LeTourneau University

AVTC2231 Intro Aircraft Systems Laboratory

PROJECT NUMBER: AVTC2231-15 TITLE: Fire Detection and Protection

Systems

REFERENCE(S): ASA-A Textbook Pg. 883-905

AC65-15A Pg. 407-432
Sabreliner Service Manual Section XI

LAB EQUIPMENT: Sabreliner

Auxiliary Power Unit

REQUIRED TOOLS: Screw Drivers

Pliers

1 LAB OBJECTIVES:
1. The student will inspect, inspect, check, troubleshoot, and repair airframe and powerplant
fire detection and extinguishing systems.
2 LAB OVERVIEW:
This lab will give you an opportunity to work with several fire detection and extinguishing systems.
3 LAB PREPARATION:
1. Read the ASA textbook reference listed above.
4 LAB PROCEDURES:
1. Using the references listed above, answer the following questions related to fire detection
and extinguishing systems. (110 min.)
a. Make a chart, briefly describing each system, its operation, and its application.
Thermal switch or spot type detector.
Thermocouple rate of rise detector.
Fenwal, single conductor continuos loop detector.
Kidde, two conductor continuos loop detector.
Lindberg, pneumatic continuos loop detector.
Systron-Donner, pneumatic continuos loop detector.
Carbon Monoxide detector.
Photoelectric type smoke detector.
Ionization type smoke detector.
Visual type smoke detector.
System Description Operation Application

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Thermal they are thermal switches the switch used a It is used within
switch/ spot that are heat-sensitive bimetallic thermostat areas that may
detector units that complete switch or spot have high
electrical circuits at a detector. temperatures
certain temperature. within the circuit.
Thermocouple this detector depends upon If the temperature rises they are used
rate of rise the rate of temperature rapidly, the individual detector
detector rise and will not give a thermocouple produces circuits.
warning when an engine a voltage because of the
slowly overheats or a short temperature difference
circuit develops between the reference
junction and the hot
junction.
Fenwal, single- permits more complete single wire areas within a
conductor coverage of a fire hazard surrounded by a circuit that cover
continuous area continuous string of a large area of
loop detector ceramic beads in an temperatures.
inconclusive tube
Kiddle, two- permits more complete two wires are they are connected
conductor coverage of a fire hazard embedded in a to a relay control
continuous area special ceramic core unit.
loop detector. within an inconel
tube.
Lindberg, it is a continuous-element the pressure rises and it used where a fire
pneumatic type detector consisting mechanically may erupt and
continuous loop of a stainless steel tube actuated the overheated areas
detector. containing a discrete diaphragm switch in
element. the responder unit,
activating warning
lights and an alarm
bell.
Systron-Donner, it is a continuous-element the pressure rises and it used where a fire
pneumatic type detector consisting mechanically may erupt and
continuous loop of a stainless steel tube actuated the overheated areas
detector. containing a discrete diaphragm switch in
element. the responder unit,
activating warning
lights and an alarm
bell.

Carbon detect concentrations of air is drawn through a this is applied in

Monoxide carbon monoxide gas detector tube and many aircraft
detector. when the air within the pilots
contains carbon view.
monoxide detector
changes colors
Photoelectric monitors the cargo and measurement of light in a cargo or

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type smoke baggage compartments transmissibility in baggage

detector. for the presence of the air compartment
smoke

Ionization type monitors the cargo and measurement of in a cargo or

smoke detector. baggage compartments carbon monoxide baggage
for the presence of gas compartment
smoke

Visual type monitors the cargo and visually detects the in a cargo or
smoke detector. baggage compartments presence of smoke baggage
for the presence of by directly viewing compartment
smoke air samples

b. What type of fire detection system is used on the DC-9?

