WITH BOTH CABIN AND COCKPIT PA SYS INOP; BUT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE MEL; AN ACR CAPT REFUSES THE ACFT; SIGHTING POSSIBLE NON COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER REGS AND PROC REQUIREMENTS.

Narrative

I REFUSED TO FLY ACFT X DUE TO AN INOP PA SYS FROM BOTH THE COCKPIT AND CABIN. ALTHOUGH APPROVED FOR FLT PER THE MEL; I COULD NOT RECONCILE THIS AUTH WITH THE PROCS DICTATED IN THE MD80 QRH (MD80 BOOK) AND FLT MANUAL. FOR BREVITY OF THIS RPT; I WILL NOT LIST EACH SPECIFIC PROC OR SIT THAT CALLS FOR UTILIZATION OF THE PA. HOWEVER; I WILL MENTION FAR 121.511-A-2 REQUIRES THE FLT CREW (MEANING THE PLTS) TO MAKE A PA REGARDING PAX SEATBELT USE. IF I HAD ACCEPTED THE ACFT; I MAY HAVE VIOLATED THIS FAR. I ALSO BELIEVE AN OPERATING PA SYS IS JUST AS VITAL TO BE OPERATING FROM THE CABIN. FLT ATTENDANTS HAVE EXTENSIVE PA'S TO MAKE. WITH THE PA INOP; THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPEAT EACH PA EVERY 4-5 ROWS. PLANNED EVAC PREPARATIONS WOULD TAKE MUCH LONGER. FLT ATTENDANTS SEATED FOR STRONG TURB MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY BRIEFING PAX IN AN EMER. ONE EXAMPLE WOULD BE IN THE CASE OF AN EXPLOSIVE DEPRESSURIZATION. I BELIEVE THIS MEL AUTH ALLOWING FOR AN INOP PA DOES NOT REFLECT TODAY'S NEEDS OR ALLOW FOR A SAFE OP.