Executive Summary.
Executive Summary.
(196 K)
Grosshandler, W. L.; Gann, R. G.; Pitts, W. M.
NIST SP 861; April 1994.
Evaluation of Alternative In-Flight Fire Suppressants
for Full-Scale Testing in Simulated Aircraft Engine
Nacelles and Dry Bays., Grosshandler, W. L.; Gann, R.
G.; Pitts, W. M., Editor(s)(s), iii-v pp, 1994.
Available from:
Government Printing Office
Order number: SN003-003-03268-9
Keywords:
halons; aircraft engines; nacelle fires; evaluation;
large scale fire tests; simulation; in-flight fires;
halon 1301; commercial aircraft; military aircraft; fire
extinguishing agents; boiling point
Abstract:
Bromotrifluoromethane (halon 1301 or CF3Br) has been the
fire-fighting agent of choice for decades to protect
inaccessible spaces aboard aircraft in flight because of
its inherent ability to inhibit combustion while
possessing a high liquid density and stability, and low
boiling point, electrical conductivity, corrosiveness,
toxicity and cost. The bromine atom, which is credited
with giving halon international agreement, commercial
production of CF3Br has ceased in order to protect the
stratospheric ozone layer. No alternative agents are
available which have all the positive characteristics of
halon 1301. Hence, there is an urgency to finding a
replacement chemical in order to maintain aircraft
safety. The affected government agencies and industries
have a large stake in minimizing the impact of making a
transition because of the potentially huge costs
involved and military readiness implications.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899