Inflight Emergencies: Fires

Question 1

How are engine, auxiliary power unit (APU) and cargo hold fires fought?

Answer 1

From flight deck by remote controlled extinguishing systems

Question 2

What parts of the aircraft designed to contain fire?

Answer 2

1. Cargo holds
2. Waste bins (automatic extinguisher in the bin)

Question 3

Are all cabin crew and passenger seats fire blocked?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

How many crew members in a basic fire drill?

Answer 4

1. Fire fighter
2. Communicator
3. Back up

Question 5

What is the drill for the Fire Fighter?

Answer 5

1. Obtain BCF/HALON extinguisher or container of non-alcoholic liquid for a small non-electrical fire
2. Investigate/attack incident, stay low, check for heat and spread of smoke and flames. Locate the source
3. Call another crew member (Communicator)
4. If PBE required, third crew member will fit one and swap duties with the Fire Fighter

Question 6

What is the drill for the Communicator?

Answer 6

1. Immediately notify FC and all crew by making an ‘All Stations’ emergency call
2. Confirm FC have responded to the ‘All Stations” emergency call
3. Give clear and concise description of the incident
4. Maintain continuous communication between FC and Fire Fighter

Question 7

What to describe about fire incident to FC?

Answer 7

1. Location and if you see smoke and/or flames
2. Intensity and type of smoke and/or flames
3. Colour of smoke
4. Density of smoke
5. Smell associated with incident
6. If possible, source of flames
7. Actions taken by crew
8. Results of crew actions

Question 8

What is the drill for the Backup?

Answer 8

1. Obtain second extinguisher, PBE and other fire fighting equipment
2. If PBE required, fit PBE and relieve first fire fighting crew member (get situation brief from the fire fighter)
3. If required, assist flow of information between crew member fighting the fire and the crew member on the interphone

Question 9

What to do with burnt article when the fire is extinguished?

Answer 9

1. All burnt non electrical material and embers should be throughly soaked (non-alcoholic)
2. Check no re-ignition is possible

(Do not use water on electrical equipment or wiring)

Question 10

What to do if fire is not immediately extinguished (no backup yet)?

Answer 10

1. Put on additional clothing to minimise bare skin exposed to flames
2. Put on PBE
3. If conditions allow, remove portable oxygen cylinders away from the affected area
4. Move passengers away from fire area

Question 11

What to do if excessive smoke or fumes remain inside the cabin?

Answer 11

1. If possible, move passengers away from the affected area
2. Try to prevent smoke entering the cabin by blocking any vents
3. Instruct passengers to breathe from area where there is less smoke (ie. near the floor)
4. Wet fabric headrest covers and instruct passengers to breathe through these while held over the nose and mouth
5. If a passenger requires therapeutic oxygen during fire fighting procedure, they should be positioned away from the smoke and administered oxygen from a portable oxygen cylinder
6. Avoid opening flight deck door, unless absolutely necessary

Question 12

Why should oxygen masks not be used as smoke masks?

Answer 12

1. The majority of required oxygen comes through the cabin through the mask inhalation valve - Thus a portion of smoke in the cabin would be inhaled
2. A burn through in the pressurised oxygen lines could also accelerate the fire

Question 13

Lavatory fires: What to do if smoke is obvious and/or smoke alarm has gone off?

Answer 13

1. Feel the closed door temperature with the back of your hand

Door cool:

1. Enter lavatory and investigate fire
2. Locate fire source
3. If waste bin cupboard hot - discharge BCF/HALON down waste paper flap

Door hot:

1. Stay low
2. Crack door open and fully discharge BCF/HALON through crack and reclose door
3. Fit PBE
4. Obtain additional BCF/HALON extinguisher
5. Open door carefully - if flames prevent entry, discharge extinguisher while using door as a barrier
6. Ensure fire is extinguished
7. If there is dense smoke and fire fighting equipment is not nearby, seal door with blanket, clothing or other suitable material, before obtaining equipment

Question 14

Oven fires: What to do when oven fire is found?

Answer 14

S - Switch off electrical power supply
K - Keep door closed
I - Implement Basic fire Drill

Question 15

Oven fires: What to do when oven fire persists?

Answer 15

O - Open oven door 2-5cm
S - Spray BCF/HALON into oven
C - Close door, leave for 30 seconds
R - Re-check to ensure fire is out

Question 16

Compartment fire: What to do if a fire is suspected behind a wall or ceiling panel?

Answer 16

1. Advise captain immediately and follow instructions
2. Advise other crew members to obtain additional equipment

Question 17

Compartment fire: What to do if instructed to lever a panel open?

Answer 17

1. Obtain the crash axe, a BCF/HALON extinguisher and fit PBE
2. Move passengers away from the area
3. Use spike of crash axe to level away enough of panel to allow you to fit nozzle of the extinguisher

(Do not use crash axe to cut through a panel - main electrical and hydraulic lines may be served)

Question 18

What to use to extinguish if there’s a fire in a cabin fixture, curtain, rug, seat etc?

Answer 18

1. Use fire extinguishers
2. Use available liquids (non-alcoholic)

Question 19

What to do if there’s a waste bin fire?

Answer 19

1. Use BCF/HALON through flap
2. Do not pull bin out to fight fire

Question 20

What to do if there’s a clothing fire?

Answer 20

1. Smother person with blanket, coat or similar
2. Prevent person from moving about

Question 21

What to do if fire has an electrical power source?

Answer 21

1. Make flight crew aware
2. They will remove electrical power from the area
3. Do not reset circuit breakers unless directed to do so by FC

Question 22

Vacant aircraft: What to do if there is a cabin fire on the ground?

Answer 22

1. Airport Fire Services should be notified immediately
2. Do not open doors
3. Any open exits, lounge or aerobridge doors should be shut immediately, until adequate fire fighting personnel are available

Question 23

Aircraft with occupants: What to do if there is a cabin fire on the ground?

Answer 23

1. Follow basic fire drill (FF, C, B)

Question 24

What to do is an aircraft on the ground has a fire that cannot be controlled?

Answer 24

1. Captain will notify airport services and order an evacuation
2. If no FC are onboard, CC should initiate evacuation
3. Use the nearest phone (or alert tarmac officer) to notify Airport Fire Services and advise Port Coordinator
4. Close exits if possible when you leave the aircraft
5. Close gate lounge/aerobridge door

Question 25

What to do if a smoke alarm is activated when no heat, smoke or flames are found?

Answer 25

1. Basic fire drill is used to investigate any cabin smoke alarm activation
2. Gather information from anyone in the vicinity of the alarm about events leading up to the alarm activation
3. Communicate all relevant information to the FC

(If no heat, smoke or flames found - crew must consider potential of hidden fire and stay vigilant)

Question 26

If fumes are suspected in the cabin - what additional actions be taken alongside the basic fire drill?

Answer 26

Protect yourself
Communicate
Investigate and monitor as directed by FC

Protect yourself - limit personal exposure to fumes, consider removing yourself from that area
Communicate - via emergency ‘All Stations’ call, vital that information is relayed to the FC as a priority, this assists in providing the information required to adequately assess and deal with the event
Investigate and monitor as directed by FC - should a return to area be necessary, consider using PBE (PBE may compromise communications efforts)