New Large Aircraft Fire Fighting Strategies
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Technology R&D Branch’s
Operation of New Large Aircraft Research Program is exploring fire fighting
strategies and emergency procedures related to NLA, such as the Airbus A380 and
Boeing 747-8. During an aircraft emergency, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF)
services are required to provide an escape path for passengers evacuating the
aircraft, extinguish fire, rescue passengers, preserve evidence, minimize damage
to property and reduce potential hazards. The unique design of NLA, such as fuel
load, fuel tank locations, double-deck cabin, increased passenger capacity,
increased footprint of evacuation slides and thermoplastic composite materials,
will require research to determine the most effective strategies for ensuring
rapid extinguishment, safe evacuation and minimal damage.
NLA pose unique challenges for safe and efficient passenger evacuation. The
upper deck of Airbus A380 will be almost as tall as a three story building and
require the use of sixteen slides to ensure evacuation of several hundred
people. The FAA is advancing research in the areas of heat and fire damage to
the slides, positioning ARFF assets around slides for effective fire fighting,
assessing hazards of foaming the slides and steep angle decent of passengers
from second level slides.
Airbus Evacuation Test
NLA pose unique challenges for safe and efficient passenger evacuation. The
upper deck of Airbus A380 will be almost as tall as a three story building and
require the use of sixteen slides to ensure evacuation of several hundred
people. The FAA is advancing research in the areas of heat and fire damage to
the slides, positioning ARFF assets around slides for effective fire fighting,
assessing hazards of foaming the slides and steep angle decent of passengers
from second level slides.
NLA are being designed with higher percentages of composites than ever before.
The Airbus A380 will be 25% by weight composites including 23% carbon
fiber-reinforced polymer and 3% GLARE fiberglass reinforced aluminum. The Boeing
787 Dreamliner is pushing the envelope with a total composite of 50% by weight,
including the integration of an all composite fuselage, wings and tail. Research
conducted to date shows that some composite materials sustain significant damage
after only 10 seconds of heat exposure. Composite fires tend to be deep seated
(similar to a charcoal fire), continue to smolder internally and require copious
amounts of water to fully extinguish. The FAA is investigating what types of
agents, application methods and quantities are optimal for quickly extinguishing
composite fires.
787 Dreamliner Composite Profile
conducted to date shows that some composite materials sustain significant damage
after only 10 seconds of heat exposure. Composite fires tend to be deep seated
(similar to a charcoal fire), continue to smolder internally and require copious
amounts of water to fully extinguish. The FAA is investigating what types of
agents, application methods and quantities are optimal for quickly extinguishing
composite fires.
NLA are being designed with extensive networks of fuel tanks. In an effort to
increase the range of these aircraft, fuel tanks are located in center wing
boxes, wings and vertical stabilizers and can carry over 80,000 gallons of fuel
in one flight. This increased fuel load and multiple locations may affect ARFF
services, especially since current fire fighting agent quantity recommendations
are based solely on wing tanks. The added fuel load could contribute to a larger
pool fire area and the multiple locations could change the dynamics of
effectively attacking three dimensional spray fuel fires. The FAA will focus
research on determining additional hazards and fire fighting procedures
involving aircraft with unique fuel storage locations.
Airbus A380 Fuel Tank Locations
Mr. Jim Patterson
FAA Technical Center
Operation of NLA Research Program
AAR-411, Bldg. 296
Atlantic City International Airport
New Jersey, 08405
Contact Project Lead: Jim Patterson,
ATO-P (formerly AAR-411)
Last Update:04/23/07
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