Aircraft Cabin Water Spray Disbenefits Study.
Abstract
The concept of utilizing a cabin water spray system (CWSS) as a means of increasing passenger evacuation and survival time following an accident has received considerable publicity and has been the subject of testing by the regulatory agencies in both the United States and Europe. A test program, initiated by the CAA in 1987, involved the regulatory bodies in both Europe and North America in a collaborative research effort to determine the benefits and disbenefits (disadvantages) of a CWSS. In order to obtain a balanced opinion of an onboard CWSS, NASA and FAA requested the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group to investigate the potential disbenefits of the proposed system from the perspective of the manufacturer and an operator. This report is the result of a year-long, cost-sharing contract study between the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, NASA and FAA. Delta Air Lines participated as a subcontract study team member and investigated the return to service costs for an aircraft that would experience an uncommanded operation of a CWSS without the presence of fire. Disbenefits identified in the report include potential delays in evacuation, introduction of common cause failure in redundant safety of flight systems, physiological problems for passengers, high cost of refurbishment for inadvertent discharge, and potential to negatively affect other safety systems. Post crash fire, Heat removal, Cabin water spray, Toxic gases, Cabin safety, Flashover, Aircraft passenger cabin, Emergency evacuation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA274420
Entities
People
- Kent W. Porter
- Thomas L. Reynolds
Organizations
- Boeing