Test and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Small Airport Firefighting System (SAFS) in Extinguishing Two- and Three-Dimensional Hydrocarbon Fuel Fires

  In the near future, many small airports may be categorized as Index A airports by federal codes. This would require that such airports maintain minimum firefighting capability to combat aircraft fires and protect the flying public. Clearly this requirement would result in significant capital investment in organizing, equipping, and training a fire protection team. In an effort to reduce this financial burden, a test program was initiated to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-cost fire suppression system designed specifically for combating aircraft fires at small airports. The low-cost system consists of a unique skid-mounted extinguishing unit containing two low-pressure extinguishing agent tanks and two high-pressure propellant tanks. The system can be easily installed in the cargo bed of a suitable utility truck.
As specified by federal codes, SAFS contains 100 gallons of aqueous film forming foam and 500 pounds of a sodium-based or 450 pounds of a potassium-based dry chemical (Purple K or PKP). SAFS was designed specifically for extinguishing two-dimensional (2-D) hydrocarbon pool fires and three-dimensional (3-D) flowing fuel fires. Testing proved the simultaneous application of compressed air foam and PKP through the dual-agent nozzle onto a combination 2-D and 3-D fire was vastly superior to either of these agents used alone. Likewise, this combination of agents was equivalent in firefighting performance to larger capacity variable stream nozzles using foam alone. Based on the results of performance testing as specified herein, SAFS would provide a substantial firefighting capability to combat 2-D pool fires and 3-D flowing fuel fires at small airports and would provide an effective, easily understood fire suppression capability for apprentice-level fire fighters. SAFS, in its present configuration, is recommended for use at newly categorized Index A airports.

DOT/FAA/AR-TN03/45
Authors: Charles Risinger, Jennifer Kalberer, and Keith Bagot