International Aero Inc. Fire Suppression Laboratory

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
Low Pressure Dual Fluid water mist and Hypoxic Air Suppression test
MPS Test device
 IAI Faa Halon Replacement Agent MPS test    Bulkhead 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. Filled with 1 Kg of shredded news paper, this standard flame source produces a fire that will raise the cargo compartment to above 200 Deg F in under 2 minutes. 

In this test the power to the NiCrome wire is applied, after the device temperature exceeds 200F the cycle starts. After one minute the water mist is started and data collected for 30 minutes  Like "watching paint dry" the test article fills with smoke, The fire is extinguished then atmosphere is cleansed by the constant Hypoxic airflow and after 20 minutes and it just sits there. 



Cargo MPS Device Cargo Compartment simulator used for the test.  The starter box is placed in the center of the volume. The atmosphere is normal and at sea level. The compartment is filled with cardboard boxed IAW the MPS test method. The power is then applied. This is the first true affordable "Gate to Gate" suppression system developed for commercial airliners.


First bulk load test.
Post  test photo, here the ignition box position is outlined and the damage to the rest of the fuel load is noted on the photo

Second bulk load.
Re constructed outside the container, for a better photograph. The limited damage is evident. In all the bulk load fires the flame never migrated into the third row of boxed.






International Aircraft Systems Fire Protection Working GroupIAI Fire Protection Laboratory
This test series, is one of  the hardest to suppress, and  is typical of the suppression efficiency of the Low Pressure Dual Fluid water mist and Hypoxic air.  With water to control heat, the flame was suppressed by the Hypoxic atmosphere eventually  attaining extinguishment levels, but with oxygen concentrations high enough to sustain mammalian life forms. Reduced flammability of airliners is our goal, At the Fire lab we are getting that done.