Changing the Beard Rule
#101
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: JAFO- First Observer
Posts: 997
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.
#102
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,926
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.
#103
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 100
that's quite a stretch of you ask me... if lip balm is the problem then ban the lip balms not the beard.
#106
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?
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?
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.
#107
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,926
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.
#108
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 100
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?
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