Fire Fighting

Question 1

The 🔥 triangle and what it means:

Answer 1

• All 3 elements must be present in the right proportions for a FIRE to occur:

a) fuel = removed by STARVING
b) oxygen = removed by SMOTHERING
c) heat = removed by COOLING

Question 2

The different classifications of fire:

Answer 2

• Class A: combustible materials, e.g. wood, paper, plastics
• Class B: flammable liquids e.g. petrol, diesel, kerosene
• Class C: flammable gases e.g. LPG, acetylene, propane
• Class D: flammable metals e.g. magnesium, aluminium, lithium
• Class E: electrical equipment e.g. electric motors, computers, tv, stereos
• Class F: fats and oil

Question 3

Types of fire-fighting equipment onboard the aircraft?

Answer 3

1. Fire extinguishers
2. PBEs
3. Fire gloves
4. Crash axe

Question 4

What are the different FIRE scenarios that can occur in-flight?

Answer 4

1. Sidewall panel
2. Electrical - urn / oven / usb port
3. Galley waste bin
4. Overhead locker
5. Lithium battery
6. Pax clothing
7. Lavatory

Question 5

Fire drills in detail: the different scenarios (PART 1)

Answer 5

1. Sidewall panel

• move pax if in affected area
• contact FD and collect crash axe
• if no flames, check surface for heat with back of hands
• if flames visible, crack open panel with crash axe and discharge BCF (ask for CC or ABA assistance)
• monitor area and keep PIC informed

2. Electrical

• contact FD to turn off electrics
• pop any circuit breakers
• move oxygen bottles away if in affected area
• if flames visible, discharge BCF
  ** NEVER USE WATER ON ELECTRICAL FIRE
• monitor area and keep PIC informed

3. Galley waste bin

• if flames visible, discharge BCF before pouring non-flammable liquid over fire source
• if smouldering, douse with non-flammable liquid only
• monitor area and keep PIC informed

4. Overhead locker

• determine which overhead locker it is
• get up at eye level, stand on seat if required
• crack open overhead locker enough to insert BCF nozzle and extinguish fire
• use water / non-flammable liquid to saturate area

Question 6

Fire drills in detail: the different scenarios (PART 2)

Answer 6

5. Lithium battery

• remove power source and relocate pax
• use BCF to extinguish fire
• douse device with water or non-flammable liquids to cool adjacent cells and prevent re-ignition
• do not move device until fire and smoke no longer visible
• do not cover device or use ice to cool; this prevents insulation and increasing the possibility of overheating device leading to a “thermal runaway”
• do not treat as class D fire
  ** if pax or crew sustain burn injury, treat as chemical burn

Once device has cooled:

• SUBMERGE = water
• STOW and SECURE = device
• MONITOR = area

6. Pax clothing

• smother clothing on fire with blanket
• saturate burnt clothing with cold water / non-alcoholic liquid
• apply first aid
• inform PIC for medical assistance and ambulance

Question 7

Fire drills in detail: the different scenarios (PART 3)

Answer 7

7. Lavatory fire

If door is COOL to touch with back of hand:

• open door carefully, be mindful of ‘flash back’
• aim BCF at base of fire
• discharge entire bottle and close door
• wait 1 minute; if fire remains, enter toilet and discharge 2nd BCF directly on source of fire
• soak area with water
• monitor and advise PIC

If door is HOT to touch with back of hand:

• crack door open slightly to insert BCF nozzle, be mindful of ‘flash back’
• discharge entire bottle, close door and wait 1 minute
• don PBE and fire glove, have 2nd BCF ready for use
• enter toilet and discharge new bottle onto source of fire
• soak area with water
• monitor and advise PIC

Question 8

How to safely use a fire extinguisher?

Answer 8

Implement the P.A.S.S. method for fire fighting:

P = Push latch / Pull lock pin
A = Aim at base of fire
S = Squeeze discharge lever
S = Sweep the flames

Question 9

The roles of cabin crew in fire fighting drills?

Answer 9

a) Primary fire fighter

1. ESTABLISH - location and source of fire or smoke
2. ALERT - other CC member
3. COLLECT - fire-fighting equipment
4. FIGHT - apply relevant drills to combat fire

b) Communicator / assist

1. CONTACT - notify flight deck of location and source of fire if known, including any additional information present at first instance
2. OBTAIN and STANDBY - additional fire-fighting equipment (PBEs, extinguishers, fire gloves)
3. MONITOR - primary fire fighter condition and fire itself; be prepared to take over as primary fire fighter
4. MANAGE and OVERSEE - surveillance of emergency (move combustibles and other equipment away, maintain pax control and move to safe area if required)
5. FOLLOW UP - contact with flight deck (status, effects on pax and crew, equipment used, damage caused, continued observations)

Question 10

What about post-fire procedures?

Answer 10

• Report to PIC
• Continue monitoring fire area to prevent further re-ignition
• Calm and reassure pax that the situation is under control
• Administer first aid where necessary
• Complete all relevant documentation for investigation purposes

Question 11

Any FIRE scenarios managed by pilots instead?

Answer 11

1. cargo compartment fire
2. auxiliary power unit (APU) fire
3. brake fire
4. engine fire
5. flight deck fire

Question 12

What type of fire for our aircraft

Answer 12

B and e suitable but not d and f