Summary of A320 Fire Protection System

00:00:00 - 00:25:00

The A320 fire protection system includes smoke detectors and a smoke detection control unit or sdcu. When smoke is detected, the respective smoke warning light comes on, the master warning flashes with a continuous repetitive chime, the smoke warning is displayed on ecam, the aft isolation valve closes, and the extraction fan stops.

• 00:00:00 The Airbus A320 fire protection system includes fire and overheat detection and extinguishing within the engine nay cells and pylon, as well as for the apu compartment. Smoke detectors and a fire extinguishing system protect the cargo compartments. The avionics compartment has a smoke detection system only. The lavatories have smoke detectors installed in the ceiling and self-discharging fire extinguisher bottles installed over the waste bins. Controls and indicators are found on the overhead panel, the pedestal, the external power panel, and the overhead maintenance panel. The engine and apu fire light push button switches, agent discharge push buttons, and test push buttons are located on the overhead fire panel. On the engine panel next to the engine master switches are the fire lights. They identify which engine is to be shut down during the engine fire shutdown procedure. Located on the external power panel forward of the nose gear doors is the apu fire light and shut off push button. The apu auto extinguishing test switch is located on the overhead maintenance panel. This test is a maintenance function only. When smoke is detected in the avionics compartment the smoke light illuminates on the generator one line push-button switch located on the emergency electrical power panel. And the fault lights illuminate
• 00:05:00 The A320 fire protection system includes a panel with touch buttons that allow the crew to operate the engine and apu fire detection and extinguishing systems. If an engine fire warning is generated, the master warning light on the glare shield flashes and the continuous repetitive chime is heard. The fire warning message on the upper ECAM is displayed. The engine fire light illuminates on the overhead fire panel and the fire light on the engine control panel illuminates. The engine and apu fire detection and extinguishing systems can be tested on the ground or in flight.
• 00:10:00 The avionics smoke detection system consists of an ionization type smoke detector installed in the air extraction duct of the avionics ventilation system. When the smoke concentration in the measuring chamber reaches a predetermined level, the smoke warnings are triggered. The avionics smoke detection system is designed as a secondary smoke detection system used to confirm that there is smoke in the avionics compartment. The primary system is the pilot's own sense of smell. If smoke is detected, the sdcu transmits a signal to the centralized communication data system or sids, and to the ecam. The indications in the cockpit are a master warning and a smoke warning on the upper ecamportable firefighting equipment must be used to extinguish the fire. Each lavatory is equipped with a self-actuated halon extinguisher bottle mounted over the waste bin. It is heat activated and when the temperature in the waste bin area reaches approximately 79 degrees celsius, the fusible material at the end of the discharge tube melts discharging the bottle in three to fifteen seconds. An adhesive temperature indicator on the waste chute gives an indication if an excessive temperature has been reached. The cargo compartment smoke detection system consists of two ionization type detectors in the forward compartment and four detectors in the aft
• 00:15:00 The A320 fire protection system includes smoke detectors and a smoke detection control unit or sdcu. When smoke is detected, the respective smoke warning light comes on, the master warning flashes with a continuous repetitive chime, the smoke warning is displayed on ecam, the aft isolation valve closes, and the extraction fan stops. The cargo compartment extinguishing system has one fire extinguishing bottle shared between the forward and aft cargo compartments. One distribution pipe connects the bottle to the forward discharge nozzle and another pipe is connected to two nozzles in the aft compartment. The nozzles are installed in the smoke detectors' cavities in the compartment ceiling. When a guard is lifted and the discharge switch is pressed, the associated squib is detonated and the extinguishing agent is directed to the applicable compartment. Both discharge lights illuminate on the cargo smoke panel. The smoke light may remain illuminated because the extinguishing agent is dense enough to continue to activate the ionization detectors. Touch the cargo smoke discharge push button to initiate the apu fire test. During the cockpit geographic check scan, perform the engine 1 and 2 fire tests. Ensure the engine fire push button switch is in and guarded and the agent discharge lights are extinguished. Press the engine 1 fire test push button to activate
• 00:20:00 The fire protection system on an Airbus A320 ensures that the smoke light is extinguished, the cargo smoke panel ensures the two discharge push button switches are guarded and the smoke and discharge lights are extinguished, the ventilation panel ensures the blower and extract switches are in the auto position and all lights are extinguished, and the fire detection unit continuously monitors and analyzes the signal from the fire detection loops for fire electrical failure and for integrity of the loop. If any of these systems fail, a fault is generated. The crew action required in flight depends on the system that fails. If the fire test is accomplished before each flight, no crew action is required in flight, but if the fire test is not accomplished, the engine fire ecam actions are not performed until the aircraft flight path is stabilized and at a minimum altitude of 400 feet above ground level. The first three items of the engine fire checklist must be monitored and confirmed by the pilot flying, and the engine fire push button switch remains illuminated for as long as the fire is detected. If the engine fire push button is released, the countdown timer begins automatically and the 10 second delay before pressing the agent 1 switch is to allow n1 to decrease. If the fire light remains illuminated after the first bottle is discharged, an additional 30
• 00:25:00 The A320 fire protection system includes a clear button on the ecam control panel and a recall that in flight the apu fire procedure must be accomplished manually. The system performs the apu fire ecam actions, and when the apu fire push button switch is released, the countdown timer automatically begins. The 10 second delay allows the airflow to decrease, and the extinguishing agent becomes more effective. Once the fire light goes out, the procedure disappears from the e-cam, and ground crew must investigate and eliminate the smoke source. If both sdcu channels fail, this warning is triggered along with the master caution and single chime. If both cargo and lavatory smoke detection is lost, crew awareness is required.