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Inflight firefighting

An in flight fire is probably the most dangerous situation that you may encounter on board an AC.

If fire or smoke is discovered then it is essential that the flight crew & all CC are informed immediately.

Rapid response by all aircrew may save lives!

 Past case studies prove that in as little as 90 seconds, a Fire can develop into a catastrophic situation causing incapacitation and/or Death 

 

The first person from the crew who noticed the fire, should be the Firefighter, inform another crew (first communicator) before taking action and collect the equipment to then perform drill.

Back up:collect the rest of the equipment,

First communicator:informs flight deck and assist fire fighter.

Second comunicator:

Informs passengers (without alarming them), move the passengers, and distribute wet towels.

Inmediate actions to take when there is an inflight fire

  • Advice another crew.

  • Perform fire drill.

  • Always use PBE to fight fire.

  • Inform the flight deck.

  • Collect the necessary equipment

  • Move passengers away(three rows away from fire).

  • Remove inflamable material such as O2 bottles, alcohol, etc.

  • Inform passenger via interphone and try to not alarm them, let them know the situation is under control.

  • Land! in case the fire has a sustainable source.

 

 

Types of fire onboard

  • Oven fire

  • Toilet fire

  • Behind panels fire

  • Floor fire

  • Hatbi fire

  • Computer fire

  • Seat fire

  • Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)

The APU is an extra engine in the tail unit. It supplies electrical power and air-conditioning while the AC is on the ground. 
An APU fire while on the ground may require the emergency evacuation of the passengers. The CC will therefore be informed immediately by the flight crew or, in their absence, by the Ground Engineers. 

 

How many classes of fire is there?

 

Classes of Fire

Fires are divided into categories of the fuel that is burning.

There are 5 classes of fire:  
A – SOLID MATERIALS  
B – FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS  
C – FLAMMABLE GASES  
D – COMBUSTIBLE METALS   
E – LIVE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

 

Fire Fighting Tools   
 PBE (Protective Breathing Equipment) 

 Crash Axe

Fire Gloves

Halon Extinguisher

 Water Glycol Extinguisher  

Electrical (Usually a fishy/rubbery smell)

DO NOT USE WATER!

Non-electrical 
If the fire is non-electrical it may be possible to extinguish it with the water glycol extinguisher or any non-alcoholic liquid. 
If you have ANY doubt whether a fire is electrical or non-electrical, always treat as an electrical fire i.e. use halon 

Circuit Breakers

Description:

A circuit breaker is a push/pull button device designed to cut off the power automatically to an item of electrical equipment if a fault is detected.

Location:

In each of the forward and aft galley areas there is an individual circuit breaker for each of the following: 1. Galley Lights 2. Water Boilers 3. Each of the ovens

Normal:

If a circuit breaker trips out, do not reset it. Inform the No 1 and Captain immediately.

Emergency Operation:

For an electrical fire, the associated circuit breaker is pulled to cut the electrical power to the relevant piece of equipment. This removes the heat from the fire and helps to extinguish it

emergency drills
Description:

simulated emergency situation conducted in order to test readiness for emergency situations 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location:

Toilet

Equipment:

PBE, Halon extinguisher, fire gloves, crash axe.

 

 

General Fire Drill The quantity or location of smoke may give little indication as to the size or location of the fire. Similarly, the smell of burning may not directly reveal the fire source. A fire behind panelling for instance can cause fumes or smoke to appear in a totally different part of the cabin. Location of the source of fire is of prime importance and this can often be achieved by searching for hot spots behind the AC panels with the back of the hand. It is important not to use the palm of the hand since it is an automatic reflex for the hand to close if it touches something hot, thus making it likely that the hand will stick to the hot surface. A confined fire is one where you can NOT see the source of the fire. (e.g. fire behind wall panelling) An Open fire is where you CAN see the source of the fire. (e.g. fire on a passenger seat) When dealing with any fire, the CC must follow the

 

 

GENERAL FIRE DRILL:

IDENTIFY – Locate the source of the fire by using the back of your hand.

PREPARE – Get necessary equipment e.g. PBE, halon, fire gloves, water glycol.

ATTACK – Begin appropriate fire drill. INFORM – Ensure flight crew are informed giving accurate details of the fire.

ELECTRICS – Remind flight crew of the electrics. (This will remind the Captain to pull the Circuit Breakers in the flight deck associated with the fire area)

Emergency Landing after an In-Flight Fire Depending on the severity of the fire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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