TSB Recommendation A00-20

TC agrees with the recommendation.

The Flight Attendant Training Standard (TP12296) addresses the training issues as identified in the Swiss Air Investigation Report for SR 111.  Section 4 of the Standard states the following Training Objective:

“The trainee will be able to identify the types of fire, fire detection and fire fighting systems and the established fire fighting procedures.”

This objective is met when candidates meet the following enabling objectives.

4.1A General

• 4.1A.1 Identify the threat to safety from in-flight fires.
• 4.1A.2 Identify hazards associated with onboard fires including toxicity of smoke/fumes, flammability of cabin materials, variety of combustible materials.
• 4.1A.3 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.4 Describe experience(s) with fire accidents/incidents. Identify the safety lessons learned as a result.
• 4.1A.5 Describe the legislated requirements regarding fire safety (e.g. onboard smoke detectors, waste receptacle fire extinguishers, fire resistant seat cushions, floor lighting, etc.).
• 4.1A.6 Define fire chemistry, including the elements, which must be present for fire to occur (e.g. fuel, heat, oxygen, chemical reactions).
• 4.1A.7 List the classes of fire which may occur on aircraft: Class A – combustible material fires, Class B – grease/spill fires, Class C – electrical, and Class D – fire involving metals and the possible sources for these fires.
• 4.1A.8 Describe importance of early detection and correct recognition.
• 4.1A.9 Identify the characteristics and behaviour of fire (e.g. what you will see, how the fire will behave) in different cabin environments and fire propagation.
• 4.1A.10 Describe the means of fire/smoke detection (e.g. smell, auditory, visual, tactile).
• 4.1A.11 Describe the chemical properties of each type of fire extinguisher, including hazards to occupants and aircraft systems and how it extinguishes fire.
• 4.1A.12 Describe each piece of fire fighting equipment onboard (including protective breathing equipment, protective clothing) and include the following in the description:
1. Purpose;
2. Stowage, location, access, retrieval;
3. Serviceability;
4. Operation;
5. Duration;
6. Limitations;
7. Conditions of use; and
8. Care after use.

4.1B Crew Responsibilities

• 4.1B.1 Identify the responsibility for crew to maintain situational awareness and investigate immediately whenever an onboard fire situation is suspected and when an onboard fire detection system is activated.
• 4.1B.2 Identify the importance and responsibility to be prepared to implement appropriate fire fighting procedures.
• 4.1B.3 Define the specific crew member responsibilities for fire fighting onboard:
1. Fighting fire;
2. Back-up equipment/second fire fighter;
3. Communication; and
4. Passenger control.
• 4.1B.4 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, and 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.5 Describe the importance of crew coordination in fire fighting and identify ways that this may be achieved.
• 4.1B.6 Describe the importance of crew communication in fire fighting and providing pilot-in-command with accurate information on fire source, location, extent/severity or 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 fires including finding the source of the fire, type of extinguisher to use, additional fire fighting equipment needed, techniques for using extinguishers, complications to fighting types of fires, limitations to fighting fires, post-fire procedures, crew communication, crew 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. Describe the cause of each and the conditions under which each is likely to occur.

TC’s review of this matter leads us to conclude that the safety action taken addresses the risk associated with this recommendation. The department continues to support international efforts to enhance passenger safety.

In its response, Transport Canada (TC) indicates that a number of actions have been taken to address the safety deficiency identified in Recommendation A00-20, regarding in-flight firefighting standards. These include the following:

• In 2000, TC initiated contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) to collaborate on a joint strategy to resolve the safety deficiency identified in Recommendation A00-20;
• In 2004, the FAA published Advisory Circular (AC) 120-80, which informed operators about the dangers of in-flight fires, namely those that may not be visible or easily accessed by crewmembers. This advisory also provided guidance on the procedures for combatting in-flight fires and training on the appropriate use of cabin fire extinguishers. AC 120-80 was updated by the FAA in 2014 to provide additional guidance;
• In 2005, TC issued Policy Letter 153: Practical Training – Emergency Procedure Training for Pilots regarding the initial and recurrent training requirements for commercial air operators. This letter clarified the extent of the practical training that pilots must undertake regarding location and use of fire extinguishers onboard aircraft, and the corresponding emergency procedures that must be followed in the event of an in-flight fire;
• In 2007, TC indicated that it was cooperating with the FAA, the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and other regulatory authorities participating in the International Aircraft Systems Fire Protection Working Group, to address deficiencies identified in Recommendation A00-20; and
• In 2007, the FAA released a training video entitled Fighting In-Flight Fires, which was published in collaboration with TC, the United Kingdom CAA, the French Direction générale de l'Aviation civile (DGAC), and the Brazilian CAA. This video was designed to assist in the training of cabin flight attendants to combat hidden in-flight fires.

In several responses, TC indicated that current training standards for flight attendants (Flight Attendant Training Standard – TP 12296) and air crew (Policy Letter 153) on how to respond to in-flight fires sufficiently address the training issues raised in Recommendation A00-20.

In addition, the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) now contain requirements governing the use, quantity, content and location of hand-held fire extinguishers onboard commercial passenger aircraft (CARs 705.93, 704.83 & 602.60(1)(e)). In aircraft operated under CARs Subpart 705, hand-held fire extinguishers must be conveniently located and readily available for immediate use in the flight deck, the passenger cabin, the cargo compartments that are accessible by crewmembers, and each isolated galley (CARs 705.93). In pressurized aircraft operated under CARs Subpart 705, protective breathing equipment with a 15-minute oxygen supply must also be available within one meter of each hand-held fire extinguisher and be readily available to assist crewmembers in combatting fires (CARs 705.71).

The Board considers that the actions taken in response to A98H0003 now provide crewmembers with adequate emergency procedures, training and equipment to respond immediately, effectively and in a coordinated manner in the event of an in-flight fire. These actions have substantially reduced the risks associated with the deficiency identified in Recommendation A00-20.

Therefore, the response to Recommendation A00-20 is assessed as Fully Satisfactory.

This deficiency file is Closed.