Engine Fire Protection

Final Review 2024

By Mr. C. Gonzalez
1. (8310)- Which of the following fire detection systems
are commonly used in an engine nacelle?

A- Fire detection control unit.

B- Thermocouple detector.
C- Kidde continuous-loop.

Expl- In addition to fire and overheat detection, the Kidde continuous-

loop system can supply nacelle temperature data to the airplane
condition monitoring function of the Aircraft In-Flight Monitoring System
(AIMS). Continuous-loop systems are common in transport category
planes.
2. (8311)- What is the function of a fire detection
system?

A- To discharge the powerplant fire-extinguishing

system at the origin of the fire.
B- To activate a warning device in the event of a
powerplant fire.
C- To identify the location of a powerplant fire.

Expl- A fire detection system activates a warning device in the event of

a powerplant fire, but it does not discharge the fire-extinguishing agent.
A switch must be actuated by the pilot or flight engineer to discharge the
fire- extinguishing agent.
3. (8312)- (Refer to Figure 2.) Determine the fire
extinguisher container pressure limits when the
temperature is 75°F.

A- 326 minimum and 415 maximum.

B- 330 minimum and 419 maximum.
C- 338 minimum and 424 maximum.

Expl- To solve this problem, we must interpolate. Since 75°F is halfway

between 70° and 80°F, we must find a minimum and maximum pressure
that is halfway between the pressures for 70° and 80°F. The minimum
pressure is 338 psig, and the maximum pressure is 424 psig.
4. (8313)- How are most aircraft turbine engine fire-
extinguishing systems activated?

A- Electrically discharged cartridges.

B- Manual remote control valve.
C- Pushrod assembly.

Expl- Most aircraft turbine engine fire extinguishing systems use an

HRD bottle that contains some type of freon pressurized with nitrogen.
Electrically operated squibs (explosive charges) rupture the metal seal
on the HRD bottle and discharge the fire-extinguishing agent.
5. (8314)- How does carbon dioxide (CO(2)) extinguish
an aircraft engine fire?
A- Contact with the air converts the liquid into snow and
gas which smothers the flame.
B- By lowering the temperature to a point where
combustion will not take place.
C- The high pressure spray lowers the temperature and
blows out the fire.
Expl- When a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is discharged into an
aircraft engine, liquid CO(2) converts into a gas and snow which
displaces the oxygen in the immediate area of the fire and smothers the
flame. The fire goes out when it is deprived of oxygen.
6. (8315)- What retains the nitrogen charge and fire-
extinguishing agent in a high rate of discharge (HRD)
container?
A- Breakable disk and fusible disk.
B- Pressure switch and check tee valve.
C- Pressure gauge and cartridge.
Expl- The high-rate discharge containers are sealed with a breakable
disk that is cut by an explosive cartridge when the agent discharge
switch is energized.
There is also a fusible disk that will rupture and release the agent if the
temperature surrounding the container becomes excessive.
If the bottle is discharged by the normal method, a yellow indicator disk
will blow out, but if it is discharged by an overtemperature condition, the
red indicator disk will blow out.
7. (8316)- A continuous-loop fire detector is what type
of detector?

A- Spot detector.
B- Overheat detector.
C- Rate-of-temperature-rise detector.

Expl- A continuous-loop fire detection system is a form of overheat

detector made in the form of a loop installed around the engine
compartment.
It initiates a fire warning when a fire or overheat condition changes the
electrical characteristics of the heat-sensitive material in the loop.
8. (8317)- What is the operating principle of the spot
detector sensor in a fire detection system?
A- Resistant core material that prevents current flow at
normal temperatures.
B- A conventional thermocouple that produces a current
flow.
C- A bimetallic thermos switch that closes when heated
to a high temperature.
Expl- The spot detector sensor in a fire detection system is a bimetallic
thermal switch between two loops of wire.
When a high temperature occurs at the detector, the switch closes and
completes the circuit between the two loops. This initiates the fire
warning signal.
9. (8318)- How is the fire-extinguishing agent
distributed in the engine section?

A- Spray nozzles and fluid pumps.

B- Nitrogen pressure and slinger rings.
C- Spray nozzles and perforated tubing.

Expl- The fire-extinguishing agent in a reciprocating engine nacelle is

usually distributed through perforated tubing and in turbine engines
through spray-type discharge nozzles.
10. (8319)- Which of the following is the safest fire-
extinguishing agent to use from a standpoint of toxicity
and corrosion hazards?

A- Dibromodifluoromethane (Halon 1202).

B- Bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211).
C- Bromotrifluoromethane (Halon 1301).

Expl- Halon 1301 (bromotrifluoromethane) is the safest fire

extinguishing agent listed from the standpoints of both toxicity and
corrosion hazards.
11. (8320)- Which of the following is NOT used to
detect fires in reciprocating engine nacelles?

A- Smoke detectors.
B- Rate-of-temperature-rise detectors.
C- Flame detectors.

