Fire Protection

Question 1

What fire detection/protection is available with the aircraft de-powered? In essential power?

Answer 1

Engine fire protection is available with the aircraft de-powered. In essential power all fire protection is available.

Question 2

Describe the amplified procedure for the Fire Detection test during the First Flight Check?

Answer 2

Good Fire Test: “3,4,5” + Aural Warning:

3 lights overhead panel (2 Fire Handles, BAGG light)
4 Master Warning/Caution lights
5 EICAS messages:
ENG 1 (2) FIRE EICAS warning message
APU FIRE EICAS warning message
BAGG SMOKE EICAS warning message
E1 (2) FIREDET FAIL EICAS caution message
APU FIREDET FAIL EICAS caution message
Aural Warning Sound (bell)

Question 3

What actions are required if the BAGG EXTG button remains illuminated after the Fire Detection test?

Answer 3

• Repeat the test by pressing and holding the fire detection test button for at least 2 seconds.
• If it is necessary to repeat the test, wait at least 6 seconds before pressing the test button again.

Question 4

What occurs when the Fire Handle is pulled?

Answer 4

Remember: “HALF”

Hydraulic SOV closes
Air (bleed air closes)
Lip (lip anti ice shuts off)
Fuel SOV closes

Question 5

How many engine fire bottles are on the aircraft?

Answer 5

Two fire bottles shared between engines.

Question 6

Describe the engine fire bottle operation?

Answer 6

Rotating the fire handle clockwise or counterclockwise discharges the associated fire bottle (A or B).

Question 7

What is the meaning of the EICAS message E1 EXTBTLA INOP and E1 EXTBTLB INOP?

Answer 7

The associated bottle has been discharged or is inoperative (low pressure).

Question 8

How many APU fire bottles are on the aircraft?

Answer 8

1 APU fire bottle.

Question 9

Describe the APU fire bottle operation?

Answer 9

Pressing the APU EXTG button:

• Commands FADEC shut-down of APU (closes the APU fuel SOV)
• Discharges the Fire Extinguisher bottle into the APU compartment

Question 10

What is the meaning of the EICAS message APU EXTBTL INOP?

Answer 10

The APU extinguishing bottle has been discharged or is inoperative (low pressure).

Question 11

How many Baggage Compartment fire bottles are on the aircraft?

Answer 11

2 Baggage Compartment Fire Bottles.

Question 12

Describe the Baggage Compartment Fire Bottle operation?

Answer 12

2 Baggage Compartment Fire Bottles:

• The high rate discharge bottle is designed to instantaneously fill the baggage compartment.
• The metering rate discharge bottle provides extinguishing agent concentration for at least 50 minutes.

Question 13

How many Lavatory Fire Bottles are on the aircraft?

Answer 13

One Halon Fire Extinguisher in the waste bin.

Question 14

How does the Lavatory Fire Bottle work?

Answer 14

Contains two plugs in the ends of the line which melt at a high enough temperature, discharging into waste basket. No EICAS message will be presented.

Question 15

How is the Lavatory Fire Protection System tested?

Answer 15

There is a smoke detector panel located near the forward galley. The flight attendant can press the test button which activates all associated alarms (horn, red alarm light and EICAS message).

Question 16

How can the flight crew determine whether the lavatory fire extinguisher has been used?

Answer 16

No cockpit indication is available. A visual check of the waste bin may be used to verify if the fire extinguisher has discharged.

Question 17

How many Halon fire extinguishers are available for the engines?

Answer 17

2 Halon fire extinguishers are installed and are useable by either engine.

Question 18

Does the EICAS master warning message “LAV SMOKE” appear during a cockpit fire detection test?

Answer 18

NO - the lavatory smoke detector can only be tested by the flight attendant.

Question 19

What does the EICAS master caution E1-2 FIRE DET FAIL mean?

Answer 19

The fire detection system of the affected engine has failed. The integrity switch has detected a low pressure condition in the fire loop.

Question 20

What messages will be presented on the EICAS after discharging halon into engine #1 using the A bottle?

Answer 20

E1 EXTBTLA INOP and E2 EXTBTLA INOP due to low bottle pressure.

Question 21

How many fire loops per engine? APU?

Answer 21

• 2 fire loops per engine. 1 around engine nacelle and 1 inside engine.
• 1 fire loop in APU.

Question 22

Describe how the fire loop works?

Answer 22

Fire loop has an inner core of hydrogen surrounded by helium. Excessive Heat increases internal loop pressure causing ENG FIRE message. Broken or torn loop causes low loop pressure which would trigger an EICAS message such as: E1-2 FIRE DET FAIL.