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UNIT 5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. 117

Unit 5 Notes
__________________
__________________
Aircraft Rescue and __________________

Fire Fighting Services. __________________

__________________
__________________

Objectives __________________
__________________
After reading this unit, you will be able to:
__________________
y Understand Criteria for Establishment of ARFF
__________________
y Understand Chemistry of Fire
y Describe Methods of controlling fire
y Discuss various Classes of Fire
y Measure Fire Extinguishing agent Performance Criteria

5.1 Introduction.
The details contained in this chapter relate to various
operational standards based on ICAO Standards &
recommendations for aircraft rescue and fire fighting services
at AAI aerodromes. More or less similar practice is followed
at other airports belonging to other agencies.

5.2 Criteria for establishment of ARFF.

ARFF services are required to be provided at all airports in
conformity with ICAO standards and guidelines regarding
level of fire protection.

Fire fighting in and around crashed aircraft is a highly

specialized field of fire fighting. A ARFF fire fighter must
process the required alertness, courage, dedication, agility,
physical strength, and the ability to be an exacting team
worker.

5.3 The Chemistry of Fire.

Fire is the most common form of chemical reaction. The
process of fire may be regarded as a chemical triangle (fig. 5-
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Notes 1). The three sides consist of fuel (combustible matter), heat,
__________________ and oxygen. After extensive research, the presence of a fourth
__________________ element has been identified. It is the chemical chain reaction
__________________ (fig.5-2) that takes place in a fire that allows the fire to both
__________________ sustain itself and grow.
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________

Figure 5-1.-Requirements for combustion.

Figure 5-2.-Chain reaction.

This process of fire is now called the "fire tetrahedron." See

figure 5-3.
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UNIT 5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. 119
Notes
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________

Figure 5-3.-Tetrahedron and fire triangle.

5.4 Controlling Fire.

The most common method of controlling or extinguishing a
fire is to eliminate one or more of sides of the tetrahedron.
This can be accomplished by the following methods.

1. Smothering-removing the oxygen.

2. Cooling-removing the heat.

3. Starving-removing the fuel or combustible matter.

There are two terms associated with fires, the fire point and
the flash point.

The fire point of a substance is the lowest temperature at

which its vapours can be ignited and would continue to burn.
At this temperature, the vapour would ignite spontaneously
in the air. Also, substances don't have to be heated to this
ignition temperature throughout in order to ignite.

The flash point of a substance is the temperature at which

the substance gives off enough vapours to form an ignitable
mixture with the air near the substance's surface. An
ignitable mixture is a mixture within the explosive range.
The mixture is capable of spreading a flame away from the
source of ignition when ignited.
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Notes For example, fuel would spontaneously ignite when a portion

__________________ of it (or its vapours) is exposed to temperatures around 268°C
__________________ (ignition temperature). It is capable of being touched off by a
__________________ match or spark at temperatures down to -20°C (fire point). It
__________________ would also flash across the surface at temperatures from -
20°C down to -43°C (flash point). From these examples, it
__________________
can be readily seen that fuel has a low flash point and is
__________________
easily ignited. Fuel is a constant fire hazard around aircraft.
__________________
A spark, heat caused by friction, or an electrical discharge
__________________ could supply enough heat to cause fuel to flash.
__________________
__________________ 5.5 Classes of Fire.
Different types of fires are combated by different means. It
is important for a fire person to identify various types of
fires and to understand specific ways of combating each type
of fire.

Class A.
Class A fires occur in combustible materials, such as bedding,
mattresses, books, cloth, and any matter that produces an
ash. All fires of this class leave embers, which are likely to
rekindle if air comes in contact with them. Class A fires must
not be considered extinguished until the entire mass has been
cooled below its ignition temperature. Smothering (removing
the oxygen) is not effective for class A fires because it does
not lower the temperature of the smouldering embers below
the surface. The extinguishing agents most effective for class
A fires are solid water stream, both high- and low-velocity
fog, CO2, and water immersion.
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UNIT 5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. 121
Notes
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Class B (Most Important from Aircraft fire point of view).

