Joseph J. Jaglowski, Jr.

This feasibility study and system development demonstrated the use of liquid explosives to provide emergency exits in commercial transport aircraft. During the course of the study, linear-shaped tubing systems of various designs and materials were fabricated and tested in an attempt to obtain the best cutting efficiency with a minimum of explosive charge. Energy-absorbent shields molded from laminated fiberglass reinforced plastics were fabricated and evaluated. The purpose of the shield was to provide protection against overpressures and fragments produced as the result of the detonation of the linear-shaped charge. A system to automatically mix the two components while simultaneously pumping them into the linear-shaped tube loop and to initiate the charge was designed, fabricated and tested.

American National Standards Institute

This method covers a laboratory procedure for measuring and observing the relative amounts of smoke produced by the burning or decomposition of plastics. It is intended to be used for measuring the smoke producing characteristics of plastics under controlled conditions of combustion or decomposition. Correlation with other fire conditions is not necessarily implied. The measurement is made in terms of the loss of light transmission through a collected volume of smoke produced under controlled, standardized conditions. The apparatus is constructed so that the flame and smoke can be observed during the test

Charles Middlesworth

A mathematical model was formulated which permits a calculation to be made of the time required for damage to occur to the aluminum skin covering an aircraft fuselage when it is exposed to maximum spill fire conditions. The damage time was defined as the time required for the aluminum skin to melt.

The model was developed through consideration of the heat transfer rates by convection and radiation across a simplified aircraft fuselage configuration. The resulting differential equation was solved using a numerical technique. The results indicate that the minimum time required for skin damage to occur to the largest commercial aircraft now in service through the use of the mathematical model, correspond closely with measurements made on simulated aircraft skin configuration employing a 40-fott, stainless-steel-covered section of a four-engine jet aircraft fuselage.

U.S. Department Of Commerce

Generation of HC occurs when PVC cable insulation is heated, externally or by internal heating induced by electric overload. The HC vapor my be present in the atmosphere, at hazardous levels, prior to the generation of black smoke – so that fire-fighting personnel may not be readily cognizant of the danger.

American Instrument Company

Government regulations now under study may bring drastic changes in the type of materials specified for the interiors of the new jets.