FAA Federal Aviation Regulations (FARS, 14 CFR)

(a) To the extent practicable, each certificate holder shall provide and maintain for each runway and taxiway which is available for air carrier use --

(1) If the runway or taxiway had a safety area on December 31, 1987, and if no reconstruction or significant expansion of the runway or taxiway was begun on or after January 1, 1988, a safety area of at least the dimensions that existed on December 31, 1987; or

(2) If construction, reconstruction, or significant expansion of the runway or taxiway began on or after January 1, 1988, a safety area which conforms to the dimensions acceptable to the Administrator at the time construction, reconstruction, or expansion began.

(b) Each certificate holder shall maintain its safety areas as follows:

(1) Each safety area shall be cleared and graded, and have no potentially hazardous ruts, humps, depressions, or other surface variations.

(2) Each safety area shall be drained by grading or storm sewers to prevent water accumulation.

(3) Each safety area shall be capable under dry conditions of supporting snow removal equipment, and aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment, and supporting the occasional passage of aircraft without causing major damage to the aircraft.

(4) No object may be located in any safety area, except for objects that need to be located in a safety area because of their function. These objects shall be constructed, to the extent practical, on frangibly mounted structures of the lowest practical height with the frangible point no higher than 3 inches above grade.

(c) FAA Advisory Circulars in the 150 series contain standards and procedures for the configuration and maintenance of safety areas acceptable to the Administrator.