Class B fires occur with flammable liquid substances.

Examples of class B fires are gasoline, jet fuels, paints, grease,
and any petroleum-based product.

These and other combustible substances do not leave embers

or ashes. Class B fires are extinguished by providing a barrier
between the burning substance and oxygen necessary for
combustion. Chemical and mechanical foams produce such a
barrier and are known as permanent smothering agents, but
their effect is only temporary. The application must be
renewed if there is any danger of re-ignition. The
extinguishing agents recommended for combating class B
fires are CO2, PKP, Halon, and Aqueous Film-Forming Foam
(AFFF). However, water by itself is NOT recommended for
use on class B fires.

Class C.
Class C fires are energized electrical fires that are attacked
at prescribed distances by using nonconductive agents such
as CO2 and Halon 1211.

The most effective tactic is to de-energize the system and

handle the fire as a class A fire. When fires are not deep
seated, clean agents that pose no cleanup problem, such as
Halon 1211 or CO2, are the preferred extinguishing agents.

However, water in any form, is dangerous when used on

electrical equipment.
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Notes Class D.
__________________
Class D fires are combustible metals, such as magnesium and
__________________
titanium. Water in large quantities, as high velocity fog, is
__________________
the recommended extinguishing agent. When water is
__________________ applied to burning class D materials, there may be small
__________________ explosions. The fire fighter should apply water from a safe
__________________ distance or from behind shelter.
__________________
__________________
5.5 Extinguishing Agents.
__________________ There are many materials that may be used as fire-fighting
__________________ agents. The primary agents discussed in the following
paragraphs are the most extensively used.

Water.
Water is a cooling agent, and it is easily available. If the
surface temperature of a fire can be lowered below the fuel's
ignition temperature, the fire would be extinguished. Water
is most efficient when it absorbs enough heat to raise its
temperature to 100°C or boiling point. The steam carries away
the heat, which cools the surface temperature.

Water in the form of fog is very effective for fire-fighting

purposes. Additionally, water fog can provide protection to
fire fighters from heat. However, the fog must be applied
directly to the area to be cooled if its benefits are to be
realized.

Water in the form of a straight stream (also called solid

stream) is used to reach into smoke-filled spaces or areas at
a distance from the fire fighter. When a straight stream is
needed as an extinguishing agent, it should be directed into
the seat of the fire. For maximum cooling, the water must
come in direct contact with the burning material. A straight
stream is best used to break up and penetrate materials.

Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF).

AFFF is composed of synthetically produced materials
similar to liquid detergents. These film-forming agents are
capable of forming water solution films on the surface of
flammable liquids.
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UNIT 5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. 123
AFFF concentrate is non-toxic and biodegradable in diluted Notes
form. When proportioned with water, AFFF provides three __________________
fire-extinguishing advantages. __________________
__________________
1. An aqueous film is formed on the surface of the fuel that
prevents the escape of the fuel vapours. __________________
__________________
2. The layer effectively excludes oxygen from the fuel
__________________
surface.
__________________
3. The water content of the foam provides a cooling effect. __________________
__________________
The primary use of AFFF is to extinguish burning flammable
or combustible liquid spill fires (class B). AFFF has excellent __________________

penetrating characteristics and is superior to water in

extinguishing class A fires.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2).

CO2 is an inert gas and extinguishes fires by smothering
them. CO2 is about 1.5 times heavier than air, which makes
it a suitable extinguishing agent because it tends to settle
and blanket the fire. CO2 is a dry, non-corrosive gas, which
is inert when in contact with most substances and would not
leave a residue and damage machinery or electrical
equipment. CO2 is a non-conductor of electricity regardless
of voltage, and can be safely used in fighting fires that would
present the hazard of electric shock.

