Federal Aviation Administration Frangibility Guidebook  Version 1.0

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for the safe design and operation of our nation’s airports and air transportation system. One area of concern is the proper selection and installation of frangible support structures that provide essential equipment to sustain the safe operation at each airport. Further definition and clarification is needed for manufacturers, suppliers, and airport authorities to comply with frangibility safety standards. The FAA developed this guidebook to assist in the compliance to these standards and provide additional clarification and direction for products currently governed by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 350, “Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features” and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ “Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals.”