Fire Fighting Flashcards
1
Q
The 🔥 triangle and what it means:
A
- 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
2
Q
The different classifications of fire:
A
- 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
3
Q
Types of fire-fighting equipment onboard the aircraft?
A
- Fire extinguishers
- PBEs
- Fire gloves
- Crash axe
4
Q
What are the different FIRE scenarios that can occur in-flight?
A
- Sidewall panel
- Electrical - urn / oven / usb port
- Galley waste bin
- Overhead locker
- Lithium battery
- Pax clothing
- Lavatory
5
Q
Fire drills in detail: the different scenarios (PART 1)
A
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
6
Q
Fire drills in detail: the different scenarios (PART 2)
A
- 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
- 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
7
Q
Fire drills in detail: the different scenarios (PART 3)
A
- 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
8
Q
How to safely use a fire extinguisher?
A
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
9
Q
The roles of cabin crew in fire fighting drills?
A
a) Primary fire fighter
- ESTABLISH - location and source of fire or smoke
- ALERT - other CC member
- COLLECT - fire-fighting equipment
- FIGHT - apply relevant drills to combat fire
b) Communicator / assist
- CONTACT - notify flight deck of location and source of fire if known, including any additional information present at first instance
- OBTAIN and STANDBY - additional fire-fighting equipment (PBEs, extinguishers, fire gloves)
- MONITOR - primary fire fighter condition and fire itself; be prepared to take over as primary fire fighter
- MANAGE and OVERSEE - surveillance of emergency (move combustibles and other equipment away, maintain pax control and move to safe area if required)
- FOLLOW UP - contact with flight deck (status, effects on pax and crew, equipment used, damage caused, continued observations)
10
Q
What about post-fire procedures?
A
- 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
11
Q
Any FIRE scenarios managed by pilots instead?
A
- cargo compartment fire
- auxiliary power unit (APU) fire
- brake fire
- engine fire
- flight deck fire
12
Q
What type of fire for our aircraft
A
B and e suitable but not d and f
