David Blake

The purpose of this testing was to determine the temperatures that would cause self-activation of sodium chlorate oxygen generators. The data will be used to establish the degree of thermal protection that would be required to prevent the activation of chemical oxygen generators should they be exposed to heat from a cargo compartment fire involving other materials. The minimum temperature that caused the activation of one of the generators was 600°F. Due to uncertainties with other designs not tested and the physical properties of sodium chlorate, it is recommended that the generators not be exposed to temperatures above 400°F.

Robert Filipczak and Richard E. Lyon

The Ohio State University (OSU) Rate of Heat Release Apparatus specified in FAR Part 25.853(a-1) defines both apparatus test conditions and pass/fail criteria for large surface area aircraft interior materials, such as sidewall panels, bulkheads, and stowage bins. The cone calorimeter (ASTM E-1354 Standard Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen consumption Calorimeter) similarly measures heat release rates from materials subjected to a constant external heat flux. However, heat release from the cone calorimeter is calculated by measuring the decrease in oxygen concentration in a stream of air flowing over the test specimen, rather than the temperature (enthalpy) increase of the air stream leaving the device, as is done with the OSU Rate of Heat Release Apparatus. This report will examine the differences between measurement of convective, radiant, and total heat release rates, and discuss techniques to obtain substantial conformity between the two techniques. Results for both methods are compared for single-ply, bisphenol-A epoxy-impregnated glass cloth.

R G W Cherry and Associates

The purpose of this Analysis is to evaluate the potential benefit, in terms of lives saved, from enhanced protection from fires within hidden areas in the aircraft cabin. For the purposes of this study, a "hidden area" is defined as any area inside the pressure shell, which is not readily accessible to the crew other than a dedicated cargo area.

An assessment has also been made of the benefits to be accrued as a result of enhancements to the flammability standards of Thermal Acoustic Liners attached to the fuselage skin.

The methodology of the assessment has been based on a Mathematical Risk Model. In order to validate the results of the Risk Model, a determination has been made of the number of lives that might be saved from enhanced protection from fires in hidden areas based on an analysis of past accidents.

The assessment of benefit has been based on data for the world fleet of Westernbuilt aircraft over the period 1991 to 2000.

Based on the developed Mathematical Risk Model, it is assessed that the number of lives to be saved from enhanced protection from fires within hidden areas in the aircraft cabin would be 52 per year. The 95-percentile range is 16 to 97 lives per year.

Whilst there are limited data available on hidden fire accidents the assessment of benefit over the period 1991 to 2000, of 48 lives per year, based on an analysis of past accidents, gives confidence in the model predictions.

It is assessed that the number of lives to be saved from improvements in the flammability standards of Thermal Acoustic Liners is approximately 34 per year over the period 1991 to 2000.

Richard M. Johnson

The purpose of this technical note is to document the results of fire tests conducted to examine the characteristics of fire that may occur in the cavity of an aircraft seat armrest and the fire-containment capability of the cavity. In all the tests conducted with actual seat armrests, the fire self-extinguished, the armrest materials did not ignite, and the fire was contained within the armrest cavity.

Harry Webster

One or more Halon 1211 hand-held fire extinguishers are specified in Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 25.851 as a requirement on transport category aircraft with 31 or more seats. Halon 1211 has been linked to the destruction of the ozone layer and production of new Halon 1211 has been halted per the Montreal Protocol in 1993. The phase out of Halon 1211, as the hand-held firefighting agent of choice, for civilian transport category aircraft has necessitated the development of a Minimum Performance Standard (MPS) to evaluate replacement agents. The purpose of the MPS is to insure that there is no reduction in safety, both in terms of effectiveness in fighting onboard fires and toxicity to the passengers and crew.

The MPS specifies two new tests that replacement agents must pass in addition to requiring national certifications such as provided by Underwriters Laboratories. The first test evaluates the "flooding" characteristics of the agent against a hidden in-flight fire. This test determines the ability of a streaming agent to function as a flooding agent. The second test evaluates the performance of the agent in fighting a terrorist fire scenario and the associated toxicity hazard. This test measures the agent's ability to extinguish a triple-seat fire in an aircraft cabin under in-flight conditions and the toxicity characteristics of both the neat agent and the products of decomposition.

This MPS will insure that the replacement agents will meet or exceed the performance of Halon 1211 both in fighting fires and maintaining a safe breathing environment in aircraft cabins.