Fire Theory Flashcards
What kind of threat is fire?
A universal threat to life
Why is the severity of the threat of fire increased on an aircraft?
There are large amounts of flammable ignition sources, fuel and the limited possibilities of escape.
What are the prime causes of death from fire?
The inhalation of smoke and toxic fumes
If smoke or fire is found in the cabin who needs to be notified immediately?
The flight crew
When fire or smoke has been found what 2 PA’s need to be made?
One to the cabin crew team “Cabin Crew FCB to [location], Cabin Crew FCB to [location]”. and an additional PA to the passengers to calm them if they are distressed.
What are the 3 elements of fire?
- Heat
- Oxygen
- Fuel
What is classed as fuel?
Anything which will burn
What is classed as Oxygen?
The surrounding air
What is classed as heat?
The heat from electrical sources or burning materials
What is meant by the chemical reaction of fire?
The interaction between fuel, oxygen, and heat creates a chemical reaction which results in fire.
What happens if you remove one element of the fire triangle?
There is no fire
What happens to the fire when you remove the fuel?
You starve the fire
What happens to the fire when you remove the oxygen?
You smother the fire
What happens to the fire when you remove the heat?
You cool the fire
If you wanted to interfere with the chemical reaction of fire what would you do?
Apply FX
Once FX has been applied what should you do?
Further actions to prevent the fire from starting again- i.e. putting the source of the fire into a metal box.
What is a Class A fire?
A fire which is started from solid materials of an organic nature in which combustion takes place with the formation of glowing embers.
Give examples of sources of a Class A fire
Wood, paper, plastic, textiles, rubber.
What is a Class B fire?
A fire started by flammable liquids.
Give examples of sources of a Class B fire
Oil, grease, tar, paint, lacquers.
What is a Class C fire?
A fire caused by flammable gases.
Give an example the source of a Class C fire
Butane lighter gas.
What is a Class D fire?
A fire started by combustible metals.
Give examples of sources of a Class D fire
Sodium, magnesium, titanium, lithium.
What is a Class E fire?
A fire started by electrical equipment.
Give examples of sources of a Class E fire
IFE, wiring, seat motors.
What is a flash-over?
A flash-over is the term used to describe the sudden transfer of heat from a local fire to a more widespread fire involving a much greater area.
If the cabin crew deem it necessary to extinguish a fire which could cause a flash-out what should they do?
Create a small opening and apply FX.
Name the potential sources of danger.
- Electrical faults in any of the aircraft’s numerous systems.
- Inappropriate use of circuit breakers
- Unsuitable packaging used in ovens
- Food spills in ovens not being cleaned
- Careless actions (blocking grilles or covering with combustible materials, etc.)
- PED with lithium batteries
- Torn seat covers
What is special about modern aircraft furnishings?
They are flame retardant BUT they will produce smoke.
What should crew on a positioning flight do?
Carry out regular fire watch checks
What do additional checks should cabin crew carry out alongside their usual checks in terms of fire watching?
The cabin crew should check toilets, galleys and social areas, the cabin, IFE systems, and ISPS/electrical sockets.
What fire watch checks need to be conducted in the toilets?
- Compartment
- Waste bin
- Flush and Vaccum motors
- Smoke detector sensors
- Smoke
What fire watch checks need to be conducted in the galleys and social areas?
- Waste management
- Ovens
- Retail and therapy hand-held units
- Chilling system and ventilation
- CB and Power switches
What fire watch checks need to be conducted in the Cabin?
- Floor areas
- Seat Rows and the lower sidewall
- PSUs
- Flickering fluorescent tube lights
- Unusual smells and colour change of panels
- Combustible materials
- Seats (particularly upper class seat)
What fire watch checks need to be conducted in the crew rest areas?
- Crew rest area door
- Blankets, pillows, and personal effects
- No smoking and FSB signs
- Deodorant sprays or hairspray
- Smoke detectors and sensors
What fire watch checks need to be conducted in the IFE systems?
- IFE control equipment
- IFE seat box covers
- IFE system
- A339/A350 Spare IFE Screens
What fire watch checks need to be conducted in the ISPS?
- The ISPS or any other electric sockets
What is a circuit breaker (CB)?
A CB is a pop-out switch designed to cut off the power automatically to an item of electrical equipment if a fault is detected, by opening the electrical circuit at a predetermined overload of a current.
Where are the CB’s usually found?
They are usually adjacent to the water boilers or other electrical equipment e.g. ovens, fridges…
What should you do if a CB cuts out?
DO NOT RESET IT.
If the CB is popped out at the beginning of the flight the equipment it relates to is obviously not working.
If the CB cuts out inflight you should ask the flight deck if it can be reset.
If the flight deck grant permission for the CB to be reinstated what should you do?
If permission is granted, at least 90 seconds should elapse between the trip and the reset. To be safe wait 90 seconds after permission is granted.
If the CB trips for a second time after you have reset it what should you do?
DO NOT RESET IT. Inform the flight crew to monitor and not use the faulty bit of equipment.
What should be done in an emergency regarding the CB?
The CB linked to the electrical fire should be pulled, removing the heat and helping to extinguish the fire.
What should be done if there is an overheat, smoke or fire in the cabin system component with the main power switched off?
If the main power switch is turned off and there is no further risk of fire, isolate the power to the faulty component by pulling the CB before restoring power to the rest of the system.
What are the objectives of the Cabin Crew in the event of a fire/smoke?