CO2 extinguishes the fire by diluting and displacing its

oxygen supply. If gaseous CO2 is directed into a fire so that
sufficient oxygen to support combustion is no longer
available, the flames would die out. CO2 has limited cooling
capabilities, and may not cool the fuel below its ignition
temperature. It is more likely than other extinguishing
agents to allow reflash.

CO2 is however, not an effective extinguishing agent for fires

in materials that produce their own oxygen supply, such as
fires involving reactive metals like magnesium and titanium.

Halon 1211.
Halon is a halogenated hydrocarbon. Halon 1211, known
chemically as bromo-chloro-difluoromethane, is colourless
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Notes and has a sweet smell. Halon attacks the fire by inhibiting
__________________ the chemical chain reaction. Halon decomposes upon contact
__________________ with flames or hot surfaces above 900°F (482°C). Halon 1211
__________________ is used for twin agent (AFFF/Halon 1211) applications on
__________________ board flight and with mobile fire-fighting equipment.
__________________
Potassium Bicarbonate (Purple-K-Powder or PKP).
__________________
__________________
Potassium bicarbonate (PKP) is a dry chemical principally
used as a fire-fighting agent for flammable liquid fires. When
__________________
PKP is applied to fire, the dry chemical extinguishes the
__________________
flame by breaking the combustion chain. PKP does not have
__________________
cooling capabilities on fire. PKP is highly effective in
extinguishing flammable liquid (class B) fires. Although PKP
can be used on electrical (class C) fires, it would leave a
residue that may be hard to clean. Also, when combined with
moisture, it may corrode or stain the surfaces it settles on.

PKP does not produce a lasting inert atmosphere above the

surface of a flammable liquid. Therefore, its use would not
result in permanent extinguishing if ignition sources, such
as hot metal surfaces or persistent electrical arcing, are
present. Reflash of the fire will most likely occur. The
ingredients used in PKP are non-toxic. However, the
discharge of large quantities may cause temporary breathing
difficulty and, immediately after the discharge, it may
seriously interfere with visibility.

5.6 Aircraft Fire Hazards.

Flammable, hazardous, and fire accelerating materials
carried on aircraft are of major concern e.g. Aviation gasoline
(AVGAS), jet fuels (JP-4, JP-5, and JP-8), engine oils, oxygen
systems, and hydraulic fluids constitute problems in aircraft
fire-fighting. Under aircraft crash impact conditions where
fuel-air mixtures or mists are created, all fuels are easily
ignited.

Aviation Gasoline (AVGAS).

The flash point (by closed cup method at sea level) of AVGAS
is -50°F (-46°C). The rate of flame spread has also been
calculated to be between 700 and 800 feet per minute.
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UNIT 5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. 125
JP-4 Fuel. Notes
__________________
JP-4 jet fuel is a blend of gasoline and kerosene and has a
__________________
flash point from -10°F (-23°C). The rate of flame spread has
__________________
also been calculated to be between 700 and 800 feet per
minute. __________________
__________________
JP-5 Fuel. __________________

JP-5 fuel is a kerosene grade with a flash point of 140°F __________________

(60°C). The rate of flame spread has been calculated to be in __________________
the order of 100 feet per minute. __________________
__________________
5.7 General Hazards
Not every crash results in fire. The responsibility of the crash
fire fighter does not end when fire fails to occur. Serious
actual and potential fire hazards may have been created,
which must be eliminated or minimized without delay.

The greater the damage to the aircraft, the greater the

possibility of fuel spillage. A spark or a hot engine part could
ignite fuel vapours and set off a full-fledged fire. All
precautions must be taken all to prevent accidental ignition.

Fuel Tanks.
When an aircraft crashes, the impact usually ruptures the
fuel lines and fuel tanks. Ordinarily, all the fuel is not
liberated at once. There is a source of fuel that is supplying
the fire either from the rupture in the tank or from the
loosened and ruptured fuel lines in the accessory section of
the engine.

