Module 7: Fire and Smoke Flashcards
Fire and smoke relevant PDIs
- Check smoke detectors are operational
- Check toilet waste bin extinguisher is serviceable
- Ovens are free from foreign objects
- All electrical appliances in galley on turned off for taxi, take-off and landing
- Check quantity and stowage of all relevant equipment
What is the usual cause of a circuit breaker tripping?
Electrical overload or fault
What must you do if there is smoke present on ground?
CCMs must immediately pull any relevant circuit breakers and contact the Commander
What are the 3 things that make up fire?
1) Oxygen
2) Fuel
3) Heat
Fuel
Any substance that will burn; solid, liquid or gas
Heat
Means of ignition; mechanically, chemically or electrically generated
What is the basic principal of fire fighting?
Isolate one or more of the elements involved (i.e. oxygen, fuel, heat)
What are the 3 ways to extinguish a fire?
1) Starve
2) Cool
3) Smother
What element of fire is removed from starving it?
Fuel
What element of fire is removed from cooling it?
Heat
What element of fire is removed from smothering it?
Oxygen
How can you starve a fire?
Use the fire axe to disperse the remnants of the fire, thus removing the fuel
How can you smother a fire?
Use blankets, curtains, Halon extinguisher
How can you cool a fire?
Use water / coffee / tea / soft drinks / water fire extinguisher
Conduction
The transfer of heat through materials; occurs when two objects at different temperatures are in contact with each other
Convection
The transfer of heat in liquids and gasses
Radiation
A method of heat transfer that does not rely upon any contact between the heat source and the heated object e.g. we feel heat from the sun even though we are not touching it
How are fires classed?
Based on whats on fire from A-F
What is a Class A fire?
Solid - combustible materials such as fabric, wood, paper-plastic, textiles, carpets and rubber
What is a Class B fire?
Liquid - Any flammable liquids such as oils, greases, petrol and paints
What is a Class C fire?
Gases - Flammable gasses such as butane lighter gas
What is a Class D fire?
Metals - Combustible metals such as magnesium and titanium
What is a Class E fire?
Electric - Electricity is no longer classed as a fire as electricity can not burn however, it is often the cause of ignition for fires
What is a Class F fire?
Fat - Cooking Oil
What are the 3 kinds of extinguishers that can be used?
1) Water 2) Halon 3) Hafex
Which extinguisher can only be used for Class A (solid) fires?
Water exintinguisher
Which extinguishers can be used for all classes of fire?
Halon
What is the difference between Halon and Hafex extinguishers
Halon extinguishers contain halon / BMC (Bromochlorodiflouromethane) while Hafex ones do not
Which extinguisher is the most effective?
Halon exinguisher
What element of fire does the Halon extinguisher remove?
Oxygen since it smothers it
What must be done after smothering a fire with a Halon extinguisher and why is this?
The area must be cooled if possible e.g. using water on a seat that caught fire to prevent re-ignition. This is because Halon extinguisher lacks cooling properties.
What is the smell and sound of electrical fires?
Smell = acrid
Sound = crackling or sparking noise
What are cabin furnishings often treated with?
Fire resistant properties
What vapours are released when cabin furnishings catch fire?
Toxic vapours e.g. gasses such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide
What does smoke consist of?
1) Fine solid particles
2) Droplets of water
3) Other liquids
What should CCMs instruct passengers to do if there is smoke in the cabin?
- Cover their mouth and nose
- Bend down as low as possible where the air may be clearer
What should CCMs not directly involved in fighting the fire do if possible?
- Crowd control
- Distribute wet napkins, towels, tissues etc
Oxygen masks from the cabin “drop down” system MUST be manually released for passenger use in the cabin in smoke situations (T or F)
False - they MUST NOT
What are the 4 major hazards of smoke?
1) Absorption
2) Heat
3) Panic
4) Toxicity / irritants
What are the responsibilities of the flight crew when there is smoke in the cabin?
1) Assess the severity of the smoke
2) Commence smoke removal procedures i.e. create airflow through the cabin to remove the quantities of smoke that may be present
How is smoke removed from cabin?
Through cabins pressurization system
What are the 2 primary functions of Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE)?
- Protection from smoke, by supplying breathable oxygen
- Protection from fire / heat, by covering the head and front of the body with a fireproof shield
Halon is stored as ___ in the extinguisher and turns into ___ once released
liquid, gas
In what direction do you aim a halon extinguisher at a fire?
At the base
Why is it dangerous for a Halon extinguisher to be in contact with humans?
It reduces oxygen
Does the inhalation of vapours from a Halon extinguisher have side effects?
Not long-term, but short-term e.g. nausea, faintness, inflammation and swelling of the skin