting device shall be tested to quantify the IR
emissions. The testing laboratory (or Original Equipment
Available from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 800 Independence
Manufacturer (OEM)) shall be capable of documenting that
Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591, http://www.faa.gov.
Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3, rue de
results obtained which represent the maximum values that the
Varembé, 1st Floor, P.O. Box 131, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://
equipment is capable of emitting throughout its life cycle and
www.iec.ch.
5 under worst-case conditions. Test equipment and standards
Available from RTCA, Inc., 1150 18th St. NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC
should be traceable to an accredited authority such as National
20036, http://www.rtca.org.
Available from SAE International (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale,
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Worst-case
PA 15096, http://www.sae.org.
conditions are those in which the device may produce more
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of
energy than the intended or anticipated levels because of
Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC 20401-0001, http://
www.access.gpo.gov. component failure or any other operating or failure mode.
F3238 − 17 (2023)
4.2.1 After initial testing and product verification, OEMs night vision imaging system (NVIS) compliant (MIL-STD-
are required to test subsequent production units under the 3009). The operator and pilot should have visual annunciation
guidelines of their respective Quality System as described in of the IR device.
Section 5.
NOTE 3—The intent of this provision is to ensure that the pilot and flight
4.2.2 Changes or modifications to the device or end product
crew are aware that the device is operating in the IR mode.
require a new test unless the OEM establishes that such product
6.1.3 Recommended—The preferred method of lockout for
or device revisions represent no change to the IR emission
the IR device is via a link to the radar altimeter. Activation of
values or monitoring and control functions. New test data or
the system should not be possible when the altimeter altitude
the manufacturer’s statement of similarity and compliance to
lockout is active (below the minimum safe altitude or target
previous testing shall be sent to each supplemental type
distance). If the radar altimeter is not available or impractical
certificate (STC) and PMA holder for the device. The data shall
for the installation, the alternate means of compliance is by
be made available within 30 days of a revision change and
installation of an arm/disarm switch. The arm/disarm switch
before release for installation on an aircraft.
shall be accessible to the flight crew and secured with a keyed
4.2.3 For serial production, the test results for each device
lockout.
shall accompany the product when it is shipped or leaves the
6.1.4 The IR mode may not be selectable exclusively via
OEM’s facility, along with other pertinent data and certifica-
software unless the software is developed using RTCA/DO-
tions required for safe installation and continued airworthiness.
178 with Design Assurance Level B or higher. If in normal
operation the device has an IR mode select or IR activation that
5. OEM / Manufacturing – Serial Production Quality
is operated exclusively via software and is not RTCA/DO-
System
178B compliant, the device shall also be controllable by an
5.1 For serial production of IR emitting devices, the OEM
analog method that overrides this functionality in the event of
shall have a Quality System which meets the requirements of
an in-flight emergency or device malfunction (hazard).
CFR Part 21 Section 21.307 and 21.308, or,
6.1.5 This specification does not establish the requirements
5.1.1 An approved ASTM Quality System, or,
for mounting to a specific aircraft and does not authorize the
5.1.2 ISO 9000 or AS 9000 Certification.
installation onto an aircraft. Specific installation requirements
for each airframe type shall comply with FAA regulations in
6. Installation Requirements addition to the requirements set forth in this specification.
6.1.6 Environmental Qualification—Ensure the environ-
6.1 The installer shall ensure that safe operating require-
mental qualification of the installed equipment is appropriate
ments for the IR device are met such that there are no hazards
for the intended aircraft installation environment. FAA guid-
for the flight crew, ground/maintenance personnel, or bystand-
ance may be found in FAA AC 21-16(G), RTCA/DO-160
ers.
Versions D, E, F and G, or latest.
6.1.1 A keyed lockout switch shall be installed which
6.1.7 The installer and operator shall ensure that any repairs
disables the IR function of the IR device such that the IR
or replacement spare parts are only performed by authorized
function may only be activated by authorized personnel.
repair facilities and that the use of spare parts meets the OEM
Authorized personnel will include only those specifically
specifications.
trained in the safe operation of the IR function. This switch
shall be placarded as such during the installation of the IR
7. Hazard, Malfunction, and Failure Assessment
searchlight or device. This switch is only to be used by trained
and authorized maintenance personnel using established oper-
7.1 This specification is to be used as a means to show
ating guidelines as established by the aircraft operator.
compliance with requirements for certification of IR emitting
devices. The hazard, malfunction, and failure assessment for an
NOTE 2—This specification does not establish safe ground operating
IR radiating device is in addition to those required for a normal
procedures for maintenance personnel. These procedures shall be devel-
oped and implemented by the air operations unit or facility. TC, STC, or other approved installation under FAA regula-
tions.
6.1.1.1 Safe operation training guidelines shall include the
following topics at a minimum:
7.2 Equipment Malfunction—IR device malfunction result-
(1) Potential hazards involved with the use of IR devices,
ing in an aircraft crewmember’s or passenger’s
...