Expl- Smoke detectors are not normally used to detect fires in a

reciprocating engine nacelle. Smoke is often produced when the engine
starts due to oil in the cylinders. This is not necessarily an indication of
fire.
12. (8321)- What is the principle of operation of the
continuous-loop fire detector system sensor?
A- Fuse material which melts at high temperatures.
B- Core resistance material which prevents current flow
at normal temperatures.
C- A bimetallic thermoswitch which closes when heated
to a high temperature.
Expl- The core material that serves as an insulator in a continuous-loop
fire detection system prevents current flowing between the conductors
under normal operating conditions.
But, when a fire occurs, the loop is heated and the resistance of the
insulating material becomes low enough to allow current to pass
between the two conductors and initiate a fire warning.
13. (8322)- The most satisfactory extinguishing agent
for a tailpipe or intake fire is

A- carbon dioxide.
B- dry chemical.
C- methyl bromide.

Expl- Carbon dioxide, when properly used on an induction system fire,

will put out the fire and not damage the engine as methyl bromide or dry
chemicals would.
14. (8323)- The explosive cartridge in the discharge
valve of a fire-extinguisher container is

A- a life-dated unit.
B- not a life-dated unit.
C- mechanically fired.

Expl- The service life of a fire-extinguisher discharge cartridge is

recommended by the manufacturer, usually in terms of hours.
Some cartridges have a service life of 5,000 hours.
15. (8324)- Why does one type of Fenwal fire
detection system use spot detectors wired in parallel
between two separate circuits?
A- To provide an installation that is equal to two
separate systems: a primary system and a secondary, or
back-up system.
B- So that a double fault may exist in the system without
sounding a false alarm.
C- So that a single fault may exist in the system without
sounding a false alarm.
Expl- A fire warning is initiated when the two-terminal Fenwal spot
detectors complete the circuit between the two loops of wire.
The system can withstand one fault, either an electrical open circuit or a
short to ground without sounding a false fire warning.
16. (8325)- Which of the following fire detection
systems measures temperature rise compared to a
reference temperature?

A- Thermocouple.
B- Thermal switch.
C- Lindberg continuous element.

Expl- The thermocouple system uses active thermocouples in the fire

area and a reference thermocouple (reference junction) enclosed in a
dead air space between two blocks of insulation material.
The thermocouple system senses an excessive rate of temperature rise
to indicate the presence of a fire.
17. (8326)- The pulling out (or down) of an illuminated fire
handle in a typical large jet aircraft fire protection system
commonly accomplishes what events?
A- Closes all firewall shutoff valves, disconnects the
generator, and discharges a fire bottle.
B- Closes fuel shutoff, closes hydraulic shutoff, disconnects
the generator field, and arms the fire-extinguishing system.
C- Closes fuel shutoff, closes hydraulic shutoff, closes the
oxygen shutoff, disconnects the generator field, and arms
the fire-extinguishing system.

Expl- When the illuminated fire handle on a jet aircraft is pulled out or
down, it closes the fuel shutoff, closes the hydraulic fluid shutoff,
disconnects the generator field, and arms the fire-extinguishing system.
It does not discharge the fire-extinguishing agent.
18. (8327)- A fire detection system operates on the
principle of a buildup of gas pressure within a tube
proportional to temperature. Which of the following
systems does this statement define?

A- Kidde continuous-loop system.

B- Lindberg continuous-element system.
C- Thermal switch system.

Expl- The Lindberg continuous-element fire detection system operates

on a buildup of gas pressure from gas released by the element inside
the tube when it is heated. Increased gas pressure moves a diaphragm
and closes a switch to signal a fire or overheat condition.
19. (8328)- The fire detection system that uses a
single wire surrounded by a continuous string of
ceramic beads in a tube is the

A- Fenwal system.
B- Kidde system.
C- thermocouple system.

Expl- The Fenwal continuous-loop fire detection system uses a string of

ceramic beads in a tube to hold the center conductor insulated from the
outer tube.
The conductivity of these beads increases as the beads get hot.
20. (8329)- The fire detection system that uses two
wires imbedded in a ceramic core within a tube is the

A- Fenwal system.
B- Lindberg system.
C- Kidde system.

Expl- The Kidde continuous-loop fire detection system uses two wires
embedded in a ceramic insulator whose conductivity increases as it
gets hot.
The insulator and the two wires are housed in a continuous metal tube.
21. (8330)- A fuel or oil fire is defined as a

A- Class B fire.
B- Class A fire.
C- Class C fire.

Expl- A Class B fire involves flammable petroleum products or other

flammable or combustible liquids.
A Class A fire involves ordinary combustible materials such as wood,
cloth, paper, upholstery materials, etc.
A Class C fire involves energized electrical equipment. A Class D fire is
a fire in a flammable metal.
22. (8331)- A fire detection system that operates on
the rate-of-temperature rise is a
A- continuous-loop system.
B- thermocouple system.
C- thermal switch system.
Expl- A thermocouple fire detection system operates on the rate-of-
temperature-rise. Active thermocouples are located in the fire zone. A
reference thermocouple is enclosed in a dead-air space between two
blocks of insulating material. As long as the active and reference
thermocouples are the same temperature, the system is inactive, but in
the event of a fire, the temperature of the active thermocouple rises
much faster than that of the reference thermocouple so the system
signals a fire.
23. (8332)- A fire involving energized electrical
equipment is defined as a

A- Class B fire.
B- Class D fire.
C- Class C fire.

