Chapter 3

1 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningChapter 3 Aircraft Hazards 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningObjectives Understand primary aircraft hazards, including fuel loads and hydraulic systems Have a basic understanding of secondary aircraft hazards, including: Electrical systems Additional secondary hazards Aircraft construction materials Advanced aircraft composite materials Cargo/baggage/contents 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningObjectives (con t.) Understand military aircraft hazards Understand aircraft hazards, including: Liquid oxygen Radar Protruding devices Wing surfaces Specialized military aircraft hazards 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningObjectives (con t.) Understand personal protective equipment (PPE) for aircraft incidents Understand how to use your issued PPE Understand NFPA regulations for PPE 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningIntroduction Aircraft has evolved tremendously and consist of complex systems and materials Airplanes are diverse and have unique hazards The protection of human life is the highest priority 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningPrimary Aircraft Hazards Fuel load : all aircraft carry fuel that can ignite Can be contained with firefighting foam Jet A Standard fuel since 1950s Auto ignition at 425 F Jet B Lighter than Jet A and used only in cold weather AVGAS High-octane fuel 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningPrimary Aircraft Hazards (con t.)

2 Hydraulic systems Control aircraft movement and vital systems Systems are under high pressure Systems contain fire-resistant fluids, Skydrol Exposure is toxic to humans Can create fires because of BLEVE (Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion) 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningSecondary Aircraft Hazards Electrical systems can produce shock hazards Aircraft batteries can overheat Venting fumes and toxic gases May be in thermal run-away condition, which is cause for evacuation Allow battery to cool by opening doors Cutting battery cable may also ignite fuel vapors 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningEmergency Shutdown Procedures Emergency shutdown procedures vary according to aircraft type and circumstances Specific, sequential procedure: Immobilize the aircraft Shut the aircraft throttle Pull the aircraft s T handle to stop systems Activate the fire-extinguishing agents (as needed)

3 Turn off electrical system/disconnect battery Aircraft engine may restart if magneto is left on under certain conditions 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningFigure 3-2An aircraft battery 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningShutting Down Small General Aviation Aircraft Pull the throttle toward you to reduce fuel flow Ignore square-face carburetor heat knob Throttle is black Pull the fuel mixture control knob toward you Knob is red and to the right of the throttle Ignore fuel selector systems If you are not familiar with aircraft shutdown procedures, wait for trained personnel 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningAdditional Secondary Hazards Danger from Tires and Wheels High pressure and dragging brakes cause fires Magnesium wheel fragments are deadly Dangers from Jet Engine Intake and Propellers High velocity jet engine intake Rear exhaust is hot and may blow debris Propeller movement can cause injury or death 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningAircraft Construction Materials Evolved into thin and durable advanced composite materials Not new to aircraft construction Many assorted organizations and companies do research and development Used on propellers, airframe, landing gear and skin Used throughout many kinds of aircraft Remarkable load bearing strength and durability Lack strength when subject to compression 2008 Delmar.

4 Cengage LearningAdvanced Aircraft Composite Materials Fires involving advanced composite materials produce black smoke and toxins Toxins from these materials can pose health hazards Composite fibers can become electrically conductive under certain circumstances Fibers released in composite burns are in breathable range depending on the size of fiber particulates Clean-ups should be handled by professionals 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningFigure 3-6 Mojave Test composite-fiber burns conducted by the author, the Air Force, and other ARFF agencies. The black smoke is caused by burning jet fuel and by the burning, melting resin matrix. 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningCargo/Baggage/Contents Familiarize yourself with local airfreight facilities and cargo-carrying aircraft Regulations are established by agencies.

5 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous goods are often carried on-board Some bear appropriate hazard labels, Others are carried unintentionally by passengers 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningCase Study A courier received a shipment of dangerous goods shipped from Thailand to New York If this aircraft been involved in a crash or ground fire, responders would have been in proximity to this dangerous material Job-specific training is required for handling dangerous goods Handling labels and placards are used to identify dangerous goods 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningFigure 3-12 Materials shipping labels 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningMilitary Aircraft Hazards Consists of a variety of specialized aircraft from fighters to passenger transport Knowing the type of aircraft enables you to handle the emergency effectively All military aircraft categorize aircraft by a letter prefix ( , F = fighter type of airplane) Ammunitions, bombs, explosives, flares and external fuel tanks may be carried on-board 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningSpecialized Aircraft Hazards Liquid oxygen (LOX) can: Freeze human skin on contact Ignite when exposed to other materials Detonate and cause serious fire hazards when mixed with other substances such as petroleum products.

6 Radar Protruding Devices Control surfaces may suddenly drop downwards 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningCase Study Valuejet DC-9 passenger jet crashed into Florida everglades Claimed 100 lives Cause: oxygen generators in lower baggage hold became activated and started a rapid fire Gaseous oxygen stored in cylinders can be dangerous Used in aviation oxygen cylinders All pressure vessels pose a hazard 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningSpecialized Military Aircraft Often possess ejection seats and canopies Three types of canopies Clamshell: opens like a clamshell Hinged: opens sideways Sliding: slides on tracks Use caution when cutting into a canopy Hazards are posed if ejection seat is triggered Variants on ejection seats may be encountered 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningPersonal Protective Equipmentfor Aircraft Incidents Protective equipment for ARFF differs from other types of firefighting Designed to combat blistering heat and the force of fuel-vapor explosions ARFF-approved equipment is heat-reflective, silver in appearance 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningUsing Your Personal Protective Equipment Preferred personal protective equipment for aircraft incidents is aluminized-coated With age and exposure to the elements.

7 The heat-reflective ability decreases Provides only limited protection from aircraft fires Self-contained breathing apparatus must be used within the accident cordon Air-monitoring equipment should be set up to ensure all responders are kept safe 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningNFPA Regulation for PersonalProtective Equipment National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has developed standards for firefighting ensembles Compliance is documented in source document NFPA 1976 Created to establish guidelines for protective ensemble for structural firefighting Specifies guidance and compliance requirements 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningSummary Be aware of the common and less common dangers posed by an aircraft in an accident situation Military aircraft pose additional dangers, because they often are equipped with weapons and munitions, ejection seats, and jettison systems Additional hazards are present in the combustion products generated by aircraft construction materials 2008 Delmar, Cengage LearningSummary (con t.)

8 Dangers from declared and undeclared hazardous cargo, extraordinary systems, or specialized aircraft may also be encountered during a rescue Use personal protective equipment and be aware of NFPA regulations governing PPE use Responders vigilance of a situation can ensure that rescue operations are conducted safely