The control of the fire around the fuselage section under

these conditions presents a very complex problem. The top
portion of the tank is more void of liquid than any other
section of the tank. Because of the restraining cushion of
the liquid itself, the explosive force will be directed upward
instead of downward or on a horizontal plane.

Fuel loads can vary from 100 Litres in small aircraft to

approximately two Lakhs Litres or more in large jet aircraft.
Fuel tanks are installed in a variety of places within the
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Notes aircraft structural framework or as a built-in part of the wing.

__________________ There is so little difference in the heat of combustion of the
__________________ various aircraft hydrocarbon fuels that the severity after
__________________ ignition would be of no significance from the "fire safety"
__________________ point of view. The fire-fighting and control measures are the
same for the entire group of aviation hydrocarbon fuels.
__________________
__________________ Oxygen Systems.
__________________
Oxygen systems on aircraft can present hazardous conditions
__________________
to fire fighters during an emergency. Liquid oxygen is a light
__________________
blue liquid that flows like water and is extremely cold. It
__________________
boils into gaseous oxygen at -297°F (-147°C) and has an
expansion rate of approximately 860 to 1. Liquid oxygen is a
strong oxidizer, and although it is non-flammable, it
vigorously supports combustion.

Anti-icing Fluids.
Anti-icing fluids are usually a mixture of about 85-percent
alcohol and 15-percent glycerine. While not as great as other
aircraft hazards, however alcohol used in aircraft anti-icing
systems burns with an almost invisible flame. The best method
of control is by dilution with water.

Class A Combustibles.
Class A combustibles in aircraft fires are best extinguished
with AFFF. When aircraft cockpit and interior finish
materials are burned or charred, they produce toxic gases.
These gases include carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, and
hydrogen cyanide. Therefore, it is necessary that fire-fighting
and rescue personnel who enter an aircraft during a fire
sequence be equipped with a self-contained breathing
apparatus.

Batteries.
Alkaline or nickel-cadmium batteries may get hot from
internal shorting or thermal runaway. The overheated
battery is hazardous to both aircraft and personnel and hence
proper type extinguishing agent available for instant use.
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UNIT 5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. 127
Composite Materials. Notes
__________________
Inhalation of composite fibres resulting from aircraft fires
__________________
and/or aircraft material damage may be harmful. Composite
__________________
materials that are reinforced with carbon/graphite fibres
provide superior stiffness, a high strength-to-weight ratio, __________________

and ease of fabrication. As a result, this material is being __________________

used extensively in advanced aircraft, to replace heavier __________________
metal components. Unfortunately, carbon or graphite fibres __________________
can be released into the atmosphere if their epoxy binder __________________
burns. Once free, these small lightweight fibres can be
__________________
transported up to several kilometres by air currents and,
__________________
because of their high electrical conductivity, can damage
unprotected electrical/electronic equipment.

Until such time as more information is known, aircraft crash

and fire-fighting units must attempt to extinguish fires
involving carbon-fibre-reinforced composites as quickly as
possible and to provide maximum containment of the aircraft
debris.

Composite materials reinforced with boron fibres also

provide superior stiffness, a high strength-to-weight ratio,
and ease of fabrication. Unfortunately, boron fibres can be
released if their epoxy binder burns. The extinguishing,
containment, and cleanup practices for boron fibres are the
same as those previously outlined for carbon or graphite
fibres.

Engine Accessory Section.

The most common source of crash fires is the engine
compartment, particularly the accessory section. Steps
should be taken by fire personnel to prevent ignition of fuel
vapours by hot exhaust stacks and collector rings. CO2
discharged through the cooling flaps, air scoop, or inspection
doors is an effective precaution.

