4.1 Fire Fighting

Training Objective:

The crew member will be able to identify the types of fire, fire detection and fire fighting systems and the established fire fighting procedures.

Scope:

General
Crew Member Responsibilities
Procedures - Cabin
Procedures - External

4.1A General

4.1A.1 Identify hazards associated with onboard fires including toxicity of fumes, flammability of cabin materials, variety of combustible materials.

4.1A.2 Identify the impediments to fire fighting onboard aircraft including limited visibility due to smoke/fumes, fire fighting in confined space, difficulty in locating /accessing the source of the fire, limited resources to fight the fire and distance to suitable airport for landing.

4.1A.3 Define fire chemistry including the elements which must be present for fire to occur (i.e. fuel, heat, oxygen, chemical reactions).

4.1A.4 List the classes of fire which may occur on aircraft: ClassA - combustible material fires, ClassB - grease/spill fires, ClassC - electrical and ClassD - fire involving metals, and the possible sources for these fires.

4.1A.5 Describe the importance of early detection and correct recognition.

4.1A.6 Identify the characteristics and behaviour of fire (e.g. what you will see, how the fire will behave) in different cabin environments, fire propagation.

4.1A.7 Describe the means of fire smoke detection (e.g. smell, auditory, visual, tactile).

4.1A.8 Describe the chemical properties of each type of fire extinguisher, including hazards to occupants and aircraft systems, and how a fire is extinguished.

4.1B Crew Member Responsibilities

4.1B.1 List fire prevention measures and crew responsibilities for fire prevention including but not limited to:

1. Practicing and maintaining safe work habits;
2. Enforcing smoking regulations;
3. Monitoring cabin, lavatories, cargo compartments;
4. Awareness of popped circuit breaker procedures; and
5. Prompt investigation of fire detection alarms, unusual odours, heat build-up, deformation of aircraft components, etc.

4.1B.2 Describe the importance of crew coordination in fire fighting and identify ways that this may be achieved.

4.1B.3 Describe the importance of crew communication in fire fighting and providing the pilot-in-command with accurate information on fire source, location, extent/severity of fire/smoke, fire fighting actions.

4.1C Procedures - Cabin

4.1C.1 Describe the fire fighting procedures for specific types of fires (e.g. galley, oven, lavatory, electrical, upholstery, etc.).

4.1C.2 Describe the techniques and procedures for fighting these fires including finding the source of the fire, type of extinguisher to use, additional fire fighting equipment needed, complications to fighting these types of fires, limitations to fighting this type of fire, post-fire procedures, crew communication and coordination procedures, and passenger-handling.

4.1C.3 Identify ways to maintain breathing comfort for cabin occupants.

4.1C.4 Define flashover and flash-fire and describe the conditions under which each is likely to occur.

4.1D Procedures - External

4.1D.1 Identify the types of external fires, which could affect flight safety including but not limited to:

1. Engine fires;
2. APU and engine torching;
3. Fuel spill/apron fires;
4. Fires on loading bridges; and
5. Service vehicle fires.

4.1D.2 Describe established procedures for dealing with external fire situations including recognition, crew communication and coordination.

4.1D.3 Identify the communication and coordination required with ground personnel and describe the fire fighting assistance ground personnel can offer and the assistance crew members can provide to ground personnel.