Presented By: Claire Fleece

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Presented By Claire Fleece
A Solution to Fighting Inaccesible Fires
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(No Transcript)
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Agenda

• Hidden Fire Statistics
• NTSB Recommendations
• What is a FAST-PORT Tm ?
• Benefits of FAST-PORT TM

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Inaccessible Fires

• Smoke or fire incidents occur on an average of at
  least three U.S. flights a day.
• More than 350 unscheduled landings occur annually
  due mainly to In-flight smoke and fires in
  inaccessible areas.

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2000 Air Line Pilots Association Study

• More than half the incidents were high
  temperature events, such as sparking and arcing.
• 82 were related to electrical systems or
  components.

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Boeing Analysis of In-Service Smoke, Fumes and
Fire Events

• Smoke is always a significant issue with
  operational consequences.
• Consequences include
• Flight schedule disruptions
• Air turn backs
• Airplane diversions
• Declared emergencies
• Accommodations for displaced passengers
• Extensive unscheduled maintenance
• Not to mention cost of life!

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Summary of Reported Smoke Events in Pressurized
Areas
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Smoke Event Sources
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In-Flight Fires Cited in NTSB 2002 Recommendations

• Delta Flight 2030, MD-88, emergency landing, Sept
  17, 1999 Flight attendant discharged halon
  extinguisher into sidewall vent to extinguish
  fire beneath the vent.
• AirTran Flight 913, DC-9-32, emergency landing
  Aug 8, 2000. Smoke in the forward cabin was
  caused by electrical arcing in the bulkhead
  behind the captains seat. The arcing ignited
  interior panels, which continued burning after
  the airplane was landed and the passengers were
  evacuated.

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AirTran Flight 913
Fire in Bulkhead ignited Interior Panels
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In-Flight Fires Cited in NTSB 2002 Recommendations

• American Flight 1683, MD-80, emergency landing,
  Nov 29, 2000. Lightening struck the aircraft and
  induced arcing. A Halon extinguisher was
  discharged into an access hole cut into a ceiling
  panel with a pocketknife, extinguishing fire.
• Air Canada Flight 797, DC-9, emergency landing,
  June 2, 1983. The flight attendant saw smoke
  coming from the seams between the walls in the
  lavatory. A fire extinguisher was aimed at the
  paneling and seams. 23 passengers were unable to
  evacuate and died in the fire. The airplane was
  destroyed.

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Air Canada Flight 797
23 Passengers died and the plane was destroyed.
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NTSB Safety 2002 Recommendations

• (A-01-86) Develop and require implementation of
  procedures or airplane modifications that will
  provide the most effective means for crewmembers
  to gain access to areas behind interior panels
  for the purpose of applying extinguishing agent
  to hidden fires.

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NTSB Safety 2002 Recommendations

• As part of this effort, the FAA should evaluate
  the feasibility of equipping interior panels of
  new and existing airplanes with ports, or some
  means to apply extinguishing agent behind
  interior panels

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FAST-PORT TM (Fire Access SafeTy Port)

• LTMC has developed the FAST- PORT TM to meet this
  critical need.
• The FAST- PORT TM provides a clear path into
  inaccessible areas allowing the extinguishing
  agent to be applied to hidden fires.

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Gain Access to Inaccessible Fires

• A flight crewmember
• Locates the FAST-PORT TM closest to the smoke
  source.
• Opens the FAST-PORT TM and inserts the fire
  extinguisher nozzle.
• Disperses extinguishing agent into a previously
  inaccessible area.

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FAST-PORT TM Technology

• Provides Excellent Dispersal and Optimum use of
  the available extinguishing agent.
• Saves Previous Time by eliminating the need for a
  crew member to pry off panels or use a fire axe
  as recommended in FAR 121.417 crew training.

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FAST-PORT TM Technology

• Offers a Non Destructive Method of gaining
  access. Fire axe usage can contribute to the
  escalation of the emergency.
• Reduces the possibility of blow back of the
  extinguishing agent into a crew members face.
• Has a Tamper Evident Design for easy pre-flight
  inspection.

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FAST-PORT TM Testing

• Objective Determine the effectiveness of a
  FAST-PORT TM used to extinguish Class B hidden
  fire using a 2 ½ lb. Halon Fire Extinguisher
  charged to 125 PSI.
• Fire was created in an aluminum fire box
  containing cotton balls soaked in lighter Fuel
  containing Naptha.
• The FAST-PORT TM was located at varying distance
  from the source of the fire.

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FAST-PORT TM Test Procedure

• Class B fire was started in box using cotton
  wading and Lighter Fuel.
• Box was sealed.
• FAST-PORT was opened.
• Fire extinguisher nozzle was inserted.
• Halon was released into box (See chart for time
  released.)

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Test Area 3,456 cubic inches Fire Distance from
FAST-PORT 34
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Test Area 2,304 cubic inches Fire Distance from
FAST-PORT 22
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Test Area 1,152 cubic inches Fire Distance from
FAST-PORT 10
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FAST-PORT TM Model 9500

• Designed to be retrofitted into spare circuit
  breaker positions, electrical bays, or in the
  proximity of electrical sources.

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FAST-PORT TM Model 9500

• Designed with a high profile which enables a
  flight crew member to easily locate in a smoke
  filled environment.

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FAST-PORT TM Model 9600

• Ergonomically designed for cabin installations
  with passenger safety in mind.

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FAST-PORT TM Model 9600

• Enable access to a multitude of hidden areas
  overhead panels, galleys, entertainment systems,
  lighting units, etc.

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FAST-PORT TM Benefits

• Cost Effective
• Easily Retrofitted into Existing Aircraft
• Custom Engineered for New Aircraft
• No Modifications to Electrical or Hydraulic
  Systems
• No Impact on Weight and Balance

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FAST-PORT TM Benefits

• Works with FAA Cabin Approved Fire Extinguishers
• Approved by Canadian Civil Aviation Transport
  Authority Lear/ 24, 25, 28, 29, 31, 31A, 35, 35A,
  36, 36A, 55, 55B
• Approved by Federal Aviation Administration in
• U.S. Patent Approved/European Patent Approved

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For More Information Claire Fleece (631)
859-1076 cfleece_at_fast-port.com