Fuel Spills.
Fuel spills can be caused by ruptured fuel lines. These spills
should be swept clear of the aircraft. Water streams should
be used to be followed up with a layer of foam to halt
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Notes vaporization. An aircraft should NEVER be dragged or moved

__________________ unnecessarily. There is great danger that friction will ignite
__________________ the fuel.
__________________
Selector Valve.
__________________
__________________ Fuel Selector Valve is the primary fuel cut-off valve and is
__________________ used to select various fuel tanks. This should be switched to
__________________
OFF position, and then the valve completely separates the
source of fuel from engines.
__________________
__________________ Battery Switch.
__________________
Battery switch should be turned to OFF by the Fire People.
This is the master electrical switch and also the source of all
power to the aircraft electrical system when the engine(s)
are not running. The battery should be disconnected, if
possible, as detonators and electrical recognition devices are
connected ahead of the master switch. Turning the switch
off will not stop the flow of current to these devices.

Hydraulic System.
The hydraulic system of a crashed aircraft should be
considered a potential hazard. The loss of hydraulic fluid/
pressure could cause an unexpected movement of the aircraft.
The landing gear could collapse or brakes could release,
causing injury to personnel.

5.8 Determining the category of the aerodrome.

The level of protection provided at an aerodrome for rescue
and fire fighting is required to be appropriate to the
aerodrome category determined in accordance with Table 5-
1 below and is based on the longest aeroplanes normally using
the aerodrome and their fuselage width. If after selecting
the category appropriate to the longest aeroplane's overall
length, that aeroplane's fuselage width is greater than the
maximum width in Table 5-1 below for that category, then
the category for that aeroplane is taken as one category
higher. The level of protection is appropriate to the
aerodrome category so determined.
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UNIT 5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. 129
Availability of ARFF services including level of protection Notes
and watch hours is notified through Aeronautical Information __________________
Publication and any temporary change in the status of service __________________
is notified through NOTAM (Notice to Airmen). __________________

Table 5-1: Aerodrome category for rescue and fire fighting. __________________
__________________
__________________
Aerodrome Aeroplane overall length. Maximum
category. . fuselage width. __________________
(1) (2) (3)
__________________
1 0 m up to but not including 9 m 2m
2 9 m up to but not including 12 m 2m __________________
3 12 m up to but not including 18 m 3m
__________________
4 18 m up to but not including 24 m 4m
5 24 m up to but not including 28 m 4m
6 28 m up to but not including 39 m 5m
7 39 m up to but not including 49 m 5m
8 49 m up to but not including 61 m 7m
9 61 m up to but not including 76 m 7m
10 76 m up to but not including 90 m 8m

5.9 ARFF vehicles.

All rescue and fire fighting vehicles are normally housed in
a fire station. Separate / Satellite fire stations can be
provided whenever the response time cannot be achieved
from a single fire station. Wherever position of satalite fire
station is not practicable, at least one ARFF vehicle is
required to be positioned in forward position to meet the
response time.

Number of vehicles provided for ARFF service are

commensurate with the aerodrome category as determined
in accordance with table 5-1A. The minimum number of
rescue and fire fighting vehicles provided at an aerodrome
are in accordance with the following.
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Notes
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________

Fire Station of Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL),

Kochi

Table 5-1A

Category of aerodrome ARFF vehicles.

1 to 5 1.

6, 7 2.

8 3.

9 4.

10 5.

5.10 Vehicle performance.

ARFF vehicles would meet all the requirements outlined in
Table 5-2 below.

Table 5-2: Suggested minimum characteristics for rescue and

fire fighting vehicles.
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UNIT 5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. 131
Notes
__________________
__________________
RFF vehicles upto 4500 RFF vehicles over 4500
litre litres __________________
Monitor Optional for Categories Required
__________________
1&2.
Required for Categories __________________
3 to 9.
Design High discharge capacity High and low discharge __________________
feature capacity __________________
Range Appropriate to longest Appropriate to longest
aircraft aircraft __________________
Handlines Required Required __________________
Under truck Optional Required
nozzles __________________
Bumper turret Optional Optional
Acceleration 80 km/h within 25 80 km/h within 40 seconds
seconds at normal at normal operating
operating temperature temperature
Top speed At least 105 km/h At least 100 km/h
All wheel Yes Required
drive
capability
Automatic Yes Required
and semi
automatic
transmission
Single rear Preferable for categories Required
wheel 1&2.
configuration Required for categories
3 to 9
Minimum 30 degree 30 degree
angle of
approach and
departure
Minimum 30 degree 28 degree
angle of tilt
(static)

ARFF vehicles and equipment are subjected to inspection

schedules and tests on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly,
half-yearly and annual basis. ARFF are required to have a
comprehensive fleet management programme with a
prescribed test method to check performance at regular
interval.
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Notes 5.11 Response time.

__________________
Response time is considered as the time between the initial
__________________
call to the ARFF and the time when the first responding
__________________
vehicle(s) is (are) in position and if required, apply foam at a
__________________
rate of at least 50 % of the discharge rate specified in Table
__________________ 5.3.
__________________
The operational objective of the ARFF would be to achieve
__________________
response time not exceeding three minutes to the end of each
__________________
runway in conditions of visibility 2500 m or better and dry,
__________________
paved surface conditions. Any other vehicles required to
__________________ deliver the amounts of extinguishing agents specified in
Table5-2 would arrive no more than one minute after the
first responding vehicle(s) so as to provide continuous agent
application.

Access routes to the response area are required to be

designated and made suitable for use by RFF vehicles. Routes
are to be maintained in a condition that facilitates use.
Procedures would be developed to place the RFF personnel
on stand by alert when the aerodrome visibility has
deteriorated below a predetermined level.

Table 5.3: minimum usable amounts of extinguishing agents.

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UNIT 5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. 133
Notes
__________________
Foam meeting performance Foam meeting Complemen
__________________
level A performance level B tary agents
Discharge rate Discharge rate Dry2 __________________
Aerodro Water foam Water foam solution Chemical
me 1 solution 1 /minute powders. __________________
/minute __________________
Categor (L) (L) (L) (L) (Kg)
y __________________
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) __________________
1 350 350 230 230 45
2 1000 800 670 550 90 __________________
3. 1800 1300 1200 900 135
__________________
4. 3600 2600 2400 1800 135
5. 8100 4500 5400 3000 180 __________________
6. 1180 6000 7900 4000 225
0
7. 1820 7900 12100 5300 225
0
8. 2730 10800 18200 7200 445
0
9. 3640 13500 24300 9000 450
0
10. 4820 16600 32300 11200 450
0

Supplementary water supplies, for the expeditious

replenishment of rescue and fire fighting vehicles at the
scene of an aircraft accident would be provided.

5.12 Fire extinguishing agent performance

criteria.
The primary attack agent for ARFF vehicles would be aqueous
film forming foam (AFFF), performance conforming to level
B, as given below in table 5-4. Requisite quantities of foam
compound would be maintained at each station in
conformation with ICAO guidelines.
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Notes Table 5-4

__________________
__________________ Fire tests Performance level B
1. Nozzle (air aspirated).
__________________
• Branch pipe. “UNI 86” foam nozzle.
__________________ • Nozzle pressure. 700 kPa.
2.5 litre per minute per square meter.
__________________ • Application rate.
11.4 litre per minute
• Discharge rate
__________________ 2. Fire size 4.5 square meter approx. (circular)
__________________ 3. Fuel (on water substrate) Kerosene
4. Preburn time 60 seconds
__________________ 5. Fire performance.
__________________ • extinguishing time. Equal to or less than 60 seconds.
• total application time. 120 seconds.
__________________ • 25% reignition time. Equal to or more than 5 minutes.

In addition to primary agent, necessary amount of

complementary agent would also be carried in ARFF vehicles.

A minimum of 200 % of foam concentrate and complementary

agent would be held in reserve and would be available at all
times on the aerodrome. Additional stocks of extinguishing
agents required for training would be also provided.

The complementary agents would comply with the

appropriate specifications of the Bureau of Indian Standards
/ ISO or equivalent. The discharge rate of the foam solution
would not be less than the rates shown in Table-5-2. The
discharge rate of complementary agents would be selected
for optimum effectiveness of the agent.

5.13 Ancillary equipment and performance

criteria.
ARFF vehicles carry a wide range of rescue, fire fighting and
salvage equipment as complements for providing rescue and
fire fighting function. The list of such ancillary equipment is
maintained at each ARFF vehicle and station.

Equipments are tested at regular intervals in conformation

with performance criteria and the results are recorded in
equipment log books to draw life cycle for repair /
refurbishing / replacement.
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UNIT 5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. 135
5.15 ARFF personnel- recruitment, training and Notes

Medical fitness. __________________

__________________
The recruitment of ARFF personnel should conform to the
__________________
recruitment rules laid by Airports Authority of India. Details
__________________
of academic, physical and medical standards for each
__________________
category should conform to recruitment rules issued by
Airports Authority of India. All ARFF operational staff would __________________

be qualified and competent for their respective level in the __________________

service. They should also conform to the prescribed medical __________________
and physical fitness. __________________
__________________
ARFF officers and staff would undergo stipulated training
courses at the fire training college/centre before deployment
at the station. Fire Service Training Colleges are established
by AAI at Kolkata and Delhi, with training courses
conforming to ICAO training manual. The ARFF personnel
would undergo station level familiarization training on local
topography and equipment before deployment in actual
service.

5.16 Emergency access roads.

Emergency access roads would be provided on an aerodrome
where terrain conditions permit their construction, to
facilitate achieving minimum response times. Particular
attention would be given to the provision of ready access to
approach areas up to 1000 m from the threshold, or at least
within the aerodrome boundary. Where a fence is provided,
a convenient exit to outside areas shall be provided.

Emergency access roads would be capable of supporting the

heaviest vehicles which would use them, and be usable in all
weather conditions. Roads within 90 m of a runway would
be surfaced to prevent surface erosion and the transfer of
debris to the runway. Sufficient vertical clearance would be
provided from overhead obstructions for the largest vehicles.
Proper Communication facilities would also be provided for
ARFF services.

An alerting system for rescue and fire fighting personnel

should be provided at fire station, sub fire stations and the
aerodrome control tower.
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Notes ARFF service includes RFF vehicles (major CFTs, small

__________________ CFTs), Ambulances, water bowsers, rescue tenders, high mast
__________________ lights.
__________________
__________________
5.17 Interruption or change to level of
__________________
operational service and contingency plans.
__________________ A system of notification with regard to level of fire protection
__________________ and category reduction / up-gradation would be followed as
__________________ and when any emergency or break down is encountered.
__________________
5.18 Arrangements with state/city fire brigades
__________________
and other 3rd party providers.
Arrangement are required to be made at each airport for
with State/City and/or other 3rd party fire brigades to
supplement airport fire services during aircraft emergency.

5.19 Aerodrome emergency planning.

An aerodrome emergency plan is required to be established
at all aerodromes, where RFF facilities have been established.

The plan provides details for the coordinated action to be

taken during an emergency at an aerodrome or in its vicinity.

It should contain details of responsibility and the type of

participation needed from all agencies while responding to
an emergency.

It would also provide details of special infrastructure like

casuality centre and command post etc available and required
at an aerodrome.

The command post would be a facility capable of being moved

rapidly to the site of an emergency, when required, and would
undertake the local coordination of agencies responding to
the emergency.

5.20 The aerodrome emergency plan document

would include at least the following:.
a) types of emergencies planned for viz.;.

v aircraft crash.
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UNIT 5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. 137
v aircraft emergencies (local standby, visibility Notes
standby & full emergency);. __________________
__________________
v bomb threat;.
__________________
v unlawfully seized aircraft;. __________________
v building fires; and. __________________
__________________
v national / natural disasters.
__________________
b) agencies involved in the plan;.
__________________
c) responsibility and role of each agency, the emergency __________________
operations centre and the command post, for each type __________________
of emergency ie; local standby, full emergency, aircraft
crash;.

d) information on names and telephone numbers of offices

or people to be contacted in the case of a particular
emergency; and.

e) a grid map of the aerodrome and its immediate vicinity.

