Definition

Onboard systems designed to extinguish fires which occur either in the air or on the ground.

For information on detecting and fighting fires in the cabin, see also the separate article: "Passenger Cabin Fire"

Description

Four types of fire extinguishing installations are found on commercial transport aircraft:

• Portable extinguishers installed at specified locations in both the main cabin and the flight deck.
• Cargo hold fire extinguishing systems (with automatic detection).
• Engine fire bottle extinguishing systems (with automatic detection).
• Toilet waste bin bottle extinguishing systems.

Portable Extinguishers

General

Fires on board aircraft which occur within the aircraft cabin or flight deck - or are potentially directly accessible from them - arise in one of three ways: