IAI Fire LAB

FAA orders airlines to install new fuel tank inerting system to reduce chance of explosion
A cost-benefit analysis still must be done and airlines need time to plan for the change, so the requirement is not expected to take effect for at least two years. Once the rule is issued, the so-called fuel-tank inerting program will be phased in over seven years. During that time existing planes will have to be retrofitted with the device and new planes will have them as standard equipment.  The Cargo Pit is next !
This system is 90% of what is required for the cargo system, WE are one valve away
Hypoxic Air Suppression test
MPS Test device
 IAI Faa Halon Replacement Agent MPS test   Hypoxic air Preventive test fires are located inside this device,

Minimum Performance Standard for Aircraft Cargo Compartment Halon Replacement Fire Suppression Systems
DOT/FAA/AR-TN03/36

MPS cargo deep seated class A starter box
 FAA MPS Starter Box. This standard flame source produces a fire that will raise the cargo compartment to above 500 Deg F in under 2 minutes. 

In this 180 minute test the power to the NiCrome wire is applied at 14% Oxygen and held for three hours. This is the longest test to date. A after the internal temperature of the starter box stabilized at 122 deg F Deg the test is basically over. Like "watching paint dry" the box will stop smoking, the atmosphere is cleansed by the constant Hypoxic airflow and after 20 minutes it just sits there. 



Cargo MPS Device Cargo Compartment simulator used for the test.  The starter box is placed in a stand in the center of the volume. The atmosphere is conditioned with Hypoxic air,  then the power is applied. This is the first true "Gate to Gate" suppression system developed for commercial airliners.



Post  test, showing three extra access holes  placed in the opposite side to add to the viewing angle from another camera view on the inside. This modification proved to be little help, due to the smoke desnity, and no flames to observe inside the box


Damage to the front side from the Hot Wire. What looks like the wire on the right is actually a slit burned in the exterior of the box by the hot wire. The two dark spots are caused by the hot wire migrating inside and the protruding coils burning through from the inside. 

Note no external damage Although this does show some heat discolor and smoke stains there is some char, but  not too bad for three hours of exposure


Again  internal damage to the paper is limited to the radiant heat produced by the hot wire. After the paper has "smoked out" to charcoal, the temperature stabilized at 122 Deg F at 13 minutes and remained there for the rest of the 180 minute test.

You can't do this with a gas, there was no fire.... for THREE HOURS. Internal fuel load. Note the shredded paper in the box. The Hypoxic air  was able to suppress this before it migrated into the deep seated fuel pile. .


International Aircraft Systems Fire Protection Working GroupIAI Fire Protection Laboratory
This test series, considered to be one of  the hardest to suppress is typical of the efficiency of the Low Pressure Dual Fluid water mist and Hypoxic air.  With no water to control heat, the flame was suppressed only by the Hypoxic atmosphere eventually  attaing extinguishment levels. 
Reduced flammability of airliners is our goal, At II Fire lab we are getting there