K. Steckler, K. Tu, W. Tilley

A means for calibrating total heat flux gauges using a comparative (substitution) technique has been established. An apparatus consisting of a reference radiometer, .a stable infrared radiant heater capable of producing flux levels up to 3.7 W/cm2, and a precision alignment mechanism has been constructed. The reference radiometer was characterized by the Radiometric Physics Division of The . National Institute of Standards and Technology at flux levels in the range 0.8 mW/cm2 to 0.9 W/cm2. Its accuracy was found to be within 3 percent over this range which spans 3 orders of magnitude. As the radiometer is a highly linear thermocouple-based device having a self-calibration feature, this accuracy is expected to hold up to 4.2 W/cm , the upper limit of this device; Although the overall accuracy of calibrations performed in the new apparatus must still be established, it is expected to be within 3 to 5 percent.

David Blake

This study was undertaken folowing a wheel-well fire in a 737 aircraft, Hydraulic fluid appeared to be the fuel for this fire. Twenty-six tests were conducted with Mosanto Skydrol 500B-4 and Chevron Hy-Jet IV-A fire resistant phosphate ester-based hydraulic fluid. The testing was conducted to determine the conditions necessary for ignition and self-sustained burning of these gluids and to attempt to simulate what probably happened in the wheel-well fire. The testing determined that under certain conditions these fluids will ignite and continue to burn after the ignition source is removed.

Eldon B. Nichols

Twenty aircraft materials representing a cross section of the interior of a video-bodied passenger compartment were tested by five laboratory test methods for comparability. The five test methods utilized were: (1) Radiant Panel, (2) Rate of Heat Release, (3) Vertical Bunsen Burner, (4) Limited Oxygen Index, and (5) Thermogravimetric Analysis. Correlation of the results obtained from the five test methods were made for ignitability, flame spread, heat release, performance, heat flux exposure, and ranking of materials by performance.

Heat release data obtained from the Rate of Heat Apparatus and the E-162 radiant panel indicates the best correlation for panels.

H.R. Duffell

Presented at the 7th Annual Aircraft Cabin Safety Symposium

Constantine Sarkos

The purpose of this paper is to review the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) research, engineering, and development (R,E,&D) program for aircraft systems fire safety. This review will include a brief introduction, a summary f regulatory activities and recent findings, and a summary of new activities initiated in fiscal year 1990.