Fire protection systems are necessary to protect many types of buildings, and aircraft hangars are no exception. Aircraft hangars need fire suppression, typically foam fire suppression, to protect both the hangar and the valuable equipment inside of it.
Aircraft Hangars: A Unique Fire Protection Challenge
Aircraft hangars pose a unique challenge from a fire protection standpoint. Hangars often have large quantities of highly flammable fuel that is at risk of igniting. Also, the airplanes with large bodies and wings create obstructions that make typical fire protection systems inadequate at putting out fires. The challenge with aircraft hangar fire protection systems is to design a system that will work around the obstructions and quickly put out a fire to protect the expensive airplanes and the lives of people.
Aircraft Hangar Fire Code
NFPA 409, the standard on fire protection for aircraft hangars, divides aircraft hangars into 4 groups. Aircraft hangars are classified based on building dimensions, construction, door height, and the types of hazardous materials present. NFPA 409 specifies the types of fire protection systems that should be used for an aircraft hangar, depending on the group it falls under.
In addition to NFPA 409, there may be additional requirements a hangar has to comply with such as insurance company requirements or local fire code. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy facilities have additional standards for aircraft hangar fire protection.
Foam Fire Suppression Systems
Although there is no one size fits all system for aircraft hangar fire protection, many aircraft hangars use foam fire suppression systems. Foam fire suppression is an effective choice for many aircraft hangars because when these systems are activated, they release a blanket of foam that protects the flammable fuel from combusting.
Fire suppression foam is made up of foam concentrate, water, and air that mixes together to create a blanket of foam. Foam puts out fires through cooling the flame, suppressing vapors, and smothering.
Install a Foam System
At Davis-Ulmer, we can design and install foam fire suppression systems to meet the needs of your facility. We can install a system that complies with NFPA 409 and will protect your facility the most effectively. Davis-Ulmer has technicians that inspect, test, and repair foam fire suppression systems. If you are unsure if foam fire suppression is right for your facility, contact Davis-Ulmer today and we can determine which system will work best for you.