The plan would observe Human Factors principles to ensure

optimum response by all existing agencies participating in
emergency operations. It would provide for co-operation and
coordination with rescue coordination centre.

Arrangements would be made to establish fixed emergency

operation centre, equipped with adequate communication
facilities, for overall coordination and general direction of
the response to an emergency.

5.21 Aerodrome emergency exercise.

In order to test the adequacy of the aerodrome emergency
plan full scale aerodrome emergency exercise is required to
be carried out at intervals of not exceeding 2 years and
partial emergency exercise once in the intervening period
to ensure that any deficiencies found during the exercises
are corrected.

5.22 Disabled aircraft removal.

Disabled aircraft removal plan is required to be developed
by each aerodrome and included in the aerodrome manual.
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Notes The disabled aircraft removal plan should be based on the

__________________ characteristics of the aircraft that may normally be expected
__________________ to operate at the aerodrome, and include among other things:
__________________
a) a list of equipment and personnel on, or in the vicinity
__________________ of, the aerodrome which would be available for such
__________________ purpose; and.
__________________
b) arrangements for the rapid receipt of aircraft recovery
__________________
equipment kits available from other aerodromes.
__________________
__________________ References
__________________
17. ICAO Annex 14 to the Convention on International Civil
Aviation-Volume I-' Aerodrome Design and Operations',
Fourth Edition, July 2004

18. Civil Aviation Requirements, Section-4, Aerodrome

Standards & Air Traffic Services, Series 'B', Part I dated
31st July, 2006-: Aerodrome Design And Operations,
issued by Office Of Director General Of Civil Aviation.

19. ICAO Airport Services Manual (Doc 9137) Part 1 - Rescue

and Fire Fighting.

20. Airports Authority of India Air Traffic Services Manual

21. AAI Airport Operations Manual

Questions
General Questions.
l What do you understand by the term 'Aerodrome
Category' in relation to ARFF? How 'Aerodrome
Category' is determined?

l What are the different classes of Fire? What are the most
suitable methods of controlling them?

Objective Type of questions

a. Class 'C' fire is caused due to ------.

b. Most suitable fire extinguishing agent for control of

burning aircraft fuel is ------
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UNIT 5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. 139
c. Four essential conditions for origination and Notes
continuation of fire are Heat, Oxygen, Fuel and ----. __________________
__________________
d. Response time is considered as the time between the
__________________
initial call to the ARFF and the time when the first
responding vehicle is in position and if required, apply __________________
foam at a rate of at least 50% of the discharge rate.- __________________
True/False __________________
__________________
e. From the table given below, determine the 'Aerodrome
Category' (In relation to ARFF) for an airport, where __________________
the following aircraft are operating on a regular basis? __________________
__________________
Type of Aircraft Length Max fuselage width

B-737 31 m 3.8 m
A-320 38 m 4.0 m

A-300 54 m 5.7 m

B-747 71 m 7.5 m

Aerodrome category Aeroplane overall length. Maximum fuselage width.

1 0 m to less than 9 m 2m

2 9 m to less than 12 m 2m

3 12 m to less than 18 m 3m

4 18 m to less than 24 m 4m

5 24 m to less than 28 m 4m

6 28 m to less than 39 m 5m

7 39 m to less than 49 m 5m

8 49 m to less than 61 m 7m

9 61 m to less than 76 m 7m

10 76 m to less than 90 m 8m

Answers to Objective Type of questions

a. Electrical faults.

b. Aqueous Film-forming Foam (AFFF)

c. Chain Reaction.

d. True

e. The Aerodrome Category is 10 (Highest of all)