Chemical Oxygen Generator

1
International Aircraft Systems Fire Protection
Working Group Atlantic City, NJ October 30-31,
2002
Chemical Oxygen Generator Furnace Tests
David Blake FAA Technical Center Atlantic City
Airport, NJ 08405 Phone [phone] Email
dave.blake_at_faa.gov
2
The testing was conducted at the request of
RSPA. The purpose was to determine the
temperature that would cause the self activation
of oxygen generators and to recommend a maximum
allowable exposure temperature. The recommended
maximum exposure temperature would be used as the
pass/fail criteria for protective packaging for
generators to allow for their carriage in the
cargo compartments of passenger carrying
aircraft.
3
23 tests were conducted using generators from
Scott and Puritan-Bennett. The minimum furnace
temperature causing self activation was 600 ºF. A
literature search revealed a range of
temperatures between 482 ºF. and 572 ºF. in which
sodium chlorate and sodium chlorate/iron powder
mixtures would start to decompose and liberate
oxygen.
4
Due to the uncertainty of the self activation
temperature of primer caps or electrically
activated ignition squibs in other generator
designs not tested in this project and the
literature data stating that decomposition could
occur as low as 482 ºF, a maximum exposure
temperature of 400 ºF is recommended. A report
documenting the testing has been submitted for
review and should be published shortly.