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1.16 Aircraft Fire SafetyIn its commitment to fire safety, the FAA operates the most extensive civil aircraft fire test facilities in the world. The centerpiece of this testing capability is a full-scale fire test facility, which is used to study fire scenarios under realistic conditions. Five other facilities are also devoted to conducting small-scale fire tests of interior materials, conducting fire tests of aircraft components and large-scale specimens, chemical analysis related to the toxicity of combustion products, putting out simulated engine fires, and examining the effects of altitude and air speed on fire behavior.Through its fire safety program research and testing efforts, the FAA has set a number of industry fire containment standards, such as seat cushion fire-blocking layers and low heat and smoke release interior panels (sidewalls, stowage bins, ceilings, and partitions). The FAA's work also has lead to heat-resistant evacuation slides and floor lighting, flight recorder fire endurance, Halon 1211 hand-held extinguishers, airline blanket ignition resistance, and guidelines for approving Halon replacement agents.
Engineers currently are working on numerous projects that focus on materials fire safety, fire management, and detection systems. For example, the agency is evaluating the fire performance of current thermal acoustical insulation, as well as the need for tougher fire test standards. Work will soon commence to develop test standards for approval of new cargo fire detectors that are being developed to reduce the high incidence of false alarms. In addition, cargo water spray tests are under way, to examine the effectiveness of this promising technology against various cargo fire threats, including exploding aerosol cans. Future research will address fire safety criteria in large passenger capacity, double-decked aircraft, which aircraft manufacturers are now designing.
FAA POC: Below are the links to sub articles on Aircraft Fire Safety:
Airport Rescue and Firefighting Research Program
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NASA Headquarters Responsible Official: Code R
Curator: SAIC Information Services http://www.aerospace.nasa.gov |
