I.I. Pinkel, P. Hacker

Detection of a combustible gas in the atmosphere of a spacelift is an essential part of a complete spacecraft fire protection system. Two similar but different techniques may be useful in this respect.

Vytenis Babrauskas

Previously reported rates of heat release using five different bench-scale test methods are compared with each other and against a limited series of large scale tests. The materials tested were low-flammability wall lining materials, of a construction similar as might be used for aircraft cabin walls. Based on the peak values at different irradiances, three of the methods gave similar results: the Cone Calorimeter, the FMRC Flammability Apparatus, and the Flame Height Apparatus. The other data, from the OSU calorimeter in the thermopile mode and the OSU calorimeter in the oxygen-consumption mode, gave results typically 1/2 of the first three methods. Simple techniques for predicting full-scale performance from bench-scale data are emerging. The preliminary application of these appears promising.

Developed over 15 years ago, the Continuous Wire Fire Detector has seen service on each new generation of aircraft since. It has undergone continual updating to meet the more severe requirements of advancing aircraft specifications, and to incorporate service-indicated improvements.

Civil aviation has a major program to replace halons with environmentally acceptable agents/systems in transport aircraft fire extinguishing systems.

H.L. Hansberry

The Civil Aeronautics Administration is engaged in the conduct of a program involving fire tests on aircraft powerplant installations looking to the development of adequate fire detecting and extinguishing systems, the minimization of potential ignition sources, and the development of fire-resistant construction.