Airbus FIRE PROTECTION system!!! AIRBUS SYTEM KNOWLEDGE explained by Captain Joe

Summary

In this informative video, Captain Joe gives a detailed overview of the Airbus A320 fire protection system. He explains the components of the fire detection and extinguishing systems for both engines and the APU, including the various fire detection loops and extinguishing bottles. The video also covers the fire switches, the operation of the extinguishers, and the system's response to fire warnings. Additionally, Joe demonstrates how pilots use the overhead panel to control fire protection systems, test the equipment, and ensure safety. The video concludes with a thank-you to TFC Flight Training Centre for their support.

Takeaways

• ✈️ The Airbus A320 fire protection system covers engines, APU, cargo compartments, lavatories, and avionics.
• 🔥 Each engine has two fire extinguisher bottles, while the APU has one, controlled from the overhead panel.
• ⚡ The system uses two parallel fire detection loops (A & B) per engine, monitored by a Fire Detection Unit (FDU).
• 🌡️ Sensors in the engine pylon, core, and fan section detect heat to trigger fire warnings.
• 🚨 Fire warnings are activated if a sensor detects heat, both loops fail within five seconds, or a loop is faulty but the other is operative.
• 🛑 Engine fire push buttons silence warnings, arm squibs, close fuel, hydraulic, and bleed valves, and deactivate FADEC and IDG.
• 💧 Agent push buttons discharge fire extinguishing agents, with amber DISCH lights indicating an empty bottle.
• 🧪 TEST buttons allow the flight crew to verify the fire detection and extinguishing system before each flight, triggering ECAM warnings and aural alerts.
• 🛬 The APU fire on ground automatically shuts down the APU and discharges the extinguisher; ground personnel can also operate it via an external panel.
• 📢 The video emphasizes safety procedures, proper system testing, and familiarization with Airbus A320 fire protection components.

Q & A

What components make up the Airbus A320 fire protection system?

The system includes fire and overheat detection and extinguishing systems for both engines and the APU, smoke detection and extinguishing systems for cargo compartments and lavatories, a smoke detector in the avionics bay, and portable fire extinguishers for the cockpit and cabin crew.

How many extinguisher bottles does each engine have and how does this compare to the APU?

Each engine has two extinguisher bottles, whereas the APU has only one extinguisher bottle.

What is the role of the fire detection loops in the engines?

Each engine has two identical fire detection loops, A and B, mounted in parallel, which consist of multiple sensing elements that detect heat and send signals to the Fire Detection Unit (FDU) to trigger warnings.

Where are the fire sensors located in the engine and APU?

For each engine, sensors are located in the pylon nacelle, engine core, and fan section. The APU has one independent sensing unit in its compartment.

When is a fire warning triggered in the A320 system?

A fire warning is triggered when any sensor detects heat, when both detection loops register high temperature, or if both loops fail within five seconds. Additionally, an APU fire on the ground triggers automatic shutdown and extinguishing.

What actions occur when a pilot presses the engine fire push button?

Pressing the engine fire push button silences the aural warning, arms the extinguisher squibs, closes the low-pressure fuel valve, hydraulic fire shutoff valve, engine bleed valve, and pack flow control valve, cuts off FADEC power, and deactivates the Integrated Drive Generator (IDG).

How do the fire extinguisher agent buttons operate?

The agent buttons become active after pressing the engine fire push button for the affected engine. Pressing an agent button briefly discharges the corresponding fire extinguisher, and the amber 'DISCH' light illuminates when the bottle is empty.

What is the function of the TEST push button?

The TEST push button allows the flight crew to check the operation of the fire detection and extinguishing system before each flight. Pressing it triggers a continuous chime, flashing master warning lights, engine fire warnings on the ECAM and pedestal panel, and red fire lights.

How can the APU be shut down in case of a fire on the ground?

The APU can be shut down by pressing the APU push button in the cockpit after opening the guard, or by ground personnel using the external APU panel near the ground power supply connector, which also allows them to discharge the extinguisher bottle.

What happens if one fire detection loop fails while the other remains operative?

If one loop fails, the remaining operative loop continues to protect the aircraft, ensuring fire detection and warning capability is maintained.

What indicators help the crew identify which extinguisher agent is ready to be discharged?

A white squib light illuminates next to the agent push buttons, indicating to the flight computer and crew which extinguisher bottle is ready to be discharged.

Why is it important to perform the fire system test before each flight?

Performing the test ensures that all fire detection and extinguishing components are operational, confirms proper indicator and warning functionality, and verifies that the crew can respond effectively to a fire emergency.