This paper describes full-scale fire tests conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to evaluate and optimize water spray systems in two specific aircraft fire safety applications. The first application was an onboard cabin water spray system designed to improve postcrash fire survivability. The goal is to suppress a severe cabin fire, initiated by a large external fuel fire, in order to improve the available time for passenger evacuation. The second application was a cargo compartment water spray system for the purpose of suppressing and controlling in-flight cargo/luggage fires. In this case, the water spray system must suppress and contain a worst-case, deep-seated fire for as long as 180 minutes, or until an airplane can be safely landed. The cabin water spray system provided significant improvement in survival time for all but the most severe scenario tested. Delay in the onset of flashover, reduction of air temperatures, and removal of water-soluble toxic gases were the primary benefits. It was also shown that a zoned system, designed to reduce the weight penalty of water, provided more protection and better visibility than a continuous spray system while using only 10 percent of water. Suppression and control of cargo fires was achieved with two types of water spray systems - dual fluid and high pressure (fog). However, the quantity of water required to provide adequate protection was excessive.
Full-scale test effectiveness of water spray systems for improved aircraft fire safety
Maßstäbliche Wirksamkeitstests von Wassersprühsystemen zur Verbesserung der Feuersicherheit in Flugzeugen
1995
9 Seiten, 13 Bilder, 5 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
Effectiveness of an On-Board Water Spray Fire Suppression System in Aircraft
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