Expl- A Class C fire involves energized electrical equipment.

A Class A fire involves ordinary combustible materials such as wood,
cloth, paper, upholstery materials, etc.
A Class B fire involves flammable petroleum products or other
flammable or combustible liquids.
A Class D fire is a fire in a flammable metal.
24. (8333)- Two continuous-loop fire detection systems
that will not test due to a broken detector element are
the

A- Kidde system and the Lindberg system.

B- Kidde system and the Fenwal system.
C- thermocouple system and the Lindberg system.

Expl- The Kidde and the Fenwal fire detection systems are the two
continuous-loop fire detection systems that will not test good if the
detector element is broken. Both systems, however, will still detect a
fire.
 25. (8334)- Which statement best describes the
blowout type indicator disc on a fixed fire extinguishing
system?
A- When the red indicator disc is missing, it indicates the fire
extinguishing system is charged and ready for use.
B- When the yellow indicator disc is missing, it indicates the
fire extinguishing system has been normally discharged.
C- When the green indicator disc is missing, it indicates that
the fire extinguishing system may have been normally
discharged.
Expl- A missing yellow blowout indicator indicates that the fire
extinguisher has been discharged normally. If the red indicator is
missing, it indicates that the extinguisher has been discharged by an
overheat (thermal) condition.
26. (8335)- The most satisfactory extinguishing agent
for an electrical fire is

A- carbon tetrachloride.
B- carbon dioxide.
C- methyl bromide.

Expl- Carbon dioxide is the best of the fire-extinguishing agents listed

for extinguishing a fire when there are energized electrical wires in the
fire.
27. (8336)- Which of the following fire detection
systems will detect a fire when an element is
inoperative but will not test when the test circuit is
energized?
A- The Kidde system and the thermocouple system.
B- The Kidde system and the Fenwal system.
C- The thermocouple system and the Lindberg system.

Expl- The Kidde and the Fenwal fire detection systems are the two
continuous-loop fire detection systems.
Neither of these systems will test if the detector wire is broken.
Both systems, however, will detect a fire even though they have a
broken wire.
28. (8337)- Which of the following fire detection
systems uses heat in the normal testing of the
system?

A- The thermocouple system and the Lindberg system.

B- The Kidde system and the Fenwal system.
C- The thermocouple system and the Fenwal system.

Expl- The thermocouple system and the Lindberg fire detection system
both use heat to produce a test signal.
The other systems test by measuring continuity of the heat-sensitive
element.
29. (8338)- After a fire is extinguished, or overheat
condition removed in aircraft equipped with a Systron-
Donner fire detector, the detection system
A- must be manually reset.
B- automatically resets.
C- sensing component must be replaced.

Expl- When a fire that has been detected by a Systron-Donner

pneumatic fire detection unit is extinguished and the temperature drops,
the hydrogen gas that had been released inside the detection unit is re-
absorbed and the pressure in the tube is reduced. This opens the
pneumatic switch and the system returns to normal, ready to signal
another fire or overheat condition.
30. (8339)- The use of water on Class D fires

A- is most effective if sprayed in a fine mist.

B- will cause the fire to burn more violently and can
cause explosions.
C- has no effect.

Expl- A Class D fire is a fire involving a flammable metal. This type of

fire requires special handling.
Water used on a magnesium fire will accelerate the burning and can
cause an explosion. Special dry powders are available for use
whenever metal fires are possible.
31. (8340)- For fire detection and extinguishing
purposes, aircraft powerplant areas are divided into
fire zones based on

A- hot and cold sections of the engine.

B- the volume and smoothness of the airflow through
engine compartments.
C- engine type and size.

Expl- For fire detection and extinguishing purposes, aircraft powerplant

areas are divided into fire zones based on the volume and the
smoothness of the airflow.
32. (8341)- (Refer to Figure 3.) What are the fire-
extinguisher container pressure limits when the
temperature is 50°F?
A- 425 - 575 psig.
B- 435 - 605 psig.
C- 475 - 625 psig.
Expl- To find the allowable range of fire extinguisher container pressure
at 50°F, follow the vertical line for 50°F upward until it intersects the
curve for the minimum gauge reading. From this point, follow a
horizontal line to the left until it intersects the pressure index. This
intersection is at 475 psig.
Continue to follow the 50°F vertical line upward until it intersects the
curve for the maximum gauge reading. From this point, follow a
horizontal line to the left until it intersects the pressure index. This
intersection is at 625 psig.
33. (9019)- The most common type of portable fire
extinguisher available on the ramp to fight fires on the
exterior of aircraft uses what type of extinguishing
agent?
A- Halon 1301.
B- Carbon dioxide (CO2).
C- Foam.
Expl- Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an effective extinguishing agent. It is
most often used in fire extinguishers that are available on the ramp to
fight fires on the exterior of the aircraft, such as engine or APU fires.
CO2 has been used for many years to extinguish flammable fluid fires
and fires involving electrical equipment.
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