09 Fire Protection

Question 1

Which areas have fire detection and extinguishing systems?

Answer 1

Engines, APU, cargo compartments and lavatories.

Question 2

Which areas are provided with fire detection only?

Answer 2

Wheel wells and door 5 upper crew rest.

Question 3

What will cause the “BRL DISCH APU” message to be displayed?

Answer 3

If the APU bottle has been discharged or has low pressure.

Question 4

What will cause the “ENG BTL 1 or 2 DISCH” message to be displayed?

Answer 4

The affected engine fire bottle has been discharged or has low pressure.

Question 5

What causes the “DET FIRE APU” message to be displayed?

Answer 5

This EICAS advisory message is displayed if the APU fire detection system fails.

Question 6

How many smoke detection zones are there in each cargo compartment?

Answer 6

3.

Question 7

What causes the “DET FIRE CARGO FWD or AFT” message to be displayed?

Answer 7

If the affected cargo compartment smoke detection system is inoperative.

Question 8

How many bottles are installed for cargo compartment fire extinguishing?

Answer 8

6

Question 9

Describe the fire extinguishing system for the cargo compartments.

Answer 9

There are 6 bottles in total. 2 bottles discharge immediately at a high flow rate and the remaining 4 bottles discharge at a slow flow rate after a time delay. Discharging the fire bottles into either compartment will prevent fire extinguishing in the other compartment. For fire extinguishing on the ground, only one low flow bottle will discharge.

Question 10

What will cause the “BOTTLE DISCH CARGO” message to be displayed?

Answer 10

When the first two extinguisher bottles have fully discharged.

Question 11

What will cause the “SMOKE REST UPR DR 5” message to be displayed?

Answer 11

Smoke is detected in the door 5 upper crew rest.

Question 12

What happens when smoke is detected in the lavatory?

Answer 12

An aural alert sounds in the lavatory, a light illuminates outside the lavatory and the EICAS advisory message “SMOKE LAVATORY” is displayed. The lavatory fire extinguishing system consists of 1 heat activated fire extinguisher bottle.

Question 13

What happens if the “FIRE/OVT TEST” switch is released while the “FIRE TEST IN PROG” message is displayed?

Answer 13

The test finishes without completing.

Question 14

Which APU fire detection loop must detect a fire in order to activate the fire alert systems?

Answer 14

Both fire detection loops must activate for the fire alert systems to activate.

Unless the aircraft is on the ground with APU operating and both engines shut down.

Question 15

When an aeroplane is on the ground with both engines shutdown, an APU fire:

Answer 15

Causes the APU to shut down automatically and the APU bottle to discharge automatically.

Note, in this case on one fire detection loop is required to detect a fire in order to activate the fire alert systems.

Question 16

What happens when the CARGO FIRE ARM AFT switch is pushed?

Answer 16

1) All cargo fire bottles are armed.
2) Both lower recirculation fans are turned OFF.
3) Both packs are commanded to provide the minimum airflow required for pressurisation.
4) The lavatory / galley vent fan shuts down.
5) The bulk cargo compartment ventilation systems shut down.
6) The cargo heat system shuts down.

Question 17

What happens when the CARGO FIRE ARM FWD button is pushed?

Answer 17

1) All cargo fire bottles are armed.
2) Both lower recirculation fans are turned OFF.
3) Both packs are commanded to provide the minimum airflow required for pressurisation.
4) The cargo heat system shuts down.

Question 18

What happens when the Engine Fire Switch is pulled?

Answer 18

1) The engine and spar fuel valves close.
2) Engine bleed air valves to close.
3) Hydraulic fluid to the engine driven pump to be shut off.
4) The engine driven hydraulic pump is depressurised.
5) The engine generator is tripped off.
6) The engine fire extinguisher squibs are armed.

Question 19

What action is required to fire the engine fire extinguisher bottles?

Answer 19

Pull the engine fire switch and rotate the engine fire switch and hold for 1 second.

Question 20

Is the “OVERHEAT ENG L or R” message an advisory, caution or warning?

Answer 20

Caution.

Question 21

What happens if smoke is detected in the Door 5 Upper Crew rest area?

Answer 21

1) The caution beeper sounds.
2) The master caution lights illuminate.
3) The EICAS caution message “SMOKE REST UPR DR 5” appears.