The detection system is basically a dual loop arrangement using two separate fire
sensing element loops and a fire detector control unit for each designated fire area
c. What areas are protected by the fire detection system of the DC-9?
There are fire warning systems for the engine area and APU area.
d. Why does the DC-9 use two sensing devices in each protected area?
Because it increases the likely hood of detecting a fire and provides redundancy in
the event that on detection system fails.
e. What type engine fire extinguishing system is used in the Sabreliner?
a) The system is a high rate of discharge fixed fire-extinguishing system.
What is meant by HRD?
b) High-rate-of-discharge means that the
Give the name, location and number of the fire extinguisher system components
used on the Sabreliner.
c) There are two CBr2F2 extinguishing-agent containers located in the after
compartment of the aircraft found forward of the engines.
What extinguisher agent is used?
d) dibromo-difluoro-methane
f. How does the flight crew determine during a pre-flight inspection whether or not the
extinguisher system has been discharged?
What is the indication of a normal discharge?
a) the yellow disc indicator will be missing from the manual discharge indicator
What is the indication of a thermal discharge?
b) the red disc indicator will be missing from the thermal discharge indicator

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What is meant by “thermal discharge”?

c) It means that the pressure in the agent container exceeded the maximum
pressure allowable and caused the container to discharge
Where are these indicators located on the airplane?
It is located in the at compartments, perpendicular to engine.
g. What actions must the flight crew take to extinguish a fire on the Sabreliner?
i. The pilot must pull the fire pull handle
Other than discharging the extinguisher agent, what actions will be accomplished
when the pilot pulls the fire handle?
a) The pilot must pull the fire pull handle and direct the extinguishing agent to an
engine via the ext no. 1 or 2 switches.
h. What service item must be performed after the fire extinguishing system has been
discharged? Why?
Upon firing the extinguishing system and landing, the fire-extinguishing system
must be purged to preclude corrosion in the discharge valve.
i. On a 900 day, what is the acceptable pressure range for the agent storage bottles?
415-485
j. What mechanism is used to allow the agent to be discharged from the storage bottle? How
does this unit work? (include a cut-a-way drawing of the mechanism)
When the fire pull handle is activated and the directional switch is selected the
extinguishing system fires a metal slug, fired by a cartridge, penetrating a rupture
disk and releasing the extinguishing agent.

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k. During an operational check of the fire extinguishing system, the left fuel shut off valve fails
to actuate. What are the possible causes?
i. Does the micro switch #2 fail to actuate?
ii. Is power applied to the relay?
iii. Is power available at pin A connector?
iv. Does micro switch #6 on RH “fire pull” handle actuate when handle is pulled?
v. Is 28 dc power available to valve terminal #1
2. Inspect the fire detection and extinguishing system installed on the Sabreliner. (80 min.)
a. Inspect the discharge indicators and determine if the system has been discharged.
b. Inspect the agent storage bottles to determine airworthiness.
Hydrostatic test date.
Bottle pressure.
Integrity of mounting, wiring, and plumbing.
c. Remove the right engine lower nacelle.
Locate fire detection loop and agent discharge nozzles.
What areas of the engine are protected?
The cold engine parts are protected by the extinguisher. These parts are forward of
the fire wall.

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Inspect the detection loop and the discharge system.

d. Locate the fire extinguishing controls in the cockpit. With no power applied to the aircraft
work through the steps required by the flight crew to extinguish a fire on the left engine.
e. Have your instructor over for a visit. Show him the system components and explain system
operation for a sign-off.
f. Reinstall engine nacelle and close the aircraft . Have your instructor for a check off.

3. Inspect the fire extinguishing system installed on the large APU. (30 min.)
a. Perform a 100 hr. inspection on the fire extinguisher system.
b. Have your instructor check your work and sign.

5 LAB REPORT:
1. Report the answers to the questions in step 1, including the chart.

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Name:_____________________
Instructor Signoff Sheet for Project #15

Signature
1. Step 2- Sabreliner Fire Control System

2. Step 2- Sabreliner closed

3. Step 3- APU Fire Extinguisher

Inspection

Scoring:
10 Cover Sheet/Format/etc.
30 Chart & Questions
5 Misc.
___________________________
45 Total Points

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