Lithium Batteries...Who carries them?
#11
As someone mentioned, we also have an after market main deck fire suppression system(FSS) in addition to the Boeing depressurization option built into the aircraft. Supposedly it has some capability against lithium ion battery fires. http://venturaaerospace.com/news/suppressing-lithium-ion-battery-fires/ However, that FSS can be deferred (and has been on several of my flights) putting us back to the basic level of relying on depressurization for main deck fires. It's also had at least one, possibly two failures in actually puncturing the problem can and delivering the agent to the interior on our recent false alarms. All of our actual ADG (like explosives, corrosives, flammable liquids/gases, etc) cannot be packed inside cans for international flights and must be palletized. So if the FSS were to activate on those positions, it would simply be spraying the agent over top of the pallet which I have to assume would be less effective than into an enclosed can with a limited oxygen supply. Still better than nothing, I suppose. The actual fire diversion we had into RJTT last year was a belly can, so at least there was extinguishing available. No word yet on what was actually burning.
I'm in no way attempting to infer that the basic main deck suppression(depressurization) system is remotely adequate to deal with the battery problem. It may make a difference with a "normal" fire that could be starved of oxygen (i.e. "suppressed") and possibly allow an over-water flight to make a dash to the nearest field. We did the "15 minute drill" on our last round of recurrent as well.
#12
UPS does have some of the new fire resistant cans. The batteries are supposed to be put in them, but there are not enough in service yet. They are supposed to provide 4 hours of protection which may or may not be enough time to go somewhere.
#14
Additionally, just about every laptop, tablet and smart phone uses the Li-ion variety and many of those items are replaced by consumers far more frequently. So, as a complete guess - I would assume Li-ion shipments are much higher (if you include not only bulk shipments of batteries alone, but also those installed in bulk shipments of personal electronics).
#15
Originally Posted by Adlerdriver
I'm in no way attempting to infer that the basic main deck suppression(depressurization) system is remotely adequate to deal with the battery problem. It may make a difference with a "normal" fire that could be starved of oxygen (i.e. "suppressed") and possibly allow an over-water flight to make a dash to the nearest field. We did the "15 minute drill" on our last round of recurrent as well.
#16
What's Next?
It's pretty clear that ICAO is not taking the lead on dealing with this problem. The are hiding behind their PCs. Likewise the FAA. How about EASA or CASA. Anything going on there?
I am no longer privy to what goes on at ALPA. Can anyone tell me what ALPA and Teamsters or any other organized group representing pilots are doing regarding this battery problem?
Thanks again for the very well stated and clear input.
I am no longer privy to what goes on at ALPA. Can anyone tell me what ALPA and Teamsters or any other organized group representing pilots are doing regarding this battery problem?
Thanks again for the very well stated and clear input.
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