- To extinguish the fire without delay
- To communicate effectively both with flight crew and between cabin crew.
- To ensure the incident is dealt with quickly with minimum effect to passengers.
- The continued safe operation of the flight
What is the minimum number of cabin crew which should be involved in the fire fighting process
3
What are the 3 roles in fire fighting?
- The Firefighter
- The Communicator
- The Co-ordinator
What should the firefighter do immediatley once they have located the fire?
Immediately make an emergency PA to the cabin: “Cabin Crew FCB to [location], Cabin Crew FCB to [location]”
Once the firefighter has made the emergency PA what should they do?
- Obtain the nearest FX and attack the fire aggressively
- Consider whether immediate use of smoke hood and fire gloves is required
- Extinguish fire and put the source in metal box
What should the Communicator do as soon as they are at the scene?
Immediately notify the flight crew
What does the communicator need to tell the flight crew?
- Location
- Source
- Severity
- Cabin crew actions and their results
- Passenger reactions
What should the co-ordinator do when they are at the scene of the fire?
- Remove and control passengers
- Obtain backup equipment for the firefighter
- Inform other crew members
- Manage the situation
What are the ways of extinguishing fires?
- Starve
- Smother
- Cool
- Interfere with chemical reaction
How would you smother a fire?
Cover in a blanket or other heavy material, if there is a fire inside an oven keep the door closed.
What are the considerations when smothering a fire?
Be careful not to add more fuel to the fire and be aware that synthetic materials can be flammable.
How would you cool a fire?
Apply any non-flammable liquid or turn off electrical supply.
What are the considerations when cooling a fire?
Do not put liquid on to an electrical fire and be careful when using liquid near an electrical source.
How would you interfere with the chemical reaction of a fire?
Apply FX
What are the considerations when interfering with a chemical reaction of a fire/ using FX
FX is discharged under pressure and can scatter loose, burning materials.
On initial contact with flames FX can flare and/or create steam effect.
FX has a low toxicity but in confined spaces when combined with with smoke it can have a harmful effect.
What should you do if there is no immediate threat of smoke inhalation and use of a SH?
Apply FX.
What is the main objective of the firefighter?
Extinguish the fire without delay and relay information to the co-ordinator/ communicator
What is the main objective of the communicator?
To establish and maintain clear communication between the cabin and the flight deck
When there is a fire what should happen to the flight deck door and why?
It should remain closed to prevent smoke and fumes entering the flight deck.
Why is it so important that the information the communicator gives the flight deck is accurate and specific?
Because the actions of the Captain regarding whether an emergency landing is required will depend on the information the communicator gives.
Who should the communicator inform that they have spoken to the flight deck? How should they do this?
They need to tell the FSM and co-ordinator- this can be done through shouting or through the PA.
What should be considered when the communicator needs to shout?
Causing unnecessary alarm among passengers.
What should the communicator continuously be doing throughout the fire drill?
Maintaining communication with the flight deck- if the interphone needs to be put down, they should ring the flight deck with updates regularly.
What is the main objective of the co-ordinator?
Manage the situation and ensure that it is being dealt with effectivley
Who usually assumes the role of the co-ordinator?
The FSM
What should the co-ordinator do with passengers?
Make a PA, move them away from the fire, maintain an authoritative presence, and ensure that they do not interfere with the fire drill.
If there are not enough seats for passengers when moving them away from a fire what should the co-ordinator do with them?
Double them up on seats
If there are available seats on the plane what should the co-ordinator do once they have moved passengers onto them?
Inform the flight crew in case they need to alter the trim of the aircraft.
If there is smoke in the cabin what should the co-ordinator tell passengers to do?
Bend down, cover their mouth with a blanket, towel, etc.
What should the co-ordinator do if there are crew in crew rest and the fire is near crew rest?
Clear evacuation routes and evacuate the crew.
If there are crew in crew rest and there is a fire in the cabin what should the co-ordinator do?
Wake them up if it is required and delegate responsibilities like getting them to obtain backup equipment and distributing wet towels, etc.
If an emergency landing is required what does the co-ordinator need to do?
Prepare, brief the cabin crew, and carry out emergency evacuation.
What is an APU?
An auxillary power unit- it is an external engine located in the tail unit.
What does an APU do?
Provide air conditioning and electrical power to the aircraft on the ground.
If there is an APU fire with passengers on board what would happen?
They would be evacuated at the gate.
If cabin crew notice an APU fire what should they do?
Notify the flight crew immediately.
If you notice something unusual outside the aircraft like smoke or flames what should you do?
Notify the flight crew immediately.
When there has been a fire on board what should be done with any items involved?
They should be kept for investigation.
When there is a PED fire what information needs to be recorded on the OR?
- The manufacturer and model number of the device.
- Whether the manufacturer or a third party supplied the device.
- Whether the battery was connected to the ISPS (or IFE via USB) when the fire started.
- The manufacturer’s details of the lead.
If you notice smoke on board but no flames what should you do?
Check surrounding areas for signs of heat- if heat is found, remove all combustible items.
If smoke is present in the cabin and it is becoming hard to breath what should cabin crew do?
Increase air-conditioning flow rate or adjust the cabin altitude/pressurisation rate selectors and open various outflow valves.
What is the procedure when there is smoke in the cabin and it is hard to breathe?
- tell passengers to lean over, keeping their heads low and breathe through a blanket, handkerchief, etc.
- If possible, distribute wet towels
- Cabin crew consider the use of smoke hoods.
