Electrical Fire
04-11-2009 | 02:44 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 0
From: Dream within a dream
Electrical Fire
I was looking through the 172's checklist, and it says to close all the vents and cabin air in the event of an electrical fire. The Warrior's checklist, however, mandates that the vents be opened. Can anyone out there think of a reason for this difference?
04-11-2009 | 04:28 PM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,931
Likes: 701
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Closing the vents is good in that it may prevent airflow from feeding a fire and making it worse.
Opening the vents is good in that it may remove smoke and toxic fumes from the cockpit.
The manufacturers may have just had a difference of opinion, or they may have analyzed cockpit airflow and reached different conclusions based on different airflow patterns. You would probably have to call and ask them to find out for sure.
I would probably close everything until the fire was out, then open to ventilate, or if the smoke got too thick.
Opening the vents is good in that it may remove smoke and toxic fumes from the cockpit.
The manufacturers may have just had a difference of opinion, or they may have analyzed cockpit airflow and reached different conclusions based on different airflow patterns. You would probably have to call and ask them to find out for sure.
I would probably close everything until the fire was out, then open to ventilate, or if the smoke got too thick.
04-12-2009 | 07:38 AM
#4
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,931
Likes: 701
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Halon is not poisonous, but a lot of it in a confined space can displace enough air to create an oxygen-deficient environment. Also in some VERY hot fires, halon can break down into poisonous compounds. So yes, hold your breath as long as you can.
04-12-2009 | 11:57 AM
#5
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Facing forward, punching buttons
Halon will also displace the lungs capacity to take in and use oxygen, so absolutely hold your breath if at all possible. Serious bad juju...hell of a trade off. Makes it seem logical to buy a smoke mask or PBE.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
