Aircraft fire protection

Abstract

This report gives an introduction to the topic fire protection (Feuerschutzanlagen) on aircraft.

Already in the beginning of flight, aircraft got lost through fires. Possible causes of a fire were mostly the fuel system or the electrical system. In 1925 most aircraft were equipped with some kind of fire protection equipment. Fire protection equipment was – for obvious reasons – of special importance for the air forces. In Germany, also Minimax of Neuruppin was one of the suppliers to the German Luftwaffe.

Fire protection on aircraft is of particular importance, because once the aircraft is airborne, any fire needs to be taken care of with on board equipment. Particularly during flights over remote areas, a fire needs to be kept under control for a relatively long time before an emergency landing on an alternate airport may be achieved. Furthermore, an aircraft includes areas that are not accessible during flight. In these areas of the aircraft, remote sensing and (semi-)automatic equipment is required.

Fire protection on aircraft is broken down into "detection" (Feuerwarnung) and "extinguishing" (Feuerlöschung). Main areas of fire protection on an aircraft are the engines (Triebwerke), the auxiliary power unit (Hilfstriebwerk), which is mostly installed in the tail cone of aircraft. Other areas of the aircraft that may be equipped with a fire protection system are the cargo compartment (Frachtraum), the landing gear bay (also called: wheel well) (Fahrwerksschacht), the avionic compartment, areas that are exposed to bleed air (Zapfluft) from the engines for anti icing (Enteisung) or heating purposes, areas of the aircraft cabin, including lavatories (Toiletten) and crew rest compartments.

This introduction only takes account of fire protection on civil transport aircraft. "Fire Protection" is one of many airframe systems on the aircraft.