AIRBUSAIRBUS

Future Trends in Fire Safety Research-a Manufacturer’s View-

J-F. Petit

Future Trends in Fire Safety Research-a Manufacturer’s View-

J-F. Petit

2/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Contents

● Introduction● Areas of Research● Materials in Hidden Areas● Smoke/Fire Detection Systems● Halon Replacement● Alternative to Oxygen on Board● Evolution of Airbus Own FST Specifications● Conclusion

3/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

A/C Size / Regulation Development

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

20001940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2010Amendments

14 32 59 6061

66 74 93

HRR 65/65 + smoke 200

Lavatory fire protection

HRR 100/100

Cargo liners burn through resistance

Seat cushions fire resistance

Vertical + horizontal Bunsen burner tests

12s vertical test only12s horizontal test only

B707-330

B747-100

B747-400

Cargo class D to C

A380-800Insulation materials

Max Pax

A340-300

A300 B4

B777-200

B777-300

Introduction

4/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

IntroductionAirbus FST Specifications

✈ Introduced 1979 as ATS 1000✈ Superseded in 1994 by ABD0031✈ All Airbus Programs ✈ Specific Smoke & Toxicity Criteria✈ All Non-Metallic Components in the

Pressurized Section

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IntroductionAirbus FST Specifications

Cabin lining panelsincl. Secondary insulation

ThermoplasticsTransparencies

Textiles

Floor panels and non-metallic structural parts

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IntroductionAirbus FST Specifications

Tapes/Adhesives

Wiring incl. brackets

Air ducts incl. ducting insulation and brackets

Primary insulation

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IntroductionAccidents per Mill. FH

0123456789

101112131415

1959 1969 1979 1989 1999

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Introduction

✈ These efforts in fire safety have contributed to a significant reduction of the number of accidents.

BUT✈ Further effort in fire safety research is

required in order to keep reducing the accident risk.

9/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Areas of Research

Hidden areas

Evolutionof FSTSpecification

Oxygen

Cargo Smoke/FireDetectionHalon Replacement

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Materials in Hidden Areas

State of the Art✈ Hidden Areas not specifically identified

in Regulations (compartment interiors & cargo or baggage compartments)

✈ Airbus FST Specification applies to the Pressurized Section of the Fuselage(incl. Hidden Areas)

✈ No In-Service Report on Fire Propagation in Hidden Areas of Airbus a/c

11/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Materials in Hidden Areas

Identified Issues✈ Hidden Areas are Non-Accessible Areas

✈ Potential for Non-readily identified Fire Hazard

✈ Materials must not propagate Fire

✈ Fire Test Criteria must address the potential Threat

12/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Materials in Hidden Areas

Research Objectives✈ Identify effective Contribution of Materials

to Fire Spread✈ Evaluate Fire Test Methods & Criteria vs

Potential Fire Threat✈ Airbus contribution to

– IAMFTWG - sub working group on “Hidden Areas”– DGAC/JAA Research Program on “Hidden Fires”– German National Research Program “TIPPS”

13/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Smoke/Fire Detection Systems

State of the Art✈ Regulation requires that warning be

provided within 60s after the start of a fire

✈ All fire sensors in the fuselage are smoke detectors (ionisation- and photoelectric sensors)

14/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Smoke/Fire Detection SystemsSmoke Detector and Halon Nozzle Arrangement in Cargo Compartment

Smoke Detector

Smoke Detector

Halon Nozzle

Protection Grid

15/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Smoke/Fire Detection Systems

Identified Issues✈ False alarm rate is high (due to dust, cargo

condensation, …) ✈ A/c turnbacks, emergency landings,

evacuations, Halon discharge, AOG, ✈ Detection of smoldering fires in electronic

bays is not possible with today's systems

16/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Smoke/Fire Detection Systems

Research Objectives✈ Suppression system – compatible fire and

smoke detection for cargo compartments with drastically reduced false alarm rate

✈ Technology for „electrical wire overheat“ detection

✈ Means for visualisation of status inside cargo compartment

17/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Smoke/Fire Detection SystemsParticle Sensing•Photoelectric Sensor•Laser Particle Sensor•Light Attenuation Sensor•Ionisation Sensor

Light emitter(IR or visible)

Photo diode

Amplifier Signal

Gas Sensing•Semicond. Metal Oxide Sensor•Infra Red Sensor•Electrochemical Cell

Temperature Sensing•Metallic Resistors•Thermistors•Silicon Semicond. Temp. Sensor•Thermoelectrical Devices•Piezoelectrical Devices•Temperature Radiation Sensing•Fibre-Optical Cables

Fire Detection: Technology

18/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Halon Replacement

State of the Art✈ Since more than 40 years Halons are used

successfully for fire fighting

✈ Excellent compromise between extinguishing efficiency and toxicity

✈ In all modern aircraft Halons are used for fire fighting applications

19/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Halon ReplacementInstallation of Halon Cargo Fire Extinguishers

Initial Concentration

Maintain Concentration

20/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Halon Replacement

Identified Issues✈ Halons belong to the CFCs which deplete

the stratospheric ozone layer✈ Montreal Protocol has banned Halon

production and use since January 1994✈ A suitable alternative is not available for

aviation, due to special requirements like:– Toxicity– Maintaining visibility– Necessary extinguishing mass/volume

21/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Halon Replacement

Research Objectives✈ Environment friendly (non - halon) fire

extinguishing system that : – provides the same level of safety– creates limited disadvantages vs Halon – is fully compatible with the a/c environment

✈ Airbus contribution to– European research program “FIREDETEX” – International Systems Fire Protection WG

22/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Alternative to Oxygen on Board

State of the Art✈ Oxygen on Board : Gaseous or

Chemical Generators

✈ Regulations require significant Quantity of Gaseous Oxygen for certain Operational Scenarios

✈ Significant Safety Precautions are required for Oxygen System Installation

23/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Alternative to Oxygen on Board

Identified Issues

✈ Oxygen can contribute to Fire Development

(eg B737 USAir Los Angeles 1991)

✈ Servicing or Maintenance Incidents have

been reported

(eg B727 DELTA Salt Lake City 1989)

24/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Alternative to Oxygen on Board

Research Objectives✈ To reduce Quantity of Gaseous Oxygen or

Chemical Generators on board

✈ To reduce the Risk of inadvertent Release of Oxygen

✈ Solutions under Investigation:– OBOGS “On-Top” to refill on-board O2 Cylinders

– OBOGS “On-Line” to generate O2 on- demand

25/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Evolution of Airbus FST Directive

Considering✈ Upcoming Rule on Insulation Materials to

be considered

✈ Introduction of non-metallic structural parts in the pressurized Section

✈ Increase of electrical Systems (IFE, Passenger Service…)

✈ Extended use of Optical Fibers

26/26October 2001 Conference Atlantic City JFP

Conclusion

✈ Further effort in fire safety research is required in order to keep reducing the risk of accident.

✈ Manufacturers are committed to play a Major Role in current and future Fire Safety Research Programs

✈ Fire Safety Research must also consider industrial Feasibility and impact on aircraft Performance