Current Fire Safety Design Aspects of Commuter Aircraft.
Abstract
This study describes Fire Safety systems, cabin design and materials in cabin areas of ten common commuter aircraft. The aircraft were selected based upon a balance of current population and aircraft most commonly delivered. These aircraft represent 880 of 1100 commuter aircraft and probably will be the majority of the commuter fleet in the future. The trend in these commuter aircraft is increasing sophistication in application of materials similar to those in large commercial aircraft. Among the ten aircraft two are older, piston powered aircraft, simple in design and materials applications. Of the other larger eight aircraft, two are no longer delivered. Four newer and larger designs feature large, separate baggage compartments. Only two aircraft have overhead storage bins. One aircraft has a large interior with standing headroom. The others are much more compact, with interior storage limited to bins at the entry point. Thermoplastics and composite materials are used in the newer aircraft. Each aircraft originally was equipped with polyurethane cushions; currently, operators and manufacturers are protecting cushions with fire-blocking materials. Piston powered aircraft use gasoline cabin heaters and ram cooling airflow. The other eight aircraft are turboprop aircraft using engine bleed air for cabin heating and cooling. Six aircraft are unpressurized and four are pressurized. One new design has an optional oxygen system using oxygen generators; the other aircraft use cylinder stored oxygen.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA194554
Entities
People
- Carla Stewart
- Deborah Kane
- Richard Clarke