MEL states:
a) One or more signs may be inoperative and affected passenger or cabin attendant seats may be occupied provided:
1) Passenger address system is operative, and can be clearly heard throughout the cabin during the flight, and
2) Passenger address system is used to alert the cabin attendants and passengers when to return to seat, seat belts should be fastened and
smoking is prohibited, and
3) Call and cabin interphone
systems are operative.
- or -
[b) One or more “NO SMOKING/FASTEN SEAT BELTS” signs may be
inoperative provided:]
1) No seat is occupied from which a passenger cannot readily see a legible “NO SMOKING/FASTEN SEAT BELT” sign or placard, and
2) That seat is blocked and placarded accordingly.