Airline Pilot Central Forums - Changing the Beard Rule

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- - Changing the Beard Rule (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/hangar-talk/100685-changing-beard-rule.html)

Indirectly, yes, some types of Lip Balm may enhance combustion inside the O2 mask while 100% O2 setting. Also some types of "facial hair products" might not be good either. I believe there is an FAA Advisory Circular about this subject.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PerfInit (Post 2329948)

If your post is meant to reply to my question to another poster, "Are you aware of an ignition source inside an oxygen mask," then no, you're not.

Lip balm and facial hair products are not ignition sources.

It's well established that greases, oils, and petroleum products in a high-concentration oxygen environment are a poor life choice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PerfInit (Post 2329948)

that's quite a stretch of you ask me... if lip balm is the problem then ban the lip balms not the beard.

My piercings and tatt sleeves are part of my heritage. I need to be able to express myself at work so they obviously should be allowed and accepted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBurke (Post 2329900)

You're aware that beards are not ferrous, correct? Is your beard made of steel wool?

Oxygen concentration can enhance combustion. Hair burns, and applying oxygen to a flammable item while burning is taking place will accelerate the combustion process.

Unless you're stupid enough to smoke inside an oxygen mask, this generally isn't a problem. Simply applying oxygen to a beard will not cause it to burn. How many circumstances can you think of in which an ignition source is applied to a beard in a cockpit while wearing an oxygen mask?

Are you aware of an ignition source inside an oxygen mask?

What does ferrous have to do with it? Ferrous metals don't necessarily burn particularly well...unless they are fuzzy (or powdery). I-beams and iron pots don't normally catch fire. The steel wool example is relevant because the highly concentrated oxidizer is readily available to a large surface area in small volume...kind of like a beard.

If part of the beard sticks out of the mask, O2 could flow out saturating the beard immediately outside the mask. A firefighter exposed to a sparks/flame could experience rapid combustion of the beard, which would be incapacitating (O2 mask destroyed, face melted). Also weapons and munitions can make sparks...

This came up with certain military dudes (the kind partial to epic beards) using 100% O2 in certain situations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickair7777 (Post 2330117)

What does ferrous have to do with it? Ferrous metals don't necessarily burn particularly well...

You don't understand? Was it not you that said "google steel wool + 02?"

You understand the concept of ferrous...iron...steel...wool?

It was you that brought it up. Steel wool and oxygen is irrelevant with respect to beards. Beards are not made of steel. You understand this, right?

THINK.

someone please provide some evidence of spontaneous beard combustion when mixed with oxygen masks and freaking lip balm. let me save you some time. there isn't any. and while we are at it, for those of you that want to smear highly flammable substances on your face while chewing on steel wool and smoking cigarettes underneath the oxygen mask, what the eff does the beard have to do with it? your face will still burn in that situation. do you realize how ridiculous you sound?

I've run into some stuff that seemed like steel wool.........

I don't recall a pilot being the village people, so no need to have a disgusting beard.